Since the show debuted, Phillip “Lip” Gallagher has been one of my favorite television characters. A classic underachiever, Lip is crazy smart but has absolutely no interest in finishing high school, let alone college, despite academic counselors practically begging him to apply to places to continue his education. And this is because of a general pessimistic philosophy he has honed growing up in south Chicago, that the only way for people in the Gallagher’s situation to get anything in life is to scam it or steal it. For all his book knowledge, Lip ultimately trusts the knowledge he’s gained from the experience of his inner city life up to that point.
He’s an admirable character because he’s able to talk his way out of any situation and seems like he’s in control of his own fate because he doesn’t take directions from anyone. But he also seems unaware of how much control he’s given over to the situation he was born into, how he’s letting that define him and dictate what the rest of his life will be. Like Fiona, he’s receiving plenty of offers to escape from his little world, but refuses them at every turn.
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Published: Apr 1, 2013 12:46 pm