Mickey Milkovich is the often serious and violent older brother of Mandy Milkovich and son of Terry Milkovich. He is known as one of the most aggressive neighborhood thugs; having stolen several items from stores, being sent to juvie at an early age, and having several weapons in his household. He was first introduced on the show as a greasy thug who terrorized Ian because Mandy accused Ian of assaulting her. Mickey was closeted. At the start, it seems that Ian is the boy most affected by their relationship. Eventually, there were signs that he cared more about Ian than he was willing to let on.
But at the end of Season 4, after having been raped by a Russian prostitute (Svetlana Milkovich), he comes out in front of a crowd where Yevgeny's baptism after-party is being held.
Subsequently, Mickey allowed Ian to live in the Milkovich home before Ian broke up with him. He is seen to have a developing relationship with Fiona and Lip. Mickey is still betrothed to Svetlana and is the presumed father of Yevgeny, in which he has agreed to take care of. Struggling with Ian's spontaneous behavioral problems, Mickey is seen to slowly come to terms with the effect that bipolar disorder has on Ian, and realizes that he needs medical attention.
Season 2
During Parenthood, Frank walks to the Kash and Grab only to find the door locked. He goes round the back and collects his usual supply of beer before being surprised by the naked rear end of his son Ian, who is with Mickey. Frank's only reaction is to make several sarcastic comments, making it incredibly plain that he knows they were having sex. Frank collects cigarettes and cash from the cash register and tells Ian and Mickey to add the items to his tab before leaving.
Ian does not react to his father's surprise visit but Mickey is worried. Mickey claims that his father will kill him. Mickey threatens to kill Frank. Ian attempts to talk him out of it, pointing out that Frank has a terrible short-term memory and is very likely to forget what he saw, but Mickey is unwilling to risk it. In the heat of their argument, Mickey, out of fear of the consequences of facing his father, tells Ian he is "done" and that Ian is nothing more than a "warm mouth" to him. He later collects his brothers and makes plans to kill Frank. Following Frank as he leaves the Alibi, Mickey prepares to shoot him but develops a change of heart and cannot go through with it. He goes and assaults a police officer instead, violating his probation so that he would be imprisoned.
Season 3
In The American Dream, Mickey shows up interrupting a sexual encounter of Ian's. As they are catching up, it is revealed that Mickey would still be considered freshman in high school because he has failed all of his classes. Mickey is shown to be jealous when Ian is with other men. Such as when he watches Ian with Dr. L at a club.
Ian asks Mickey if he had sex with Angie and Mickey replies that he did because "everyone fucks Angie." He then asks Ian if he ever had sex with her, to which Ian replies that he did not.
Dr. L arrives at the store asking Ian out on a date which causes Mickey to show signs of jealousy. After Dr. L leaves the store, Mickey asks Ian if that was his grandpa, to which Ian says that Dr. L is just a guy he was seeing. Mickey inquires about what they do together and Ian bluntly says that they mostly just fuck, like Mickey and Angie. Mickey later shows up near the restaurant where Dr. L and Ian are going on a date. Once Ian and Dr. L leave the bar, Mickey walks towards them and a shocked Ian asks him what he is doing there. After recognizing who Mickey is, Dr. L tells Ian not to be rude and. This, however, angers Mickey, who headbutts Dr. L and attempts to beat him up, though Ian stops him. The commotion attracts attention and police begin arriving to investigate, Mickey has to escape from the scene but calls Ian to go with him, Ian tries to briefly console Dr. L and apologizes before promising to text him later and runs away with Mickey. They run into an alley where Ian angrily asks Mickey what is wrong with him, but Mickey just puts his hands up as a calming gesture. Mickey then grabs Ian's neck with one hand and lower abdomen with his other. At this, they both laugh before grabbing at each other, or "play fighting", and run off together.
In the episode The Sins of My Caretaker, Dr. L shows up at Kash and Grab and asks Ian to break into his house to retrieve his suits, paintings and a bottle of wine (adding that Ian is free to steal whatever he pleases). Later, while Ian and Mickey are hanging out together; Ian going through an R.O.T.C. obstacle course. Ian informs Mickey about the plan to break into the house. Mickey is disinterested at first but is later swayed by Ian's comments that Dr. L is rich and that they are free to take what they want. Mickey is quick to comment that he does not know what Ian sees in Dr. L, referring to him as a "geriatric viagroid" but Ian points out that he receives many perks including presents and room service, and, unlike Mickey, Dr. L is not afraid to kiss him.
