That ’90s Show Ending Explained
That ’90s Show Part 3 has officially premiered on Netflix, following up where Part 2 left off, and it appears that the That ’70s Show revival is finally finding its footing. To viewers’ astonishment, all eight episodes of Part 3 were moved from their intended October 24 release date to August 22, allowing the last episode to coincide with the conclusion of summer. Part 3’s finale, directed by former That ’70s Show star Laura Prepon (who also returns to guest star in a few episodes), shakes up the formula for That ’90s Show, bringing up new possibilities for both the series and Point Place’s favourite group of delinquents.
That ’90s Show Ending Explained
In Part 3’s seventh episode, “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Donna (Prepon) arrives in Point Place with some life-changing news for the whole Foreman family. Eric (Topher Grace) has been offered his dream job at Skywalker Ranch, shadowing George Lucas — that’s right, George Lucas — to eventually write a book on the making of the forthcoming Star Wars prequel films. This is big for Leia (Callie Haverda): because Eric will be in California, Donna is thinking of having Leia stay at Point Place year-round, which would mean she’d go to school with the gang and live full-time with Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith).
Leia and her friends celebrate, with Kitty especially thrilled, but Donna has yet to make a decision. It takes a lot of cajoling from Leia, as well as a pep talk from Grandpa Bob (Don Stark), for Donna to feel comfortable allowing Leia to stay in Point Place for the school year. When Donna finally relents, Leia is pleased, and in a moving moment, Donna hands Leia her old Point Place High School gym shirt.
Donna Struggles with Her Decision on ‘That ’90s Show’
Leia is close to freedom, but she isn’t taking it easy just yet. Donna may have consented to let Leia stay with Kitty and Red, but that doesn’t mean she trusts Leia’s pals, particularly Jay (Mace Coronel) and Gwen. The gang has an end-of-summer tradition, where they assemble on the roof of Point Place High the night before the first day of school.
However, Leia is concerned that joining and being caught by Donna may jeopardise her future in Point Place. Leia agrees to attend, and Jay offers to grab Kitty’s keys (remember, Kitty worked as a nurse at the high school) so they can get on the roof more easily, but Leia declines because Kitty could be fired if the gang is detected. Back at the Foreman house.
Donna has her own set of challenges, including the fact that she will have to spend the entire year travelling between Eric in California and Leia in Point Place. This causes a schism between Donna and Kitty: who has the last word on rearing Leia while she is in Point Place?
The two matriarchs spend the closing scene sniping at each other, which, although not ideal, might be charitably described as a satirical take on how relationships between moms and daughters-in-law were written in the 1990s. Donna and Kitty’s feud erupts when Donna discovers that Leia has sneaked out with her friends, encouraged in part by Kitty.
‘That ’90s Show’ Part 3’s Finale Puts Leia’s Future in Point Place in Jeopardy
Viewers may have to wait to find out how Leia’s summer ends, as That ’90s Show Part 3 concludes on yet another cliffhanger, as has become customary by now. As the gang celebrates the last night of summer, their euphoria is cut short by the entrance of Donna, Red, and Kitty, who find the gang in the middle of a classic That ’70s Show Circle — or, as Red elegantly puts it, “smoking grass on the school roof.”
The adults are upset, and Leia discovers that Jay went ahead and snatched Kitty’s keys against her wishes, telling him that he has “ruined everything.” That’s the note the finale ends on; Netflix has yet to order Part 4 of That ’90s Show, so viewers will have to wait and see what happens to the gang, and whether Donna’s anger will match Red’s.
Parts 1, 2, and 3 of That ’90s Show are available to watch on Netflix in the United States.
