Roseanne Season Finale Review: Knee Deep (Season 10 Episode 9)

The return of Roseanne is supposed to be a wonderful and exciting thing. However, Roseanne Season 10 Episode 9, “Knee Deep,” reminds everyone just how lackluster the return season has been overall.

Between rushed storylines and nostalgia trying to distract the viewers, we are left wondering whether or not it’ll be worth it to tune in next season.

It would be remiss of me to not start off with the Roseanne drug problem storyline. After all, it is a story that I was initially interested in seeing play out — only to be disappointed upon actually watching “Knee Deep.”

The drug problem gets a simple mention in the conversation between Dan and his friend, Chuck, about the condo job. The way Dan kind of dismisses it makes it sound like it isn’t really a major problem, but instead a minor setback.

But if you look back at Roseanne Season 10 Episode 8, “Netflix and Pill,” it is obviously more than that.

It irks me to no end that the one really interesting and relatable storyline this season gets this treatment. The writers of the show should have tried to reach a wider demographic by connecting with people who know someone (or are someone) like Roseanne: a person living with chronic pain who pops pills just to get through the day.

Instead, we are left with a story that is brushed off as a non-issue. Honestly, this alone is what is giving me pause about continuing to support the show.

If this is how they treat an extremely important story, how can I trust them to give authenticity to the rest of the stories and characters?

I really enjoy the background story of going through the boxes in the basement. It is a nice little trip down memory lane for me, a long-time fan.

Once again, this beauty is quickly marred once the viewer thinks about what could really be told. Then it becomes apparent that the nostalgia is merely a device aimed at glossing over the greater plot issues.

When you think about it, this isn’t actually a new problem with Roseanne. Looking back at the whole season, nostalgia is a plot device used heavily to mask the lack of depth throughout.

Even the story about Darlene’s job woes is shoved to the background. To be honest, I find that to be the most compelling part of the episode.

The whole issue of oversexualizing women could have been a great episode arc. They could’ve spent the finale focusing on Darlene rising above and shoving it to the men who harass her.

It could’ve easily turned into a female empowerment episode. They could’ve roped in Becky and Jackie as well. Instead, Darlene just screams and then mentions she wants to quit.

If only Darlene wasn’t relegated to approximately five minutes of screentime. She even could’ve expanded on her writing ventures. A fuller conversation about it with Harris is enough of a change for me.

To be honest, I am so desperate for something good to soak in that I started to imagine other plots. If a viewer is doing that, it’s not always a good sign. Who knows? Maybe Darlene was writing some of those plots down.

Sure, there were a few great stories, like Roseanne’s neighbors and Darlene’s issues with David. But overall, the season is lackluster and barely scratches the surface of the show’s full potential.

The writers have the ability to write really great, in-depth, emotionally-driven stories. There are several “original” Roseanne seasons to prove that.

I just wish they had shown it to us a bit more with the return. If they had written the season the way they did and then had a “blow it out of the park” kind of finale, I would be more inclined to think more favorably of the season as a whole.

As it is, I will have to think twice before choosing to continue watching Season 11.

What did you think of the season finale of Roseanne? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Be sure to catch up with our review of Roseanne Season 10 Episode 8, “Netflix and Pill” right here.

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