An unannounced visit by Roseanne and Jackie's parents throws the Conner house into an uproar. Dan and Jackie urge a usually outspoken Roseanne to stick up for herself. Hostility and craziness abound, but the biggest shock comes when Bev announces they are considering moving to Lanford, though later dismisses this as just a casual idea. Bruce Willis makes a surprise cameo appearance as himself during the end credits.

Note: This episode marks the first appearance of Estelle Parsons as Beverly Harris, Roseanne and Jackie's mother.

During the family's busy weekend activities, a door-to-door salesman (Jeff Corey) drops dead in the Conner kitchen. Roseanne and Dan attempt to conceal the corpse while potential buyers for their old washer and dryer pass through the house. The police officer responding to their emergency call helps Darlene make baklava for a school project while awaiting the coroner.

A dangerous tornado is heading for Lanford, and the Conners, along with Crystal (who takes shelter at their house), prepare for the storm. Problems arise: Becky insists on retrieving her pet guinea pigs from the garage, while Jackie barely makes it to shelter after a trip to the grocery store, prompting a fight between her and Roseanne.

The Wellman employees are exhausted after Booker continues to lengthen work shifts due to upped quotas and machinery errors. Roseanne is unable to handle the pressure, especially when Dan starts working overtime as well. After one too many long days, she takes a breather at a local diner where a waitress provides some perspective about life and loneliness.

Becky prepares for a slumber party and Darlene practices to pitch in a baseball game. Darlene becomes extremely moody and storms out of the house after arguing with Roseanne. Later, Roseanne receives a phone call that Darlene was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Roseanne is wracked with guilt after Darlene develops complications; Roseanne and Dan anxiously await the doctor's prognosis, though all turns out well.

Becky seems unenthused when Roseanne and Dan invite Becky's boyfriend Chip and his affluent parents for dinner. During the evening, Roseanne catches Becky in the backyard making out with another guy. Becky must decide between Chip, and Johnny Swanko, AKA the "Tongue Bandit".

At the annual Lanford Mall-A-Thon, Roseanne and her brood scout out deals in retail heaven. Roseanne makes Dan buy a new pair of dress shoes he does not want. Becky finds the perfect dress for the high school dance that Roseanne says is too expensive. Roseanne later asks Dan to return the shoes so she can afford to buy Becky's dress.

After Dan lets the girls watch a slasher movie, Darlene has trouble sleeping. Roseanne blames the film, but the truth is something more natural: Darlene has had her first period. Roseanne sits her tomboyish daughter down for a heart-to-heart talk about becoming a woman.

Roseanne acts as referee when Dan's father, Ed, visits the family bearing gifts. Everyone is thrilled to see him except Dan, who says Ed was an often-absent father and considers his philosophy of "work smart, not hard" as veiled criticism for his being a contractor; Ed considers it caring, fatherly advice.

Note: This episode marks the first appearance of Ned Beatty as Ed Conner, Dan's father.

Crystal struggles to cope with her first husband Sonny's death after Jackie, in a rush to get them to work on time, drives them over the bridge that Sonny was accidentally buried inside during its construction. Roseanne is unsure whether to tell Crystal about Sonny's infidelities to help her get over him. Crystal finally confronts her emotions and reveals that she knew about Sonny's cheating and had her own affair to spite him. Darlene decides it is cool to smoke until Roseanne finds her pack of cigarettes.