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Wednesday’s Conners culminated in a devastating reveal about Roseanne and Jackie’s childhood — one that has Jackie see her emotionally manipulative mother in a whole new light.
While searching for a caregiver for Bev, Jackie learned — via her mother’s medical history — that Bev once took a beating from Al to shield her daughters from their physically abusive father. Afterward, Bev sent Roseanne and Jackie to stay with Nana Mary — not because she was an unfit parent, as Jackie had always assumed, but because she didn’t want her kids to find out that Al broke her arm.
Al was previously portrayed by the late John Randolph, who appeared twice during Roseanne‘s first two seasons. Then in Season 4, it was revealed that the seemingly harmless patriarch was not such a nice guy. Not only did he have a secret mistress for over 20 years, but he was abusive throughout Roseanne and Jackie’s childhood. The character was killed off in the classic Season 5 episode “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home,” which culminated in Roseanne reading off a list of all the things she hated about her dad.
Parsons continued to appear as Bev for the remainder of Roseanne‘s original nine-season run, then returned for several episodes of the 2018 revival and The Conners, which is currently in Season 5. In a November episode, it was revealed that Bev is battling Alzheimer’s disease, forcing Jackie to put her resentment aside and care for the woman she blames for everything that’s gone wrong in her life.
TVLine previously spoke to executive producers Bruce Helford and Dave Caplan about the toll Bev’s dementia will take on Jackie, which you can read more about here.
What did you think of The Conners Season 5, Episode 13: “New Pipes and Old Secrets”? Sound off in Comments.
I have given up on this mess of a show. The first season was fine but each season has gotten worse and worse. However I will watch the episodes with Bev as she reminds me of my grandma who died several months ago.
I love this show. It’s nice seeing Estelle Parsons still acting at 95. Amazing how she doesn’t look that much different from when she was on the original show. This storyline hit home as I’m dealing with something similar in my family.
It’s hard for me to believe she’s 95 she’s almost 100 nahhhh somebody’s lieing! I doubt she’s 95! But yes I loved the show reminded me of my life with my mom
I really did bother after Roseanne was forced off. These people had potential in their life, but yet they chose to squander it. Darlene had an education, but cant make a living in Lanford – so move. Becky becsme a widow – big deal lots of women becime widows. It seems as if the writers purposely have the “woe is me” complex so people can feek sorry and identify. All those years that entire family sat on the sofa watching tv, could have been spent bettering themselves, so now they have no one to blame but themselves.
I know what you mean. That EP where Darlenes wasn’t going to go to school because they felt college loans were a ripoff. I just … Yes, they suck but so does minimum wage without a degree. They acted like they were too good to have to take out loans. Beggars can’t be choosers.
You guys do realize this is a TV show, right?
You do realize this is a site where people talk about TV shows, right?
Wow I went back to 1974 and it still freeze my heart evil
That show is worthless without Roseanne. Worthless.
And yet here you are posting about this worthless teevee show. Feel better?
There’s at least a few million people that disagree. To each their own
Anyone who has watched both shows knows well that this cast excels in dark comedy. And that they don’t shy away from the more serious topics. Both Roseanne and Jackie have resented their parents for their entire lives. This helps to shed light on to a very dark, traumatic past. And hopefully, build bridges with Jackie and Bev before it’s too late.
Tried to get into it after they forced Roseanne out. It’s hopeless. Not funny more pathetic than anything. It’s like there is a huge hole and no matter what actor they bring in that hole is still there. That hole is Roseanne. That whole show whether you call it the Conners, Roseanne or the Donkey show embodies Roseanne. Without her it just doesn’t work. I stopped watching after 2nd episode.
The Donkey Show? OK…..
Funny how people claim they don’t watch the show but seem to have an opinion about it. The show is a lot better than the Roseanne Reboot from 2018. This show has always been a dark comedy even when it was the Roseanne show. The shows is covering real life issues. Poverty, Opioid addiction, Alcoholism, health care issues and etc. A-lot of these sitcoms today don’t do that.
Well said Robert. People sure have a strong opinion about a show that they no longer watch. Viewers relate because life is hard for many people. They tackle those hardships on this show, and they do it well. In season 5, it’s one of the best rated comedy shows on tv. John Goodman and Laurie Metcalfe are great actors. Many people are watching. There are 600 shows in tv land, so if some people don’t like – go elsewhere. Cheers Robert!
