The Conners Season 2 Episode 3 Review: The Preemie Monologues

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Dan Conner saves the day. 

That shouldn't come as a surprise as Dan is usually the one who does that for his family just by being the solid presence that they're always allowed to come home to. 

Some superheroes don't need capes.  

Poker Buddies - The Conners

But they do need time to heal, and it was obvious on The Conners Season 2 Episode 3 that Dan was still mourning Roseanne.

Even with a house full of kids and grandkids and a sister-in-law who never seems to leave, things must be lonely for Dan. 

Roseanne was his wife and his best friend for decades. Losing a partner like that isn't something you truly get over, ever, you just learn to keep moving forward. 

Louise made it clear that she's interested in Dan for more than friendship, but when he slipped and called her Rosie, two things became apparent. 

Louise Makes an Offer - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

Louise had to realize that Dan had a long way to go before he'd be ready for anything close to romance and Dan began to recognize that he could enjoy the company of a woman who wasn't Roseanne.

Grief is a road with lots of twists and turns, and it never truly ends. I like how the show is exploring how Dan Conner's life continues even though Roseanne is gone. It's painful, sometimes heartwarming, even funny, but most importantly realistic. 

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Reality slapped more than one Conner in the face during "The Preemie Monologues."

Darlene was shocked to realize that Harris' anger was more than just teenage snarkiness about there being no toilet paper in the house.

Harris Has Something To Say - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

Here’s what’s bothering me. I know that you’re having sex with both Dad and Ben and you’re lying about it to both of them.

Harris

With Darlene sneaking David in and out of the house like a couple to errant teenagers, it was only a matter of time before someone else stumbled upon their secret. 

I'm just sorry it was one of Darlene and David's kids. 

Even worse, was that Darlene continued to make excuses for her irresponsible and dishonest behavior. If that comes back to bite her with Harris she'll have no one to blame but herself because she's set a horrible example for her daughter to follow. 

Darlene: It’s really complicated.
Harris: No it’s not. Stop screwing my Dad over or I’m going to call him and tell him what’s going on.

Justifying Her Actions - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

Darlene has forced Harris to be the bad guy. The kid has to either keep this awful secret for her mother or tell her father something that will break his heart and might send him running from the family once again. 

None of this is fair to Harris and Darlene continuing to whine about it being complicated only makes it worse. 

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Darlene is the grownup. Darlene is the parent. She needs to start acting like it. 

But Becky's run-in with reality was perhaps the most brutal.

Becky Goes Back to Work - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

Becky: The baby’s coming home Friday.
Darlene: Oh, that’s fantastic. Right? I mean, that’s great. Your face isn’t saying it’s great.
Becky: My face just read this letter from Assistance For Needy Families. I was approved and then they said I made too much because of my tips at Casita Bonita. I failed at being poor.

Not much is worse than feeling like you're holding on by a thread and then someone cuts it. That's what Becky felt like when she read that letter. Her plans went into freefall.

With Emilio having been deported, Becky is on her own with rent to pay, groceries and diapers to buy, a stack of hospital bills that will overwhelm her and let's not even talk about the cost of childcare. 

In a desperate move, she decided to head back to work even though she was in no shape to do so physically or emotionally. 

Louise: Becky, you just had a baby. You’re not supposed to work for another two weeks.
Becky: Don’t worry, I’m wearing an adult diaper for leakage down here and I’ve got nursing pads for leakage up here and if I just sit every couple of minutes the dizziness goes away.

Coming Home - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

Instead of firing Becky for her outburst, Louise called in the cavalry, which tells us something about the woman's character. At the very least, it tells us she cares about the Conners.

There's no question that Becky can't do this on her own. It's simply too much for one person with no financial support to handle without help. 

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Thankfully, she has family there to come to her rescue, even if it isn't her first choice.

Darlene: You’re going to come home, you’re going to live rent-free where people can help you.
Becky: But if I move back in I’m just admitting I couldn’t make it on my own and I’m just a big, fat, loser.
Darlene: That’s what I did. It’s very freeing.

I found it amusing that Darlene made the offer even though it's Dan's house but I also didn't doubt for a moment that Dan would be on board with this plan. 

Bringing Home Beverly Rose - The Conners Season 2 Episode 3

That's his daughter and his grandchild and Dan Conner supports his family in any way he can. 

However, I did wonder where Becky and Beverly Rose were going to end up. 

I thought that maybe Darlene would have to bunk with her kids (Boy, wouldn't that put a crimp in her extra-curricular activities with David!)

When they said that Becky and the baby were moving into the basement, I had the same reaction as Becky. The basement? Really? 

But the family did a great job of creating a space where Becky and baby Bev could feel safe and comfortable. 

Dan and Becky - The Conners Season 2 Episode 2

Also, I was thrilled to see that Emilio has been video chatting with Becky and the baby. He deserves to have a connection with his daughter, even if he can't be there physically for her right now. 

I hope that Emilio makes it back to them sometime soon, although I have no idea how he'll manage that given his circumstances. Still, there's always hope. 

So what do you think, TV Fanatics? Is the Conner house too full?

Is this a perfect solution for Becky and the baby or a disaster in the making?

What should Darlene do now that Harris knows the truth?

And is Dan ready to move on with Louise?

Check back in for my next review and until then, you can watch The Conners online here at TV Fanatic. 

The Preemie Monologues Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 3.9 / 5.0 (11 Votes)

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.

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The Conners Season 2 Episode 3 Quotes

Becky: The baby’s coming home Friday.
Darlene: Oh, that’s fantastic. Right? I mean, that’s great. Your face isn’t saying it’s great.
Becky: My face just read this letter from Assistance For Needy Families. I was approved and then they said I made too much because of my tips at Casita Bonita. I failed at being poor.

Louise: Sitting in that NICU all night. That’s rough. I did it for a cousin. It just breaks your heart.
Dan: Well, a free beer would certainly help me deal with it.
Louise: Lucky for you it’s preemie grandpas night.