In The Conners Halloween episode “There Won’t Be Blood,” the family takes pride in their Halloween decorations and costumes. Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), who’s dressed as a disemboweled high school cheerleader, brings her new friend Peter (guest star Matthew Broderick, The Producers) to the house. She asks Dan (John Goodman) to vet him but quickly regrets the request. When they meet, Dan compliments Peter on his “two-face costume” Peter explains he’s actually dressed as “the mind body dualism of Descartes.” In French, you might call that witty Broderick one-liner a “bon mot.”
Dan is not impressed with Peter, the reference to the 16th century French philosopher or his signature doctrine (dualism of mind and body). Descartes’ most famous line is “Cogito, ergo sum,” Latin for “I think therefore I am.” Dan wouldn’t dig that one either, probably. The Conners air Tuesdays at 8 pm on ABC, right before the new sitcom The Kids Are Alright.
