Ep 5. Pretty in Black

In the 1990s sitcom Roseanne, season 5 episode 5, entitled "Pretty in Black," the Conner family is busy preparing for Darlene's upcoming high school dance. Darlene, the second oldest daughter, is excited to go to the dance with her boyfriend David, but she is nervous about the prospect of wearing a dress. Darlene is a tomboy who typically dresses in black and has little interest in typical teenage girl activities like dancing and dating.

Meanwhile, Roseanne's younger sister Jackie is also preparing for the dance. Jackie is single and looking for a date, but she is having a hard time finding the right outfit to wear. She ends up borrowing a slinky black dress from Roseanne, who insists that Jackie needs to dress more provocatively to attract a man.

As the day of the dance arrives, Darlene surprises everyone by showing up in a stunning black dress. She looks beautiful, but her family is shocked by her transformation. Even her boyfriend David is caught off guard and doesn't know how to react. Darlene's parents are proud of her, but they worry that she is changing too much too fast.

At the dance, Jackie struggles to fit in with the other attendees, who are mostly younger than her. She feels out of place and unwelcome, but she tries to make the best of it. Meanwhile, Darlene is enjoying herself with David, but she still feels self-conscious in her dress. When a group of popular girls make fun of her for being a "poser," Darlene starts to doubt herself and her new look.

As the night wears on, Jackie decides to leave the dance early. She runs into a man outside who seems interested in her, but she turns him down because she is not ready to start dating again. Darlene and David sneak off to a nearby park, where they share a romantic moment but are interrupted by the police. They explain that they are not doing anything wrong and are allowed to leave without being arrested.

The episode ends with Darlene and David returning home after a successful night at the dance. Roseanne and Dan reassure Darlene that they are proud of her no matter what, and Jackie confesses to Roseanne that she feels like she is running out of time to find love. The family comes together to support each other and celebrate their individuality, even as they face the struggles of growing up and finding their place in the world.

"Pretty in Black" is a poignant episode of Roseanne that deals with themes of self-expression, peer pressure, and the challenges of adolescence. Darlene's transformation from a tomboy to a beautiful young woman is both exciting and frightening for her family, who must adjust to her new look and new interests. Jackie's struggle to fit in at the dance highlights the difficulties of being single and feeling excluded from the social scene. Ultimately, the Conners learn that love and acceptance come from within, and that they don't need to change themselves to be happy and fulfilled.