EPISODE GUIDES: That 70s Show Season Four

THAT 70s SHOW: SEASON FOUR
2001-2002
27 episodes

Season 4 of That 70s Show has a couple story arcs that last the entire season. The fall-out from Eric and Donna's breakup, Bob's divorce and the on-going drama between Jackie and Kelso really drive stories from the very beginning of the season to the very end. That 70s Show sometimes had trouble not getting to major moments or turning points in their long arcs and that happens from time to time in season four. But there are also still plenty of standout episodes and some of the laugh out loud funniest moments of the entire series. There's also a really unfortunate 100th episode.

Starring
Topher Grace as Eric Forman (27 episodes)
Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart (27 episodes)
Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso (27 episodes)
Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde (27 episodes)
Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti (27 episodes)
Wilmer Valderrama as Fez (27 episodes)
Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman (27 episodes)
Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman (27 episodes)
Don Stark as Bob Pinciotti (16 episodes)
Tommy Chong as Leo (12 episodes)

Mo Gaffney as Joanne Stupac (7 episodes)
Cynthia LaMontagne as Rhonda (6 episodes)
Luke Wilson as Casey Kelso (4 episodes)
Kevin McDonald as Pastor Dave (3 episodes)

77. It's a Wonderful Life (9/25/01)
After breaking up with Donna, Eric dreams about a world where he never kissed Donna in the first place.

Season four begins with Tommy Chong added to the main cast (though he doesn't appear in this episode) and Tanya Roberts no longer a regular. I always find alternate timelines interesting on shows and this one sets things back quite a bit to when Eric and Donna first kissed. This episode is pretty ambitious with its alternate history and time jumping, but it works quite well. There's some pretty hilarious moments especially in the flash forward to the scenes in the 1980s but also some real poignant moments and one of my favorite Eric and Donna scenes ever when they meet up at their ten year reunion. Topher Grace is especially strong in this scene and throughout the episode.
RATING: 9.5/10

78. Eric's Depression (9/26/01)
Eric can't get out of a depression after breaking up with Donna. Kelso gets lost from the rest of the gang at Funland.

Boy, is Eric pathetic in this episode. Topher Grace does a good job of playing someone who feels helpless about the future. That part of the episode continues the on-going story well and there are some good moments with Red. Laura Prepon barely appears in this episode, but the other characters (Kelso, Jackie, Hyde and Fez) are stuck in an extremely dumb story that seems pointless and not really even that true to the characters. We do get a brief guest appearance by Cole and Dylan Sprouse. Cole was on Friends around the same time and plays a similar character.
RATING: 5.5/10

79. Pinciotti vs. Forman (10/2/01)
Eric and Donna compete for attention and time from the rest of the friends. Kitty is excited about Red becoming friends with Pastor Dave.

It seems like every time a sitcom has a major breakup, there has to be an episode about competing for the friends' attention. Unlike the last episode where they were in a dumb story that was completely removed, the other four friends get to be very integral to this episode. This is a great example of why the show always tends to be better when the crew is not wrapped up in a bunch of different stories (aside from Red and Kitty, who tend to do well with their own stories). The competing is fun but angry Donna is about as terrible an actress as drunk Donna so that hurts the episode a bit.
RATING: 7/10

80. Hyde Gets the Girl (10/9/01)
The gang tries to get Hyde a girlfriend. Kelso and Bob compete in a hands on a van contest at Donna's radio station.

That 70s Show does a nice job of coming up with several different Eric and Donna stories related to the breakup that all feel real and different from each other. We had depression, anger and now we start to get moving on, or at least to an extent. I'm not one to be too hard on shows from different eras not being as "woke" in today's world but the Fat Rhonda stuff had to feel a little cringeworthy even in 2001. The "hands on the van" story is the first real 70s-specific story they've had in awhile but it's only ok and it feels like Bob is getting shoehorned into stories without Midge around.
RATING: 5.5/10

81. Bye-Bye Basement (10/16/01)
Kitty decides to re-do the basement, which upsets the kids. Fez takes ballet class with a beautiful instructor.

