Darlene falls in love with a house, but when the realtor shares she has a better chance of getting the house if she's part of a couple, she convinces Ben to pretend to be her partner.
Mark finds it hard fitting in at school Darlene's upset after learning how Mark's earning extra cash for college Becky finds herself in an interesting situation with a college professor.
Darlene continues to navigate her breakup with Ben Dan offers to talk with Aldo's dad when he doesn't approve of Harris and Aldo's relationship.
Darlene's friendship with a manager at Wellman Plastics lands her in an awkward situation Louise's brother tries to win over Jackie by making a thoughtful gesture, creating tension.
It's Beverly Rose's first birthday, but it's no party when Becky and Emilio disagree on the kind of celebration she should have Jackie meets someone who wants to be more than friends.
Darlene isolates herself from her co-workers, making them think she's an elite snob Louise teaches Harris a very expensive life lesson Jackie's determined to keep the restaurant open.
Mary's crushed when the city cancels Halloween, so Darlene and Becky enlist Jackie and the family to create an unforgettable experience Mark confronts a kid at school who won't mask up.
The Conners must deal with the pandemic The Lunch Box closes for everything but takeout and delivery while Becky and Darlene search for additional income at the Wellman Plastics plant.
Darlene and Ben go apartment hunting Jackie and Becky take Beverly Rose on a road trip to Mexico to meet her father for the first time Dan reluctantly shares his financial troubles with Louise.
Dan and Louise take their relationship to the next level and come to appreciate the complexities of aging Darlene spends the night in jail and leaves parenting duties to Ben Mark and a friend's class experiment leaves them with hickeys.
Dan is finally ready to share his feelings with Louise Darlene realizes how badly she wants a baby Ben gets caught up playing handyman and babysitter for Becky, which causes him to miss an important meeting.
Back from Arizona, Bev announces that she wants to use her finances to spread happiness when she offers to fund Mark's tuition to a prestigious coding camp, Darlene tries to convince her to give the money to Harris instead.
Newly-unemployed Harris is depressed and has moved back into the house Becky struggles to find affordable childcare and Jackie suggests that she reach out to Emilio's family for support the family contemplates tattoos.
Darlene, desperate for money, gets a job at Price Warehouse Jackie decides to take her "thrupple" relationship with Ron and Janelle to the next level Ben shaves his beard in an attempt to appear more clean-cut to potential advertisers.
Dan starts to bond with his younger half brother, but he can't get over the fact that their father paid for Ed Jr.'s college education, something he refused to do for Dan Jackie hits it off with a fun married couple.
Dan avoids coping with a death in the family, only to be confronted by it head-on Ben and Darlene address Ben's baby fever Dwight gets the jitters when he has to fill in for the chef who suffered an accident.
The Conners share their differing takes on why they all think everyone should vote Louise gets an opportunity that might send her away from Lanford, prompting the family to interfere in Dan's complicated relationship.
Becky thinks that Jackie's new friend, a supplier, is taking advantage of them Darlene is thrilled when Harris gets into Central Illinois State, but Harris might have found a better offer Dan finds himself in an embarrassing situation.
When Becky helps Harris keep a secret from Darlene, it causes a split between the two sisters. Jackie supports Peter with his Nordic history project, while Dan reunites with an old friend.
Dan questions Peter's motives when he learns about the pricey Christmas gift Jackie purchased for her new, unemployed beau. Meanwhile, Mark and Mary write up their Christmas wish lists.