WhileThe Connersseason 7 won’t have room to bring back every major character from theRoseannespinoff’s earlier seasons, I do need the sitcom to find time for one pivotal comeback.The Connersseason 7has a lot of proverbial plates to spin.The Conners’ large cast of charactersalone means that it would be tough for the sitcom to bring its story to a close without selling someone short. However,The Connersalso has to do justice to the characters fromRoseanne, the show’s predecessor.
Not only that, butTVLinereported in 2024 thatThe Connersseason 7 would be a “Six-episode farewell event.” This means that, instead of being spread over 22 episodes like a regular season or even 13 episodes like 2024’s shorter season 6,The Connersseason 7 will only have six outings to wrap up the story of Dan, Jackie, Louise, Neville, Ben, Darlene, Becky, Tyler, Mark, Harris, Beverly, and Beverly-Rose. The news thatThe Connersseason 7 revives Jackie’s wackiestRoseanneplot is fun, but it leaves the series with even less screen time.
Alexandra Billings’ Robin Was One Of The Conners’ Best Original Characters
The Wellmans Plastics Manager Was A Great Addition To Roseanne’s Spinoff
That said, I am still confident thatThe Connersseason 7 can and should bring back Alexandra Billings’ recurring character Robin. A manager at Wellmans Plastics, Robin was a tough but fair boss who nurtured Darlene’s management ambitions and pushed Becky to pursue a position in the factory’s union. Robin was also trans, a rarity for network TV characters, and this reality was never played for laughs and only occasionally played for drama. For the majority of her time on the sitcom, Robin was treated like every other character, a refreshing change of pace noted bySalon.
Although Roseanne’s death changed The Connersa lot, the show’s commitment to depicting LGBTQ+ characters as part of the fabric of middle-American life dates back to its original run.
Robin faded into the background when Becky left the factory and was later written out of the spinoff entirely when Darlene was fired. Darlene lost her job because she refused to lie to the press about the pollution that Wellmans Plastics was causing, and her career never got back on track in the years since. This also meant the spinoff had no role for Robin, which was a shame. AlthoughRoseanne’s death changed The Connersa lot, the show’s commitment to depicting LGBTQ+ characters as part of the fabric of middle-American life dates back to its original run.
How Alexandra Billings’ Robin Could Return In The Conners Season 7
Darlene’s Job Hunt Will Likely Bring Her Back To Wellmans Plastics
Much like Martin Mull’sRoseannecharacter Leon Carp was a refreshing change from the many reductive gay stereotypes of ‘80s TV comedies, Robin provedThe Connerscould handle trans representation better than viewers might have anticipated. Robin was central to the plot ofThe Connersseasons 3-5 as Roseanne’s follow-up focused Becky and Darlene’s story around her. This provided the show with one of its best recurring characters and representations of trans life, but Darlene losing her job leftThe Connerswith no reason to bring back Robin in the years since.
Ames McNamara
Mark Conner-Healy
Fortunately, season 7 has already set up a reason for her to return. Now that Darlene is no longer stuck in the lunch lady job that she hated, she could apply to work in Wellmans Plastics again, as her family had done for generations. Alternatively, Darlene could visit the factory in search of a recommendation as she searches for other jobs. AlthoughThe Connersseason 7 must prioritize Becky’s storysimultaneously, I’m confident that the sitcom has enough screen time to still bring back Billings’ character for a fitting sendoff.
Wellmans Plastics Returning In The Conners Season 7 Is A Great Way To Honor Roseanne’s Legacy
Roseanne Was At the Vanguard of LGBTQ+ Representation On Network TV
Roseanne spent years working at Wellmans Plastics, so it makes perfect sense for the location to return to in the final season ofRoseanne’s spinoff. Not only that, butRoseannewas a progressive sitcom for its time, even featuring the first gay wedding on network TV when Leon married his love interest. As such, there is no better way for the spinoff to honor its predecessor than by bringing back Billings’ character and offering viewers another insight into her life in Lanford. This would showcase how much the series has held onto its values over the years.
The Conners Season 7 Can’t Afford To Continue Sidelining Mark After His Season 6 Role
Although Roseanne’s spinoff could get away with sidelining Mark for much of season 6, The Conners season 7 needs to change this due to one plot.
As such,Alexandra Billings’ Robin must return inThe Connersseason 7after her character was quietly written out a few seasons earlier.The Connersseason 7 can honor both her character andRoseanne’s history of speaking up for LGBTQ+ rights with this comeback, particularly considering the fact that Mull passed away in 2024 without The Connersever acknowledging Leon’s existence. ForThe Connersto show thatRoseanne’s legacy matters in the family sitcom, the show need only bring back this underrated character a few years after her final appearance in the series.
