The Conners Review: Big Negotiations and Broken Expectations (Season 4 Episode 17)

For the first time in a while, The Conners Season 4 Episode 17, “Big Negotiations and Broken Expectations,” knocks it out of the park. In a nearly perfect episode, the Conner family proves that sometimes they win and sometimes they lose. 

Between Dan and Louise’s marital woes and Darlene’s work anxiety, the humor and drama go seamlessly hand-in-hand to create a perfectly balanced experience. If there is any complaint about this episode it’s that we don’t get any Mark — who’s been mysteriously absent for weeks now.

Darlene is Back, Baby!

Ever since this series started, Darlene has been struggling to come back from pitfall after pitfall. Like she says on “Big Negotiations and Broken Expectations,” a Conner is bound to come out ahead at some point.

It’s a huge risk for her to put her job on the line in order to make some more money. It’s a struggle that so many people are currently facing with the way the economy is currently trying to keep people motivated to stay in the jobs they have.

The fact of the matter is that Darlene has worked hard for this, and she’s earned what she’s asking for. To have the show create this drama of will she/won’t she throughout the episode is genius and adds to the drama of it.

Anyone who’s asked for something more from their employer knows that anxiety of not knowing if you are taking too big of a risk that won’t pay out in the end. Darlene lives it in the most frazzled and comedic of ways.

The dynamic Sara Gilbert and Alexandra Billings have with one another onscreen is unparalleled. They easily feed off each other and add to every interaction through their body language and micro-expressions.

Honestly, I am glad that we get to see both of them win out in the end. It’s what they both deserve, and it’s been long overdo for a Conner to come out ahead financially.

Dan and Louise on the Rocks

Another great thing about The Conners is that it doesn’t shy away from not wrapping up a conflict with a pretty bow. Sure, it adds to the anxiety of knowing what’s coming from episode to episode, but luckily with this sitcom, it only happens with the really big important stuff.

While we all love seeing Dan and Louise happy and in love, it’s also great to see that living together isn’t always sunshine and roses. After all, their marriage brought two fiercely independent people under the same roof. 

There is bound to be some growing pains as they adjust to Louise being home all the time instead of on the road. Dan shutting her out in favor of his kids is something he’s not had to consider before, even when Roseanne was alive.

While Louise loves him and his grown children, she doesn’t have the same obligation to them that Dan does so it’s going to be harder on her to understand. However, Dan can also let up a bit and tell his kids no every once in a while. 

It’s great to see them get into an argument about this lack of consideration instead of Louise just letting it fester. Dan needs to be made aware of how his actions are hurting his wife and this is a sure fire way to accomplish that.

Ending the episode before they are able to sit down and talk it through rationally is also a great move for the show. It becomes more realistic and the drama of it all more impactful on Dan’s understanding.

Dan needs to see Louise mad about this for a while for it to really stick with him. 

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

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

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