John Goodman’s portrayal of Dan Conner on The Conners explores a deeply emotional arc as he copes with the loss of his wife, Roseanne. In the latest episode, the Conners prepare for a lawsuit over Roseanne’s overdose. Dan’s challenge is his inability to express his grief.
In the April 16 episode, Dan’s lawyer, Jean (Jane Lynch), tells Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) about her struggle with Dan. “I have been practicing with Dan, but I can’t get him to show emotion when he talks about Roseanne,” Jean explains. “He just pushes it down.” She even sends him examples of emotional depositions from other cases. Unfortunately, Dan doesn’t open them.
Later, Dan admits to daughters Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and Becky (Lecy Goranson) that he hides his feelings, especially for the deposition. “I drink to get in touch with my emotions, but after five or six beers, I forget what I’m supposed to be feeling,” Dan admits. He traces his emotional difficulty back to his childhood. “It probably won’t hurt me to try something different,” he says, signaling a willingness to change.
In the final scene, Jackie and Jean sing “Danny Boy” to Dan, helping him open up emotionally. For the first time, Dan sheds tears. This moment shows Dan’s struggle but also his growth as he learns to confront his grief in a healthier way.
Roseanne Barr’s Impact on The Conners
Roseanne Barr’s character continues to influence The Conners, even though she left the show. Originally played by Barr, Roseanne ran from 1988 to 1997 and was revived in 2018. After Barr’s controversial exit, the show rebranded itself into The Conners. Roseanne’s character was written out via an opioid overdose, which set up a storyline focusing on the family coping with her death.
In 2023, Barr discussed her feelings about the show’s direction in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. She shared how her character’s death felt like a personal attack:
“When they killed my character off, that was a message to me … that they did want me to commit suicide,” Barr explained. “They killed my character … [as] a thank you for bringing 28 million viewers.”
Despite Barr’s departure, The Conners continues to acknowledge Roseanne’s legacy, especially through Dan’s emotional journey. The family’s grief remains a central theme, and each episode offers a glimpse into how they cope with the loss.
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