The Conners Review: Nightmare on Lunch Box Street (Season 2 Episode 5)
Halloween has reached Lanford on The Conners Season 2 Episode 5, “Nightmare on Lunch Box Street.” If you are looking for an iconic Conner Halloween gathering, you will be disappointed, but the family manages to haunt you in other ways.
To be quite honest this episode is very funny — probably one of the funniest all season — with many great one-liners from Dan and Darlene. However, it truly is missing the Conner Family Halloween that we know and love, which may be a true sign of Roseanne’s absence or of the show trying to branch out and make their own unique mark.
Dan’s Rip Van Winkle costume is very understated compared to some of his more memorable costumes over the years. However, Mark’s David Bowie should not go unappreciated — that kid has some true Conner creativity.
JOHN GOODMAN, SARA GILBERT
The most horrifying moment of the whole night isn’t Darlene’s costume of “Becky before the baby” but, in fact, the knowledge that Darlene is Beverly’s power of attorney.
Darlene is as Becky and Jackie say, the most honest and level-headed Conner. That being said, as of lately she’s made some really questionable decisions.
Knowing that Becky and Jackie’s possible financial future lies in Darlene’s hands should scare anyone. Based on her track record in the last year, she’ll probably sit on it for so long that the opportunity passes.
That is not to say Darlene isn’t a trustworthy person, it’s just that she hasn’t been that great at actually making a decision about things lately.
LECY GORANSON, SARA GILBERT, LAURIE METCALF
A route that The Conners could take — and maybe should — is letting all three of them put their heads together and come up with a solid business idea that could benefit the whole family. This is an opportunity for everyone to turn their luck around.
Jackie could find purpose again, Becky could create a solid foundation for her and little Bev, and Darlene could finally find something that makes her happy that isn’t tied to a man.
Whatever the venture could be — even if it is just reopening the Lunch Box — The Conners could use this as a way to really unite the family once more and really hit all the marks of a great family sitcom.
This could also create an opportunity for DJ to actually have a solid role on the show. I miss the days of the original Roseanne simply because DJ had his own stories and got equal screentime to his sisters. It’s really sad that now he is nothing more than an afterthought.
MICHAEL FISHMAN, SARA GILBERT, JOHN GOODMAN
He is a unique character all on his own and he brings quite a unique perspective to the table. Let him have conversations with Darlene about raising a kid while the other parent is gone all the time.
Or better yet, let DJ have his own story about the struggles his daughter has to fit in. It’s something that the show brought to the surface on “Nightmare on Lunch Box Street” but could actually make it into a full-sized story.
To be quite honest, the whole family business route is the only direction I can actually see this show going this season. If The Conners doesn’t make that a thing I’d be surprised and a little bit upset.
Not to mention it will just really tie in the nostalgia factor that the show is always trying to subtly pay homage to. It doesn’t have to be a restaurant, it could be any kind of business really. I just want to see the whole family do something together.
LAURIE METCALF, LECY GORANSON, ESTELLE PARSONS
The scariest part about all of this is that the woman we love to hate, Beverly, is to thank for this even being possible. She owned the Lunch Box way back in the day and she never sold it because she wanted to leave her family something.
When in the end she isn’t leaving it to them after she’s died, she is giving her family a new opportunity for success. What if this is their lottery ticket for real? What if this business location creates a cash flow like the family has never seen before and they can finally live more than just comfortably?
It is a great way for The Conners to truly showcase Jackie making a foundation for herself outside of Roseanne and for Becky to truly show the world that she can succeed at anything.
ESTELLE PARSONS, LECY GORANSON, SARA GILBERT, LAURIE METCALF
A business is a perfect recipe for success at showcasing three highly independent women who don’t need a man to make a mark on the world. Let these characters have the opportunity to grow and shine with this new potential venture.
Best Conner One-Liners:
- Dan: All together?!
- Darlene: Casper the Stupid Ghost
- Darlene: Would me killing David tickle your romantic fancy?
- Dan: Not a predator. The Predator, from the movie.
What did you think of this episode of The Conners? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Conners airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.