The Conners Review: Throwing a Christian to a Bear (Season 2 Episode 10)

Sometimes a sitcom makes us clutch at our hearts more than it makes us laugh. Such is the case for The Conners Season 2 Episode 10, “Throwing a Christian to a Bear.”

It can be a hit or a miss whenever a comedy decides to focus on being heartfelt versus being funny. With this episode, it is definitely a hit.

Bringing an outsider into the Conner clan is always intimidating because this family is so tight-knit and always on the defensive. This dates all the way back to the original series with Jackie always being a part of the clan but actually sticking out at times for being an outsider.

With “Throwing a Christian to a Bear,” Becky gets to see firsthand what her family’s behavior is really like from the other side of it. It’s clear at first that she is trying to straddle that line between the two sides, but when her date calls her family toxic all bets are off.

First of all, The Conners are brave for choosing to go with this point of view. While it seems controversial on the surface there is a bit of truth to it. 

Yes, the Conner family does have some not so PC views on the world, but they can also be a bit harsh to their own as well. That’s not to say I hate this family, make no mistake I actually love them.

However, Wyatt did bring up some good points. Just because they are family doesn’t mean they can’t be toxic or even bad for you at times. 

It’s a message that no one is actually expecting from this lighthearted little sitcom. For Becky especially, as a recovering alcoholic, her family could potentially be triggering for her. 

That being said, what Becky says to Wyatt in response is just as important if not more so. He has only known her family for one hour and she has known them her whole life. 

What Becky knows to be true about her family should always trump how we, as an audience, may feel about their behaviors. They are there for her when the chips are down and that is what’s most important in this life.

When she returns to her family after breaking it off with Wyatt is when Dan shines the brightest. His lines the whole episode teeter on funny and emotionally grabbing.

Dan always knows the right moment to step in and give his children a small pocket of his own wisdom. It’s become even more frequent now that he is their only remaining parental figure. 

Dan: How can you know what you want when you don’t even know who you are?

Becky deserves all the love in the world and a sweet man to match that, but Dan also has a point. She needs to focus on herself before she can ever really commit herself to anyone else. 

Above all, Beverly Rose should be priority number one in her life with romantic entanglements falling somewhere far down the list.

The romantic entanglements of Darlene have calmed down exponentially since the start of the season, which now allows Darlene to grow as a character. Getting to see her be the strong and steady one with Ben is what we are all here for.

Darlene is very independent so when she is willing to throw that aside and focus her attention on being needed by someone else it grabs your attention. Such is the case with Ben’s stuttered confidence. 

We don’t get to see Darlene guide someone through a hard time except on rare occasions. She takes charge of the situation and asserts herself while still allowing room for the other party to back out or take their own lead.

This is a shift in her relationship with Ben that will only make them stronger. If Ben can handle Darlene ordering him around and getting him out of bed and vice versa for Darlene, then they are meant to last the long haul.

I always thought Darlene and David would be the endgame for me, but now I see that Ben is much better suited to Darlene’s personality than David ever was. I can’t wait to see the continued success of this beautiful relationship.

Let’s bring this home with a visit back to the Conner home. It’s been commented on all season long just how much we love the bond that is forming more and more between Dan and Mark.

Dan: I love you but this changes things. The gay thing I understand, but this is a choice.

When we look at Mark’s debut episode versus now there is a complete 180 in how Dan interacts with him. For Dan to make a joke where the punch line isn’t about Mark’s sexuality but instead his lack of love for football is huge.

Dan is finally comfortable with just loving his grandson as he is not as he wants him to be. It’s moments like this where I can overlook their other not so PC behaviors. 

Ultimately it comes down to The Conners is about the love and connection found within a family.

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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