Noel Fisher, who plays Mickey Milkovich in the HBO comedy-drama series "Shameless" celebrates his 31st birthday on 13 March. The Canadian actor who played the role of Cael Malloy on the FX series, "The Riches" (2007-2008) and became popular as Vladmir in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2", had also given voice to Michelangelo in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie of 2014.
Currently, Fisher is best known for the role of Mickey and is not only a fan-favourite, but also a regularly lead character for many fan fictions. Although Mickey began as a rowdy character in "Shameless" with a tendency for violence, in the later seasons he gradually falls in love with Ian Gallagher (Cameron Monaghan).
In his slow, but beautifully written journey from being a violent young man to being the caring boyfriend of a bipolar Ian, Mickey has had touching scenes in "Shameless", especially with Ian.
Here are a few such moments:
Season 1 Episode 7: "Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father"
Mickey, much like his other family members, regularly robs from the shop Kash and Grab, that Ian works for; at the time Ian was also sleeping with the owner of the shop. In the tussle that follows when Ian goes to Mickey's home to confront him, the duo gets physically aroused and ends up having sex. This is the first scene that touches upon Mickey's sexuality and gives viewers the first glimpse of what later became the most popular story line of the series.
Season 3 Episode 3: "May I Trim Your Hedges?"
Mickey goes to Angie Zago's house to have sex with her and is nonchalant when Ian asks him about it. However, when he sees Ian's older boyfriend/benefactor Ned, Mickey gets jealous and beats him up, before running away with Ian. This is the first time Mickey expresses any feelings towards Ian other than sexual. An unspoken commitment towards each other, is agreed upon by the couple after the incident.
Season 3 Episode 5: "The Sins of My Caretaker"
After Ian admits to Mickey that he likes Ned because the older man isn't afraid to kiss him, Mickey sneaks a kiss, thus initiating the first kiss between the two of them.
Season 3 Episode 6: "Cascading failures"
After Mickey's homophobic father catches the two of them together, he beats them up and makes a Russian prostitute Svetlana rape Mickey and "f**k the gay out of him". This episode displayed Fisher's acting potential at its zenith. The shock, pain and pleasure played on Mickey's face with equal brilliance during, what can rightfully be called the most heartbreaking episode of "Shameless".
Season 3 Episode 12: "Survival of the Fittest"
After Mickey marries Svetlana, who supposedly got pregnant when she raped him, Ian decides to join the army. When he breaks the news to Mickey, he initially doesn't believe him, then gets angry and claims that he is not going to beg him to stay, and finally gives up and breaks down. Here, Mickey is in his most vulnerable state, and shows Fisher's prowess as a versatile actor.
Season 4 Episode 1: "Simple Pleasures"
Mickey has taken over more responsibility of the family business, which includes a brothel called "Rub and Tug", where his wife Svetlana also works. He tries to forget Ian and even tries to have sex with women, but in the end, he is shown to be unhappy. He stares longingly at a picture of Ian before smashing his hand into a mirror. Here again, Mickey's humane and tender side is shown, in the confines of the washroom.
Season 4 Episode 11: "Emily"
After a heated argument with Ian over living a lie, Mickey comes out to his father and the rest of his family in the Alibi Room, during his son Yevgeny's baptism party. His father and he have a bloody fight after the announcement, and his father is taken away by the police. When everything settles down, the couple sits outside the bar and shares a loving moment, when Ian assures Mickey that everything will be alright.
Season 4 Episode 12: "Lazarus"
Ian's bipolar tendencies are bubbling on the surface and Fiona warns him that he might have to get admitted to a psych ward. Mickey is positively shocked and animatedly announces that he will not go anywhere and that he wants to take care of Ian himself. "I will take care of him.. He will stay with here.. with his family," claimed Mickey.
Season 5 Episode 6: "Crazy Love"
Ian has run away with Yevgeny, Mickey's baby, after Mickey asks him to meet a doctor regarding his bipolar disorder. He is finally caught by the police and when Mickey finally holds his baby, his face is a mirror of unconditional love and relief. He is still in love with Ian and knows that his boyfriend also loves his child. He hugs him with so much affection and can barely hold his tears as Ian enters the psych ward.
Season 5 Episode 7: "Tell Me You F*ck*ng Need Me"
Ian has been admitted to the psych ward and is sedated and when Mickey goes to visit him with Fiona, Ian is unable to interact with them. Mickey is hurt and wipes a tear off his eyes before getting out of the facility. Towards the end of the episode he is seen drunk, falling on the floor and grabbing Ian's shirt and crying into it.
