“When you click a highlighted word in an article or on a banner, we may earn a commission if you are to purchase something from that company. Thank you!”
Of course, John Goodman was immediately attached to appear in the nine-episode revival meaning that, like Will & Grace before them, the writers of the new season would have to find a way to undo the unthinkable and bring Dan back to life. (And wipe away the bizarre revelation that Roseanne’s daughters actually wound up with the opposite Healy brother, but that’s another story altogether.) So how’d they do it? Now that the revival’s premiered, we’ve finally got some answers.
In the first moments of the premiere episode, with the camera trained on that iconic living room, we hear Roseanne off-camera shouting Dan’s name. The action quickly cuts to the couple’s bedroom, where Dan awakens from his slumber, sleep apnea mask and all. He’s alive!
“I thought you were dead,” his wife tells him.
“I’m sleeping,” he replies. “Why does everybody always think I’m dead.” And that’s that.
From there, the episode moved on to telling its new stories about Roseanne and Jackie’s (Laurie Metcalf) estrangement since the 2016 presidential election, Darlene’s (Sara Gilbert) move home with her two kids, and Becky’s (Lecy Goranson) decision to become a surrogate for a woman played by none other than Becky 2, Sarah Chalke.
“Well, looky here,” he says. “Written by Roseanne Conner.”
His wife’s reply? “Oh, trash that.”
“This woulda sold like hotcakes,” he tells his wife. “If only you hadn’t killed off the most interesting character.” Ba-dum-chh!
Were the brief winks to the original ending enough for you? Or were you hoping for more? Sound off in the comments below!
Roseanne airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.