The last episode of Roseanne, titled “Into That Good Night,” revealed the entire ninth season to be a fiction Roseanne Conner created to cope with Dan’s death. She rewrote reality, giving herself the lottery winnings and happy outcomes, a stark contrast to the harsh realities of their blue-collar existence, culminating in a profoundly divisive and ultimately, for many, unsatisfying conclusion.
The Shocking Twist Ending
The episode opens in the aftermath of the Conner family lottery win, which had been the driving force of the entire ninth season. However, things quickly take a somber turn. Roseanne, through voice-over narration, unveils the truth: Dan Conner, played by John Goodman, had died from a heart attack. The lottery win, the bizarre and often illogical plotlines of the season, and the seemingly perfect family dynamic were all figments of Roseanne’s imagination, a desperate attempt to escape the crushing grief of losing her husband.
Roseanne explains that in her imagined reality, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) was dating Dan, not Bev, and that Darlene (Sara Gilbert) was with David (Johnny Galecki), not Mark. She fabricated these stories to cope with the pain of her loss and the overwhelming financial burdens that followed Dan’s death. The episode ends with a lingering sense of loss and the realization that the “happily ever after” the audience had been led to believe in was nothing more than a coping mechanism for a grieving widow. The final scene shows the Conner family kitchen, filled with memories and a palpable sense of absence, emphasizing the devastating impact of Dan’s death on the entire family.
Why the Finale Was So Controversial
The finale was met with widespread criticism for several reasons. Many viewers felt betrayed by the complete reversal of the ninth season’s events. The lottery storyline, already considered outlandish by some, became even more problematic in retrospect. The idea that the entire season was a dream invalidated everything that had happened, making it feel meaningless and insincere.
Furthermore, the death of Dan Conner, a beloved and central character, was seen as a cynical and unnecessary plot device. The show had always been praised for its realistic portrayal of working-class life, and Dan’s death seemed to contradict this authenticity. For many, it felt like a cheap way to generate drama and attention, rather than a genuine exploration of grief.
The abrupt and somewhat confusing explanations for the characters’ altered relationships also added to the finale’s negative reception. Viewers struggled to reconcile the imagined storylines with the characters they had grown to love over the previous eight seasons. Ultimately, the finale’s controversial nature stemmed from its disrespect for the established canon and its perceived exploitation of a beloved character’s death for shock value.
FAQs: Understanding the Roseanne Finale
Here are some frequently asked questions about the series finale of Roseanne and its implications:
What were the specific differences between Roseanne’s imagined reality and the “real” reality revealed in the finale?
The primary differences were Dan’s death and the romantic relationships of Jackie and Darlene. In Roseanne’s imagined reality, Dan was alive and well and the family had won the lottery. Jackie was involved with her mother, Bev. Darlene was in a relationship with Mark. In “reality”, Dan had passed away, the lottery winnings were fictional, Jackie was single and Darlene was with David. This highlights the desire of Roseanne to control and manipulate her reality to overcome the unbearable pain of Dan’s death.
How did John Goodman (Dan) react to his character’s death in the finale?
John Goodman was reportedly unhappy with the decision to kill off Dan. He felt it undermined the character’s legacy and was a unnecessary narrative twist. He did however understand Roseanne’s reasoning within the fictional universe of the show, that she needed to create this imagined reality to cope with his passing.
Did the cast and crew know about the twist ending before filming the finale?
It’s unclear if everyone was aware of the full extent of the twist ending from the beginning. Some reports suggest that certain cast members were only informed shortly before filming the episode. This secrecy likely contributed to the shock and surprise that viewers experienced when the finale aired. The late disclosure of the plot twist added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Was Roseanne Barr involved in the decision to kill off Dan?
Yes, Roseanne Barr was involved in the decision to kill off Dan, as she was the creative force behind the show. It was her vision to rewrite the show’s narrative in such a way. Although the decision was controversial, it was a deliberate creative choice made by Barr to reflect the themes of grief and loss that she wanted to explore. Her creative agency was a driving factor.
How did the finale impact the spin-off show, The Conners?
The spin-off, The Conners, was born out of the cancellation of the Roseanne revival after Roseanne Barr’s controversial tweets. The show acknowledges Dan’s death and continues to explore the lives of the Conner family as they navigate their challenges without him. The spin-off focuses on how the family deals with the absence of Roseanne and Dan. It’s an ongoing narrative directly affected by the controversial choices made in Roseanne‘s finale.
What were some alternative endings that were considered for Roseanne?
While the specific details of alternative endings are not widely publicized, it’s likely that the writers explored different scenarios. One could imagine scenarios where the lottery win led to unforeseen problems or where the family struggled to adapt to their newfound wealth. However, the decision to reveal the entire season as a fantasy was ultimately deemed the most impactful and thought-provoking option by Roseanne Barr. Different routes were evaluated.
Why did Roseanne Barr choose to depict the lottery win as a fabrication?
Barr has said that the lottery win was a metaphor for the escapist fantasies people often indulge in when faced with difficult realities. She wanted to explore the idea of how people cope with trauma and loss by creating idealized versions of their lives. The lottery win served as a symbol of wish fulfillment and a means for Roseanne to escape the harsh realities of her life. The lottery win was a metaphorical manifestation of wishful thinking.
How did the finale affect the overall legacy of Roseanne?
The finale undeniably tarnished the overall legacy of Roseanne. While the show was initially praised for its realistic portrayal of working-class life and its groundbreaking representation of female characters, the controversial finale left a sour taste in many viewers’ mouths. Many see the legacy diminished, not enhanced, by the finale. However, it also sparked a debate about the role of television in reflecting societal realities and the responsibility of creators to honor their characters.
Was there any attempt to retcon or explain the finale in The Conners?
The Conners has not explicitly retconned or erased the events of the Roseanne finale. While there have been subtle nods and references to the past, the spin-off has largely accepted Dan’s death and the other changes as canon. The characters on The Conners continue to grapple with their financial struggles and the challenges of everyday life, reflecting the show’s commitment to its core themes. Retcon efforts were minimal.
What were some of the fan theories that emerged after the finale aired?
Several fan theories emerged in response to the Roseanne finale. Some fans speculated that Roseanne was suffering from a mental illness that caused her to create the fictional reality. Others suggested that Dan’s death was not real and that he might return in a future season. These theories reflect the audience’s desire to reconcile the shocking twist ending with the characters and storylines they had come to love. Fan theories tried to explain the chaos.
How did the finale impact the ratings and viewership of The Conners?
While The Conners initially benefited from the renewed interest in the Roseanne franchise, its ratings gradually declined over time. The show has struggled to recapture the magic of the original series, and some viewers have expressed disappointment with the direction of the storylines. Despite this, The Conners has maintained a loyal fan base and has been renewed for multiple seasons. Ratings faced a challenging journey.
What lasting lessons can be learned from the controversy surrounding the Roseanne finale?
The Roseanne finale serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of alienating an audience and disrespecting established canon. It highlights the importance of authenticity, consistency, and character development in storytelling. It’s a reminder that creative decisions should be made with careful consideration of their impact on the overall narrative and the audience’s connection to the characters. The controversy also sparked a discussion about the ethical implications of using sensitive topics, such as death and grief, as mere plot devices.