What I’m Watching: The Conners (Season Premiere)

The Conners: Season 2, Episode 1 “Preemies, Weed, and Infidelity” (B)

This show concluded its first season back in January, and at that point, it wasn’t yet known if it would be back for another year. I had hoped it would be, and I’m glad that it is. Its humor continues not to be overly complex or ambitious, but it’s still enjoyable. The cast seems to be having fun, which is the best asset, demonstrated most in the scene where Darlene and Jackie kept shaking pillows to pretend that they were looking for Harris’ good earrings while she confided in her aunt about the two relationships she was carrying on at the same time. It definitely won’t be long before Ben finds out that she’s not telling him everything, and I’m not sure if we’re going to be seeing a lot of David or not now that Johnny Galecki is freer with “The Big Bang Theory” having ended. I recognized Lucy Punch from “Ben and Kate” as the mom whose son was Harris’ unfortunate client, even without her natural British accent. This episode did seem to have a much stranger showcase for veteran Estelle Parsons, who is managing to drive everyone crazy as the matriarch of the family. Things seemed like they were going to be getting serious when Becky’s water broke way ahead of her due date, but fortunately it seems like everything’s okay. Naturally, her choice of a name would be unusual, with the middle name Rose as the sole reference to the departed character and actress who used to be the centerpiece of this show. I’m not sure I find watching this show urgent by any definite, but it’s good light, dependable fun.