The Conners Review: Sober Sex, Plastic Silverware, and Losing My Religion (Season 4 Episode 3)

The Conners Season 4 Episode 3, “Sober Sex, Plastic Silverware, and Losing My Religion,” dives deeper still into how Darlene is really feeling about Ben rejecting her proposal. Going along with what Season 3 started, this season has been giving Darlene time to really look at herself and organically create moments of personal growth. 

Honestly, going into this episode, it is hard to imagine Darlene growing from some simple exchanges with Louise. So far, it’s only been with members of her family so it’s nice to see Louise included in that way.

The Future Mrs. Conner

From the beginning, Louise has made sure everyone knows that she isn’t Roseanne, nor does she want to be. So, of course by the end of this episode when she and Darlene agree to start unloading toxic baggage on each other we smile to ourselves.

It just shows just how serious Louise is about becoming one with her new family. She is trying to show that she loves Dan, and by extension his children and grandchildren but is in no way trying to take the place of Roseanne. 

She accepts Darlene’s offer for help when asked about it, despite her face saying she has her misgivings. Even when Darlene tries to sandbag her ideas, Louise doesn’t get mean or nasty, she simply suggests what she wants instead.

It’s a wonderful journey of realization for Darlene that only comes to pass after she gets angry at Louise for including Mark and Harris but not her. Louise’s gentle nature that is never judgemental helps Darlene to talk out her feelings.

The realization there at the end when Darlene states she’s not getting married and proceeds to crumple is one of the more heavy moments in Darlene’s story on The Conners. Once again Louise shows her loving and compassionate nature through reassurance and apology that she couldn’t use any of Darlene’s ideas in the end.

This is a moment of growth for Darlene and Louise as much as it is for Darlene individually. It helps these two women to grow closer together while Darlene finally admits she’s still hurt by what Ben did.

Blooming Love, No Sex Required

Becky learns a thing or two on “Sober Sex, Plastic Silverware, and Losing My Religion” as well. I mean, who doesn’t need the realization that they are just as great sober as they are intoxicated. 

Mikey is a good, decent person and honestly, I am glad Becky is reconnecting with him now than back when she was really struggling with sobriety. Becky deserves to know that her hard work and discipline aren’t going unnoticed by people outside of her family. 

She really needs to add members to her friend group because those connections are what’s going to help her to stay on the wagon. While having sex with Mikey right out the gate probably isn’t her shining moment, Becky knows she did wrong and pulls back from the situation immediately. 

That shows growth, old Becky would’ve leaned into how nice he made her feel and ran with it. I’m glad to see she’s actually taking the lessons of rehab to heart. It shows a positive side to addiction that often gets glossed over for the more dramatic outcomes. 

I can predict that by the time Becky is more comfortable with her ability to stay sober, and only when she is ready, she will give Mikey a try. It’s honestly what she deserves after everything she’s been through.

Mikey is the type of man who is going to be there for her in whatever way she needs from him, choosing not to push for what he really wants. He loves her on a deeper, more meaningful level and that is the kind of connection that pulls through everything. 

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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