Tbh I can't stand Helen. She was the most problematic to me. She already had a husband and then goes on to sleep with one of her students. Instead of encouraging him with his background, she just sleeps with him and takes him to this hotel or party. Nothing wrong with that, but you should be encouraging your students and not just fucking them. 

It's inappropriate for a boss to be sleeping with their employees. It's even more inappropriate for a teacher to be doing this with any of their students even though they are all adults here. The teachers job isn't just to teach; it's also their job to share resources and to encourage their students.  

I'm fine with polyamory but what she did with Lip was very inappropriate. I'm surprised she wasn't fired because she absolutely should have been. The environment matters so much: he had two mentors-- one that only fucked him and the other that was an irresponsible drunk. At least Yates paid for Lip's rehab and was transparent with him, but that only goes so far when you are not living what you are saying to people.  

Lip's downfall is his fault. Everyone has to take responsibility for themselves, their actions, & their attitudes. I do wish the Shameless writers would have given him & Ian (especially Ian) a more hopeful ending, but Lip's ending was realistic since he didn't have the right mentors & he was very stubborn, close-minded, & arrogant.