Roseanne: The Dark Ages

Roseanne: The Dark Ages
ABC
September 29, 1992
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This is the first of eleven Roseanne scripts by Eric Gilliland, who did three for Who's the Boss?, while it's the first of five for Mike Gandolfi.  The Conners' electricity is cut off and Roseanne observes, "Well, middle class was fun."  The parents try to entertain Darlene and DJ with puppet shadows, but Darlene would rather work on her comic with flashlights, upstairs in her room with David.  Dan objects, till Roseanne says that Mark had a sexy, dangerous quality and this is David, so Dan gives his OK.  David does want to neck and more with Darlene, but she's not ready for sex.  When David spends the night, Roseanne is understandably suspicious.  Darlene insists she's nothing like Becky.  In the end, Dan, who's been avoiding Becky's phone calls, calls her up and gives heating advice.

Laurie Metcalf has two great scenes, one in which she tries to make breakfast in the Conner kitchen, oblivious to the lack of power; and the tag where she polishes her new Emmy, till Roseanne and Tom Arnold as well as John Goodman chase after her.  This is the 100th episode, and thus the 100th show of mine for Goodman, Goranson, and Gilbert.