The Conners Review: Birthdays, Babies, and Emotional Support Chickens (Season 3 Episode 4)

Oh baby, The Conners Season 3 Episode 4, “Birthdays, Babies, and Emotional Support Chickens” really brings the tears as the whole Conner clan finds their way through the latest emotional moments.

While the humor is present throughout this episode in spades — thank you, Dan, and Jackie — it’s merely there to break up the emotional upheaval Darlene’s news and Beverly Rose’s party brings. These moments are central to the episode and rightly so. 

It’s been a really long time since we’ve seen Darlene go through a real major life-changing event. In fact, the last one is arguably her simultaneous break-up with Ben and David. 

Yes, the pandemic is definitely a life change but it is one that the whole family is experiencing right along with her. Darlene going through the emotions of thinking she is pregnant and actually being happy about it to her accepting that she won’t be having any more children is quite the ride.

It’s cathartic in a way that she gets to go through the realization that she is officially getting old with a partner like Ben by her side. It’s often that I compare Darlene and Ben’s relationship with that of Roseanne and Dan.

That is because out of everyone Darlene could be paired off with romantically, Ben is the only one who understands her every nuance and who is there to just be there when she needs someone to lean on.

It is never more evident than when she admits to him she can’t ever get pregnant again. Any onlooker would take her response at face value. However, Ben sees right through her words and into her heart knowing full well that she isn’t as okay as she says she is.

Ben is the perfect man for Darlene and going through this life-altering realization together is only going to serve to make them stronger. I can see Ben sticking it out ’til the very end with Darlene.

On the opposite end of things, Becky is trying very hard to find that perfect balance with Emilio. It’s evident that she loves him and Beverly Rose, but she’s struggling to find the right balance for them both.

Up to this point, Emilio has stood by and let Becky dictate his every move, especially when it comes to his role in the life of his daughter. It’s beautiful to see him finally stick to his guns during “Birthdays, Babies, and Emotional Support Chickens” and fighting to have that coveted ring as Beverly Rose’s father.

It’s understandable that Becky is feeling nervous about sharing Beverly Rose with Emilio due to his lack of reliability in the past. Unfortunately, he is risking his life to stay with his little girl and help raise her the best way they can. 

The whole episode, we watch as Becky pushes against Emilio time and time again with decisions he wants to make for his daughter. Instead, she should be at the very least be giving him the floor and supporting his choices.

When she finally gives Emilio the reins at the end we get to see the more vulnerable side of her she keeps strongly guarded. Maybe there is hope for these two after all. 

Becky really does care for Emilio but, she worries for his future — as she should. Now that Beverly Rose is getting older, Becky is starting to see that her daughter deserves to have all of her family in her life, not just the safe ones.

The fact that Emilio is willing to risk being openly seen at a baptism in order to ensure his daughter goes through life protected by God is evidence enough of his love for her. Emilio would rather be her father and get caught than not even try at all.

Emilio claims he isn’t a Conner but, based on how he walks through life he’s as close to Conner as it gets without being blood. He has the Conner spirit running through his veins.

While I fear for Emilio’s status in the US I have a hopeless romantic desire to see them work things out and stay together as a family. Just like Ben is the man for Darlene, there is no one better suited for Becky than Emilio — except perhaps her late husband Mark.

Stray Thoughts

• I’m saying it here now, hoping it’ll manifest them into reality. Neville and Jackie for life. He’s kooky just like her.
• Dan’s joke about other children kind of addresses the flub he had a few weeks ago when he said he only has 3 children. Poor Jerry, he deserves more than just casual mentions.

 

What did you think of this episode of The Conners? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Conners airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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