The Conners Faces Another Main Character Departure

Another main cast member may be leaving The Conners in season 6. The popular ABC comedy has said goodbye to several main characters over the years. Some departures have been unexpected, such as Michael Fishman's character DJ being written out without much explanation. Others have been more fitting, based on the direction of the show's storyline. As season 6 begins, Jayden Rey's character Mary Conner has already been confirmed to be leaving. Mary is DJ's only daughter who was living with her paternal grandfather. Most recently, Estelle Parsons' character Bev seems to have been written out after saying goodbye to Jackie and embarking on a new adventure.

Mark’s College Dorm Separates Him From The Conners

Mark’s college dorm situation is causing a physical and emotional distance between him and the rest of The Conners.

Mark and Darlene in The Conners - Mark’s College Dorm Separates Him From The Conners

After missing the first few episodes, Ames McNamara's Mark returns in The Conners season 6, episode 4. Fans were excited for his storyline, especially after the focus on him in the season 5 finale as he headed to college. In the new episode, Mark adjusts to being a commuter student. Despite getting into a good school and Darlene's efforts, he has to stay at home due to financial constraints. However, there may be a solution as his mom looks into a job that could provide him with dorm accommodations.

How The Conners Can Still Make Mark Relevant

Having accommodations at school isn't just convenient for Mark; it also gives him the opportunity to socialize, which is something he has been wanting. However, from a storytelling perspective, this could be the first step in gradually phasing out Mark from The Conners. By not having to return home every day, the show can easily explain his absence in future episodes. In the first few episodes of The Conners season 6, Mark was already ignored without any explanation. Now, the show can simply sideline him by indicating that he spends most of his time at school.

Ames McNamara's Mark frowns annoyed in The Conners Season 6 Episode 4 - How The Conners Can Still Make Mark Relevant

The great thing about The Conners is that they find ways to keep Mark relevant even though he lives away from his family in Lanford. Darlene works at his school as a lunch lady, which allows for storylines involving the mother-son duo. This opens up the opportunity for a much-needed conversation about what really happened to David. Mark may only visit occasionally, but it's important for The Conners to ensure that his time with the family contributes to his character development. It's crucial to maintain his relationships with the rest of the family while also allowing his character to grow.

The Conners season 6 airs every Wednesday, 8pm ET on ABC.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming season of "The Conners" promises to be bittersweet as it welcomes the departure of Mary Conner and potentially bids farewell to Mark as well. While the show has a history of saying goodbye to beloved characters, these latest exits raise questions about the future of the series. The decision to sideline Mark due to his college dorm situation seems like a convenient way to phase him out, but it also highlights the challenges of maintaining character relevance when their physical presence is limited.

However, "The Conners" has consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt and find creative ways to keep its characters connected. The introduction of Darlene's job at Mark's school provides a platform for meaningful interactions, and the show's writers must continue to explore such opportunities to ensure that Mark's character continues to grow and contribute to the family dynamics. By finding a balance between acknowledging his physical absence and maintaining his emotional ties to the rest of the Conners, the show can navigate this transition while preserving the essence of the beloved family comedy.