The Conners Season 6 Episode 8 Review: Toilet Hacks and the Management Track

Dan Conner is now 70-years-old and he’s feeling the pressure to ensure he doesn’t leave a mountain of debt behind for his family. The Conners Season 6 Episode 8, “Toilet Hacks and the Management Track,” presents Dan’s dilemma in the most light-hearted way possible.

This is a man who has given his all for decades to make sure his family is provided for. In fact, as far as fathers go, Dan Conner is one of the best ones around.

So, why is it so hard for him to actually slow down?

Slow Down, Dan. Enjoy Life.

One of Louise’s biggest gripes with Dan during this episode is that he isn’t taking time for himself. This is a couple who has seen their fair share of issues over the last few years as Dan adjusted to being in a relationship with someone aside from Roseanne. 

It comes as no surprise here that her issue isn’t with Dan ignoring her so much as it’s with Dan ignoring himself. Louise has always been a more understanding, considerate person who doesn’t need attention on her.

Sure, she makes a comment to the family that he missed her School Board Meet and Greet event, but she didn’t present that to him at all. Instead, when she confronts Dan about his latest scheme to make money, it’s from the standpoint of looking out for him.

The chemistry between Sagal and Goodman is so great that even the small moments have us believing these two truly love each other and want what’s best for the other. Louise takes time to reassure Dan that he can continue teaching these home care classes but that he needs to cut back on how many.

It’s a version of marriage and commitment we didn’t always see from Dan and Roseanne. However, in his advanced years, he needs a partner who is going to see that he’s overdoing it and encourage him to slow down and rest.

There is something about the older generation mentality that The Conners nails perfectly with this story. Dan comes from a generation of people who don’t believe in not working hard.

As Dan puts it so eloquently, when you’ve lived your whole life being poor, you learn to work constantly to stay ahead. Now, he’s comfortable in his financial situation so he should take the time to rest. I’m just grateful Louise is convincing him to do it.

Darlene’s Ambition

You can’t ever say that Darlene isn’t one to push the envelope and try her best to be the best. She’s never been the kind of person to sit back and let others tell her what to do. 

This is why it’s surprising that she’s been in this low-level cafeteria position as long as she has without pushing back. What feels like might be a conflict with Mark, considering every thing she does at her job usually is, ends up being a conflict with herself.

As always, Darlene plows full steam ahead with her ideas and doesn’t take the time to look into what might happen if she fails. This time, she backs herself into a corner she can’t get out of when the nutritionist tells her she has a trial period of one month, after which she either gets the promotion or loses her job entirely.

The Conners does a great job of presenting Darlene’s strength as a weakness here. So far, Darlene hasn’t seen much negative feedback in her career with regard to her ambition.

Sure, she’s missed out on job advancements, but they’ve never resulted in her potentially losing her job in the process. This puts her latest adventure on a much higher scale of stakes, making us care that much more about the outcome.

It’s a show of her family’s love and respect for her that they step in and help ease her burden a bit. Harris isn’t usually one to assist her mother with any of her schemes, but this time, she is willing.

Of course, that comes with its own price — Harris demands the right to use it as emotional blackmail later on — but that price is small compared to what could happen if Darlene stumbles.  It’s a level of vulnerability we don’t see very often from the extremely strong, independent Darlene.

It’ll be interesting to see if Mark will step in to assist in the coming weeks, considering he’s Darlene’s usual go-to helpful child.

Stray Thoughts:

• I feel like the show is floundering on what to do with Jackie and Becky this season. Most of the time, they are just there.
• Best line of the episode: “It wasn’t chasing. It was herding. The chickens had gotten out and were trying to cross the road. I wasn’t about to become the butt of a very old joke.” – Dan Conner
• I need more domestic Dan and Louise. Their dynamic is fun and engaging and warms our hearts every time.

 

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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