The Conners Finale: Emotional Goodbyes, Unscripted Tears, and the Legacy of Roseanne

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Warning: The following post may reveal plot points from the final episode of “The Conners,” now available to stream on Hulu as of April 24.

After 37 years, the journey of Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky, and their family concluded with the final episode of “The Conners” on ABC last Wednesday. Bidding farewell can be challenging, but it’s even more so for a show with such a rich history – both in front of and behind the camera. According to executive producer Dave Caplan, speaking to EbMaster, “We carried a heavy burden of responsibility to make this goodbye just right.

Caplan, along with executive producers Bruce Helford and Bruce Rasmussen, understood the challenges that come with concluding a series, ensuring it was both plot-focused and character-centric. They aimed to strike a balance between making the ending heartfelt when necessary, yet keeping it humorous as well. In their own words, they saw themselves as the guardians of the show and its characters.

Caplan explains, ‘We aimed to preserve its unique authenticity throughout, avoiding any contrived conclusions.’ So instead of wrapping it up neatly with a farewell, we chose an ending that suggested continuity for the family. Each character’s journey seemed to be heading in an upward direction, symbolizing hope and goodbye to one member.

In the final season of “The Conners,” spanning six episodes, the family grapples with the aftermath of Roseanne’s character’s death due to an opioid overdose in 2018 and their subsequent lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company. This legal battle stirs up numerous challenges for each member, particularly affecting Dan (John Goodman) and his wife, Louise (Katey Sagal). In the series finale, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) re-joins the police force, Darlene (Sara Gilbert) navigates marital issues with her husband, Ben (Jay R. Ferguson), experiences the emotional turmoil of sending her son, Mark (Ames McNamara), off to a job in New York City, and Becky (Lecy Goranson) secures a well-paying job that makes use of her psychology degree and strengthens her bond with her boyfriend, Tyler (Sean Astin).

In the final episode, the heartfelt farewells to Roseanne at her grave were brief, touching, and humorous, but fitting for the characters, as Dan found out that the lawsuit didn’t go as well as he expected – they only received $700. This contrasted sharply with the show’s Season 9 mistake, where the family became millionaires through a state lottery win (which was later revealed to be Roseanne’s imagination). The conclusion on “The Conners” provided some laughter, and Neville, Jackie’s husband, joked it was just like them to end up with such a small amount. However, genuine emotion surfaced at the Conner household later that evening, as each actor struggled to maintain their composure while saying goodbye on stage, eventually breaking down in tears.

According to Helford, Laurie was the one who went first. When Laurie bid farewell, it was evident that this wasn’t a casual goodbye for a pizza night tomorrow. In that instant, everyone on stage understood that they were saying their final goodbyes as their characters in the show. This emotional moment caused them all to become overwhelmed, and Helford chose to keep it in the production because he felt it was rare to see such raw emotions portrayed by actors breaking the fourth wall on television.

Maintaining a neutral, unfeeling expression proved challenging for them, as stated. “They couldn’t resist adding that element to the performance,” they added.

Dan’s response, caught on camera with Goodman staring directly into it, wasn’t scripted either. Rasmussen recounts, “It took us by surprise when he delivered it like that.” He added, “It was one of those unexpected moments that were brilliant. Afterward, we performed additional takes and discussed whether the one that evoked our reactions should be aired on TV. John made the decision, and we were all thrilled with it.

The sitcom “Roseanne” was brought back in spring 2018, garnering immense popularity. However, ABC promptly canceled the series following its first season, after star Roseanne Barr posted offensive tweets. In quick succession, a new show called “The Conners” was created, and the character of Roseanne was written off at the start of the new series in fall. According to Helford, they aimed to preserve the quality and legacy of the original “Roseanne,” while also paying tribute to the character who originated the show. Essentially, they wanted to ensure that the beloved matriarch’s influence was not overlooked. And they succeeded in doing so.

Even though bringing Barr back wasn’t an initial thought for the finale, Caplan emphasized that it mattered greatly to express the family’s regret at her absence, given the joyous events unfolding. Consequently, it was clear that this would be a moving moment.

Helford notes: “It was through her kindness that we were granted permission to proceed. Since we would have had around 300 people out of work at that instant, she reluctantly consented not to take part. At that juncture, it was by her kindness that she allowed us to carry on by saying, ‘Go ahead.’ Despite having legal ownership rights for the show, she chose to let it continue, which is why she rightfully earns our respect and the recognition of a place of honor.”

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Helford explains: “We were only able to move forward because of her generosity. With nearly 300 people at risk of losing their jobs, she reluctantly decided not to participate. At this critical point, it was by her kindness that she gave us the go-ahead, saying, ‘Proceed.’ Although she held legal ownership rights for the show, she graciously chose to let it continue, which is why we strive to honor and respect her.

Originally airing from 1988 to 1997 as “Roseanne,” the comedy series consistently portrayed the challenges of working-class America and tackled sensitive issues. Despite its raw depiction of hardship, there was an underlying warmth to the family that resonated with viewers, making them feel a part of their struggles – yet they also found humor in the characters’ shared laughter about their own lives.

Caplan emphasizes that it’s important to acknowledge the dignity of the working class in this nation, as they often face inequities. He explains that our humor stems from their resilience in the face of adversity, not at their expense. We’ll always laugh alongside them, never at them.

The Conner family’s tale has reached its conclusion – however, as Caplan explains, their story continues to be shown through syndication. It’s particularly unsettling when a series in syndication concludes, leaving you with the sensation that the lives of the characters you’ve grown attached to have abruptly halted. That’s the most disappointing part. We made sure to avoid this feeling.

One intriguing concept hinted at in the final episodes could be my favorite character, Jackie, rejoining the police force. It appears that her main challenge within the force might come from another officer, who happens to be portrayed by none other than Zoe Perry, the real-life daughter of a fellow actor, Metcalf.

According to Helford, everyone adored them. They had an incredible time together, it was simply delightful. Whenever they completed a scene, his daughter would exclaim, “Oh my God!” Their mannerisms were so synchronized. Watching the two of them was truly entertaining. The experience was genuinely enjoyable.

In other words, Helford jokes that they might change their minds since they’ve brought people back from the dead on the show. However, for now, they are choosing to respect the legacy of the show by fully appreciating its accomplishments and making this a significant moment, without any current plans or discussions about it.

Caplan playfully mentions: “I’ve been creating a clay animation spin-off in my home workshop. I’m unsure about its future, but time will tell.

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2025-04-24 04:21