Why Grandma Bev Wasn’t In The Conners Series Finale

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Contains spoilers for “The Conners” Season 7, Episode 6 — “The Truck Stops Here”

The last episode of “The Conners” turned out to be both emotional and filled with witty remarks, which was fitting for a family that shows affection yet can’t resist a well-timed jab. Estelle Parsons’ character, Beverly Harris, was one of the best at delivering those biting lines, but she was absent from the series finale. It appears her absence was due to two reasons: Parsons’ increasing age and the producers’ decision that she had already received a heartfelt farewell in an earlier episode.

During “The Truck Stops Here,” it’s clear that she receives a reference when Roseanne Barr’s character’s family assembles at her graveside. As each relative has their moment to address the late Conner matriarch, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) confesses during her turn that she “can’t find where mom is located.

It’s accurate, as Bev departed the series during Season 6’s “Moms and Rats” episode and hasn’t appeared since then. Bruce Helford, the executive producer and showrunner, clarified to Deadline that it was too demanding for her to return for the sixth episode given her age (97). He likened Bev to a member of the Flying Dutchman crew, a ship destined to sail the seas forever. However, unlike their eternal enmity, Jackie and Bev’s animosity won’t last forever.

When fans last saw Bev she had embraced her freedom

One notable flaw in Bev’s parenting approach is that Jackie and Roseanne, her children, suffered emotional wounds from their upbringing under an abusive father and overly critical mother, with Jackie, who remains unmarried, bearing the brunt of her mom’s constant criticism on both “Roseanne” and “The Conners.” This has been a recurring complaint among longtime series viewers regarding the writing. In “The Conners,” there’s a fresh twist to the storyline as Bev begins to exhibit memory lapses.

In the story “Moms and Rats,” Beverly and Jackie, who had been estranged for a long time, reconcile their strained relationship. When Beverly was diagnosed with dementia, Jackie hired a home-care nurse to look after her. As Beverly’s memory faded, she became less aware of Jackie, making her kinder. The two decided to take a trip to Chicago together, where they healed old wounds and enjoyed each other’s company for the first time in years. However, Bev got lost, causing concern for Jackie until she found her at the train station. In the end, Bev informed Jackie that she wanted to embark on a “grand adventure,” traveling across the country alone and distancing herself from the elder care system.

Even though it may cause concern due to Bev’s memory problems significantly affecting her life, Jackie eventually clarifies that she is monitoring her mother through a phone application and can respond promptly if any unfortunate incidents occur. This seems like an appropriate farewell for a character known for their unpredictable behavior, despite their many imperfections — as they clearly care for their children and grandchildren with all their quirks and imperfections.

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2025-04-25 03:00