The Conners Season 6 Episode 5 Review: When Sisters Collide and the Return of the Grifters

For the first time since his introduction, Neville manages to crack through Dan’s walls. The Conners Season 6 Episode 5, “When Sisters Collide and the Return of the Grifters,” does a fantastic job of allowing this character to grow into someone a bit more empathetic than he was before.

Which is saying something considering how kind and open-hearted Neville naturally is. Despite this, he’s never really hit it off with Dan in any sort of meaningful way — until now.

This entire plot is one big roller coaster ride that doesn’t always feel like it’s going to pay off. But when it does, we feel it in a big way.

Neville Has Always Been Smart with Money

One of the consistent storylines with Neville centers on his unwillingness to share his hard-earned money with his sister’s husband and, by extension, his wife’s family. After 3 seasons of it, this plot has gotten extremely stale and doesn’t really need further exploration.

Or does it?

“When Sisters Collide and the Return of the Grifters” proves that there actually still is a money-centered idea for Neville that is worth our time. Of course, it starts off similarly to the other ones — Neville is upset about Dan’s lack of consideration for money and resorts to name-calling.

What eventually makes this fight worth the effort is Neville coming to his senses and apologizing to Dan for the name-calling. Only to discover that Dan used his money for something that actually was more important than a lawyer — his stepmom’s heart medication.

The addition of Crystal to the plot is completely unexpected and out of left field, which works to make us less annoyed at Neville’s lack of substance as a character. Finding out about Crystal’s medical condition allows Neville to see that he and Dan have similar dad issues to contend with.

What makes this revelation that much more meaningful is the apparent chemistry between Nat Faxon and John Goodman. Both men are fantastic at the art of subtle humor and big-hearted moments, so to put them together like this changes the whole dynamic of their characters.

It marks the start of what could be a meaningful bond if The Conners writers can let go of Neville’s financial responsibility as his one defining characteristic. 

Darlene and Becky — Playful Rivalry

Speaking of plot points the writers need to retire there is Darlene. Darlene’s insecurity about herself has been brought up, and seemingly handled, only to be brought back up again. 

It’s fine to have a character who has insecurities and doubts about themselves, but for it to be the only source of story for that character is exhausting. Over the years, yes, I’m counting the Roseanne years in this; Darlene has always been strong-willed and confident in her place in the world.

Sure, losing your job and having a failed marriage under your belt can knock you down a bit, but Darlene has since remarried and found a way to work and provide for her kids. It can be a minor mention that the kids misjudge Darlene because of her position at their school, but to make a whole episode about it is unnecessary.

That’s not to say the rivalry that cooks up between Becky and Darlene as a result of Darlene’s insecurity isn’t fun to watch. Gilbert and Goranson have had chemistry onscreen for decades now, and it always comes out the most during ridiculously petty sister squabbles like this one.

The way that they just dog pile on each other at the trivia night, embarrassing themselves, is a level of humor that we wished we could get from them more often. It’s what makes their bond so relatable.

I mean, who hasn’t been envious of their older or younger sibling and gone to extreme lengths to prove they are the better sibling? It’s hilarious because we can all see the love that is clearly evident beneath the surface for them.

The Conners knows that its magic lies in the bonds of the family more than the stories being told. This is why the Darlene and Becky aspect of the episode rewards us for all the other missteps along the way.

Stray Thoughts:

• Best heartfelt line: Here’s to the men who ruined us and the women just damaged enough to want us.
• Best funny line: As a veterinarian, I applaud your vegan values. But as a hungry man, I think you should always eat alone.
• Having Nat Faxon back adds so much to the show. Wish we could see him more consistently.
• The sudden death clue description was made even more hilarious by how on-the-nose it is for describing Darlene Conner (which it probably would be if this were a trivia night in the real world)
• Becky admitting that she is who she is because of Darlene is probably the most heartfelt these characters will ever get. I love that for them.

 

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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