Even though this episode is about DJ stealing the car, it's really about Roseanne. When Dan and Roseanne confront DJ, Roseanne loses her temper and spanks him. Jackie, who witnesses Roseanne's reaction, is shocked, saying it's exactly how their dad used to beat them. Meanwhile, Dan says Roseanne was just stressed.
This moment forces Roseanne to look at her reaction, her anger, and the possible signs of abuse repeating themselves in her parenting. Even though this is a very serious episode, it ends on perhaps one of the best closing credits ever: a spoof of Cops, complete with blurred language, bleeps, and a shaky camera.