Ian and Mickey take two Malkovich cousins with them to rob the house, Ian waits in the car. As the cousins enter the house, Mickey suddenly returns to the van and gives Ian a kiss. Before Ian reacts, Mickey starts running back to the house. Ian is seen smiling in the van as Mickey leaves. Things quickly take a turn, however, when the boys drop a clock and wake Dr. L's wife Candace, who appears with a gun and shoots Mickey in the butt. Ian quickly drives a wounded Mickey back to the Gallagher house where Dr. L is called to remove the bullet.
In Cascading Failures, Ian and Lip are put in a level 15 group home. While at work in the store, Mickey advises Ian not to have sex with anyone since it could expose his sexuality and get him beaten up. He tells Ian that his dad and brothers are out of town, so Ian can stay with him if he wants. Ian jokes, "Was I just invited to a sleepover?" to which Mickey replies, "Fuck you is what you were invited to." Ian laughs and looks after Mickey as the latter goes elsewhere in the store.
They stay up talking and watching movies that night: Mickey cooks for Ian, and glances at Ian as their movie starts, Ian is seen to slowly turn to glance at Mickey, but by then Mickey is already looking back at the TV screen. They resume attention to the movie.
Mickey is seen to be pretty intimate with Ian as he shows Ian his Ben Wa beads, asking him to "do the honors". Ian, puzzled, holds up the beads and examines them, ultimately joking, "Rosary for giants?" and holds them up around Mickey's neck. Mickey smiles, telling him what they are really for. Ian stares at the beads again and replies, "How is that fun for me?" and slaps Mickey's back so he would go on the couch. But soon after they start, Terry walks in on them (arriving home early from his trip). He becomes infuriated and attacks Ian as he attempts to get dressed, asking if Mandy wasn't enough for him. Mickey jumps on top of Terry and attempts to pull him away from Ian, saying, "Get the fuck off him!" Terry then begins to beat Mickey in the face. Ian tries to escape while Terry is preoccupied with Mickey, but Terry points a gun at Ian, ordering him to sit on the couch. Mickey goes to grab the gun, but Terry pistol whips him. Terry then calls a Russian girl to "fuck the faggot" out of Mickey. Terry also forces Ian to watch, and both Ian and Mickey share looks as the woman rides Mickey. Mickey quickly flips her over and has sex with her, wanting to show his father that he's "cured".
After this, Mickey tries to isolate himself, but Ian finds him shooting a gun in a building. He tries to talk about what happened with Mickey, but Mickey says nothing, leaving Ian frustrated. Mandy later mentions to Ian that Mickey is getting married to some "whore he knocked up". Ian finds Mickey again to discuss about it. When Mickey does nothing but leave, Ian follows him and tries to make him talk. Ian then tells Mickey to "fag bash" him if it would help him feel like a man. Mickey punches Ian in the abdomen and as Ian keels from the hit, he looks away and swears, then grabs for his bottle from the ground and leaves. But Ian tells Mickey to admit that he loves him. Mickey punches him in the face, Ian says, "Feel better now? Feel like a man?" Mickey kicks him in the mouth. Mickey then leaves saying, "Feel better now."
Later, it is revealed (or discovered by Ian) that Mickey's fiancée is the Russian prostitute Terry called. On Mickey's wedding day, Ian pays him a surprise visit. Ian is furious and argues with Mickey, wanting him not to go through with the wedding if he cared "half a shit" about him. Mickey grabs Ian and kisses him. They then have sex. Afterwards, Mickey tells Ian that he is still going through with the wedding and they get into another fight; Mickey asks why Ian is making it look like he has a choice, to which Ian tries to tell him not to let Terry control him. Mickey tells Ian he knows nothing about his dad. Right then, Mandy walks in looking for Mickey, and Mickey leaves. Later on, at the ceremony, Ian starts drinking. That night, after most of the guests leave, Lip comes and fights with Mandy. Ian drunkenly starts talking to Lip, and states that he should try "watching <<...>> the guy he's been fucking get married to some random Commie Skank". Mandy hears Ian, finally finding out about him and Mickey.
