Ep 12. It's No Place Like Home for The Holidays

It's No Place Like Home for The Holidays is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American television sitcom Roseanne. The episode opens with the Conner family preparing for the upcoming Christmas festivities. Roseanne is busy decorating the house and wrapping presents, while Dan and Becky are stringing lights on the roof.

The family is also getting ready to visit Dan's mother in California for the holidays. While Roseanne and Dan are excited to spend time with family, their children are less enthused. Darlene is annoyed that she has to miss a school trip to Washington, D.C. to go on the family vacation, while D.J. is complaining about having to leave his friends behind.

Once the family arrives in California, they are greeted by Dan's mother, who is not particularly welcoming. She criticizes the family for being late and comments on their appearance. The tension between Dan's mother and Roseanne is palpable, and it is clear that they have a complicated relationship.

The family spends the next few days visiting Dan's extended family and attending various holiday events. Despite their initial reluctance, the Conner kids start to enjoy themselves. Darlene has fun playing with her younger cousins and even manages to bond with Dan's mother over their shared love of poetry. D.J. also has a good time, getting to hang out with his cool cousin and playing video games.

As the trip progresses, however, cracks in the family relationships begin to show. Dan's mother makes a comment about Roseanne's weight, which leads to a heated argument between the two women. Dan tries to mediate but is ultimately unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Darlene is frustrated by her mother's controlling behavior and D.J. is upset when he overhears a conversation between Dan and his uncle about their financial struggles.

Despite these conflicts, the family manages to have a lovely Christmas together. They exchange gifts and share a meal, and for a moment, all seems well. However, as they prepare to leave, Dan's mother makes one final dig at Roseanne, causing her to storm out of the house. The rest of the family follows, and they head back to Illinois.

The episode ends with the Conner family back in their living room, surrounded by the decorations and gifts they had left behind. They are tired but happy to be home. Roseanne apologizes to her children for dragging them on the trip and they assure her that they had a good time. As they settle in for the night, Dan tells Roseanne that his mother called to apologize for her behavior. Roseanne is skeptical but appreciates the gesture.

Overall, It's No Place Like Home for The Holidays is a classic Roseanne episode, showcasing the humor and heart that made the show so beloved. It tackles complex family dynamics and highlights the importance of forgiveness and acceptance, even when the people we love drive us crazy.