The Conners Season 5 Episode 12 Review: Stuck in the Middle and Stuck in the Past

Getting a glimpse of Mark and Mary for the first time in a very long time makes The Conners Season 5 Episode 12, “Stuck in the Middle and Stuck in the Past” that much more special. Even better is their involvement in the shenanigans happening between Dan and Jackie.

This episode isn’t the strongest one for the show, but it’s still very enjoyable. Which in the grand scheme of things is just as important. 

The Conners continues to manage two different home locations really well — which I hadn’t expected once Darlene, Ben, and Becky moved. 

Ben and Darlene’s Relationship Woes 

Poor Becky is just trying to survive college as a middle-aged adult, but her sister and brother-in-law can’t seem to respect her needs. It’s almost cringy to see Becky give them all the signals in the world that she is struggling to get a critical paper done and they bulldoze right over her.

Especially, after the events of The Conners Season 5 Episode 11, “Two More Years and a Stolen Rose” where Ben and Darlene went out of their way to support Becky and her college dreams. It’s only been a short time and they are already so wrapped up in their own ridiculous argument that they have forgotten what Becky needs.

During all their interruptions and fighting, I expected Becky to pack it all up and head over to her father’s house. It would’ve been another fun way to connect the two homes, but I’m not sure she would’ve gotten much reprieve there.

Relationships within families can’t always be sunshine and rainbows, but this episode has us feeling more sympathy for Becky than either Ben or Darlene. They are fighting instead of actually talking to each other and after Becky’s paper gets rejected she is the one to make them realize it. 

While this moment solidifies that Becky is meant to be a counselor it comes at the price of her family’s respect for her. Darlene and Ben should have been able to collect themselves enough to realize they needed to stop dragging Becky down. 

It’s just disappointing that Becky never really gets the respect she deserves for the hard work she always puts in and the sacrifices that come with that.

Dan and Jackie Love Each Other

The main argument occurring between Dan and Jackie boils down to what we’ve always known — and this episode gives solid evidence of — they love each other but aren’t willing to admit it. Sure, they are on the defense because neither of them wants to admit they are getting older and their memories aren’t what they used to be.

However, deeper underneath all that Jackie has respect and love for Dan and vice versa. These two were brought together reluctantly because of Dan’s love for Roseanne, but in the years since her passing, they’ve come to lean on one another.

When Dan remembers where Roseanne’s diary is, but not that they are with the family videos Jackie shows him compassion. She takes the hit about forgetting that she had the videos all along in order to save Dan the hurt of being wrong. 

It’s hard to believe Jackie would’ve shown such compassion even a year or so ago. However, Bev’s memory issues have made them both realize they could lose their mental capacity too — which is humbling for them.

Their relationship has been a fan favorite in all iterations of the Conner family universe. Seeing them grow and evolve in this bond is very satisfying and makes the episode that much better.

What prevents this whole argument from spiraling into the mess that Ben and Darlene experience is as simple as the presence of Harris, Mark, and Mary. The grandkids keep the whole debacle lighthearted and fun with their constant glib remarks toward both parties. 

 

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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