Ep 2. Friends and Relatives

Roseanne is a popular American television sitcom that aired from 1988 to 1997. The show revolved around the everyday life of the Conner family, led by matriarch Roseanne, who often had to deal with the ups and downs of living in a working-class household in Lanford, Illinois.

Season 3 episode 2 of Roseanne, titled "Friends and Relatives", first aired on October 1, 1990, and was directed by John Pasquin. The episode focused on the complicated relationships between the Conner family members and their friends and relatives, which continued to be a central theme throughout the show's run.

The episode begins with Roseanne's sister, Jackie, played by Laurie Metcalf, arriving home after a three-month vacation in California. Jackie is excited to see her family again, especially her nephew, DJ, who seems to have grown a lot in her absence. However, her excitement quickly turns to annoyance when she learns that Roseanne hired her ex-boyfriend, Fisher, to fix their porch.

Fisher, played by Matt Roth, is a recurring character on the show who dabbles in many professions, including being a carpenter, musician, and eventually, Jackie's boyfriend. Jackie is not happy about seeing Fisher again and tells Roseanne that she doesn't want him around. Roseanne tries to calm her down but eventually agrees to talk to Fisher and see if he can finish the job quickly.

Meanwhile, Dan, played by John Goodman, is having problems with his own family. His mother, Crystal, played by Natalie West, has divorced her husband and moved in with Dan and Roseanne temporarily. Crystal is upset about the divorce and seems to be taking it out on everyone around her, especially her son. Dan tries to comfort her, but she keeps pushing him away.

The tension between Crystal and Dan is interrupted by the arrival of Dan's father, Ed, played by Ned Beatty. Ed shows up unannounced and says he wants to reconcile with Crystal. Dan and Roseanne are not happy about this development since they know Ed has a history of cheating on Crystal. Dan tries to warn his mother, but Crystal seems to be blinded by her desire to be with Ed again.

As the day wears on, the Conners are visited by more friends and relatives, including Roseanne's mother, Bev, played by Estelle Parsons, who is back in town after a long absence. Bev is her usual judgmental self and is critical of Roseanne's parenting, especially when it comes to letting DJ play with toy guns.

The chaos continues when Fisher brings his band over to play a gig in the Conner's living room. Jackie is not happy about this, but Roseanne convinces her to give Fisher a chance. The band starts playing, and everyone is having a good time until Crystal and Ed start arguing loudly in the middle of the song. The band stops playing, and everyone is left feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

In the end, the Conners and their friends and relatives reconcile and come to terms with their various issues. Jackie agrees to give Fisher another chance, Crystal decides to move out and start fresh, and Ed goes back home alone. The episode ends with the Conners saying goodbye to their guests and cleaning up the mess left behind.

Overall, "Friends and Relatives" was a classic episode of Roseanne that showcased the show's ability to tackle complex family dynamics in a humorous and relatable way. The episode highlighted the show's strengths, including its sharp writing, excellent cast, and its ability to delve into serious issues while still being entertaining and lighthearted.