I have to give props to the West Side Story dream sequence that happens here. Although they clearly weren't able to get the rights to the actual music from the musical/movie, it's a very high-level production sequence that's very enjoyable. I wish it was longer. Other than that wonderful (but short) sequence, this episode is pretty run of the mill. It's also the first episode with Leo this season even though he's been listed as part of the main cast all season. There is one other very funny moment towards the end of the episode when Kitty realizes that Theo (Leo's brother and guest star Richard Karn) is high.
RATING: 7/10

82. The Relapse (11/6/01)
After Midge leaves Bob and Donna, Donna ends up kissing Eric. Kelso helps Fez find a hot older woman.

Six episodes in and That 70s Show finally explains where Midge has been. Maybe they hoped Tanya Roberts would change her mind although Roberts revealed later that she left because her husband was terminally ill. For the first time in awhile, we get a split screen with Eric-Hyde and Donna-Jackie that has some good moments and it's another good story in the Eric-Donna split, which I have enjoyed more than them being together. Also, Debra Jo Rupp once again why she's the show's MVP with pitch perfect timing on feeling like Fez accidentally hitting on her at the supermarket is a compliment.
RATING: 7/10

83. Uncomfortable Ball Stuff (11/13/01)
Eric and Donna are forced to go together to the Pricemart Ball. Fez gets a job at the photo hut.

I've been complimentary of how the show has handled the Eric and Donna story so far this season, but this one doesn't really add up. It's a pretty weak reasoning to get Eric and Donna to the ball together and then it just basically rehashes some of the same arguments between them. Even a drunk Kitty can't really salvage the story. Fez at the photo hut is a funnier story with Leo still not quite sure where he is or what his position is. It also uses Leo more organically than some episodes do so that helps.
RATING: 4.5/10

84. Donna's Story (11/20/01)
Donna publishes a story about her and Eric in the school paper. The Formans meet Bob's new girlfriend. Kelso invests in a pinball machine.

This is a pretty strange episode as it's peppered with colonial-era dream sequences between Donna and Eric throughout. It's done pretty well but makes the episode feel a little weird with it coming in little spurts instead of one longer sequence like usual. There is a pretty hilarious moment between Kelso and Fez when Fez tries to tell Kelso his pinball plan has a gigantic hole in it. Even with a more normal storyline for Bob with a new girlfriend, he still is feeling just like such an unnecessary character. Not that he ever was super necessary but now he's especially not needed.
RATING: 5.5/10

85. The Forgotten Son (11/21/01)
Eric is upset when Donna starts hanging out with Kitty and Red hires Kelso to be in a Price Mart movie as a stockboy. Leo thinks he has come into money.

Poor Eric Forman. I know he can be annoying at times but I feel pretty bad for him in this episode. And I'm definitely Team Eric when it comes to Donna hanging out with Kitty. That's weird for your ex to suddenly start hanging out with your mom. At least the Red story seems a little more true to Red's character and it allows for Kelso to do a pretty hilarious 70s-era John Travolta impression. The Leo story is just plain dumb though and another very lame attempt at getting Leo to be a part of the episode.
RATING: 6/10

86. Red and Stacey (11/27/01)
A new, young cashier at Price Mart has a crush on Red. Donna and Jackie help Rhonda get ready for a date with Fez.

In a season that has dealt with some dramatic themes, this is probably the most purely funny episode so far in season four and the cast seems to have a great time during it. When Eric tells the others that the Price Mart girl has a crush on Red, their reaction feels so genuine and hilarious and they seem to nearly break each other later in the scene. That story also provides a new and funny dynamic between Red and Eric. Also, said Price Mart girl is future Parenthood star Erika Christensen so that's a plus as well. The Rhonda story remains kind of cringey but does allow for the hilarious Fez line: "what have you meddling whores done with my Rhonda?"
RATING: 7.5/10

87. The Third Wheel (12/11/01)
Eric ends up as a third wheel at bowling with Hyde and his girlfriend. Pastor Dave decides to quit the church after spending time with Red. Donna is uncomfortable with Bob and Joanne's growing relationship.

