Roseanne: Another Mouth to Shut Up

Roseanne: Another Mouth to Shut Up
ABC
March 26, 1996
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This Eric Gilliland story, with a teleplay by Janet Leahy and Rich Kaplan, who would each work on one more episode, shows that the show still had it, when it focused on the core characters and the humor that comes from real life.  (I really doubt the studio audience reactions are sweetened.  They sound genuine this time.)  Darlene has found David a great job in Chicago and they talk about living together, and then she suggests they get married.  He's not sure if she's joking, but she's serious, and pregnant.  Then it's time for the family (minus Mark and Becky) to react, which they do characteristically.

I appreciate that everyone's viewpoint is addressed, including Dan's disappointment that Darlene has done something stupid, when he thought she would be the successful Conner.  Although the word "abortion" isn't used, it's implied as an option, as it was in the episode where Jackie announced her pregnancy, but Darlene, to her own surprise as much as anyone's, is happy about having a baby.  David is stunned and worried, while Roseanne tries to be supportive.  This episode makes me happy that they could still bring it, but also sad that so much potential was pissed away this season in exchange for nonsensical plots and heavy-handed statements.  Note that Darlene thinks the conception happened the night of the fireworks at Disney World.