9. Frank the Plumber

Fiona (Emmy Rossum) starts working at a marketing department office. While she is instructed to stick to the script provided for the customers, Fiona deviates from the standards and also alarms her co-workers when Veronica (Shanola Hampton) asks for help regarding a possible circumcision for her baby. Her superior, Mike Pratt (Jake McDorman), talks to her about her behavior, but also congratulates her for managing to get more customers to their service.

Frank (William H. Macy) is still living with Christopher (Christian Clemenson), and he decides to try to ask for financial benefits under a domestic partnership program. However, the clerk refuses to accept his request, as Frank has to have lived with Christopher for one year. While walking on the street, Frank notices an electoral candidate for mayor campaigning. Frank interrupts him to complain about the poor service, and goes on a tirade that is broadcast through social media. Frank is soon hailed as a gay rights hero, but Christopher is annoyed by the bullying he is experiencing at his job, prompting him to ask Frank to move out.

Jimmy (Justin Chatwin) starts to reconsider his future given his weak salary, and strongly considers going back to medical school. Upon learning that Mickey (Noel Fisher) is marrying Svetlana after impregnating her, Ian (Cameron Monaghan) tries to talk to him, but Mickey brutally beats him instead.

Without telling Fiona, Debbie (Emma Kenney) chooses to skip school to take care of a depressed Sheila (Joan Cusack). Sheila opens up to Debbie about her mental health struggles and feeling betrayed that Karen (Laura Slade Wiggins) revealed this to the Wong family to get Hymie taken away from her. Meanwhile, Lip (Jeremy Allen White) continues his sexual relationship with Karen. Wanting better for Lip's future, Mandy (Emma Greenwell) applies to numerous colleges for Lip, including MIT. When an MIT representative visits Lip at the Gallagher home, Lip agrees to an interview and is asked to write a 250-word essay. The representative is visibly impressed by Lip's intelligence, and an elated Lip decides to mend his relationship with Mandy and break things off with Karen. In turn, Karen leaves a threatening message to Mandy on her phone.

Per Debbie's advice, Sheila tries to reconcile with Karen, apologizing for being absent during Karen's childhood due to her agoraphobia. Karen is tearful over the apology, but before she can respond, she receives a text from Lip to meet him at the park. While crossing the street to meet Lip, Karen is suddenly rammed by Mandy's car and left unconscious in the middle of the street. Meanwhile, a homeless Frank is approached by lobbyist Abraham Paige (Bradley Whitford), who offers him a house and job to become the new face of their gay rights campaign.