Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Conners season 6, episode 11.

Ben’s big twist in The Conners season 6 lays the foundation to solve a decades-long Roseanne plot hole. Darlene’s husband has gone through a lot since officially becoming a part of Dan and Roseanne’s extended family. In The Conners season 5 finale, it became clear that Johnny Galecki’s David was ruined beyond repair when he was a no-show at Mark’s graduation, Ben stepped up and proved that despite not being the biological dad, he is fully committed to being a parental figure for Darlene’s son. Subsequently, he supported his wife’s divisive career decision to be a lunch lady for Mark.

Despite not being a Roseanne character, Ben has long earned his spot in the beloved Lanford family. His marriage with Darlene hasn’t been easy, especially considering Dan and Roseanne’s middle daughter’s negative tendencies. Regardless, Ben has stood his ground, proving that he is in it for the long haul. In The Conners season 6, episode 11, “Fire and Vice,” he once again demonstrated his unwavering dedication and commitment, not just to his own family, but also to the rest of the extended clan, when he makes a surprising decision that would finally allow Dan to fulfill his long-time goal.

Ben Helps Pay Off Dan’s Multi-Decade House Mortgage

Dan Has Been Paying For The House Even Before The Beginning Of Roseanne.

On the heels of Ben’s hardware store burning down, Darlene’s husband is faced with a difficult decision about what to do after the tragedy in The Conners season 6, episode 11. He has the option to rebuild the establishment thanks to insurance money or use it for something else. Considering their financial state, the former sounds like the smarter option, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the correct one. Instead of going the safer route and rehabilitating their source of income, he chooses to take a risk and use the funds to choose his writing dreams by purchasing Hardware Magazine.

More surprisingly, Ben gives Dan the money he needs to finally fully pay the mortgage on the house — something that has been plaguing the patriarch since the beginning of Roseanne. The Conners patriarch has been trying to finish the payments for their craftsman house, which was bought before the events of the original show in 1988. Other factors may have made paying off the house mortgage difficult, especially in light of their economic status, but considering how long it has been, it shouldn’t feel like they’re just a single missed payment away from losing their family home.

Will Dan Finally Be Able To Finish Paying For The Conners’ House?

The Conners’ Upcoming End May Be A Good Thing For Dan.

Just because Dan now has the money doesn’t mean that he will be able to use it for its intended purpose. If history is any indication, there’s a chance that something comes up in the family that forces him to spend it on something else. That said, the Roseanne spinoff prequel’s nearing end may factor into how things may be different this time for Dan. As recently confirmed, The Conners is ending with an abbreviated season 7. Considering Roseanne‘s criticized ending, the fulfillment of Dan’s seemingly unattainable goal may be the best way to wrap up the family comedy/drama.