As The Conners gears up for its final curtain call with a six-episode “farewell event,” fans are left wondering how the beloved Roseanne spinoff will wrap up its decades-long saga. From its groundbreaking 1988 debut to the transformative 2017 revival and Barr’s shocking exit, the Roseanne universe has weathered plenty of drama both on and off-screen. But with so much at stake, season 7 must avoid certain narrative pitfalls to preserve the show’s legacy.
Here are 10 things The Conners absolutely must not do in its final season.
1. The Conners Strike It Rich Overnight
Nothing would betray the essence of this working-class family more than an out-of-the-blue financial windfall. Viewers still cringe at the disastrous Roseanne season 9 lottery plotline, which turned a relatable sitcom into a cartoonish fantasy. If The Conners ends with a shiny, bow-tied resolution that erases years of struggle, it risks undoing everything the show has stood for.
2. Dan & Louise Stay on the Sidelines
Dan’s new love interest, Louise (played by Katey Sagal), started strong but has been underutilized. In the final episodes, their relationship needs more screen time to truly feel like the heartwarming marriage fans were promised. Without this, their farewell might fall flat.
3. Darlene & Ben’s Career Dreams Crumble Again
Darlene and Ben’s journey toward reviving Hardware Magazine has been a hard-fought battle. A failure at this point would feel repetitive and overly bleak for characters who have already faced career heartbreak.
4. Mark Faces Serious Legal Consequences
Darlene’s son Mark has sacrificed everything to afford college, even resorting to ethically murky email-scamming jobs. While this storyline highlights the realities of student debt, ending his arc with harsh legal trouble would be devastatingly hopeless.
5. Becky Loses Her Happy Ending
Becky deserves a moment of peace after enduring addiction, heartbreak, and the death of her former love. Her budding relationship with Sean Astin’s Tyler offers a glimmer of hope, and the finale needs to let her keep it.
6. Bev Dies – Again
Bev’s near-death storyline in season 5 was poignant, but her miraculous recovery in season 6 rendered it moot. Killing her off now would feel repetitive and unnecessary, especially after her heartfelt reconciliation with Jackie.
7. Another Gimmicky Live Episode
While The Conners experimented with live episodes in the past, these outings felt more like stunts than substantive storytelling. In its final season, the show needs to focus on grounded, emotional moments—not flashy distractions.
8. DJ Remains Missing
Michael Fishman’s DJ, a core part of the original Roseanne family, has been absent since season 5. His return is essential for giving fans closure and reuniting the Conner clan for one last hurrah.
9. Harris Moves Away
Harris, Darlene’s fiercely independent daughter, has shown immense growth by taking over The Lunchbox. Moving her out of Lanford now would undermine her arc and waste the emotional payoff of her embracing adulthood.
10. Roseanne Returns – In Any Form
Yes, Roseanne Conner was central to the original show, but the character’s death was a necessary turning point. Bringing her back as a ghost, memory, or archival footage would feel like a cheap, cloying nod to nostalgia. The Conners has worked hard to stand on its own without Roseanne Barr, and the final season shouldn’t undo that progress.
As the curtain closes on one of TV’s most iconic families, The Conners faces a tough balancing act: honoring its roots while staying true to the grounded storytelling that made it a standout. With only six episodes to deliver satisfying endings, there’s no room for missteps—or gimmicks. Will the finale rise to the occasion, or stumble under the weight of its legacy? Fans will find out in March 2025.
