| "Hiraeth" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Christopher Chulack |
| Written by | John Wells |
| Cinematography by | Loren Yaconelli |
| Editing by | John M. Valerio |
| Original release date | October 2, 2016 |
| Running time | 54 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Hiraeth" is the first episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. It is the 73rd overall episode of the series and was written by series developer John Wells and directed by executive producer Christopher Chulack. It aired on Showtime on October 2, 2016, but was available online on September 23, 2016.[1]
The series is set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and depicts the poor, dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a neglectful single father of six: Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. He spends his days drunk, high, or in search of money, while his children need to learn to take care of themselves. In the episode, Frank wakes up from a coma in the hospital, while Ian suspects Caleb might be cheating on him.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.24 million household viewers and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who deemed it as a promising start to the season.