Roseanne: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Roseanne Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
A Bitter Pill to Swallow
Sep 17, 1991
Roseanne is stunned when Becky asks for advice about birth control.
Take My Bike ... Please!
Sep 24, 1991
Roseanne and Dan open up shop at Lanford Custom Cycle, but selling a bike proves an exhausting challenge, as does keeping the household fine-tuned with Becky in charge.
Why Jackie Becomes a Trucker
Oct 1, 1991
Jackie awakens and is horrified to find that she has slept with Arnie; Dan invites Leon home for the weekly poker game; D.J. trades his comics for a dog.
Darlene Fades to Black
Oct 8, 1991
Darlene slips into a depressive state, wanting to wear only black, watch TV and be left alone; Becky wants a motorcycle.
Tolerate Thy Neighbor
Oct 15, 1991
Roseanne's new neighbors, the Bowmans, are burgled while they are out of town -- and hold Roseanne responsible.
Trick Me Up, Trick Me Down
Oct 21, 1991
Roseanne is convinced that Kathy Bowman will take revenge for the Halloween prank she played on her; Jackie flirts with a moose at the Lodge costume party.
Vegas (1)
Nov 5, 1991
Arnie decides to wed Nancy in Las Vegas, inviting Dan and Roseanne to stand up for them.
Vegas, Vegas (2)
Nov 12, 1991
The Conners risk getting thrown out of a Vegas nightclub, and visit a wedding chapel with Arnie and Nancy.
Stressed to Kill
Nov 19, 1991
Becky gets into hot water for helping Darlene with a school assignment; trying to stop smoking cold-turkey has Roseanne frazzled, as does working two jobs.
Thanksgiving '91
Nov 26, 1991
Thanksgiving brings four generations together to cope with a surprise announcement from Bev.
Kansas City, Here We Come
Dec 3, 1991
Roseanne and Jackie go to Kansas City to visit their father's mistress; Dan intends to beat up Becky's obnoxious boss.
Santa Claus
Dec 24, 1991
Roseanne talks Leon into letting her play Santa Claus at the mall -- and hears something she wishes she hadn't from one of the kid's mothers, who turns out to be Darlene's new frie
Bingo
Jan 7, 1992
It is Crystal's choice to choose where the gals' night out will be. Crystal chooses bingo and they all hate it. After Roseanne wins $50 playing bingo, she gets hooked on it. Becky
The Bowling Show
Jan 21, 1992
When Dan and Arnie struggle to bring their bowling team out of last place, some unexpected competition arises. Meanwhile, Roseanne feels shut out of Jackie's new friendship with Na
The Back Story
Feb 4, 1992
After Roseanne throws her back out, Bev arrives to help out -- and to spoil her grandchildren.
Less is More
Feb 11, 1992
A doctor recommends that Roseanne undergo breast reduction surgery for her back problems.
Breakin' Up is Hard to Do
Feb 18, 1992
Roseanne and Dan breathe a sigh of relief when Becky breaks up with Mark.
This Old House
Feb 25, 1992
On a last visit to their childhood home, Roseanne and Jackie recall their adolescent years, causing Roseanne to reconsider a punishment for Darlene, who skipped school with David t
The Commercial Show
Mar 3, 1992
The Conners are sitting pretty for a TV ad for Rodbell's Luncheonette, but at home things get ugly between D.J. and Todd. Leon and Steven break up, and the Bowmans move back to Chi
Therapy
Mar 17, 1992
Roseanne accompanies Jackie to her therapist after she chooses the ideal man for Jackie -- dull tax accountant Art; Darlene mouths off once too often about a female school bully.
Lies
Mar 24, 1992
Roseanne freaks out when she learns that Rodbell's employees must take a lie detector test to find out who has been stealing from the restaurant; Darlene bypasses Roseanne for advi
Deliverance
Mar 31, 1992
A pregnant Crystal snaps at everyone in sight, then goes into labor with Dan coaching her in the delivery room; Roseanne and Bonnie feud over who should replace Leon as the new man
Secrets
Apr 28, 1992
Mark turns to alcohol to solve his problems with Becky, and Dan lies to Roseanne about the boy's drunken, reckless evening at the Lobo Lounge to cover both their tracks.
Don't Make Me Over
May 5, 1992
The girls take Roseanne to the Beauty Box for Mother's Day in hopes of convincing her to let them attend a weekend rock concert.
Aliens
May 12, 1992
As the luncheonette closes and the bike shop folds, D.J.'s scholastic achievement is the only light on the Conners' dim horizon. (Coda: an ice-cream fight in the Conner kitchen; Ar