Although Ben’s literary ambitions may seem like his own business, this storyline from The Conners season 6 secretly ties into a dream of Darlene’s that has been around since Roseanne. Since The Conners has a large cast of characters, it can be tricky to keep track of everyone’s history. Some supporting stars, like Jay R. Ferguson’s Ben or Katey Sagal’s Louise, only joined the cast after Roseanne was killed off, and the show changed its title. Others, like John Goodman’s Dan or Laurie Metcalf’s Jackie, have been around since the first episode of Roseanne back in 1989.
This longevity makes Dan and Jackie The Conners’ real power couple, but Becky and Darlene are also well-established veterans who have been part of the working-class family sitcom since it began. The Conners has seen Darlene transform from a moody teen into an ambitious young adult into an embittered single mother and, eventually, into a happily married (but still sardonic) cafeteria worker. This latest career change could be reversed in The Conners season 7, judging by one character detail that season 6 episodes have repeatedly referenced. It seems that Darlene’s forgotten career goal may finally be remembered soon.
The Conners Season 6 Revived Ben’s Writing Career
Dan’s Hardware Magazine Article Brought Up Old Wounds
In season 6, episode 10, “Campaign U-Turn and a Hard Write,” Ben and Dan fought over Dan writing an article for Hardware magazine. Dan was offended by Ben’s patronizing writing advice and called his son-in-law a “Failed writer,” prompting Ben to write an article of his own out of spite. Ben promised not to submit this article, but a repentant Dan secretly submitted it for him. Ben was offered a regular column in Hardware magazine, patching up things between himself and Dan while also reigniting his interest in writing. On the surface, this subplot had little to do with Darlene.
However, it is important to note that Darlene always harbored ambitions of becoming a writer, and she only gave up on this hope because of her unexpected pregnancy. In Roseanne’s season 10 revival, Darlene bitterly admitted that she always wanted to be a writer, but she was forced to go from “Novels to textbooks to menus” when she took a job as a waitress at a casino. Although Darlene gained a more lucrative role in Wellman’s Plastics years later, her conscience got the better of her and she lost her job. Now, she resents her unfulfilling work in Mark’s college cafeteria.
Ben and Darlene’s Relationship Was Built On Her Writing Dream
The Couple Were Originally Co-Workers In A Magazine
Darlene and Ben Dan and Roseanne in The Conners
Ben’s column is important because, when the couple first met, Ben reintroduced Darlene to her writing dream. The couple were co-workers at Ben’s magazine before Ben and Darlene began dating. When Ben lost his magazine, he considered continuing the project as a podcast, but he and Darlene soon ended up working in jobs that neither of them liked. Ben’s article proves he could still be a writer and Darlene could follow his lead, especially given her competitive streak. The Conners season 6 saw Darlene rely on Dan for financial support, but she now may finally revive her oldest dream.
Darlene’s desire to be a writer was held up by the need to provide for her children, Mark and Harris, but they are both reasonably independent now. Although Darlene’s job as a cafeteria worker covers Mark’s tuition, he pays for his own on-campus accommodation by working as a night janitor. Harris is still living in her mother’s home, but she now runs The Lunchbox and could make a lot of money from this new job. Darlene is in a more stable position than she has been since before Roseanne ended, especially since Dan and his friends built her house.
The Conners Season 6 Hinted At Bringing Back Darlene’s Old Dream
Darlene’s Writing Ambitions Came Up In The Premiere
Darlene could become a writer in The Conners season 7, especially after season 6’s earlier episodes already brought up this ambition. In the premiere, “The Publisher Cops Show Pilot,” Darlene ran into a colleague who used to work with her in publishing. Darlene admonished Dan for talking up the magazine job where she worked with Ben, assuming he was embarrassed by her current role as a cafeteria worker. Darlene made it clear that she resented her job, but Dan pointed out that she was doing something good by prioritizing the future of her kids.
Ben’s revived writing ambitions, along with Darlene’s frustrations in her current role, could see her finally prioritize her original goal. If Jackie’s life coach job in The Conners proved anything, it was that the titular family was able to achieve a lot despite their financial struggles. Darlene is in a better position to start a career as a writer than she has ever been before even though she must hold on to her cafeteria worker job to keep paying Mark’s tuition. After The Conners season 6 proved Ben can keep his writing career alive, Roseanne’
s spinoff can revive Darlene’s ambition.
Episode #
Title
Release Date
1
The Publisher Cops Show Pilot
February 7, 2024
2
Valentine’s Day Treats and Credit Card Cheats
February 14, 2024
3
Moms and Rats
February 21, 2024
4
Shrinks Don’t Talk and Kids Don’t Sing
February 28, 2024
5
When Sisters Collide and The Return of the Grifters
March 13, 2024
6
“Hanging in Dorms with Boys and The Secret Life of Men”
March 20, 2024
7
“Smash and Grab and Happy Death Day”
April 10, 2024
8
“Toilet Hacks and The Management Track”
April 17, 2024
9
“Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs”
April 24, 2024
10
“Campaign U-Turn and a Hard Write”
May 1, 2024
11
“Fire and Vice”
May 8, 2024
12
“Flying, Applying and Rassling Gators”
May 15, 2024
13
TBA
TBA
