The Conners Season 5 Episode 8 Review: Of Missing Minds and Missing Fries
If there is one thing Season 5 seems to be doing, it reminds fans of all the things we have experienced with this family over the years. The Conners Season 5 Episode 8, “Of Missing Minds and Missing Fries” really hammers it in that our time with Beverly may be limited.
Just like Roseanne’s loss, this character’s loss will leave a giant hole in the family. Who Jackie is as a person is directly correlated to her relationship with her mother.
What is the Conner family without Jackie as we know her?
You’re Losing Your Memory
EMMA KENNEY, LAURIE METCALF, JAY R. FERGUSON, SARA GILBERT, LECY GORANSON, JOHN GOODMAN
Harris announcing her suspicions about Bev having dementia gets the only logical reaction out of Jackie — disbelief. After all, Jackie and Bev have spent their whole lives tormenting each other in every way imaginable.
Bev has done many things over the years to manipulate Jackie into helping her. It’s not that far of a stretch to believe she is possibly putting on an act.
Their history together is what makes the reality of the situation that much more devastating. It truly floors Jackie because if her mom isn’t harping on her then who is she?
It’s extremely devastating that the moment that changes Jackie’s opinion on the situation is Bev not remembering that Roseanne died. Laurie Metcalf nails every minute emotion one would go through realizing their terrible parent is losing their memories.
If the loss of Roseanne sobered Jackie’s antics a little, I can only imagine the imminent loss of her mother is twice as difficult for her. It won’t surprise me if we end this season with a version of Jackie we have never seen before.
Don’t Lose Your Dignity
JAY R. FERGUSON, SARA GILBERT
One thing about Darlene that everyone has always loved is her independence and strong will in the face of struggle. Quitting her job on The Conners Season 5 Episode 7, “Take This Job and Shove it Twice” is a huge moment for her.
It’s been a long time since she stood her ground on her morals like this. While it would be nice to see her continue being a mid-level manager because of the success it shows within her. It’s also great to see her stick her ground about what Wellman’s asked her to do.
The plot point of Wellman black listing her from any and all jobs because of her morals is a social commentary on the capitalism this country faces. We sometimes feel we must abandon our beliefs and our dignity in order to move ahead in the world.
My respect for Darlene increases the longer she faces adversity in the job market because of her stance. Even more so, she has an opportunity come up to be a manager but with a pay cut and she decides to stand her ground instead of taking the offer.
While that is definitely something- to applaud, most working-class individuals don’t have the luxury of choosing such moves. Considering how much her family suffers the longer she is unemployed you’d think Darlene would suck it up and take the job.
I’ll be extremely interested to see if Darlene’s speech to the man she interviewed will bring about the offer she asks for. She knows her worth and I’m sure eventually that will pay out in dividends.
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 8/7c on ABC.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.