The Conners Recap: Season 5 Episode 11 – Roseanne and Smitty, Bobo Returns

The death of a beloved teacher brought old classmates together during Wednesday’s episode The Conners. Among them was William H. Macy’s Smitty Cusamano, who envisioned Darlene and Becky as the man who could have been their father.

Confused? Allow us to explain….

After leaving Lanford, Smitty built a considerable fortune in the pool equipment business. But back then, he was just like Dan — another worker boy who had a crush on Roseanne. He even took Roseanne home, only to be humiliated when she went home with Dan.

Fifty years later, Smitty is still bitter. He writes Dan a check for $6,000 to help with his mortgage, then tells everyone at The Lobo that Dan hit him for money. An angry Dan insists on a fight, but Smitty refuses to go for punches. Instead, he offers $2,000 to anyone willing to fight Dan on his behalf. That’s when Bobo was last seen when Dan knocked out his light roseanne Season 1, steps up and offers to cover Dan for free. Luckily for Dan, ex-cop Jackie is there to remind Bobo of his extensive criminal record. That alone convinces the eradicated tyrant to back down.

Later, Dan confides in Louise that he is jealous of Smitty. Smitty didn’t get the girl, but he did build a business empire. Dan, on the other hand, is still struggling to make ends meet. (And lest we forget, he never won the Illinois State Lottery….)

The next day, at their teacher’s funeral, Dan receives a letter he wrote to his future self in high school. It turns out it’s just the pick-me-up he needs. After reading it, he realizes that he has succeeded in life. No, he wasn’t financially secure, but he could have peace of mind knowing he was a better father than his father.

We should also note that Dan actually cashes Smitty’s check to pay the mortgage. Smitty confronts him about it, but he’s not mad. He shows up at the Conner residence to apologize to Dan for his past behavior – and to give Emma Kenney a chance to perform opposite her former shameless Dad.

What do you think of Macy’s guest appearance? The Conners? What about Bobo’s return? Hit the comments with your reactions.