Ep 18. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In Roseanne season 6 episode 18, titled "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Conner family gets caught up in a debate about homosexuality and the military's official policy regarding it. While doing laundry at the local laundromat, Roseanne and Jackie overhear two military officers discussing the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - which was introduced by then-president Bill Clinton in 1993 - which prohibits military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted gay or bisexual service members, but also bans openly gay or bisexual people from serving in the military.

The conversation sparks a heated debate between the sisters, with Jackie staunchly defending the policy as necessary to protect the safety and integrity of the military, while Roseanne argues that it's unfair and discriminatory to keep people in the closet in order to serve their country.

The debate heats up as Roseanne, Jackie, and several members of the extended Conner family - including DJ, who is struggling with his own feelings of same-sex attraction - get into a heated argument about the issue. Ultimately, the family is forced to grapple with their own beliefs and biases about homosexuality, as they try to understand how sexuality can affect one's ability to serve their country.

Throughout the episode, the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is explored from a variety of angles, including the political, the personal, and the moral. While the Conners may not all agree on the policy itself, they come to recognize the importance of supporting and accepting each other, no matter what their sexuality.

Overall, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a powerful episode that tackles complex issues with sensitivity and nuance. Through the Conners' discussions and debates, the show explores themes of acceptance, identity, and loyalty, and offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and controversial policy.