Why The Conners Season 7 Must Resolve a Key Roseanne Storyline (And Why That’s Acceptable)

The upcoming seventh season of The Conners promises to address several lingering plot lines from its predecessor, Roseanne. However, one storyline may forever remain unresolved, hampered by the show’s extensive character roster. With numerous pivotal roles, including significant love interests, fitting every character into just six episodes will be quite the undertaking for the final season.

Season 7 is poised to offer proper farewells to lingering characters such as Ben, Neville, Louise, and Tyler, alongside beloved faces from Roseanne. It is essential for characters like Crystal and Chuckie Mitchell to make a return, ensuring they receive deserving tributes in the series’ closing chapter. Yet, time is a narrow resource—one that makes the task at hand all the more daunting. According to TVLine, the seventh season will unfold as a six-episode “farewell event,”leaving little opportunity to thoroughly delve into the rich universe initially established in Roseanne.

Unraveling Jerry’s Disappearance: A Challenge in The Conners Season 7

Brevity Prevents Resolution of Jerry’s Absence

Given the limited duration of season 7, one sub-plot seems destined to remain in the shadows: the enigma of Jerry Garcia Conner. Introduced in season 8, episode 5 of Roseanne, Jerry was added to the family dynamic late in the game. His complicated existence has rendered him a conundrum within both shows. Historically depicted merely as a baby during seasons 8 and 9, his adult life was mentioned in Roseanne’s season 10 revival, where he was said to be working on a fishing boat in Alaska.

In stark contrast, Jackie’s son Andy was retconned entirely from existence. During a 2020 interview with TVLine, executive producer Bruce Helford revealed that as of season 3 of The Conners, Jerry’s character was deemed extraneous. According to Helford, “We didn’t really have room to add Jerry Garcia. As we moved on to The Conners, we decided… We wouldn’t pick up on the narrative of Jerry.” Unfortunately, such a significant change was not explained within the show itself, leading to a curious absence that has become even more pronounced as the series has progressed.

The Case for Keeping Jerry’s Absence Unaddressed

Jerry Conner Garcia’s Notable Absence Since Roseanne Season 10

Fortunately for the creators, Jerry Conner Garcia’s character has not played a significant role in the unfolding narrative of The Conners. Consequently, the show can proceed without elaborating on his absence in the seventh season. Instead, it should focus on concluding established arcs for characters like Beverly and Crystal, who have been pivotal since the original Roseanne. Reuniting Becky, Darlene, and DJ—who notably departed the spinoff at the beginning of season 5—should take precedence as well.

Although Jerry Garcia was mentioned in passing during the revival, he has never graced the screen. This lack of on-screen presence simplifies the task of omitting him from the plot. Unlike bringing back a character with established ties, such as DJ, it is far less complicated for The Conners to disregard Jerry while refocusing on storylines that matter to fans, including the evolution of characters like Harris and Louise.

The Need to Reintroduce DJ Over Addressing Jerry’s Absence

The Conners Season 7: A Chance to Reintroduce DJ

While the spinoff can readily overlook Jerry Garcia, bringing back DJ is paramount for season 7. Despite comedic references surrounding Roseanne’s passing, the show must still honor its legacy. Inconsistencies regarding DJ’s absence, particularly since he moved away, threaten to undermine the central theme of family solidarity that underpins both Roseanne and The Conners. DJ has always been depicted as a core family member, and his absence cannot simply fade into the background.

As fans await the six-episode “farewell event,”set to premiere in March 2025, the series faces the critical task of reuniting its core family members while addressing the narrative gaps created over the years.

Source: TVLine

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