[s11e1] This Is Chicago! May 2026

Reviewers were divided on how the show handled its final season debut, particularly its heavy integration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

: Critics from Telltale TV gave it 4/5 stars , noting that the episode recaptured the "old school Shameless vibe" from the pilot, with Frank’s voiceovers and the Gallagher kids running their own scams. [S11E1] This is Chicago!

: Debbie's conviction for statutory rape and her subsequent "fame" on Instagram was widely panned by reviewers as a "lazy" attempt to create controversy. Summary of Ratings Telltale TV TV Fanatic 1.5/5 Stars IMDb User Average "Shameless" This Is Chicago (TV Episode 2020) - IMDb Reviewers were divided on how the show handled

: The episode leans heavily into the pandemic. While Den of Geek felt this pushed the Gallaghers to prove they are "the Southside’s most persistent cockroaches," some viewers found the execution heavy-handed. Summary of Ratings Telltale TV TV Fanatic 1

: Conversely, TV Fanatic gave it a low 1.5/5 stars , calling it uneven and "empty." Other reviewers on IMDb criticized the writing as "lazy" and "tired," specifically citing inconsistent character ages and implausible plot points. Key Plot Points & Reception

The episode is the premiere of the 11th and final season of the American dramedy Shameless , which aired on December 6, 2020. Reviews for the episode were highly polarized, ranging from praise for its "old school" feel to criticism for being one of the series' "emptiest" entries. Critical Consensus