Supposedly, some time has passed, and Mickey sees Ian again when the latter visits Mandy. Mickey tries to chat with him, and perhaps reconcile so they could continue with their relationship, but Ian tells him about his plan to enlist. He will be away for at least 4 years. Mickey is shocked but says, "Don't... Just..." and Ian leaves. Mandy then walks in asking if that was all he had had to say to Ian. Mickey immediately looks at Mandy, realizing that she knows about him and Ian. Mandy calls him "a fucking pussy" and walks away. Mickey is left alone in his room.
Season 4
In Simple Pleasures, Mickey is first seen in his house managing the family's income, criticizing what his brother stole and how little pay his wife was earning. His brother states, "There's an ATM card," to which Mickey replies, "Congratulations, it has no fucking pin number. What are you gonna do, rob the same mailboxes everyday until they send the pin?" and gives him a disgusted look. As Mandy walks to the table, Mickey asks her who was at the door. Mandy tells Mickey that Debbie was looking for Ian, Mickey asks if she saw him, to which Mandy replies, "Why do you care?" Mickey casually states, "Don't."
Later in the episode, Mickey is seen drinking at the Alibi. Mickey asks Kevin, "Any news from Gallagher?" Kevin assumes at first that he is asking about Frank, but Mickey says "Not fucking Frank, the other one. The redhead." Kevin did not hear from Ian, and as he goes to answer a phone call, adding jokingly, "Why? He owe you money or something?" Mickey does not reply. The phone call turns out to be about Stan, the owner of the bar. Mickey, the other customers, and Kevin cheer for Stan. Later, Mickey is seen at his home, appearing in a corridor. He sees Mandy making out with her new boyfriend in her room through the open door, and immediately closes it, saying, "Oh, Christ, close the damn door! Nobody wants to see that mandingo shit! Fuck!" He then angrily heads to the bathroom and slams the door, shutting himself inside.
He paces around and finally leans on the sink, seeing his reflection in the mirror. After a pause, he goes to a pile of magazines stashed next to the toilet and takes one out, flipping through the pages until he finds a photo of Ian. Mickey stares at the photo for a while before taking it out and putting it up on the mirror. He tries to pleasure himself while looking at Ian's photo but fails and, out of anger and frustration, punches the mirror. Soon Mickey's wife, Svetlana, knocks at the door, asking if he is okay, to which he replies after a small pause, "Yeah... Slipped." On being asked to hurry up, Mickey takes one last look at the photo of Ian; and returns the photo and magazine to the pile on the ground. As he leaves the bathroom, his wife watches him go and looks at the broken mirror.
In Like Father, Like Daughter, Mickey is seen drinking. As Kevin and another customer were just talking about a topic, they stare at Mickey. Kevin points out a "ginger" woman at another end of the bar, and suggests Mickey to buy her a drink. Mickey does not do so but just directly propositions her. Mickey is seen having sex with her in the bathroom of the Alibi.
In Strangers on a Train, Mickey is seen dragging Svetlana with him to confront her boss about her low pay. As the boss was away and there was only one guard present, Mickey confronts him instead. The guard states that Sasha (the boss) decides how much the prostitutes get for their work, and Mickey replies that Sasha needs to know that "his wife is a hooker, not a slave". At the guard's nonchalance, Mickey brings all prostitutes out of their rooms (even if they were having customers). As all the prostitutes (Some are seemingly confused but are following the crowd.) leave with Mickey, Mickey states to the guard, "No one's getting laid till they get paid." Mickey takes the prostitutes to the Alibi and announces to Kevin how he "emancipated his wife and her fellow cumguzzlers", and how he is their "Abe Lincoln". Mickey soon receives a message from Sasha, who wants a meeting, Mickey prepares to leave the bar.
When Mickey returns to the store, he finds it empty and eerily quiet, cautiously takes out his gun and heads toward the back. Sasha is found with the guard outside the back of the store, Mickey bargains with Sasha to pay the prostitutes higher but she shows him the new prostitutes she has gathered, and tells him to "fuck himself". Mickey realizes he does not have much bargaining power. Mickey is forced to have them stay temporarily in his house, until he figures out what to do. The prostitutes are constantly rambling. One time, Svetlana angrily tells Mickey that he has "taken jobs away" and, "They say you're stupid fucking idiot!"
In Iron City Mickey does not appear, but events occur which may set the stage up for potential future events: Terry is seen to be arrested again, he has failed another urine test. Lip was on his way to visit the Milkovich house when he witnessed the arrest. Lip tells Mandy what has happened asks Mandy to tell Ian about it. Mandy agrees to do so.
