The Conners Review: A Stomach Ache, a Heartbreak and a Grave Mistake (Season 3 Episode 12)

We can easily classify The Conners Season 3 Episode 12, “A Stomach Ache, A Heartbreak and a Grave Mistake,” in the eventful but boring file.

Sure, quite a few things happen within various family dynamics in this episode but none of them are exciting or that interesting. The pandemic is affecting so many people, but does it really have to become something that is prevalent all the time?

Bringing real life into the story of how this family makes due is important, but it has now reached a point where even the reality is exhausting. As Dan so aptly points out, we don’t need to immerse ourselves in COVID 24/7. 

The exploration of Darlene’s dynamic with Mark and how they both handle their anxieties could’ve been exciting and worth paying attention to if it hadn’t been COVID-related. By all means, explore how the pandemic has decreased Mark’s ability to cope properly but instead thinking he has it, maybe explore it from the angle of his social experiences being altered.

Mark is an academic sort of kid. His anxiety a year into the pandemic could easily be dealt with as a story about how he hasn’t been coping well with all the new school restrictions in place. Making Darlene and Mark’s conversation center on Mark having too much information isn’t a winning strategy. 

Their dynamics is one of my favorites because out of everyone in the family they understand each other completely. The level of concern and protection Mark feels toward his mom is always a joy to see. 

So take that dynamic and allow them to discuss their anxieties, but don’t make it all about COVID. Our brains can’t handle any more of that either.

Once again Harris’s relationship with her boyfriend takes center stage — haven’t we exhausted this snooze fest yet? Josh has given Harris even more reason to be a whiny brat child and honestly, we are all better off without him. 

As horrible as it may be to say this, Harris deserves to have her heart broken by Josh. Perhaps now she can see that her mom is only looking out for her best interests, not trying to sabotage her at every turn. 

The one time in the entire history of The Conners in which Harris is not obnoxiously hard to swallow is during this episode. She stands up for herself when Josh insensitively dismisses her.

We always love to stan a female empowerment moment. Too bad it is marred by the obnoxiously psychotic behavior of Becky. 

I’m not sure if the show is trying to make Becky’s reaction to Harris’ turmoil a joke, but it isn’t funny. In fact, it’s annoying and unnecessary. 

Becky takes what can be a very motivational moment of getting Harris amped up to face Josh and brings it a step too far. She has essentially gone completely against who she is as a character and channels an unhinged crazy ex.

This doesn’t work because she has no stake in the game in the slightest. If it had been Emilio doing the shady break-up behavior then, potentially, Becky’s attitude would be justified. 

As it stands her behavior just comes off annoying and disjointed. Take it away and Harris’s decisions could shine a bit more positively.

Finally, beyond it being a shout-out to the deceased matriarch, the whole Roseanne gravesite story is blah. Does the epitaph joke land? Absolutely.

Beyond that, there is no point in the story.  To be quite honest it’s a wasted Patton Oswalt guest star.

“A Stomach Ache, A Heartbreak and a Grave Mistake” isn’t completely awful, but it definitely lacks the oomph and humor The Conners deserves. 

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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