Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Conners season 7, episode 1, “It’s Gonna Be A Great Day.”
The premiere of The Conners season 7 appears to bring promising news for Darlene’s career trajectory. However, it’s worth considering how this storyline could inadvertently derail the Roseanne heroine from achieving the series’ most satisfying conclusion. The expansive ensemble cast of The Conners offers both advantages and challenges. On the positive side, the multigenerational family dynamic—featuring Dan, Louise, Jackie, Neville, Darlene, Ben, Becky, Tyler, Harris, Mark, and Beverly-Rose—provides diverse characters that resonate with viewers of all ages. Conversely, following the death of Roseanne, the show has struggled to maintain a clear narrative focus. When Roseanne Barr’s titular character was part of the storyline, the series enjoyed a more centered perspective. The shift to a broader distribution of plotlines has left some subplots feeling superfluous and overly prolonged.
Darlene’s New Role in Season 7, Episode 1
Darlene’s Career Shift
Darlene’s character has seen significant development since Roseanne’s death, gaining extra screen time but facing the consistent challenge of career dissatisfaction. Throughout season 6, Darlene was stuck in a role she loathed as a cafeteria worker to support her son Mark’s college aspirations. When Mark withdrew from college, leaving Darlene free from this responsibility, the potential for change was evident. Yet, in a rather abrupt turn, the season 7 premiere, “It’s Gonna Be A Great Day,” revealed that Darlene had been promoted after her boss’s death. This swift escalation of her career appears to lack depth, especially as Darlene had never expressed a desire for this new role, nor clarification on what the promotion entailed. While it’s understandable she wished to leave her previous position, the narrative missed an opportunity for Darlene to pursue something more fulfilling now that Mark was no longer dependent on her.
The Impact of Darlene’s Job on Her Aspiration
An Obstacle to Darlene’s Writing Aspirations
Paradoxically, Darlene’s new promotion may complicate her longstanding ambition to write. As highlighted by Vanity Fair, Darlene had previously noted her desire to write before becoming a caregiver, yet this passion diminished following the original series’ conclusion, especially as David struggled to provide adequate support for their family. With Ben now showing support and pursuing his own publishing interests, the narrative directions available to Darlene are ripe for exploration.
| Cast Member | Character |
|---|---|
| John Goodman | Dan Conner |
| Laurie Metcalf | Jackie Harris-Goldufski |
| Sara Gilbert | Darlene Conner-Olinsky |
| Lecy Goranson | Becky Conner-Healy |
| Katey Sagal | Louise Conner |
| Emma Kenney | Harris Conner-Healy |
| Ames McNamara | Mark Conner-Healy |
The Potential for Darlene’s Happy Conclusion
A Call for Narrative Intersection
To constructively redirect Darlene’s journey, it would be ideal for her to leave the cafeteria role and collaborate with Ben at his magazine. This would not only afford them more quality time together but also facilitate Darlene’s reinvigoration of her writing aspirations. Although supporting character Robin viewed Darlene as management material, the emphasis of season 7 should pivot towards giving Darlene the opportunity to revisit her dreams as a writer. However, if the narrative does pursue this career change, it must be developed with care to avoid feeling contrived, much like her recent promotion in the premiere. Timing is essential for this transition to resonate authentically with the viewers.
Source: Vanity Fair
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