In a twofold twist for fans of the nostalgia-driven comedy, *That ‘90s Show* Part 3 has premiered two months ahead of its originally scheduled October 24 release date. Moreover, Laura Prepon, who embodies the role of Donna, Leia’s (Callie Haverda) mom, has taken on the directorial reins for all eight episodes in this new installment. As a sequel to the immensely popular *That ‘70s Show*, which skyrocketed stars like Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, and Ashton Kutcher to fame, *That ‘90s Show* picks up 15 years after the original series, now set in the year 1995. The storyline pivots to focus on the second generation— the children of the original teen characters.
The plot resumes with Leia visiting her grandparents Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith) in Point Place, Wisconsin. Much like her parents’ formative years, Leia spends a considerable amount of time in the basement, developing bonds with her new circle of friends. This new crew includes Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), her brother Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), Nate’s best friend Jay (Mace Coronel), the scholarly Nikki (Sam Morelos), who happens to be Nate’s girlfriend, and the technologically adept, cynically witty Ozzie (Reyn Doi).
The end of Season 2 saw Leia being left under the care of her grandfather Bob (Don Stark) as her grandparents Red and Kitty embarked on a trip to Paris. Upon their return, an outraged Kitty is greeted by a massive hole in the kitchen, resulting in her threatening to withhold her vacation photos as a form of punishment. Eventually, she softens and inundates Gwen and Nikki with countless albums.
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In a fresh twist for this season, Leia and Jay are on the brink of taking their relationship to a new level. Meanwhile, Nate wrestles with regret over his breakup with Nikki and is willing to shoulder the blame for the kitchen disaster in a bid to win her back. The return of Jay’s older sister, Betsy (Kira Kosarin), from Spain adds complexity to Jay and Nate’s friendship.
The viewer is taken on a journey replete with memorable moments, including a trip to a wrestling championship for a belt signing, Leia’s new understanding of the multiple applications for showerheads, and Nikki and Ozzie’s encounters with potential love interests— the latter getting a nudge in the right direction from Kitty and her faith in the power of personal ads. There’s also a thriving Beanie Babies economy, a scattered visit from Gwen’s mostly absentee father, an adventurous R-rated movie night, an intricate conversation about “Royale De Cheese” between Red and Kitty, an Indecent Proposal reenactment, and a playful Jay Leno impression.
Part of the charm of *That ‘90s Show* is its seamless integration of ’90s cultural references, enhancing the nostalgic flavor without overshadowing the storyline. The camaraderie among the cast members comes across as polished and delightfully engaging. With each episode clocking in at a brisk 24 minutes, it’s easy for viewers to indulge in these bite-sized segments of humor and warmth.
All episodes of *That ’90s Show* Part 3 are currently available for streaming on Netflix, promising fans of the franchise more laughs, familiar faces, and a new chapter filled with adolescent escapades and heartwarming family dynamics in Point Place, Wisconsin. So whether you’re a long-time follower of the franchise or a newcomer enticed by ’90s nostalgia, this season is crafted to provide a blend of comforting continuity and fresh narrative twists.