My thoughts exactly! Agree with Ann and Robert completely. Don’t come here to complain if you don’t watch the show and aren’t a Conners fan. Personally, I thought it was 1 of the best episodes of the season. And it made so much of Jackie’s past clearer for me to understand. This cast is at its best when it does dark comedy. No other show does it better.
I DONT watch it since they forced Roseanne off the show (She WAS the Show) but I have an opinion about Beverly & Alsheimers… personal experience
I think your watching the wrong show. Roseanne was her show, not the Connors. If you cannot even keep the different shows straight then no one cares about your opinion. personal experience or not. This is a site about the show not your personal story.
Doggone. Charlie, lighten up! I personally don’t care about your opinion on whether or not you care about HER opinion! She simply stated the show is not the same since Roseanne was killed off, whether it’s “Roseanne”, “The Conners” or “The Charlie is a Jerk Show”. And she didn’t tell a story, only said she has a similar experience. Perhaps her grandma or dad has Alzheimers.
The key in really understanding her comment comes in the usage of “since they forced Roseanne off”. Not that Roseanne was killed off, notice she used the word forced. That is why her opinion is not valid, and why yours isnt either. You can call me a jerk, I just speak it like I see it. And am smart enough to understand the nuances people use in the way the write, AND WHY they use those nuances. Also when a person has an “opinion” on something without having the background of watching it, thats not an opinion. That is a ” am to dumb to think for myself so I am going to let idiots do the thinking for me.”
You don’t get to decide whose opinions are valid. Also, your comment contains a comma splice, so you’re not nearly as smart as you think you are.
Have a nice day!
Dear Caroline; This is the internet, not a peer to peer reviewed research paper. Meaning is more important then punctuation. Besides language is always evolving and the internet almost has its own language that doesn’t rely on punctuation. For example if punctuation mattered on the internet it would be L.O.L. not LOL. So your not as smart as you think. Either that or your old, probably that boomer. And I am not deciding, it is generally an accepted fact that if you don’t watch something or know about something, that you can’t have a real opinion. That is society and logic that has decided that. Its one of those socially accepted rules that has kept man alive and society thriving. It is only in recent history that people that don’t know something have to feel the need to lie and have an opinion on something they know nothing about, and look where that flip in social norms has taken us. To a society that is crumbling and people like you thinking they are smarter then they are. If you don’t know about something or been exposed to it you really cannot have a true opinion of it. You might have an opinion on the second hand knowledge that other idiots have passed on to you, and that you wrongly believed, but with out that first hand knowledge then it is IMPOSSIBLE to have an opinion. So, have a nice day life and make sure you go vote for Trump.
Your nonsensical post is just word salad, Charlie. It’s riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. And no, you don’t get to decide whose opinion is valid.
What’s funny is that you accuse Caroline of being a Trump voter, but your post sounds much more like one from a Trump voter than her does.
ROSEANNE would’ve made this Storyline Funny. She had a certain way of delivering a line that was Hysterical & it seems like You Guys know it Now… too late
Fan of Roseanne and have seen every episode multiple times. Fan of The Conners also. I’m happy they revisit the past and Estelle’s character will not just “go away” without explanation/absence of her character. And after reading this, I had no idea that Estelle was an Oscar winner. YOU GO GIRL!!!
Loved it. Can relate to conflict. My mom could b very cruel to me.
All the people complaining about Roseanne being “forced off”, I know the perfect way to make them love the Connors. Give the greatest liar, I mean actor, of all time a prominent role. Yes lets get Trump on this show!
You misspelled Biden. Of course, if you wanted everyone to agree, rather than be just a partisan boob, you would have said George Santos.
No I didnt misspell that. Also no matter how many lies Santos tells Trump is still a bigger liar. But those that have the wool pulled over there eyes already will never see it.
Charlie, keep politics out of this!! It’s about The Conners, not your personal political view! I read somewhere else where you told someone to stay on the subject of the show, but you’re doing the same thing by NOT talking about the show. You’re an idiot who obviously likes to be heard.
First off, I never said stay on subject of the show. I said if a person doesnt watch the show then no one cares about there opinions because they are just being mouth pieces because they cant think for themselves. And that you have to watch something to have an opinion. Second off if you think politics is off topic then you dont understand the meaning behind Roseanne or The Connors.
