Roseanne Review: Darlene v. David (Season 10 Episode 5)

The reality of life just keeps on coming on Roseanne Season 10 Episode 5, “Darlene v. David.” This show’s unique quality, that has kept it around for over 20 years, is its ability to show us a real working class family that looks, acts, and sounds just like someone we know or are.

“Darlene v. David” continues to show that quality. With their thoroughness of story about the conflicts between a beloved couple, we are transported into our own living rooms.

Who hasn’t ever had a family debate about whether or not a certain member should be with the person they are with?

For some unknown reason, I was nervous going into this episode.

It’s not like Roseanne has ever given me a reason to doubt its artistic integrity towards the story and its characters. However, I was worried that I would be left unsatisfied with the return of David.

Then right out of the gate, Roseanne and Darlene have an argument about David. Darlene is angry about him abandoning his family and Roseanne seems to take the opposite side, saying she thinks he’s a good person.

Without knowing anything more than David ran off to third world countries to build houses for the poor, I found myself taking Darlene’s side of things. He has two children that he is responsible for.

While building houses for the poor is nice and a good human quality to have, it doesn’t help his children develop into well-balanced and well adjusted young adults. David needs to grow up and take responsibility for the children he helped to create.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised by Roseanne’s initial stance on the whole issue, because she is usually the one yelling about how “awful” a person is. David’s abandonment seems a ripe opportunity for her to share her brash opinions and maybe find common ground with her daughter.

The one person in the Conner clan who seems to be in step with Darlene is Dan.

His strong, unyielding view about his son-in-law shows right off just how much he loves his daughter. He is there protecting her and telling her that she has a right to be angry because he’s angry too.

One of the things I would really love to see is a heart to heart between Dan and Darlene about her feelings for David. Their bond is one of the show’s greatest successes and they should highlight it more.

Despite Darlene’s anger, it’s still easy to see that she loves David and may still hold a torch for him. After all, he is the father of her children. When the two are reunited it is shown just how much she does still love him.

First loves are always hard to overcome. It’s even more complicated when you factor children into it.

Darlene falling into bed with David makes sense and in a way, it helps her to see more clearly than she has in years.

At first, Darlene is all ready to forgive him and start anew with their marriage. Then she talks it over with her mom. This is where the writing of this episode gets really good.

All this time the writers have you believing that Roseanne is simply going soft in her older age. Something that could be just in regards to David or to everyone.

Roseanne: I meant as a father, not as a husband. You guys are a disaster together. You’re Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde and David.

Then. BAM! Roseanne rears back her head and lets her daughter have it. She yells at Darlene about how awful she and David are together and that getting back together with him would be a disservice to their kids.

That is when it hits you. Roseanne was playing the situation this whole time. She knew that Darlene wouldn’t listen to her if she agreed with her from the get-go.

She knew that Darlene needed to realize for herself, through experience, that David isn’t good for her.

It’s actually very genius writing. By telling Darlene that David gave her an entirely different reason for leaving, which he very well may have, she cements the wriggle of doubt in the back of Darlene’s mind.

She has set the foundation for Darlene to wake up and realize she deserves better. They both do.

Then to really seal the deal Darlene has a heart to heart with her sister. A reversal of their previous conversation. Becky even goes so far as to throw Darlene’s words back at her.

Becky: Grieve and get on with your life. Those are your words.

It seems that the two sisters are going to do a bit more exploring of what it means to be there for each other emotionally. Something I expressed hope for in my review of Roseanne Season 10 Episode 4, “Eggs Over, Not Easy.”

This sister moment also shows us that Darlene needs to hear what everyone else sees with her and David in order to make a decision. It shows that Darlene, despite her complaints, really does respect and value her family above all else.

And by forgiving David and giving him opportunities to be there for his kids she is showing that she can rise above all their complications and be a good parent.

It’s like she said to David, before they parted, she has to think of her kids now. Not just herself.

Darlene: I love you too. If it was just us I’d keep doing this over and over even if it didn’t work. But it’s not just us.

That statement alone tells us just how much Darlene has grown now that she’s a mom. As a fan who’s watched her from pre-teen days to now, it makes me so happy to see her living for someone besides herself.

Other Thoughts:

• So we see DJ’s daughter but no DJ? What is up with that.
• I really do appreciate that they aren’t sweeping Mark under the rug. They keep referencing him in meaningful ways. Such as how deeply his death has affected everyone.
• I also really love that through it all David is still considered a son to Roseanne.
• Harris is still so obnoxious and annoying. I don’t care how confusing your emotional life is, you don’t destroy 5-6 cakes at the grocery store.
• YESSS BEV IS BACK! I can’t wait to see more of her shenanigans.

What did you think of this episode of Roseanne? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Catch up on our review of Roseanne Season 10 Episode 4, “Eggs Over, Not Easy” right here. 

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Roseanne airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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