The Conners Season 5 Episode 16 Review: Hiding In and Moving Out

Once again, The Conners Season 5 Episode 16, “Hiding In and Moving Out,” shows us that heartbreak and humor can work hand-in-hand. As the Conner family is wont to do, they face every challenge in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

They never give too much room to sadness, instead opting to voice their struggles and quickly turn around with a joke. This doesn’t mean that they bury their emotions or don’t care, just that their lives are complicated enough day-to-day they don’t need to wallow too long when real tragedy strikes.

The Baby in The Room

In a surprising turn of events, Harris discovers she is pregnant on The Conners Season 5 Episode 15, “Possums, Pregnancy, and Patriarchy.” It seems the writers will see this story through to the fruition of Harris bringing a baby home, but the reality is much more complex.

Harris is just starting to get used to the idea that she is about to be a mom when the pains start. Even without the scared looks on Darlene and Becky’s faces, the audience can see where this is headed. 

Despite being a predictable outcome, the loss of Harris’ baby is still incredibly heartbreaking, even more so after she lashes out at Darlene, who is just starting to get on steady footing. We can see that Harris doesn’t hate her mom, just that she is hurting and needs to be mad at something — Darlene is the easiest target.

It creates a beautiful mother/daughter moment similar to the one at the end of the previous episode. While these two are bound to disagree again soon, there is an added layer of understanding and support that hasn’t been there in the past.

Darlene says it best when she tells Harris that while she didn’t want this pregnancy initially, she would never wish the pain of a miscarriage on anyone, let alone her daughter. These two are far from perfect, but their bond is getting stronger the more life experiences Harris goes through. 

Louise’s Purpose

One of the best relationships to come out of The Conners is, hands down, Louise and Dan. They find each other after years apart and believe that love and second chances exist.

Now that Louise is officially retired, she’s having trouble figuring out her next steps. This is where Dan’s perfectly imperfect charm works wonders and helps her out.

He may stumble at first, but he realizes he has to be a better husband through his advice for Darlene regarding Harris. What comes next is nothing short of the Dan Conner love and charm we have come to love over the years.

It’s refreshing to see Louise, the most put-together member of the family, have her moment of doubt and insecurity. She allows others to know that you don’t always have to have all the answers and that it’s okay not to be okay. 

Sometimes we need a few days to hide in our beds, ignoring the world. It’s common that we struggle to know where to go next after a significant life event.

The fact that Dan never resents or shames Louise for her feelings is why these two are the perfect example of love and support.

Stray Thoughts:

• The overall theme of this episode, being that it’s okay not to be okay, is so resonant for many viewers.
• It is nice to see Mary again, it’s been a while, and I miss her. 

 

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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