In A Jailbird, Invalid, Martyr, Cutter, Retard, And Parasitic Twin, Mandy confronts Mickey about Ian, and tells him to go find him. She tells Mickey that she has been looking for him, but could not find him; he was ignoring her text.
Mickey arrives at a club called The White Swallow, shows the manager a picture of Ian, asks if he has seen him. The manager claims not to know Ian, and tells Mickey to buy himself a drink; and fall in love with somebody else. Mickey threatens the manager with a number of different charges, before he reveals that Ian is at the club's second location. Mickey goes to the club, and finds Ian giving a lap dance to an older man; Mickey tries to talk to him, Mickey agrees to pay him. During Ian's dance, Mickey continues persuade Ian to leave with him. Ian ignores Mickey. The dance finishes, and Ian attempts to leave. Mickey tells him that it's fine if he doesn't want to hang out with Mickey, but Ian needs to call his family. Ian seems interested, despite his shaking. However, Mickey leaves the club alone.
Later, Ian is seen with a man, waiting for an Uber. Ian is clearly on drugs, wearing nothing but a tank top. The man tells Ian that he plans to take him home, but Mickey appears. Ian passes out. Mickey picks him up.
At the Milkovich house, Mickey is shown staring at Ian. Svetlana appears, slowly, Mickey becomes aware of her watching him.
In Hope Springs Paternal, Svetlana kicks Ian out of Mickey's house, threatening him with a hammer. Svetlana informs Mickey about this, at the Alibi, in front of Kevin, without mentioning Ian's name, only calling him a "carrot boy". Mickey goes to look for Ian at the Gallagher house, and agrees to give him oral pleasure. He spends the night, sleeping on the floor. Mandy comes to tell Mickey that his wife is about to give birth. He refuses to go see her, and says that "he doesn't even know if the baby is his". After Mandy and Ian's siblings leave the kitchen, Mickey offers some coffee. Ian who asks Mickey to come see him at work. In the club, Mickey threatens a man who tried to touch Ian. Ian tells Mickey that they have been invited to an after-party. Upon Mickey's discomfort, Ian attempts to kiss him. Mickey pulls away, shocked, but then looks around him, realizes the reason why Ian took him there. He looks at Ian to kiss him. Ian kisses him.
Ian and Mickey end up spending the night together on a fold-out bed. The host wakes Mickey up to ask him what he wanted for breakfast, and then asks him if he and Ian just met.
In The Legend of Bonnie & Carl, Svetlana is holding the baby and confronts Mickey. Svetlana says that she does not earn enough to take care of the baby. Svetlana asks Mickey to take care of the baby. She threatens Mickey, demanding 500 $s.
Mickey goes to meet Ian outside of the club to ask for money. Ian doesn't have enough. They go to a hotel where Ian propositions a wealthy older man at the bar. After entering the hotel room, the man throws Ian onto the bed and Mickey comes out of the closet to take a photo. Mickey then sucker punches the man in the face. Ian redresses up. Confused, the man announces that he's going to call the police; but Mickey stops him, threatening to "out" him. Mickey tells that "they're going to take a trip downstairs to the ATM".
Mickey is working at The Alibi when Svetlana reveals their baby's name to him. Mickey gives her 500 $s but she threatens him again. Then, Mickey goes back to his house. Svetlana is not there. Kenyatta runs into Mickey on his way out. Yevgeny's babysitter asks Mickey if he wants to look after Yevgent. He says no and goes into his room. As he enters into the bathroom, he runs into his sister, who was just presumably beaten up by Kenyatta. Mickey is shocked, and Mandy abruptly closes the door, asking, "What the fuck you looking at?"
In Liver, I Hardly Know Her, Mickey walks into the kitchen, where Ian is cooking pancakes. They chat and Mickey gives Ian money for the food. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Ian has been sleeping very little. Ian has a "ton of energy". Debbie comes down the stairs, and tells Ian that Fiona is gone. Then Mandy comes to the kitchen.
When Mickey is at work, where he treats "his whores" poorly; Kevin confronts him about the money, believing Mickey stole it. Mickey tells him that "it is his money". Kevin, who just has had his twins, loses patience; and points his gun at Mickey. Mickey says, "You're robbing me with my own gun?" and tells Kevin that "he better pull the trigger". Kevin insists that and Mickey tells him, "Big mistake."
Mickey leaves the house, policemen arrive to ask about Fiona. Mickey warns Debbie and Carl.
