dragonfire88's Full Review: That 70s Show - Season 2
I have been enjoying That 70s Show for several years now, though I don't remember when I first started watching the show. I recently picked up the show on DVD and I just finished watching That 70s Show - Season 2.
That 70s Show is a half hour comedy that started airing on FOX in 1998. The show, which was on for eight seasons, is the only new show that started on 1998 on FOX that survived. With the way FOX has treated many other promising shows, it is amazing that this one was allowed to go on. The show continues to air on several stations in syndication. Only four years were supposed to have passed in the lives of the characters even though the show was on for eight years.
That 70s Show is focused on a group of teenagers who spent a lot of time hanging out in the basement of the Forman house. Most of the episodes deal with things that Eric and his friends do while some other issues pop up every so often as well. The episodes have different plots, but there are certain things that develop, like Eric and Donna's relationship or the problems that Donna's parents are having, over the course of many episodes. Because of those story elements, certain things will make more sense if the episodes are watched in order. The show also includes some things, like drug use, that may offend some people. It is never said for sure that Eric and his friends are smoking pot, but it is very clear from how they are acting that they are high.
The second season of That 70s Show is set in 1977 and shows life in the fictional town of Point Place Wisconsin. Scenes in every episode are set in the Forman house. The basement where Eric and his friends spend a lot of time is probably shown the most, followed by the kitchen. The living room, Eric's room, the dining room, and even the garage turn up in other episodes. The furniture and things in the house look like they fit for the 1970s. There is shag carpeting and the washer and dryer is avocado green. I remember my mom having appliances in that color when I was little.
The pop culture references continue throughout the second season of That 70s Show. Eric's collection of G.I. Joe action figures is mentioned again. Some of the characters are shown reading comic books during different episodes and Red is reading the funny pages in one episode. Some of the music that was popular during that time is mentioned, along with a few of the movies, like The Goodbye Girl. During the Halloween episode, Fez dresses up like Batman. The different references that turn up help to make it more believable that the show is set in the 1970s.
Several things are going on throughout the second season of the show. Eric and Donna are still dating and considering taking their relationship to the next level by having sex. Their relationship does end up with different dynamics by the end of the season. Hyde is still a bit wild, but he is living in the Foreman's house and seems to fit into the family well. Laurie is back home since she flunked out of college, and she does things to cause some trouble. Donna is upset and then freaked out by the problems her parents are having and the odd way they decide to deal with them. Kelso and Jackie have things to deal with as well. The fact that Red has lost his job plays an important role in the first part of the season. He's struggling to deal with being out of work and having few job prospects while Kitty works more hours at the hospital. That story is a bit more serious, though there are humorous moments in it too.
I think the second season of That 70s Show continues to be very funny. I was laughing out loud during every episode. Some of the humor is silly or even a bit gross or crude at times, so it won't appeal to everyone. The humor works very well for the show and what is going on though. I think Kelso and Fez still did the most to make me laugh, though Reds reactions to various things keep cracking me up. He is frequently threatening to stick his foot in a certain body, usually in relation to Eric. Red also threatened to turn that same body part into a hat for Eric a few times. The characters come up with some really goofy, funny things when they are high too.
Different relationships play an important part during the second season of That 70s Show. Eric and Donna are still dating and many episodes deal in some way with the fact that they are considering having sex. They are shown making out several times and while it isn't shown on camera, it is made very clear when they do have sex. Kelso and Jackie are still dating while Kelso is also seeing Laurie, mostly just for sex. That does create some interesting situations. Hyde doesn't have a girlfriend, though he does talk about sex and get involved with a popular girl for a while. Fez hits on several women, just trying to find someone who will have sex with him. It is made clear that Red and Kitty still have an active sex life. Bob and Midge decide to try being swingers in an effort to deal with their marriage problems. There are a lot of sexual situations and discussions on the show without things being overly graphic, though some viewers may be offended.
Eric is still mostly a wimp, though he does stand up against Red once or twice. I still think Eric is a likable character and that Topher Grace is good in the part. Red continues to be grumpy most of the time, especially where Eric is concerned. Red does have some anger issues at times. He did finally realize a few things about Laurie, but he continues to favor her for the most part. Kurtwood Smith is great in the part. Kitty tries to balance the family and tries to offset Red and his temper. She is having some trouble dealing with the fact that Eric is getting older. Debra Jo Rupp is really good in the part. Laurie is still obnoxious and likes to cause trouble. She is very upset when she disappoints her father at one point.
Donna and her family live next door to Eric. She is having a trouble dealing with what her parents are doing at times. She continues to be independent and outspoken. She is a likable character overall. Laura Prepon is good in the part. Bob and Midge are still rather goofy and they spend a lot of time fighting, which upsets their daughter. They come up with a rather unique way of dealing with their problems that just about everyone else thinks is crazy.
Steven Hyde is living in a room in the basement of the Foreman house. He joins Eric in picking on Laurie. Hyde continues to act like a rebel, but he is fitting in with the family well and seems to want to help out. Danny Masterson is really good in the part. Fez is becoming a more rounded character and more integral to the group. His love of candy causes him to dress up like Batman to go trick or treating once he learns about the practice. He hits on every girl he can but he never gets anywhere with them. It still isn't said where Fez is from. Wilmer Valderrama continues to be good in the part.
Michael Kelso is still a goofy idiot. He wants to stay in his relationship with Jackie while also having sex with Laurie. He is easily manipulated and frequently does stupid things. I do like Ashton Kutcher in the part. Jackie is still superficial and very concerned with her image. She can be abrasive at times and she does get irritating. Jackie does go through some changes as she deals with finding out the truth about Michael. Mila Kunis fits the part very well. Some other characters turn up once or twice without much to do. Amy Adams is in one episode as a popular girl who is sort of involved with Hyde.
Main Cast
Topher Grace - Eric Forman Lisa Robin Kelly - Laurie Foreman Mila Kunis - Jackie Burkhart Danny Masterson - Steven Hyde Laura Prepon - Donna Tanya Roberts - Midge Debra Jo Rupp - Kitty Forman Kurtwood Smith - Red Forman Don Stark - Bob Wilmer Valderrama - Fez
DVD Information
That 70s Show - Season 2 has four discs with the special features spread out over all four discs. There are commentaries by the director on a few of the episodes. Season One: A Look Back Featurette isn't very long, though does share interesting information about the show. There are behind the scenes webisodes for a few episodes. I believe those things were originally available on the internet. They feature the cast and director talking about the making of the various episodes. None of them were very long, but they were entertaining. Season Two Featurette: A Talk With Director David Trainer has the director talking about things connected to the second season of the show.
Episode List
Garage Sale Red's Last Day The Velvet Rope Laurie and the Professor Halloween Vanstock I Love Cake Sleepover Eric Gets Suspended Red's Birthday Laurie Moves Out Eric's Stash Hunting Red Gets a Job Burning Down the House The First Time Afterglow Kitty and Eric's Night Out Parents Find Out Kiss of Death Kelso's Serenade Jackie Moves On Holy Crap! Red Fired Up Cat Fight Club Moon Over Point Place
That 70s Show is a very funny, entertaining show. It does deal with things like drug use and teenagers with active sex lives that may bother or even offend some people. That 70s Show - Season 2 is a great DVD set for fans of the series.
This review is part of elvisdo's 2009 Funny Pages Write-Off because Fez dresses up like Batman and the other references to comic books throughout the season.
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