Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Conners season 7, episode 4, “Danny Boy, the Interview, the New Hire, and the Hanging Chad."
Although a lot of plots are wrapped up inThe Connersseries finale, the last episode ofRoseanne’s spinoff effectively states that one plot will never receive closure.The Connersseason 7 finaleends most of theRoseannespinoff’s major plots, but doesn’t bring back many characters from earlier outings in the process. EvenThe Connersseason 7’s new characters, like Zoe Perry’s sardonic cop and Jane Lynch’s heavy-drinking lawyer Jean, are absent from the fast-paced ending.
While this means thatDan’s emotionalThe Connersseason 7 endinggets room to breathe, it also means that the fates of manyRoseanneregulars remain a mystery.The Connersoriginally began life asRoseanneback in 1988 and ran for nine seasons until 1997. The events ofRoseanneseason 9 were retconned when the show was revived in 2017. 2017’sRoseannerevival was a success, but the show was swiftly canceled thanks to star Roseanne Barr’s racist remarks onX(thenTwitter).Roseanne’s painful death startedThe Conners’ storyand, in the finale, ended it.
Jackie Admits That Beverly’s Fate Is A Mystery In The Conners Season 7
Jackie Told Roseanne Their Mother’s Location Was Unknown
Years after Roseanne died of an off-screen opioid overdose,The Conners season 7 saw her family bring the pharmaceutical company to court over her death. In a devastating but tonally fitting ending, Dan lost the case that the family brought against the company as the corporation refused to admit any culpability in Roseanne’s overdose. Dan had brought the family to Roseanne’s grave to open the check the company sent, which turned out to be a paltry amount meant to cover his transportation costs.
Jackie admitted that the whereabouts of her and Roseanne’s mother, Beverly, were a mystery.
AfterBecky’s uplifting ending inThe Connersseason 7, it was hard not to feel heartbroken by a powerful, rich company getting one over on the struggling working-class family. However, as the family said their final goodbyes to Roseanne during the episode’s final scenes,Jackie’s last line highlighted a major series plot hole and did so hilariously. After boasting about her happy marriage and her successful return to the police force, Jackie admitted that the whereabouts of her and Roseanne’s mother, Beverly, were a mystery.
Specifically, Jackie said, “Oh, and I have no idea where our mother is” in an incredibly fitting last line for such a consistently chaotic, erratic character. Although Jackie and Beverly historically had a troubled relationship, the pair repaired their bond in season 6, episode 3, “Moms and Rats.”The Connersheroine Jackiefinally felt seen and respected by her cold, distant mother, and an atypically cheerful, independent Beverly bid her daughter adieu as she decided to take a train trip across America.
Why The Conners Couldn’t Give Beverly A Definitive Ending
Beverly’sThe Connersfinale fate made sense since the show’s creators toldTVLinethat Estelle Parsons wouldn’t return in season 7 before it began airing. It was a shame that her sudden season 6 departure was her final sendoff, but it was better than an unnecessary off-screen death and their final conversation did finally give Jackie closure after years of unresolved opprobrium between her and her mother. That said, although it was undeniably funny and unexpected, the line did highlight an underlying problem withThe Connersseason 7.
Ames McNamara
Mark Conner-Healy
The Connersseason 7’s limited screen time meant that the fate of manyRoseanneregulars was left unresolvedas the spinoff seemingly forgot about their existence. Most notably,David Healy’sThe Connersseason 7 absencewas striking considering the major roles his children Mark and Harris played. However, it was also a major shock that Becky and Darlene’s brother, DJ, didn’t return. Michael Fishman’s character was a regular fixture throughoutRoseanne’s original, its revival, and early seasons ofThe Conners, but left the show before season 5 premiered.
Can Beverly’s Final Fate Ever Be Answered Now That The Conners Is Finished?
The Conners Season 7 Finale’s Beverly Joke Highlighted A Major Series Issue
Meanwhile, season 6 revealed that Dan’s stepmother, Roseanne’s friend Crystal, was relying on him for financial support due to burdensome healthcare costs. However, season 7 forgot all about this subplot and West’s character never returned before her finale. Similarly, Dan’s best friend, Chuckie Mitchell, was last seen in a tricky, uncomfortable position, unlike Beverly. Despite this, his fate was never resolved. Ultimately, season 7’s brevity meant that none of these characters got the definitive closure they deserved despite spending years on both shows.
Now that season 7 is over,Beverly’s fate is not likely to ever be clarified further byThe Conners. The show’s finale brought its plot to a definite end, with star John Goodman even addressing the audience with a poignant goodbye and thank you at the end of the episode. WithRoseanne and Jackie’s storyfromThe Connersat its end, there would be little justifiable reason for the sitcom spinoff to bring back Beverly alone. As such,The Connersseries finale’s funny line is likely the last viewers will hear from thisRoseannecharacter.