In Emily Mickey informs Ian that "he'll be going to his son's christening", but when Ian offers to come along, Mickey asks him not to. Ian replies, asking "if he and Mickey are a couple", Ian is unhappy for Mickey has been "closeted".
Mickey goes to the christening alone. Svetlana insists to for Terry, who never arrives. Ian shows up. Then, at the after-party, Svetlana tells Mickey that she does not want Ian, and demands his leaving. When Mickey tells Ian this, they begin to argue. Ian tells Mickey that "if Mickey makes Ian leave, Mickey shouldn’t bother to come home". Then, Mickey’s father arrives, and Svetlana threatens Mickey again; because Ian hasn't left. Ian then pulls Mickey aside to tell him that "he's leaving". When Mickey tells him to see him at home, Ian tells him that "they are over". Ian says "I'm tired of being a mistress," and leaves Mickey. Before Ian leaves, Mickey calls everyone and announces that he is "gay". Everyone is seemingly unaffected by the announcement, Terry flies into a rage. He and Mickey fight with each other until Ian headbutts Terry. Mickey and Terry are both arrested, as Terry continues to shout gay swearings. Terry is taken away. Mickey is then released.
Then, Mickey and Ian are both outside, Mickey and Ian laugh.
In Lazarus, Svetlana offers Mickey the chance to have sex with her. After he turns her down, Svetlana shares that she is potentially bisexual and wants another woman to come. She also demands Mickey to help her with the baby more. Mickey goes back to the bedroom in which Ian who hiding under the covers. After being ignored, Mickey walks out.
Mickey goes to the bar, and returns home, Ian is still in bed. When Mickey continues to ask what is wrong, Ian finally tells him to leave him alone.
Then, Mickey shows up at the Gallagher house. When Carl shares that Lip is not at home, Mickey tells Carl that Ian is not responding to him. Carl and Deb come with Mickey to the Milkovich house to try and figure out what is wrong with Ian. Ian doesn’t respond to them either. Debbie says that she recognizes his symptoms.
Then they bring Fiona to see Ian, Ian he refuses to respond to her as well. Fiona shares that she thinks Ian might be bipolar like their mother, and suggest to take him to the clinic.
Season 5
Much of Season 5 is revolved around Mickey trying to deal with Ian.
In the season finale, Ian breaks up with Mickey, stating that "he doesn't need to be fixed". This is in reference to his bipolar disorder, which Mickey feels that Ian needs to be taking medication to control, whereas Ian refuses to do so; because he hates the way the drugs make him feel.
Season 6
In the season premiere episode 'I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing', Ian went to visit Mickey in jail (which he only agreed to do after Svetlana agreed to pay him fifty dollars). Mickey is serving eight years in jail for the attempted murder of Sammi Slott. He is paid to commit acts of violence against other inmates, as it is revealed by Svetlana when she tells him to stab a man in the eye.
Mickey also reveals a tattoo across his chest. He asks Ian to wait for him, Ian says he will - he is obviously lying. Mickey remains incarcerated for the rest of the season.
While not appearing in person, Mickey's presence is felt on multiple occasions.
Personality
Mickey is a complex character, rapidly displaying many different facets to his personality throughout the 6 seasons of his appearance. He is violent, but never without reason, even if those justifications range from acceptable to tenuous. He generally seems to have physical violence. He is seemingly self-serving. He at first refuses to engage in anything deeper than a "friend with benefits" with Ian, but displays surprising tenderness for the boy. He's flunked out of high school, and has admitted himself to be "fucked for life". Despite his announcing to the bar in season 4, episode 11 that he is "fucking gay, a big homo", he has multiple heterosexual relationships throughout the series, even post-coming out. This shows his insecurities about his sexuality and the macho image he puts on to hide it.
His behavior is equally erratic. He is fairly self-aware. However, he displays a severe inability to express himself.
His contradictions can be attributed to his upbringing: Mickey has been raised with the expectations of the violent nature of the Milkovich family.
As the seasons progress, Mickey progressively displays care for Ian. It is worth mentioning that his care for Ian extends somewhat to the Gallagher family as a whole.
Notes
- Mickey suffers from intense homophobia, and he shows it often in his way of speaking, using homophobic, misogynistic, and racist swearings.
- Mickey has never held a legal job other than as security at the Kash & Grab.
- In a scene with Mandy and Kenyatta, Mickey is ready to defend Mandy if he were to hit her, and he tells her she doesn't have to put up with him.