Eric comes off a little pathetic in this episode especially in the "third wheel" scenes. I think there was a better story to be had at the bowling alley than what they came up with. It seems like it would have been a great opportunity for all the main kids to be together in an extended plot but oh well. There continues to be some weird moments with Rhonda. The Bob-Joanne story is OK, Rhonda continues to be annoying and so many Pastor Dave stories never quite get as funny as I want them to. This is one of those middle of the road episodes.
RATING: 4.5/10

88. An Eric Forman Christmas (12/18/01)
Eric agrees to direct his church's Christmas pageant. Red and Bob get in an argument about Christmas decorations.

Remember how I was just talking about how the last episode was a missed opportunity to bring the main cast of kids together? Well, we get that here and it doesn't disappoint. Complete with a Christmas twist on the theme song, this episode is a very solid holiday episode with very fun premises. A church Christmas pageant is always a good source for material and Christmas decoration wars is a tried but true sitcom trope. I guess my only wish is that they spent a little more time on the Christmas pageant part of the episode.
RATING: 7/10

89. Jackie Says Cheese (1/8/02)
Jackie has to choose between Kelso and money from her father. Red tries to steal Eric's condoms and Eric thinks he found Hyde's stash. Fez is jealous of a new foreign exchange student.

This is an example of That 70s Show having three different stories, none of which are particularly consequential, but they're all given pretty equal time and all pretty enjoyable. It's a good use of all the characters, particularly the Forman Family, Jackie and Fez. And there's a pretty funny Happy Days sequence that ends with Fez declaring he stopped watching the show after Fonzie jumped the shark. This is also one of the best showcases for Jackie yet in the series and Mila Kunis is pretty funny with a story that's more of her own and not as tied to Kelso.
RATING: 8/10

90. Eric's Hot Cousin (1/22/02)
Eric's cousin visits and all the guys fawn over her while the girls get jealous. Red gets Kitty a fish to help with her boredom.

Am I missing something here? In the most recent episode, Kitty was coming home from work with pamphlets for Eric about sex education. Now, she says she "used to work at a hospital" and talks about being home all the time. I don't know what changed from the most recent episode or if there was a story that was cut. The "hot relative" story is one that gets done often in sitcoms and always feels a little cringey. I know that's the point here and the payoff is pretty funny but yikes, I felt uncomfortable watching parts of this.
RATING: 3.5/10

91. Tornado Prom (2/5/02)
A tornado hits Point Place on the night of the winter prom where Kelso wins "King of the Snow" and Eric is picking up Donna from the radio station. Red and Kitty play games with Bob and Joanne.

There are some very fun things in this episode and I like the fact that it's centered on a tornado but I did find myself thinking the stories while trapped waiting out of a tornado could have been better. I think part of the reason is they split up the main cast and they don't do nearly enough with the adults playing games, which is possibly the story most ripe for comedy. I think watching Red doing charades would have been a very fun thing and they suggest it but don't follow through with it. Smoking pot with the coach is also a kind of dumb story.
RATING: 5/10

92. Donna Dates a Kelso (2/5/02)
Jackie sets up Donna on a date with Kelso's brother. Fez has plans to finally have sex with Rhonda. Eric is named the most eligible in the school paper.

After focusing an awful lot on Eric throughout the breakup story of the season, we get a little bit more attention given to Donna here with her dating Kelso's brother, played by Luke Wilson. With a strong guest performance by Wilson and above average performance from Laura Prepon, it works and feels like a fresh story in the breakup. But the best part of the episode is Fez telling his troubles and seeking advice from Kitty. It's one of the funniest scenes of the season and extremely well played by Wilmer Valderrama.
RATING: 7/10

93. Kelso's Career (2/12/02)
Kelso starts donating sperm to buy Jackie a Valentine's Day gift. The rest of the group worries about Donna's relationship with Kelso's brother. Eric panics when Red tells him he loves him.

