The Conners Review: Three Ring Circus (Season 4 Episode 19)

Once again the Conner family has us all clutching at our sides and laughing uncontrollably at their ridiculous antics. For only the second or third time this season, the show manages to create an episode that knocks it all out of the park. 

The Conners Season 4 Episode 19, “Three Ring Circus,” is a chaotic mess in the best way. It really leans into what makes the Conner clan so great — their inability to do anything half-way.

All the funny moments are tied up nicely by heartfelt love and affection sprinkled throughout.

Darlene Deserves Her Day

While the family shenanigans are definitely a huge highlight of “Three Ring Circus,” I can’t help feeling bad for Darlene. After all she and Ben have been through they deserve a day that is completely their own — not piggy-backed off everyone else.

It’s completely understandable why she and Ben contemplated just eloping. In the long run it may actually be the best option for them. 

While Dan is funny in his emotional manipulations to get Darlene and Ben to change their mind, Darlene also has a point with her argument. She’s already been married once with all the fanfare and so it’s not like Dan hasn’t seen his daughter walk down the aisle before.

At the same time, Ben and David are lightyears away from each other and Darlene is definitely happier with Ben. So, both sides of the argument have valid points. 

I just wish Darlene didn’t feel like she has to get married in 2 weeks with everyone else. While, it would be annoying to see Jackie and Harris potentially get hitched before her, their special days should be separate from Darlene’s.

Jackie Chaotic As Ever

While I am overjoyed that Jackie and Neville are getting married — they truly are the perfect pairing. It’s frustrating to see Jackie bulldoze over everyone else in her excitement. 

She doesn’t even let Neville do a proper proposal — the poor guy is clearly upset but he’s a people pleaser so he goes along with it. If this is any indication of how the wedding planning is going to be they are headed for disaster, which is a shame.

I think if Jackie and Neville slowed down and really thought about what they wanted they’d see that a slower engagement would probably be best. Jackie deserves this one good thing to go perfectly right in her life — bumping up the timeline never helps.

It’ll be interesting to see just how frustrated Neville gets with Jackie’s chaotic nature regarding the wedding plans. He just might crack under the pressure and finally put his foot down. 

Aldo and Harris Headed for a Break-Up?

For all the work Darlene, Louise, and Becky have put into trying to break-up Aldo and Harris it may be Aldo himself who does it. His push for them to have a kid right away may be the exact wakeup call Harris needs to see that she’s not quite ready for that level of commitment to him.

While, I’m not really someone who likes to judge people for when or if they get married, Harris’ situation is different. She is only 20 and it’s clear that she’s not on the same page as her boyfriend with regards to their future. 

It’s probably best that they realize this now — before they tie the knot — instead of later on when it’s a messier, more complicated situation to get out of. Harris has a good head on her shoulders even if she is currently making some questionable decisions.

Ultimately, she will be learning from these mistakes and going forward a stronger, more well-rounded young woman.

 

 

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

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