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How a Small Change Could Have Saved The Conners Season 7 Finale

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Despite the fact that The Conners season 7 marked the permanent end of the Roseanne franchise, there was one issue that could have been avoided, which made the sitcom’s finale underwhelming. Given the vast cast of The Conners, it was inevitable that the ending of the Roseanne spinoff would stir some controversy. As is common with ensemble sitcoms, it was impossible for the show to please every viewer regarding the fate of each character. At least one actor’s storyline was destined to be less satisfying compared to others.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the gripping conclusion of “The Conners” season 7. The finale’s narrative strategy was undeniably biased towards certain characters, notably Dan and his emotional farewell to Roseanne. John Goodman’s portrayal was indeed the focal point throughout the final season. Initially, Dan wrestled with the idea of suing the pharmaceutical giant responsible for the opioid painkillers that led to Roseanne’s overdose. However, after seeking guidance from his daughters, he mustered the courage to confront the corporation head-on.

Why The Conners Season 7 Only Has 6 Episodes

The Conners Season 7 Brought Back Almost No Original Roseanne Characters

Sadly, Dan’s battle against the pharmaceutical company in The Conners season 7 finale ended unfavorably, leaving him uncompensated for Roseanne’s passing. Similarly, Darlene’s storyline in The Conners season 7 seemed oddly meaningless. She developed a connection with Seth Green’s character Chad while away from her husband Ben, but then quickly returned to Ben without any significant conflict or resolution in the finale. The entire narrative felt hurried, making it even more disheartening given the short length of the season.

The Conners Cast Member Character
John Goodman Dan Conner
Laurie Metcalf Jackie Harris-Goldufski
Sara Gilbert Darlene Conner-Olinsky
Lecy Goranson Becky Conner-Healy
Katey Sagal Louise Conner
Emma Kenney Harris Conner-Healy
Ames McNamara Mark Conner-Healy

In November 2024, TVLine reported that The Conners season 7 would be a “six-episode farewell event,” marking a significant departure from its previous seasons which typically had over 20 episodes each and even season 6 with 13 episodes. Avoiding the potential pitfalls in the ending of The Conners season 7 might have been achievable if the spinoff’s final season had 22 episodes, or at least 13 like its immediate predecessor. Having more than the six episodes that were eventually aired would have provided additional time to develop and conclude the show’s narrative.

The Conners Season 7 Having A Full Season Could Have Allowed It To Properly Pay Homage To Roseanne

The Conners Season 7 Already Revealed Many Roseanne Stars Wouldn’t Return

Essentially, in The Conners’ season 7 storyline, Roseanne’s deceased character from the old sitcom is crucial, as her court case serves as the main focus. Yet, without any recurring characters from the original Roseanne show appearing, and no acknowledgement or tribute to the departed characters or the series’ rich history beyond the title character, season 7 seemed more like a shallow homage to a legendary character and a somewhat insincere farewell to a long-standing TV family.

In the final episode of The Conners season 7, Jackie expressed her confusion about the whereabouts of their mother, Beverly, whom they had reunited with in season 6’s “Moms and Rats” episode. In that episode, Beverly and Jackie put aside their long-standing feud when Roseanne’s mom took Jackie on a sightseeing trip around Chicago. Following the tour, Beverly decided to travel on trains across America, and her character has not been seen since then.

The Conners Season 7’s Final Story Could Have Been Stronger With Roseanne Cameos

The Conners Season 7’s Storyline Centered Roseanne’s Death But Not Her World

Beverly’s story concluded in a manner that left many viewers puzzled and uncertain about her whereabouts and fate. If this series had followed a typical structure with 20 or more episodes, it would have certainly warranted at least one full episode, if not an extended sequence of episodes, to delve deeper into her situation. Regrettably, much like the character Harris’s journey in The Lunchbox, this plot thread was unfortunately overlooked during season 7 as the show hurriedly wrapped up its final episodes.

In the seventh season of “The Conners,” there wasn’t enough focus given to the return of characters from Roseanne’s past, which posed a problem in wrapping up the sitcom neatly. Characters like Crystal, Chuck, and Anne Marie were noticeably absent, leaving their storylines with unsettling cliffhangers. The last time we saw Crystal, she was financially struggling due to Dan’s father’s poor investments, serving as his friend and Dan’s stepmother.

Previously, Chuckie Mitchell was dealing with Anne Marie’s illness, and Dan and Darlene stepped in to assist him. This happened quite some time ago, and since then, there has been no further mention of either Anne Marie’s illness or Chuckie’s subsequent struggles, implying that their stories will remain unresolved. Interestingly, the character of Leon Carp, played by Martin Mull on Roseanne, who was significant in the original series and a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation on network television, has also been overlooked in recent discussions.

All The Roseanne Characters That Could Have Made The Conners Season 7 Better

David Healy, Beverly, and DJ Were All Absent From Season 7

Prior to the start of season 7 of “The Conners”, the creators had already set expectations low due to their modest aims. They disclosed ahead of time that characters like Darlene and Becky’s brother (DJ), Darlene’s love interest from “Roseanne” (David, played by Johnny Galecki), and Beverly wouldn’t appear in season 7. The storyline for Darlene in season 7 was underwhelming, but it could have been less of a letdown if David, instead of a new character, had been the one she rekindled a relationship with.

In a similar vein, strengthening Dan’s narrative could have been achieved by the reappearance of DJ. It would have added an emotional touch and a sense of the unexpected if his son returned to encourage him to do what was right by testifying against the drug company. As Fishman’s character had not been present in the series since its fifth season premiere, his comeback could have served as a delightful surprise and a heartfelt, emotional reunion. However, the series finale instead introduced new characters portrayed by comedic talents like Jane Lynch, Green, and Zoe Perry from “Young Sheldon.” Unfortunately, these gifted actors were underutilized in the hurried, overly active conclusion of the spinoff.

The outlined role for Beverly in season 7 is given above, along with the significant impact of Chuckie and Crystal’s returns. However, what made season 7’s short length particularly disappointing wasn’t due to any single character. It was regrettable that the spinoff only mentioned Roseanne’s death, without delving into the vibrant array of surviving characters who enriched her life, as it could have offered a poignant revisit to the world of Roseanne and its iconic stars. Instead, The Conners season 7 fell short in providing this nostalgic yet bittersweet journey.

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2025-05-19 22:58

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