Why would I be writing about this television series and on
Season 9? Because it has been greatly touted as THE VERY WORST ENDING in the
history of television. I argue, “A.K.A. Pablo” was much more devastating.
Having the Mexican deported isn’t funny.
But I won’t blame you, because…SPOILER…if you intend to
watch the series…
Having the most interesting most charismatic character die
in awful. And heartbreaking to end a series that was so beloved by blue-collar
television onslaught.
Here’s why I think it works..
In the beginning of this season, it was determined that
Roseanne was going to go off the beaten path. This meant the walls of their
home would be open. Let’s face it, you can only do so many “we’re poor” jokes
before that dog don’t hunt. They have to have some breaks in life. And so,
Roseanne invented the idea that they win the lottery. To which it changes them
all. And although this is shoehorned in…the mental disability of Dan’s
mother…we realize it was simply to get him to go out of town to fall into an
affair. Somehow…much like what we assume we couldn’t let a good guy like Dan
(John Goodman) become a bad guy, he constantly had to reiterate that he didn’t
bang his mother’s nurse in California. This sets up a scenario of “winning”
Roseanne back. Yes…if we were to watch this immediately…we think this was too
forced. It makes sense later.
And so Dan and Roseanne get back together and the children
have children, and everyone grows up before our eyes. The introduction of Mark
(Glenn Quinn, who tragically died of a drug overdose later in real life) first
is a contentious bad boy love interest for Becky (Lucy Garanson and later Sarah
Chalke) then a mousy artist sensitive hipster-before-hipster David (Johnny
Galecki), then Fred (Michael O’Keefe) for Jackie (brilliant from first season
to last by Laurie Metcalf) and also Nancy (Sandra Bernhard), and someone who
COMPLETELY falls off the face of the planet Krystal (Natalie West) who is
supposedly Roseanne’s very best friend and marries Dan’s father. None of this
comes into play nor has closure. Which also, the youngest son, D.J. (Michael
Fishman) doesn’t have the ending either. Why? Got me. Darlene (Sara Gilbert)
also softens too much in this season. To a point where you REALLY miss the old
days. The gas had been let out of this season but look…let’s face
facts…Roseanne was DETERMINED to make this be a blue-collar comedy. And I love
her for it. I love that it was about a working class actress/comedian finally
come to terms with the insanity that was her life. If she conjured these
scenarios for these episodes concludes with her explaining why…we get the
closure we need. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to realize Dan doesn’t continue
with the family. Devastating, yet true. The writing basement she was gifted
many seasons prior becomes the very place she went to cope with the loss. And
why not. I use this blog to cope with many losses. And if I could re-write a
lot of my history, I would. If only for entertainment purposes. In life, we
don’t get to chip the edges that cut us deeply. We simply move around and mold
around. If we’re flexible. To me, all these episodes are crushingly direct and
obvious. And I hate to say it…boring. The jokes land as flat as ever. BUT…I
think this season functions perfectly now that you can binge watch and get the
entire tone of what it became. I am absolutely impressed with the bravery it
takes to end a series like this. Melancholic in nature. Cuts to the core of
artists who often feel the world should be one way and constantly disappointed
that the reality rears its head.
To the people who desperately wanted “Roseanne” to end on a
high note…I understand why as well. But it wouldn’t be honest. Honesty is that
deep pain is truth. I wager if she sugar coated the ending, we would be left
with something less poignant. To be fair, was it a series she conjured up
completely from life experiences…most likely. Borrowed here and there…we
get…mm…maybe an exaggeration. Or maybe a half truth. Or someone else’s truth.
The point is, whether Roseanne had lived it or not, it is very convincing that
she had appropriated it somewhere.
If this season is devastating to you, go back and watch an
earlier episode to cleanse the palate. To me, this is the inevitable end no one
asked for, but is deserved.
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