Did the Conners make their biggest mistake in the final season? Here's what we know

After six seasons of tackling real-life crises with humor and grit, The Conners wrapped with its final episode—happily, tearfully, and without the type of big-picture resolution some viewers were hoping for. The show, which returned after the sudden passing of Roseanne Conner, never hesitated to tell grounded storytelling: working-class pressures, family strife, grief, and recovery. But as the show wrapped, some viewers wondered—did the final season miss the mark?

With complex arcs involving loss, courtrooms, shifting family dynamics, and emotional resolution, the final season of The Conners tried to bring significant conclusions while keeping up with its tone. Whether or not those final decisions were accurate is up for debate by longtime viewers. Let's examine what actually occurred in the final season—and whether it added to or took away from the legacy of the show.

Tone and themes of the final season of The Conners

The last season was all about emotional resonance and individual struggle. Longtime fans pointed out how the show remained true to its form, addressing job insecurity, loss, and dysfunctional family relationships. It was not a light-hearted conclusion; rather, it was starkly truthful, depicting the devastatingly realistic Conners as flawed and complex as ever.

It was themes of acceptance, resilience, and identity that ran quietly throughout the series, supporting every explosion and dialogue moment.

Dan's legal fight in The Conners: A central and emotional emphasis

Expand Tweet

The big story over the last few episodes was Dan Conner's legal battle with the pharmaceutical company he held responsible for Roseanne's accidental overdose. The storyline had its roots earlier in the series, but finally came to an end in the season finale. Rather than giving us a triumphant legal triumph, the show stayed grounded: Dan's case was settled maddeningly. He didn't come out with a lot of money, and he didn't achieve closure through a courtroom.

The emotional weight wasn't from the verdict itself, but how Dan and the family digested it. The final scenes brought them to Roseanne's grave, where they had some frank conversations. For old-timers, that moment was a quiet yet haunting sense of closure. It was the memory to remind people that The Conners never guaranteed victory, but about persevering, even if the system doesn't work for you.

Louise and Dan: Tipping the balance between past and present in The Conners

Another primary staple was the second marriage of Dan to Louise and how that love evolved under the shadow of his late wife. This love had been a running source of tension during their time together, and the last season did not shy away from it. Instead, the series finale alluded to it overtly. Dan was shown struggling with love for Louise and the lingering emotions he still had for her after Roseanne.

Rather than foisting a solution, the show allowed both emotions to co-exist. Dan's character was given the time to assert that his love for Roseanne had not diminished, even as he built a new life with Louise. It was a nuanced, realistic exploration of loss and do-overs—a subject the show handled sensitively from the beginning.

Closure for some, ambiguity for others

Whereas Dan's journey had a conclusive and emotional ending, not every character was given the same attention in the series finale. Darlene and Becky continued their character development, but the final episodes didn't explore their futures as deeply. That wasn't necessarily a negative, so much as a commentary on The Conners' shift towards realism over dramatic resolutions.

For Becky, her story was one of working hard, being sober, and taking care of her daughter. While her story wasn't the central focus of the finale, there weren't any loose ends to speak of. She was shown in a stable place—perhaps not glamorous, but in keeping with the earthy reality the show always attempted.

Darlene was also transitioning. Her arc experienced its share of highs and lows throughout the season, with personal issues involving family, career, and self-esteem. But there wasn't a dramatic shift in her trajectory at the end of the season. Instead, her arc just kind of plateaued into a "life goes on" situation. To some viewers, that felt like a disappointing ending; to others, it felt right.

A deliberately uneven ending in The Conners ?

Critics and audiences have mentioned that the pacing of the last few episodes was occasionally hurried. With so few episodes, certain plotlines understandably got more attention than others. Side characters like Jackie, Harris, and Mark got cameos in the series finale, but their fates were left hanging. For a show renowned for having numerous arcs going on simultaneously, this inconsistency was felt, yet not unexpected.

Rather than tying up every loose thread, the show took a simpler exit. The final family gathering had no big secrets or major character makeovers. Rather, it reflected the show's traditional message: family life is chaotic, incomplete, and in constant flux.

Were politics involved in the finale of The Conners?

Throughout the years, The Conners would sometimes touch on political and social topics, from health care and addiction to economic disparity. But there is no indication that the last season heavily relied on political commentary to the detriment of the character-driven narrative. The emphasis was still firmly on personal struggles, emotional development, and family dynamics.

Any political undertones were subdued and stayed within the parameters of the characters' lived experiences. If anything, the previous season avoided the kind of on-the-nose messaging that might risk alienating viewers.

So, did The Conners make their biggest mistake in the final season? Based on the available evidence, it’s clear the final season didn’t crash and burn. It delivered a calm, steady farewell that aligned with the show’s tone. While not every storyline was wrapped with a bow, the emotional center remained intact.

There was no cliffhanger, no staged spectacle—just a family dealing with grief, love, change, and strength. For a show based on realism, that might not be a mistake at all. It might be the most Conners-ending possible.