It's a Wonderful Life (That '70s Show episode)

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It's a Wonderful Life is the premiere episode of the fourth season of That '70s Show. It picks up after the Season 3 finale, shortly after Eric breaks up with Donna over a promise ring. The episode is named after the film of the same name.

[edit] Plot

The episode begins with Eric lying in bed, moaning that he wished he and Donna had never dated. Afterwards, his guardian angel (played by Wayne Knight) appears to show Eric the results of his wish, had it been granted. After some attempts to convince Eric, the two depart to discover what would have happened.

The first flashback shows Eric and Donna sitting on the hood of Eric's Vista Cruiser shortly after a music concert earlier in the night (That 70s Pilot). Donna gets off the hood and leaves, only to return shortly afterwards and thank Eric for the ride. In the actual version of events, Donna leans down and kisses him, but in this version she walks away again. While the real Eric is content to leave his flashbacks at that, the Angel is not so eager.

The scene shifts to Donna's backyard, where Hyde is waiting (and the Angel confirms Hyde was actually there in the real events). After Donna admits that she didn't kiss Eric because he didn't make a move, Hyde does, leaning over to kiss her, which Donna returns. Although Eric is outraged, the Angel tells him this is only the beginning.

One week later, the gang is assembled in the basement. Eric wants to watch a different program on television, but the couples (Hyde and Donna, and Kelso and Jackie) are too busy making out to respond. Red enters the room and commands that they leave, and Eric tar the driveway. While Eric pleads with his father not to get mad, the real Eric laughs that this can't be real, he would never cave to Red like that. But the Angel tells him that Donna gave him the courage to stand up for himself, and leads Eric on to the next scene.

Now in the Hub, Eric checkmates another student, and the Angel informs the real Eric that he's a member of the chess club. Fez enters in a band uniform, proud that now he will not be beaten up by the cool kids- only to be carried off by them. Donna emerges from the bathroom and shows Hyde his birthday present: a tattoo on her stomach. As the two kiss, Eric greets them, and Donna takes a moment to even recognize him. Hyde tells Eric that his mom has left town so he's dropping out of school. Eric (similar to the real events) offers to let Hyde live with him. Hyde and Donna burst out laughing.

On Prom Night, Eric sees himself standing in the driveway with Big Rhonda, horrified to learn he went with her. After a few snide comments from Rhonda (and some half-hearted advice from Red and Kitty), the scenes shifts again. At a party, Big Rhonda emerges from the bedroom, proudly stating that she made Eric a man. Kelso is seen with Pam Macy, and the Angel explains that with Hyde dating Donna, Jackie never went to the prom (in the real events, Hyde took her out of pity), and thus wasn't there to reconcile with Kelso. Although Eric believes the events aren't that bad, the Angel warns that things will get worse, and takes Eric to the 80's while The Safety Dance plays. Eric asks "What the Hell was that?", and the Angel coyly replies "Oh, you'll find out!"

It's Donna and Hyde's wedding, and they tie the knot to Fez's music- the foreigner is now a musician. Kelso appears in a suit to congratulate the couple, and the Angel explains that Kelso is a news anchor. Jackie is also at the wedding, now a flight attendant, and with little encouragement, the two run off to have sex. Eric is still dating Rhonda in a rather abusive relationship, although he confides in Hyde that he knows she is cheating on him. Shortly after, a small boy runs up to Eric and hits him. Kitty and Red scold the child, telling "Jake" that his brother isn't strong. Eric is shocked to discover that in this reality, Red and Kitty (in the Angel's own words) "have the son they always wanted". Red proudly prompts the child to call Eric a dumbass, and Kitty implies she's waiting for Eric to move out of their house. Hyde unwraps his gift from Kelso, and the gang adjourns to the basement to enjoy a Circle, with the Angel briefly joining in ("There are some things about Earth I really miss!"). Kelso admits he doesn't wear pants when he does the news, and Fez says he has found a band that will change music forever.

Finally, it's the high school's 10th year reunion. Here, an obese Kelso has married Pam Macy (who is pregnant), but still has sex with Jackie when she shows up at the reunion. As for his job, Kelso thought the news would be funny drunk, and lost his job: he now works for Eric, selling waterbeds. Fez is an amateur musician and entertainment for the reunion. Big Rhonda, after being dumped by Eric, is now a beautiful aerobics model. Donna appears and speaks with Eric. Hyde is in prison, and Donna is taking care of two children by herself, not having time for her writing anymore. The two admit that they had crushes on each other in high school, and murmur "What might have been...". The real Eric is still not convinced: this Eric didn't have to deal with the pain of losing Donna.

The future Eric suddenly speaks to Eric, asking if he actually dated Donna. After the Angel admits to allowing this ("I'm loose with the rules, so sue me."), the two Erics both claim to leave depressing lives, with the real Eric claiming that having and losing Donna hurt more than anything the future Eric ever went through. After the two part, the Angel takes Eric back to his bedroom, and agrees to change the past so Eric and Donna never kissed, and the entire chain of events resulting becomes real. Eric agrees, and the Angel has Eric close his eyes to enjoy his fleeting memories. Eric is assaulted with memories of good times with Donna. Realizing he was wrong, he opens his eyes and asks the Angel to keep things the way they are. However, the Angel is already gone. Future episodes hint back to Eric and Donna's relationship, which implies that the Angel had left without changing the events to those in his demonstration, already knowing what Eric was going to say.

[edit] Trivia

• The new version of the theme song for Season 4 is the one that is used up until Season 8.

There are several 80s popular cultures in this episode:

• During the prom, Fez is wearing Elton John's big sunglasses.
• In 1983 Fez is spotted having a Flock of Seagulls band's hairstyle, and also playing their music.
• During their 10 years High School reunion, Fez has a mullet and wearing Miami Vice style clothes, and also playing a keytar and singing "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung.
• Kitty has a bob hairstyle, and Donna also has it years later.
• Big Rhonda claims that she is thankful to Jane Fonda video workout for her fabulous body.
• Most women in the episode are wearing shoulder pads and bright color dresses.
• During the closing credits, Fez is singing "Don't Worry Be Happy"