Conners Finale SHOCK: Did They REALLY Just Do That?!

Note: The following text may reveal plot points for episodes 5 and 6 of The Conners‘ seventh season titled “Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Land” and “The Truck Stops Here.” Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

In the finale of “The Conners” series, not everyone got their ideal happy ending, but it served as a heartfelt farewell for one of TV’s beloved families. Following TVLine’s report that “The Conners” season 7 would be a six-episode swansong in 2024, it became apparent that the spinoff of “Roseanne” wouldn’t have enough time to resolve all its ongoing storylines. Over the course of season 6, Harris took over the Lunchbox, Mark ventured into cybercrime, and Beverly embarked on a train journey across the country. With such a large ensemble cast for “The Conners,” the show had numerous plot possibilities.

In a thoughtful manner, Season 7 of ‘The Conners’ primarily revolved around the main family members and managed to resurrect the spirit of Roseanne in a sensitive and tasteful way. Motivated by actual incidents where families sued pharmaceutical companies following their loved ones’ demise due to addiction, Jackie persuaded the family to sue the manufacturers of the painkillers that claimed Roseanne’s life. Given that Roseanne’s death ignited ‘The Conners’, it was fitting for the series finale to conclude by revisiting this same sorrowful event.

What Happened To The Conners’ Lawsuit About Roseanne’s Death

Dan’s Deposition Didn’t Win His Case in The Conners Season 7 Ending

In the second last episode titled “Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Lands,” Mark concluded his journey in a more optimistic manner than expected. Instead of Jackie exposing his unlawful work as an email hacker, she assisted him in landing an interview with a legitimate cybersecurity company. This swiftly led to a job offer for Mark, an opportunity to relocate to New York, and a heart-wrenching farewell scene towards the end. Consequently, the final episode, “The Truck Stops Here,” could concentrate on Dan’s legal battle against the pharmaceutical corporation.

The story took an unexpected turn when Jane Lynch’s character, Jean the lawyer from season 7 of “The Conners”, was missing. Dan did his best during the deposition and Jean’s substitute provided assistance, but the pharmaceutical company refused to acknowledge any responsibility in Roseanne’s death. The compensation they offered Dan, just $700 for travel costs, was disappointing. This revelation came after Dan had gathered the family at Roseanne’s grave, only to dramatically open it in a dramatic gesture. It may sound peculiar, but the corporate giant coldly outmaneuvering the Conners, the symbolic working-class American family, seemed an unexpected yet fitting conclusion for the series.

In all seasons of Roseanne, its revival as The Conners, the Conner family has consistently worked tirelessly yet struggled to stay afloat financially. The season 7 finale maintained the show’s authentic tone when Dan lost his court case, depicting how ordinary families often face defeat against powerful and wealthy corporations. As the story progressed, some members of the Conner family found a semblance of stability, but their daily fight to overcome injustice and secure basic necessities persists.

Becky & Darlene Both Got Their Happy Endings

Ben and Darlene Fixed Their Marriage In The Finale

In “Exercise Bands, Money Plans, and Faraway Lands,” episode 4 of season 7, Becky’s narrative took center stage, ensuring a positive resolution for her storyline. This set the stage for her and Tyler to open a shared account, aiming to manage their finances more effectively and plan for their future as a couple. However, they encountered an issue when Becky yearned to buy herself a new truck. Given its significance to her and her habit of making do with fewer resources, Tyler sympathized and allowed her to make the somewhat extravagant purchase.

In the storyline, Darlene decided to part ways with Chad, a charismatic yet melancholic barfly portrayed by Seth Green. This was due to the fact that she recognized she had inadvertently entered into an affair by spending every night drinking with him. She addressed her concerns about Ben’s disappearance and he vowed to be more attentive towards her, eventually leading to their reconciliation in the final episode. However, it was peculiar that The Conners in season 7 overlooked an intriguing possibility for Darlene’s conclusion, which could have involved her joining Ben at his magazine.

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

According to an article published in VanityFair in 2018, Darlene had long nurtured aspirations of becoming a writer. However, she postponed this goal to raise her children. In season 7, when Mark and Harris became financially independent and Ben took over a magazine, there was an opportunity for her to resume her dream. Yet, it seemed none of the show’s characters ever considered this possibility.

Jackie Returns To The Police Force

Jackie Passed Her All-Important Physical

In Jackie’s usual comedic fashion, the outcome of her series finale was a delightful twist. Laurie Metcalf, known for her humorous role, managed to meet the necessary criteria to rejoin the police force in season 7 of The Conners. Given Jackie’s advanced age, this was quite unexpected but fitting. Reminiscent of her days as a cop in the original Roseanne series, this return felt like a joyful full-circle moment for the character. After finding happiness and marrying Neville, Jackie’s triumphant reentry to the force was well-deserved for our endearing, eccentric heroine.

How The Conners Finally Determined Louise’s Role In The Family

Louise and Dan Addressed Roseanne’s Memory In Season 7’s Ending

Over the course of many seasons, there’s been ongoing debate about the exact function of Katey Sagal’s character Louise in the spinoff series. Sagal’s character, Louise, emerged as Dan’s new romantic interest during season 2, approximately a year following Roseanne’s passing. Despite their marriage in season 4, Louise consistently resisted being seen as a replacement for Roseanne. She resisted taking on a maternal role towards Dan’s grown-up children and frequently scolded him for giving them more attention than he put into their relationship.

Listening to Dan call Roseanne “the love of his life” during his deposition was hard on Louise. But when they got home, Dan eased Louise’s concerns by saying the same thing about her, explaining that she gave new meaning to his life. This comment in ‘The Conners’ season 7 now seems fitting as Louise is not just a stand-in for Roseanne or an unnecessary side character, but a cherished love interest in her own right.

The Conners Ending Stayed True To Roseanne’s Legacy

The Family Visited Roseanne’s Grave in The Conners Season 7 Ending

The final episode of ‘The Conners’ season 7 stayed true to the essence of Roseanne by continuing to depict the struggles of a working-class family. The show connected this finale to its precursor by having the Conner family visit Roseanne’s grave. Each member of the family paid their respects, with Dan’s departure from her grave being particularly poignant. To wrap up, the final scenes included snippets from ‘Roseanne’ and Dan saying a solemn goodnight to the viewers at home.

VanityFair

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2025-04-24 14:29