The Conners Review: Live from Lanford (Season 2 Episode 12)

When a show advertises they will be doing a “live” episode, it’s definitely noteworthy. Unfortunately, for The Conners Season 2 Episode 12, “Live from Lanford,” the novelty of such a move isn’t seen or deemed necessary.

To be quite honest, I am left wondering why they decided to make this episode live in the first place. Sure, the idea of interweaving live coverage of the New Hampshire primary sounds fun, but does it really fit with the show?

The quick answer is a resounding no. This is a prime example of what it feels like when a show tries to push an agenda on their audiences. 

Is voting important? Yes.

Does a show about a working-class family and their struggles need to suddenly switch gears and attempt to make their usual formula include politics? No.

It could have easily been a pre-taped episode that interweaves Mark’s assignment into the discussion without including the actual numbers. Maybe then the episode would feel less forced and the focus wouldn’t be taken away from the real meat of the story.

Every time Darlene or Jackie spouts off about candidates or democracy, in general, it feels more like the actors are speaking instead of the characters. This really takes the audience out of the show and makes the episode hard to stomach because the family you are tuning in to see isn’t there.

Instead, we are force-fed various takes on government and politics and the candidates in general. It’s not that those things shouldn’t be included in our entertainment and the media, because voting is important, but don’t do it to a show that never extensively talks politics. 

It’s out of character for The Conners to even have this family take a stance of any kind. Usually, their discussion of the government is to begrudge taxes and the rich — they never once talk at length about anything ultra-political.

It’s safe to say this episode’s dialogue comes out of left field and doesn’t even sound like them at all. To be frank, the level of knowledge and understanding of everything seemed a bit above the characters’ understanding. 

That isn’t to say The Conner family doesn’t know the government at all. It’s just that they have never — even in the original series — shown an ounce of interest in the electoral process at all.

Some could argue that it’s a sign of changing with the times, but if that is the case then they should interweave such topics throughout the whole season not just one episode.

There are relationship woes at the forefront of Mark and Dan’s lives. This should have been the focus of the episode. 

The point of the importance of voting could easily be conveyed through a short conversation involving Mark and Harris about his assignment and then again at the end when Jackie impersonates Hilary Clinton. Other than that, let the true nature of the show shine through. 

Dan and Louise have been in this will they won’t they all season long. Their relationship complications deserve to be more than just background noise. 

It could have been an opportunity for The Conners to create a heartfelt and meaningful moment for Dan and his daughters. He could sit down and talk with them about why he cares about Louise and just isn’t ready. 

Instead, the moment comes at the expense of his decades-long marriage to Roseanne. All for a punch-line, which I felt was in bad taste and diminished the level of love Dan will always have for her. 

He can symbolically let her go and move on, but does it really have to be “setting fire to a letter to her?” That seems too extreme and like he’s setting fire to his past and the significance of all that.

Louise is truly a great match for Dan and it’s sad to see the show reduce her to nothing more than an idea. Hopefully, she will return a little later on or Dan will call her back and they will patch things up. This just can’t be the end of them.

The best scene of the episode is, hands down, the one Harris has with Mark about his relationship with his ex — now current — boyfriend. It is what ultimately saves this episode from being a complete flop.

I am not the biggest Harris fan, but “Live from Lanford,” earns her a few brownie points. For the first time in the series, Harris actually stepped up and performed her sisterly duties. 

Watching her chastise Mark for accepting anything less than love and acceptance from his boyfriend fills our hearts with all the fluff and good things of the universe. Harris isn’t much, but she does love her brother — even if it is deep down.

She’s also right, Mark does deserve better and let’s hope that he takes her words to heart and demands such moving forward.

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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