Education, Corruption, and Damnation is the second episode of Season 4 of The Conners, also the 53rd episode overall. It will air on September 29, 2021.
Summary[]
After Ben declines Darlene's proposal, she starts to ponder why she tends to be so negative in life, prompting her to start a journey of self-discovery which leads to Pastor Phil. Meanwhile, newly appointed City Councilman Don Blansky puts Jackie in a tough position as she and Neville are ready to open the new and improved Lunch Box.
Plot[]
Jackie has to deal with a corrupt politician in order to get two liquor licenses, she must pay two very expensive bills. Becky wants to go back to school and is very shy about it. Darlene is uneasy about finding the last letter that Roseanne wrote.
In-Depth[]
Becky is going back to school at 46 years old. She has not been in that school for 29 years. They are in the kitchen celebrating with mostly gag gifts, and a new laptop. She likes the laptop as she needs it to take Statistics Class.
Darlene answers the door and finds Ben giving him all of her possessions and leaving as fast as possible. She tells Becky that she said a prayer to God. Becky asks Darlene to attend the Sobriety Meeting and talk to a Minister.
They are at The Lunch Box with Neville funding the Sports Bar theme. Jackie forges the name on autographed balls and accompanying certificates of authenticity before placing them in their own display case. Don invites himself over to tell him that he managed to bribe The State Department to continue his very crooked cemetery. He demands a “donation” to help “improve” the cemetery or he will get in the way of their new Liquor License. It turns out that he intercepted the application just so that he could bother them. Neville wants to continue while Jackie is furious. She kicks out Don a second time after Becky tries and fails to distract him.
Darlene attends the Sobriety meeting with the former alcoholic that started his own Church. Becky introduces him to Darlene and they talk for a while. He agrees that not everything makes sense yet brags about being able to confince sceptics. Darlene declines the invitation to attend a sermon: “Turning To God When You Need Help The Most”.
Jackie is beginning a public protest against Don. Dan tells her that Don intercepting an application for alcohol at the upcoming wedding and demanded a second bribe. He also says that Jackie must concede to Don just this once as Neville is now a partner at The Lunch Box. Neville says that it not necessary while Dan is very nervous about the wedding if there is no alcohol to make it festive.
Becky ran out of the Statistics class very nervous about what the other students are thinking about her. Darlene also ran out of work since she is not ready to host a Wellness Seminar about: “Bringing Positive A Positive Attitude At Work”. Darlene says that going to church is not turning out good for her. Dan gives her a Bible. He tells them about Roseanne dedicated the Bible to the children. Occasionally, she would put letters to God between the pages of the Bible. Becky is overjoyed about the Miracle, while Dan continues to say that it simply a coincidence.
Darlene has the Bible with her at Church. She opens one of the letters and does not like one bit what she sees.
Dan is at The Lunch Box devoted to Jackie for paying the very expensive bribes. She blames what happened on Neville while Dan thanks him. After Dan leaves, Jackie confesses to Neville that she ended up paying the bribes not for Don or Dan, but for Neville. Neville does not know what to say as he would have gladly supported her protest.
Darlene is weary from driving and finally tells Becky and Jackie about Roseanne’s final letter. Darlene, Becky, and Jackie take turns reading it:
“Dear God, Please take away this pain from my knees and my back. I can’t bear it any more.
I keep turning to the pills, but this is me turning to you instead. Please help me. I have to keep working and if you could do just this one thing, I will honor you for ever.
And if you could give Dan a 300 game in bowling, I’ll stop stealing clothes from the Church Donation Box.”.
Becky is nervous about her own recovery and commented that Roseanne sounded very desperate. Jackie tells Darlene that Roseanne would not want her to give up and that there are other options. Darlene agrees saying that there is no way she is going to continue being miserable. Darlene needs answers and does not know where to look. Becky agrees about finding something that will work for her. She starts by pretending to go to Church so that she can raid the Donation Box.
Becky tries one more time to go to class. They say that they will not turn on her camera but it still is recording her. She is nervous and runs away again.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- John Goodman as Dan Conner
- Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris
- Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner
- Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner
- Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner (credit only)
- Emma Kenney as Harris Healy
- Ames McNamara as Mark Healy II
- Jayden Rey as Mary Conner (credit only)
- Jay R. Ferguson as Ben Olinsky
Guests[]
- Jason Alexander as Pastor Phil
- Nat Faxon as Neville Goldufski
- Patton Oswalt as Don Blansky
Trivia[]
- Despite being credited, Michael Fishman (D.J. Conner) and Jayden Rey (Mary) do not appear.
- Although aired as the second episode of the season, it was filmed as the first.
Quotes[]