The Conners Season 6 Episode 9 Review: Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs

As a continuation of struggles introduced previously, The Conners Season 6 Episode 9, “Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs,” tries its best to bring the family together. However, the plot itself isn’t very strong and at times feels like a rehashing of old issues repackaged for different characters.

The part that makes this episode so hard to love is that the humor that should always be underlining each issue isn’t there. Without anything to laugh about The Conners loses its luster and becomes stale.

Darlene and Ben Struggling Again?

There is that old saying that marriage isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but to what end do the Conner children have to endure the crap instead of the joy?

It feels as though all the writers know to do with Ben and Darlene is to create strife and struggle for them. They love one another and deserve to have something good happen for them.

Comparing her marriage with Ben to Darlene’s relationship with David is a disservice to the bond these two have. Darlene was with David during her teenage years and married him before she was ready for that level of commitment. 

With Ben, Darlene has always been more aware of what she wants and why she loves and cares about him. None of it is tied in with her children or something else of that nature, it is independent and therefore the feelings are stronger.

It would just be nice if Ben and Darlene’s stories could be about more neutral or happy things. Instead of multiple times a season being dragged into struggles with their marriage.

All of this frustration between Ben and Darlene could’ve been solved if instead of having Ben off at the Lobo every night he was spending the evening with Darlene. Even if they aren’t having sex, allowing them to spend time together would be proactive to preventing the issue that comes along later on.

The moment between Darlene and Dan where she asks her father to step in and help is important for the development of Dan and Louise’s relationship. But does it have to come at the expense of Darlene and Ben?

Becky and Jackie’s Shenanigans Help the Episode (But Not Harris)

One of the strongest points of The Conners has always been Jackie. The talent of Laurie Metcalf takes everything to another level and allows the character to be as ridiculous as possible without harming her growth and development. 

“Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs,” is a continuation of the issue brought up on The Conners Season 6 Episode 8, “Toilet Hacks and the Management Track.” Harris has agreed to help her mom out with food for the college cafeteria and is now struggling to meet that promise.

Of course, this is prime time for Jackie and Becky to not only create a competition amongst themselves, but also attempt to help Harris get to the root of her problems. The hilarity that ensues is not quite funny, persay, but it is enjoyable to watch. 

It’s typical Jackie and Becky behavior but this time their actions are directly impacting another member of the family. Poor Harris just wants her family to come to her aide and support her, instead she’s stuck trying to decipher her aunts’ advice.

The writers giving Harris an ADHD diagnosis is actually wonderful and great to see in terms of representation. It brings to light just how hard it is for some women to receive the help their brains need because they’re less likely to get the proper diagnosis.

It’ll be interesting to see if the show continues to address this new diagnosis or if it is something that will live in the context of this episode never to be brought up again. It would be a disservice to Harris’ growth if there isn’t a moment later on where the family is informed and they work to help her cope with her new normal.

At the end of the day, Jackie and Becky do have some experience with understanding the human psyche, but as Harris points out, neither of them are strong enough in their skills to provide any real help. It’s a subtle way of reminding us that these female characters might get on each other’s nerves but at the end of the day they are family and love each other.

Stray Thoughts:

• I love Louise but her constant inability to understand that Dan is always going to be there for his kids is getting old.
• Jackie’s vision board being about a specific man, but her explanation of it working because she found Neville is so round-about but 100% Jackie
• The joke about Yellowstone and its many spin-offs/prequels is very on the nose. I love it.

 

What did you think of this episode of The Conners? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

The Conners moves to Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC starting May 1st.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!