That '90s Show has alternated notably during its condensed first season of 10 episodes. Between the delight of an enthusiastic nostalgic fan and the frustration of an unruly legacy squandering a new opportunity.
See Also: That ‘90s Show - Season 1, Episode 3 Recap
On streaming programs, the bad episodes matter more; when you produce 25 half-hours annually, a few shaky moves hardly register. Even in a season of 50 episodes, it would be difficult to forget a conclusion that introduced a love triangle. It gave Wilmer Valderrama a lot of screen time, and (maybe less egregiously) brazenly lifted a musical cue from Clueless. These goals are met in the 90s Show finale, plus more!
The twist that Leia and Nate share a nebulous devotion to love is a secret for the audience, the characters, and possibly even the performers and authors.
How does the show get there, then?
The group gathers to drink some leftover beer from the keg they unintentionally got in the pilot. It is likely skunky. It is Leia's final night in Point Place. Nate gushes about how amazing it is that Leia handled Jay's split so well as they drink, dance, and sing. His remark explicitly for Jay is in an audible radius from the rest of the group. This has become a staple of That '90s Show.
They are all on a little sitcom and unaware of it. The others generally support the Kelso Defense when Leia sprays cheese on Jay for his impoliteness. This further acknowledges that a long-distance relationship between two teenagers isn't remarkably realistic. Unpersuaded, Leia flees the scene.
Leia is more than eager to go for the first time all season when Donna arrives the following day to pick up her daughter and bring her back to Chicago. Leia is urged to make amends with her friends by Donna and Kitty, who are both afraid of her packing up in a huff and never seeing her again. In the end, Leia consents and goes to say goodbye to Gwen. Nate intercepts him and reveals that he doesn't concur with the Jay/Gwen/Nikki consensus (let's suppose that Ozzie doesn't care either way, even though he allegedly speaks from experience). Nate agrees with Leia, and the thought may further hurt him that Nikki won't commit to a lifelong relationship. On the same page. Before Gwen interrupts and lunges for the remote or flees out of the room, they pause and almost kiss.
Leia and Gwen reunite at the same water tower that Kelso the Elder frequently fell off (a comedic action that supposedly also resulted in the death of one character in season eight? ). and affirm once more how much everything has changed during the summer, including their friendship, which they celebrate with graffiti. It's a delightful time. The fact that Leia and Gwen, or Leia and anyone really, spend so little time onscreen in this episode also emphasizes how little we get to see Fez and Fenton's perennial feud.
Season 1 of That ‘90s Show is available on Netflix.
