The Conners Review: Triggered (Season 4 Episode 14)

First and foremost, this episode of The Conners is not for the faint of heart. As always, the show thrives on taking things to the next level and keeping our focus on real issues.

The Conners Season 4 Episode 14, “Triggered,” brings the issue of gun safety and gun control right to the Conner family backyard — literally. 

What About the Children?

With an episode that centers on the effects gun violence can have on other people both physically and mentally, there is one thing missing. I am talking about the real exploration of how it can affect kids.

Yes, there is a whole exchange between Darlene and Mary the next morning when it’s time to go to school. And the family mentions Mary’s apprehension in passing, but this could’ve been a real opportunity for exploration.

The Conners doesn’t focus its attention on the younger members of the family all that often. So, putting Mary in this situation where the drills she’s done for years finally make sense could’ve been more than just a passing thing.

To have Mary bring up her mom’s job in the military or even the fact that she just wants her parents but they are both away would be fantastic to watch play out. Mary is always aware of what guns can do because her mom has always been in the military, but this was a moment where the guns were right there and inflicting harm.

There is also a very obvious difference in Mary’s experiences versus the rest of her family. On the one hand, it’s great that the show didn’t point out that her life is at an even higher risk because of her skin color, but it also could’ve been a growing moment for the family overall. 

Aunt Jackie: Doom Scroller?

One of the more surprising moments of this episode is when Jackie basically shuts down after the shooting happens. She comes over the next day completely ragged, having been up all night.

Her proceeding emotional breakdown is very surprising considering she’s always the stronger one in the group. Jackie doesn’t ever let things phase her and this is something she’s had experience with her past as a cop.

The situation is made all that more real and visceral because it manages to shake this seemingly unshakable character. It’s something we don’t expect in a million years and for that, the hats go off to the writers.

The strongest writing of this season is in this episode, and it shows in just how intricate the emotions are for each individual character. There is still humor to be found from moment to moment, but ultimately the episode is about everyone’s human response to a very scary situation.

The detail that Jackie has become what is known as a doom scroller is one that some shows may have overlooked, but The Conners doesn’t. It’s an important detail to the development of Jackie’s character over the course of this crisis. 

Harris vs. Dan

Another more surprising twist in this situation comes when Dan reveals he has a gun in the home for protection. Dan has never seemed the type to desire for such measures so it seems a bit odd that he has one now.

It could be dismissed as Dan simply getting older and realizing the neighborhood isn’t what it used to be, but overall it’s a huge out-of-character moment. Despite this error in judgment, the moment is rectified by Harris taking the initiative to get rid of it once and for all.

Harris is definitely one of those “kids” who thinks strongly about there needing to be change in the world while feeling powerless to enact it. So, it’s a no-brainer that she would sneak the gun out of the home and sell it back to the cops. 

Even Dan’s response to her selling the gun isn’t all that surprising, but it is interesting to see Louise step in for a moment. She’s newer to the family and thus far kept herself out of family disputes, but on this one, she urges Harris to take the win and run for the hills.

The gun violence so close to their home has pushed Dan and Harris closer to mutual understanding if not respect for one another. They’ve always had a bond, but not one where Dan actively scolds her for doing something without permission.

Overall, this situation is one the Conner family won’t soon forget and fans will remember how respectfully the subject matter is handled. 

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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