This is one of those That 70s Show episodes that doesn't really have any strong enough story to carry the episode. The Luke Wilson appearance in the last episode was great but they seemed to make it a two episode storyline when that wasn't necessary. The Red/Eric story is pretty silly with an unfunny reveal that Red was under the influence from the dentist. The Kelso story has a couple funny moments but I think it could be funnier and is a pretty thin plot.
RATING: 3.5/10

94. Leo Loves Kitty (2/19/02)
After she tends to him following an accident, Leo falls in love with Kitty. Jackie is upset when Kelso gets a job as a model. Hyde gets upset with Fez when he won't pay him money he owes him.

Despite becoming a series regular this year, Leo hasn't seemed like much of a presence in season four. He gets his biggest opportunity in this episode with a little bit of an odd premise. As I said before, Tommy Chong works best when he's used organically like at the photo hut. Every time he "hangs" with the friends, it seems odd. This episode falls a little bit in between those two versions of Leo. Still, Leo is a small dose character for me and this is a little too much. The other stories are only ok too with the Jackie-Kelso story showing the most signs of life. Eric and Donna are almost afterthoughts in this episode.
RATING: 2.5/10

95. Jackie's Cheese Squeeze (2/26/02)
Eric catches Jackie kissing her boss at the Cheese Palace and tries to blackmail her. Kitty tries to prove to Joanna that she is not losing Red to his new car.

That 70s Show seems to be starting to experiment more with different pairings of the ensemble. This time we get a prominent Eric/Jackie story that gives Topher Grace and Mila Kunis a rare chance to play almost exclusively off each other. The results are surprisingly strong as they have a pretty funny chemistry that finally goes a little beyond an insult here or there. This episode also has a great Kitty line: "I'm not doing anything else for men today." It's also worth noting this is the second guest appearance by Christopher Masterson (Danny's brother) and he's pretty strong.
RATING: 7.5/10

96. Class Picture (3/19/02)
On the day of yearbook photos, the friends reminisce about the first times they met each other as they try to come up with a quote and Eric tries to combat a zit.

This is a pretty ambitious episode that works a lot of the time. I think it's a fun opportunity for sitcoms where the characters are already established as friends at the beginning of the series to do "origin stories" and that's what we get here. The first couple scenes with kid versions of Eric, Donna and Hyde are pretty fun and clever (though it's weird they don't even mention Laurie anymore even in places where it makes sense). The middle scenes are a little rushed, like they're trying to do too much. However, the ending with the extended Samantha and Jeannie debate is pretty hilarious and one of That 70s Show's finer riffs on pop culture.
RATING: 8/10

97. Prank Day (3/26/02)
Kelso invents a prank day and Eric ends up accidentally pranking Red. Jackie decides to give Donna 24 hours of her time.

We have really reached the boiling point with Leo. Even without many appearances, they are finding the dumbest places to put him into scenes. What possible legitimate storytelling reason could they have for wanting to put him at a slumber party with Donna and Jackie? They simply wanted to find another funny situation for Tommy Chong that ends up not being funny because it's so dumb. The main story, however, focused on a set of pranks is pretty funny and brings the rest of the cast in to one story that keeps taking different turns.
RATING: 6.5/10

98. Eric's Corvette Caper (4/9/02)
Defying Red's orders, Eric borrows the corvette while Red and Kitty are out of town for her class reunion. Jackie and Donna sneak into Casey's room while he is out of town.

This is a fun episode with some zany elements that keep the action moving. Eric taking the car out and then trying to get every little detail right for Red to not notice (and then of course forgetting one detail) is such a standard sitcom plot, but it's done really well and really funny. We also get a pretty equally zany plot with Donna and Jackie and Kelso trying to worm his way out of explaining his dream is a good comedic performance from Ashton Kutcher. We also get a funny Red impression by Wilmer Valderrama. All in all, this is one of the funniest episodes of the season.
RATING: 8.5/10

99. Hyde's Birthday (4/23/02)
Hyde doesn't want to celebrate his 18th birthday but the gang decides to throw him a party anyway. Eric, Donna and Kelso try to find the perfect present for Hyde.

