As the wait for Dan and his family to return continues, I am suddenly cautious about The Conners ending after one cast member’s revelation about it. Born out of the unexpected end of the Roseanne revival following Roseanne Barr’s firing from the show, The Conners quickly became ABC’s premier comedy. Despite the rebrand, it maintains the same elements that made its parent show iconic, just without the clan’s matriarch. After six successful years on the air, Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky, and the rest of their rowdy family are gearing up to say goodbye with The Conners season 7.
After the shortened The Conners season 6 due to the 2023 dual Hollywood strikes, ABC decided to push back the final episodes of the series to a midseason premiere. This also means that instead of a full year, with a typical 20+ outing, season 7 will be significantly shorter. Admittedly, this comes with some concerns, but I have been optimistic that the creative team behind the project would deliver a satisfying send-off, especially assuming that they learned important lessons from Roseanne’s divisive finale. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for its upcoming return is doused by a new update from Emma Kenney.
Emma Kenney Reveals The Conners Ending Will Leave Some Open-Ended Questions
The Conners’ Unanswered Questions Is Concerning
It would be an understatement to say that The Conners defied all odds to become ABC’s premier sitcom. Granted that it has been standing on the legacy of the original Roseanne show, but Barr’s firing did set a tricky path for it to navigate. As it enters its final stretch, I share the sentiments of many fans about their excitement about how things will end up for Dan and his family. Sadly, my enthusiasm is doused with a new fear, as Harris actor, Emma Kenney reveals what we can expect from The Conners finale in an interview with TV Line.
Ending on a shortened year definitely poses some issues, especially since the show has so many moving parts. That being said, I’m particularly cautious about Kenney saying that there will be a few open-ended questions left in the series. I know that not all shows answer all its mysteries by the time it wraps up, and considering its predicament, it’s understandable that it won’t be able to address all plots. That being said, this is especially curious to me since The Conners isn’t only ending its run — it’s also wrapping up the whole Roseanne franchise.
Why The Conners Needs A Definitive Ending
The Conners’ Finale Is The Final Send-Off To The Lanford Family
Admittedly, we don’t know which storylines The Conners will leave with an open ending, since Kenney doesn’t share any additional information about what plots her comments might concern. However, there’s a need for the show to come up with a satisfying send-off to the beloved Lanford family more than any other regular series because the finale is due to its parent project. It’s no secret that despite its primarily acclaimed run, the Roseanne finale ended up being divisive, with so many plots that went against its thesis and unnecessary twists that convoluted the capper.
When Roseanne was revived in 2018, I viewed it as ABC getting a second chance at fixing the original series’ biggest blunder. With the majority of the main cast returning, it was a true continuation of the fan-favorite series. Even after it wrote out Barr and rebranded to The Conners, it has remained a clear follow-up. With that, it has the responsibility to offer those who have loved the Lanford clan a definitive and satisfying send-off to its character, especially since it is likely the end of that franchise.
Can The Conners’ Finale Still Be Satisfying Despite Leaving Unanswered Questions?
The Conners Need To Bring Back A Couple Of Familiar Faces
So the question now is, is there any chance that The Conners can still end on a satisfying note? Luckily, yes. While I’m concerned that the show is leaving some questions without answers, it will all boil down to what plots will be affected. If it happens to be something small and inconsequential, then leaving its resolution up in the air shouldn’t negatively impact Roseanne and The Conners’ legacy.
That roster also includes the eventual return of DJ, after The Conners unceremoniously wrote out Michael Aaron Fishman.
However, if it’s a significant one, such as Bev’s ultimate fate after she goes on her own adventure, then ABC might have to reconsider its approach to wrapping up the sitcom. That roster also includes the eventual return of DJ, after The Conners unceremoniously wrote out Michael Aaron Fishman. The show has shortchanged the character for years, but at least let him reunite with his family.
