The Department of Family Services takes away the Gallagher children, and Fiona is desperate to get them back, so much so that she must round up Frank, get him to act responsibly and make a court appearance. Meanwhile, Kev and Veronica decide to use her mother as a surrogate; and Terry catches Mickey and Ian in flagrante.

At the gathering for Aunt Ginger's fake funeral, the family meet Frank's wily cousin Patrick, who might just be devious enough to "out-Gallagher" the Gallaghers.