That 70s Show sure does a lot of birthday episodes. This is not one of their stronger ones because they devote an awfully long time on a story with Eric, Donna and Kelso that goes absolutely nowhere and isn't funny. It also tries to do the "serious Hyde" story here and it worked to great effect with Hyde's father in season three but does not work as well in this episode. The scene with Red and Hyde is fine but it doesn't pack the emotional punch I think it was intended to. Also, let's once again note what a non-necessary character Bob has become.
RATING: 2/10

100. That 70s Musical (4/30/02)
Fez wants everyone to come see him in the spring scene as he imagines the entire gang performing extended musical sequences.

There are a lot of shows that attempt a musical episode at some point and it almost never works. Usually because it is such a vanity project. Likely there were cast or creative members who want a chance to sing and dance and so they dream up an episode like this. I'm sure they think it's great as they make it but usually I just sit there rolling my eyes. There are also probably a couple cast members who hated doing this (Mila Kunis in particular seems pretty miserable). The only thing that kept me from giving this a "0" was the high quality production value of the episode and the bloopers at the end.
RATING: 1/10

101. Eric's False Alarm (5/7/02)
Eric worries when he hears that Casey is taking Donna to a hotel room. Kelso is jealous when he thinks Jackie has been kissing other guys. After his divorce becomes final, Bob scares Joanne when he suggests marriage.

This episode has three separate stories and all of them are sort of continuations of plots that have been happening all season. It doesn't really introduce anything new or give closure on any of them so it feels a little bit like a wasted episode. We've already seen stories with Eric struggling over his breakup with Donna, Bob moving on from his divorce and Kelso being jealous. That doesn't mean there aren't some funny moments. There are some particularly funny moments from Ashton Kutcher. It's just that it doesn't feel like we needed to have this episode.
RATING: 5.5/10

102. Everybody Loves Casey (5/14/02)
Eric tries to use his parents' barbecue to make Casey look bad. Jackie and Kelso try to get to the bottom of why they're having troubles.

We've heard an awful lot about Casey in recent episodes but this is only Luke Wilson's third appearance on the show. Wilson is very strong here though and the scene where Eric continues to fail at making Casey look bad is pretty funny. There's a weird scene with Fez and Rhonda. They must have not been able to get Cynthia LaMontagne because we see it all from Rhonda's perspective and only see Fez. It makes a potentially funny scene pretty weird. Ultimately though, this episode does what the previous episode couldn't and at least moves some action forward and takes some season-long stories into new places.
RATING: 7/10

103. Love, Wisconsin Style (5/21/02)
Everyone starts to worry about Donna's relationship with Casey. Fez and Hyde try to prank Casey. Jackie and Kelso decide to find a way to get back together.

Oh boy, this episode gets off to a bad start thanks to another appearance from drunk Donna. Among the many poor acting moments from Laura Prepon on the show, her drunk acting is about as bad as it gets. After that though, the episode improves. it's a better episode. We once again get a poignant Eric & Donna episode to close the season, but the Jackie and Kelso story is a better one. There's some great chemistry between Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis as they have funny and sweet moments. Hyde and Fez are left to a pretty silly "C" story.
RATING: 6/10

AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON FOUR:
5.9/10

The Best Episodes
1. "It's a Wonderful Life" (#77) - 9.5/10
2. "Eric's Corvette Caper" (#98) - 8.5/10
3. "Jackie Says Cheese" (#89) - 8/10
4. "Class Picture" (#96) - 8/10
5. "Jackie's Cheese Squeeze" (#95) - 7.5/10

The Worst Episodes
1. "That 70s Musical" (#100) - 1/10
2. "Hyde's Birthday" (#99) - 2/10
3. "Leo Loves Kitty" (#94) - 2.5/10
4. "Kelso's Career" (#93) - 3.5/10
5. "Eric's Hot Cousin" (#90) - 3.5/10

Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV news stories of the week!

Next Thursday: A look at the fifth season of That 70s Show!