So two fascinating developments about ‘That ‘90s Show’ Season 3 — first, the release has been moved up by two months from its original October 24 date, much to the delight of its fanbase. Second, Laura Prepon, known for her role as Donna, Leia’s (Callie Haverda) mom, has taken the helm as director for all eight episodes of the latest season. This sequel to the immensely popular ‘That ‘70s Show’, which catapulted stars like Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, and Ashton Kutcher to fame, is set 15 years after the original, in 1995. The story now revolves around the children of the original teen characters.
Leia, the daughter of Eric and Donna, finds herself staying with her grandparents Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith) in the all-too-familiar town of Point Place, Wisconsin. Just like her parents before her, Leia spends a significant amount of time in the basement, which serves as the central hub for her new circle of friends. This group includes Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), her brother Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), Nate’s best friend Jay (Mace Coronel), the highly intelligent Nikki (Sam Morelos) who is Nate’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, and the technically adept and often sarcastic Ozzie (Reyn Doi).
The end of Season 2 left viewers on a cliffhanger: Red and Kitty jetting off to Paris, leaving Leia under the watchful, albeit somewhat bumbling, eye of her grandfather Bob (Don Stark), who also happens to be Donna’s father. As expected, things quickly spiral out of control. Kitty returns from her trip to find a gaping hole in the kitchen, leading to her initial fury and resulting threats of withholding her holiday photos from the group. Eventually, she relents and subjects Gwen and Nikki to an endless carousel of vacation albums.
The relational dynamics among the characters take several interesting turns.
. Leia and Jay are prepared to advance their relationship to new heights, while Nate is plagued by regret over his breakup with Nikki and is willing to shoulder the blame for the kitchen catastrophe in a desperate bid to win her back. Jay’s older sister, Betsy (Kira Kosarin), returns from Spain and her presence starts to drive a noticeable wedge between Jay and Nate, adding another layer of drama to the mix.
Additional plot highlights include a trip to a wrestling championship to get a coveted belt signed, Leia’s comedic misadventures involving the various uses of showerheads, Nikki and Ozzie finding new romantic interests (with a bit of matchmaking help from Kitty, who has faith in the power of personal ads), a bustling trade in Beanie Babies, a visit from Gwen’s often-absent father, an unforgettable R-rated movie night featuring ‘Jungle Boogie’, conversations between Red and Kitty with nods to iconic lines such as ‘Royale with Cheese’ from Pulp Fiction’s Vince and Jules, an Indecent Proposal reenactment, and a Jay Leno impression, among many other unforgettable moments.
The ‘90s references are seamlessly woven into the narrative, serving as delightful Easter eggs for viewers. The cast works together like a well-oiled machine, delivering laughs and nostalgia in equal measure. The humor hits the mark consistently, accompanied by an agreeable soundtrack that further enhances the nostalgic ambiance. At a brisk 24 minutes per episode, each installment is a perfectly bite-sized piece of entertainment that leaves you craving more.
‘That ‘90s Show’ Season 3 is currently available for streaming on Netflix, a must-watch for fans of the original and newcomers alike. For those seeking a joyful, nostalgic trip down memory lane, this season promises and delivers on that front splendidly. The Point Place gang’s misadventures are not only a nostalgic homage to the ’90s but also a refreshing take on friendship, growing up, and the timeless nature of youthful rebellion. Don’t miss out on this delightful continuation that blends old charm with new laughs, proving that some things truly do get better with time.
