Casey Casden
| "Casey Casden" | |
|---|---|
| Shameless episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Todd Holland |
| Written by | Cindy Caponera |
| Produced by |
|
| Cinematography by | Rodney Charters |
| Editing by | Thomas Bolger |
| Production code | 2J5404 |
| Original release date | January 30, 2011 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Casey Casden" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American television comedy drama Shameless, an adaptation of the British series of the same name. The episode was written by producer Cindy Caponera, and directed by Todd Holland. It originally aired on Showtime on January 30, 2011.
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, Debbie kidnaps a toddler from the neighborhood and the Gallaghers have to find a way to return him.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.11 million household viewers and gained a 0.6/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised its dark humor, storylines and ending.
Plot[edit]
At the Jackson residence, Frank (William H. Macy) discovers that the neighbors, the Casdens, are throwing a birthday party but loses interest when he realizes there will not be alcohol. Eddie Jackson (Joel Murray) unexpectedly moves back in with his family, citing financial issues, much to the dismay of his estranged wife Sheila (Joan Cusack) and their daughter Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins). Angered by her father's return, Karen tries to seduce Frank to get back at her father, but Frank rebuffs her.
Hearing a noise at the house, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) and Steve (Justin Chatwin) investigate and are shocked to find that Debbie (Emma Kenney), still saddened over having to say goodbye to the woman from the nursing home, has kidnapped the birthday party's toddler, Casey. This leads to a local search for Casey, and the Gallaghers are alarmed that they might be arrested for kidnapping him. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) concocts a plan to return Casey to his family without drawing attention from the public and the police. He enlists Carl (Ethan Cutkosky), Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) to call the police and report separate instances of a little boy walking around Chicago, and they fabricate a story in which Debbie finds Casey on the street and decides to walk him home. Lip's plan is successful, and Fiona takes Debbie to the police station with Tony (Tyler Jacob Moore) to make a statement. She gets over $700 in rewards, and Steve decides to buy her a baby doll.
While working at the Alibi Room, Kevin tries to get rid of a flirty girl by falsely claiming he is going to marry Veronica. Frank overhears this and loudly celebrates while Veronica's mother Carol (Vanessa Bell Calloway) is present. Kevin is forced to accept the statement, although he asks Carol not to call Veronica yet. Later, he arrives home and drunkenly proposes to Veronica, which she accepts. After returning home from the police station, Fiona tells Steve that she wonders if she is properly raising her family. They are interrupted when Veronica and Kevin arrive, announcing their engagement. With her money, Debbie buys a new gas tank for the house. When Fiona comments over Kevin's indifference to getting engaged, Kevin reveals to her that he is already married.
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
The episode was written by producer Cindy Caponera, and directed by Todd Holland. It was Caponera's first writing credit, and Holland's first directing credit.[1]
Reception[edit]
Viewers[edit]
In its original American broadcast, "Casey Casden" was seen by an estimated 1.11 million household viewers with a 0.6/1 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.6 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 1 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it.[2] This was a 23% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 0.90 million household viewers with a 0.4/1 in the 18–49 demographics.[3]
Critical reviews[edit]
"Casey Casden" received highly positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.5 out of 10 and wrote, "It was another strong episode for this series, which I continue to find entertaining week after week. I mentioned in my last review how I really liked the odd bond Debbie formed with the fake "Aunt Ginger," which made me glad to see that not dropped this week as it was Debbie's upset feelings over that loss (on top of her usual screwed up family life) that set the plotline into motion."[4]
Joshua Alston of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "Tonight's Shameless was a pivotal episode for me. Four episodes is a reasonable number of viewings to give a show that managed to pique your curiosity and squeeze a few laughs out of you. But I still wasn't quite sure what to make of Shameless following “Aunt Ginger,” and if I hadn't connected with this episode, I'd obviously still watch, but my heart probably wouldn’t have been in it. But “Casey Casden” is an episode of Shameless that makes sense to me."[5]
Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "There were two particularly interesting moments in this one, I thought – not necessarily interesting within the context of the episode (which felt repetitive coming right after “Aunt Ginger”), but of my long-term interest in the series. The first is when Steve is shot down for suggesting, not unreasonably, that it might not be such a bad thing for Debbie to get some help. The second is after the whole kidnapping mess is behind them and Fiona wonders if she's really screwing up these kids by raising them this way."[6] Alexandra Peers of Vulture wrote, "So far, the neighbor couple has pretty much been used for sex scenes, running gags, and bum shots at the corners of the drama, but things are about to get more interesting. Because, while everything seems perfect. Kev confesses to Fiona, outside on the stoop: “I'm already married.”"[7]
Tim Basham of Paste wrote, "We're learning that the family really isn't as bad as they appear. It's just that they have to break a number of laws in order to survive and stay together."[8] Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "The Gallaghers are an admittedly unique and crazy little bunch. However, Debbie seems to be on a mission to step up the crazy. On "Casey Casden," therefore," she went all out and stole a toddler."[9] Jacob Clifton of Television Without Pity gave the episode an "A+" grade.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ "Shameless - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (February 1, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Holly's World,' 'Real Housewives' Finale Up; Plus 'Kardashians,' 'Shameless' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (January 25, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Real Housewives,' Kardashians, 'Holly's World' Lead Night + 'Shameless' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (January 31, 2011). "Shameless: "Casey Casden" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Alston, Joshua (January 30, 2011). "Shameless: "Casey Casden"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (January 30, 2011). "'Shameless' – 'Casey Casden': Amber alert". HitFix. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Peers, Alexandra (January 31, 2011). "Shameless Recap: Stranger With Candy". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Basham, Tim (January 31, 2011). "Shameless (Episode 1.04)". Paste. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Raines, Leigh (January 31, 2011). "Shameless Review: "Casey Casden"". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Clifton, Jacob (February 1, 2011). "Shameless: "Casey Casden" – Loser Goes to Gitmo". Television Without Pity. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
