Shameless Season 8 Finale Recap
Shameless: This Is Everything That Happened in Season 8
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The bulk of Ian's Season 8 arc deals with his transformation into "Gay Jesus." The journey begins when one of the shelter kids tries to kill himself after his parents insist on conversion therapy.
Armed with Bible scriptures that promote equality, Ian disrupts the service and engages the pastor in a showdown. "You want to fight?" Ian says. "I'll fight you, but you're going to get your ass kicked by a homosexual." Someone in the crowd records the dispute, and the video goes viral. Several of the youth rally behind Ian and encourage him to take his show on the road. At the next confrontation, the priest has a heart attack, and Ian uses his medical training to revive the man. Once again, someone films the event, and the Church of Gay Jesus continues to grow.
The movement comes to a head when Ian blows up a van to thwart the kidnapping attempt of a young gay boy whose parents are concerned his homelessness and homosexuality will lead to prostitution and drug use. Trevor encourages Ian to tone down his antics because the explosion, though non-fatal, attracts the attention of the police who are rounding up kids from the centre.
Instead of backing down, Ian plans a protest. When the police arrive, the kids attempt to cover for Ian by each declaring to be his namesake. The police react by arresting everyone, and we end the season with his fate in the balance.