amylynne40-blog

[amylynne40-blog]

Gallavich is Endgame

I am relatively late to Shameless-and more importantly-to Gallavich.  No words spring truer to this fact than the iconic Mickey Milkovich’s “I’m sorry I’m late”.  Sorry I certainly am because this couple is painful, passionate, loving, devastating and truthfully not only one of the best gay couples but one of the best couples (period. end of story.) that has graced my or any other screen.  It is the kind of love affair that seems odd at first--totally random, opposite...out of the blue and evolves into this powerful romance that you cannot fathom either one of these men with anyone other than the other.

Through the seasons we were able to share in some of their light moments but they were mostly peppered in between deeply penetrating, powerful and heartbreaking moments.  We saw Mickey give Ian the kiss that neither ever thought they’d share-though undoubtedly both dreamed about all the way to their most passionate kisses that would forever be burned in our memories as some of the hottest, rawest hungriest kisses ever. We watched them blossom from boys to men, from crushes to lovers, from friends to family but most importantly we watched them navigate the darkest parts of each of their lives guided by the light of the other’s love.

As we speak...or as I type...Mickey is in Mexico and Ian is back in the Southside, presumably attempting to make amends with Trevor, having just left Mickey to cross the border as a fugitive alone...in a dress...with no plan.  As we have learned, however, throughout the seasons, Mickey is as resilient as they come so I have no fear that he will be ok until he and Ian are reunited...and they will be...because they are endgame...and here is why split into 3 sections.

1. WHY MICKEY IS NOT TOXIC

I hate to see people refer to Mickey as toxic to Ian. There is nothing further from the truth. If Mickey is toxic to anyone...it is only to himself. As far as Ian goes, no one has been more respectful, loving, selfless, protective and loyal than Mickey. Mickey is a powerhouse in many respects but he is Ians soft, safe place--where he can be himself. Mickey has NEVER asked Ian to compromise who he is in order to be loved by him. What he did do, however, was be there when Ian was compromising himself--protecting Ian from himself and others but never forcing him to change. Sample of the differences between Mickey and Trevor in regard to Ian:

Mickey finds Ian drugged out at a bar. This is a man that he loves with every fiber of his being--a man that he would unquestionably lose his life over and that he hasn’t seen in quite some time. He doesn’t force himself on Ian or even bring up their relationship other than to tell him that he needs to go home---be with his family even if it means that he doesn’t want to hang out with him. He knew Ian needed to be home and safe. His own feelings didn’t matter. Yes, he wanted to be with him but he wanted Ian safe and home. Ian was more important.

Trevor knows Ian for five minutes and doesn’t really even give Ian time to negotiate his feelings before giving him an ultimatum about the fact that he had enough friends. Together or nothing. That isn’t love. That isn’t romantic. Ultimatums are toxic. Ultimatums are a power play. Trevor was more important.

Even at the border scene where Ian decides that he cannot go...you do not see Mickey trying to talk him into it. If Ian didn’t want to go, than Ian doesn’t have to. He would never make him do anything. Mickey self-sacrificed himself a lot. That’s not toxic...that’s love.

IAN REALLY DOES LOVE MICKEY

While these days it may feel that Ian may have moved on to Trevor, someone who is in love with someone...or who has moved on from someone...does not leave on a potentially forever trip with the person they supposedly moved on from. It’s not about the border...it’s about the fact you’d never get in the damn car to begin with. You’d never even pick up the damn phone and you sure as hell would make love to that person 2 hours after dropping off hamburgers at the other person’s work...most definitely not as passionately AND then spoon that person into the morning..holding them lovingly. That isn’t the bipolar talking either. Good ol’ Ian is medicated properly and there was nothing manic about any of what he did. The most impulsive thing he did was leave Mickey at the border because up until that point, he knew damn well what he was doing. He didn’t not go because of Trevor. He didn’t go...in my best estimation...because of his family. Grant it they didn’t give a shit that he was gone for as long as he was and Lip didn’t drag his ass from behind the bar...but we tend to have a forgiveness and sense of responsibility to family even when it isn’t earned.

That I love you was meant. It was the first time we heard it but it sure as the devil wasn’t the first time it was said. It was important, however, that it was said in that moment because he needed Mickey...and us...to know that it wasn’t a lack of love keeping him from crossing the border. Mickey has his love and his money. Mickey has his heart. When you see Ian with other men...they just get his shell...never his heart. That is Mickey’s alone and has been so since boyhood. I suspect, also, that Ian knew that it wouldn’t be the last of Mickey in his life. They will never say goodbye to one another...and they didn’t...not even in the moment that it made sense to say it. It wasn’t said because it wasn’t goodbye.

THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES TO THIS LOVE

I’ve said this before, some love affairs leave no room for alternatives. Theirs is one of those loves. Their love is so raw, so passionate that when you see them together--even just looking at each other you know without a question that they would give the world to and up for each other.  You also know, by the way, that they must have the steamiest sex in all of the Southside. For five seasons we watched these boys turned lovers develop their relationship in such a way that we will never, ever accept another person for either one of them. It doesn’t fit.

 I used to think that “you complete me” line was kind of a bullshit line until Gallavich. They really do. They are perfect compliments to each other. They are vulnerable with each other-a feat that almost seemed impossible when we met Mickey...but Ian did it. He made Mickey feel safe emotionally and I don’t think Mickey would have thought someone would be able to gift him the freedom to be who he is. Mickey had the balls to stand up to anyone...but he didn’t have the heart to open up to anyone...until Ian.

We may see Ian test other relationships but they will never stand the test of time. He may be trying to fit into other worlds because he is trying to deviate away from the world he grew up in. He doesn’t want to be a Monica. He’s made that very clear. The first step to not being Monica is to find acceptance that the meds are necessary to have the best shot at a normal life. The next step is to stop chasing meaningless relationships to find meaning after you sacrificed the love of your life.  When you see Ian with anyone other than Mickey, it is clearly robotic, lacking intimacy and a poor attempt to feel what he feels with the man he thinks he’s moved away from. When you see Ian and Mickey reunited, they come to life. Why is that? Because without each other, their souls are without their mates. They will never find that again...each soul is given but one mate...and they found each other’s playing first and second base many, many moons ago. They are endgame...no alternatives...no options...no arguments.