The lives of Eric
(Topher Grace) and his friends become a little more complicated as
they grow up and experience life during the ‘70s.
CRITIQUE
Much like its first
season, the second season of That ‘70s Show sparkles with
brilliance, but only once in a while. The show can be annoying and
unfunny at times and then turn around and deliver some wonderful bits
that make it all worthwhile. The sex and drug humor can be fun at
times (the inclusion of Tommy Chong in a reoccurring cameo is
wonderful,) but both grow really tiresome after a while. And while the
drug humor isn’t as bad as it could be, the sex jokes just don’t
always work.
Where the show
shines brightest is when it deals with the personal relationships of
the characters. In this season, the relationships between the
characters grow in ways that they could have in the first season.
Eric’s parents are very loving and understanding people (even though
his father would never allow Eric to see much of that soft side,) and
we are given a chance to see Eric bond with them in two very good
episodes (“Hunting” and “Kitty and Eric’s Night Out.”) The
relationship between Eric and Donna (Laura Prepon) grows deeper and
the issues that come with a deeper relationship are brought into the
show. Jackie and Kelso’s (Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher) relationship
goes through many ups and downs through this season, especially with
the inclusion of Eric’s sister Laurie (Lisa Robin Kelley, who has a
much bigger role this season,) as a love interest. Steven Hyde (Danny
Masterson) is the character who has the most growth over this season
(having been adopted into the Foreman household at the end of season
one) and, by the end of the season, manages to surprise everyone
(while not exactly shocking, it isn’t a bad end to the season.) The
only person who hasn’t changed at all this season is Fez, who still
doesn’t have much to do.
I’ve noticed, from
watching this season, that she show is starting to grow on me (as all
TV shows are meant to.) While I would never call this a favorite of
mine, I do feel that she show does have some fine things in it. I just
wish that the show was able to rise up beyond the standard TV style of
humor and tap into its brilliance more, instead of just remaining
mediocre.
THE VIDEO
The show is presented in the standard 1.33:1 television aspect
ratio and looks fine. The colors are balanced and the black levels are
consistent. Overall, it looks wonderful.
THE AUDIO
That ‘70s Show is presented in 2.0 Dolby Surround and sounds fine. The
dialogue is clear and the music and laugh tracks never become a
burden.
THE EXTRAS
Commentary on
“Halloween,” “Hunting,” and “Cat Fight Club:” Series Director David Trainer talks about three episodes
of the season in a pretty good amount of detail. We get a pretty good
idea of the production of the show and a little bit of the origin of
the characters.
Behind the Scenes
Webisodes
on “Kelso’s Serenade,” “Jackie Moves On,” “Holy Crap!,” “Red Fired
Up,” Cat Fight Club,” and “Moon Over Point Place:” A series of online
behind the scenes episodes that show what it’s like at a taping of
That ‘70s Show. Not too bad for a candid look, but they grow really
dull after a while.
Season One: A Look
Back: A
montage of events that happened in season one.
Season Two
Featurette - A Talk with Director David Trainer: Not a bad interview with Trainer, though, if you have listened to the
commentary track, you’ve heard pretty much all of this already.
OVERALL
While season two
does share the same problems that season one has, it does manage to
bring more life into the characters (except Fez and Laurie, who really
have nothing to do.) and tries to expand their world a little more.
