'Roseanne' Recap: Gender Twist Deals Show A Winning Hand

For the remaining episodes of its 10th season, Patch will give weekly recaps for "Roseanne," the revival of the popular sitcom. And we're posting these recaps on Elgin Patch because that's the nearest community to the Conner family's fictional Illinois home of Lanford.

The following recap talks about the episode of "Roseanne" that aired Tuesday, May 1. Be warned: There are potential spoilers below if you haven't already seen the show.

Before you read about the latest episode, check out Patch's previous "Roseanne" Recaps:

• Episode 3, "Roseanne Gets the Chair"
• Episode 4, "Eggs Over, Not Easy"
• Episode 5, "Darlene v. David"

(In case you're wondering, there was no recap last week because ABC aired repeats instead of new episodes.)

Caught up? Good. Here's a breakdown of the highlights — and lowlights — from the latest episode.

"Roseanne" (Season 10, Episode 6): "No Country for Old Women"

What Worked: The poker game. A revival series is firing on all cylinders when it's able to not only harken back to classic elements of the original run but also spin it off in a new direction. Classic episodes of "Roseanne" would occasionally show Dan (John Goodman) and his buddies gathered around the Conners' kitchen table to play a friendly game of poker. The new series brings back the poker game, but instead of Dan's blue collar , boys-only club, the new group's gender pendulum swings the opposite direction. Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and Darlene (Sara Gilbert) are now playing hands at their all-female card table, which bridges the past with the present by including old friends Nancy (Sandra Bernhard) and Crystal (Natalie West).

What Didn't: The suicide attempt by Beverly (Estelle Parsons). "Roseanne" has never been shy about tackling tough, weighty topics, such as domestic abuse and race issues. But the threat by Roseanne and Jackie's mom to kill herself by jumping out a bedroom widnow tries too hard to be both poignant and humorous. In the end, the scene is only successful at being awkward.

What Was Missing: When Christopher Lloyd makes a surprise cameo as Bev's "afternoon delight," viewers should be forgiven for feeling a bit disappointed that the "Back to the Future" actor's scene wasn't followed by Michael J. Fox making a walk-on appearance.

Best Line(s): Dan and his grandson, Mark (Ames McNamara) have the following exchange while talking about building birdhouses.

Mark: Why do birds need houses if they have trees?

Dan: I'll do you one better, and this will bend your mind: Why do we cut down trees to make the wood for birdhouses?

Mark: Whoa!

Dan: One day, you'll have a brownie in college, and it'll make it even better.

"Roseanne" airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC.

John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf (center) and Roseanne Barr star in sixth episode of the 10th season of "Roseanne." (Photo by Greg Gayne | ABC)