I know what Roseanne did was So wrong. Twitter will kill your career in seconds . But honestly, once they killed off the Roseanne character, I stopped watching. Roseanne made the show funny. Now all I read about It is drama drama drama and get rid of an original cast member. I believe ABC is only keeping this show is spite of Roseanne. Like she cares at this point.
I feel sorry for the people who never saw the original Roseanne, and saw how funny it was at least seasons 1 through 5. Luckily it’s still in reruns and on the Peacock Network. End the show & put the Conner’s rest. Let’s pretend this was all a dream.
The Conners won the ratings last night. I don’t think it’s going anywhere. The actors and crew members work very hard on the show and Roseanne is no longer needed. She also no longer cares, but apparently you do. Get over it and watch the reruns of Roseanne if that’s what you like.
MamaBear (that dumb moniker tells me A LOT of what type of person you are), did it EVER occur to you that if it wasn’t for Roseanne, there wouldn’t be “The Conners”? Like you, everyone on here has an opinion…she likes the original “Roseanne” show and you obviously like “The Conners”. Get over yourself!
You are totally right!!! Without Roseanne there wouldn’t be The Connors. I am reminded of a great St. Olaf saying. The prettiest of flowers grow in the deepest piles of fertilizer.
First off I can’t stand most of the people commenting. No one cares about your thoughts on Roseanne or the past. Move on it’s been 5 years and she was paid more than we’ll make in our lifetimes to part ways on top of all the money she made over the decades so she’s fine. Life is about choices and that’s how it is. Hearing the same rants every post is distracting and pointless. Now for what this story is about I was thrilled to see her back and playing Bev very well and it’s always a treat and privilege to have her bless the screen. Having Jackie see the human parts of her mom and coming to the realization she’s not so bad after all was really a profound moment so I really hope she can bond with her mom before she really does forget who she is. It also is an excellent reminder that we don’t need to suffer in silence our whole lives as maybe if she had been honest once her kids were grown up they could have had a better relationship. Jackie has always been kind of out there and maybe too focused on drama who back when her and Roseanne visited their old house before it was torn down maybe they could have connected the dots better on what their mom dealt with. In the episode it was nice to see Mark back. I do like Darlene’s house and the story about Dan worrying about his kids but poor Ben just wanting to be cared about. I personally relate to that so didn’t find Dan repeatedly saying he didn’t care about him to be funny or healthy. Some of the best people I know I’m not related to and care more about them so would to see them write to a more healthy family unit experience as while I know hiking has always been there thing I always enjoyed the show more when they seemed rock solid and finding ways to overcome outside obstacles and navigate roadblocks. I have enjoyed they have tried more to balance story with comedy and so it feels more again like we are watching their lives so my biggest advice to is keep reminding us of going on with everyone even if it’s not the main sorry for a while so we don’t forget. I hope the show stays around at least another 2-3. I’d watch it for however long it’s on as there’s just something about their dynamic that’s so familiar and comforting. This was a good episode and more Bev please!
That was a profound “shocker” yet explains so much of Jackie & Roseanne’s dysfunctional upbringing. Familial abuse is rampant in US society. Perhaps this new plot point will help to shed a light on this.
I like the Conners and like the way they handle the story line
That was an amazing plot twist.
Her relationship with her parents is more complicated. Her passive-aggressive mother, Bev, dotes on her two daughters, but she is often critical, interfering
I’ve always been a big fan of Roseanne and her TV show.. watched ecery episode. I just don’t like the Conners. Its just not the same or funny.actually kinda boring really.
Love Connors so down to my kind of ppl of course I do miss Roseanne she was the life of the show but as they say in showbiz….the show must go on so please don’t cancel
Omg! I felt like Im looking at my life. I sent the clip to my brother bc I been trying it get him to understand what I’m going through. It was hilarious but true!
I just want to say that I love the Rosanne show! We don’t have cable so we never got to see the other shows. I bet they were great too! You can learn something out of most every episode. They brought out about gays, unmarried pregnancies, alcoholism, death in the family. Empathy was used a lot. Love you Roseanne and Dan!
Bev looked better than most of the conners and she was like 95 lol. Love her