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The highly anticipated season 2 of Netflix’s beloved show “That ’90s Show” is finally here, much to the delight of fans. The series, a collaborative effort of original creators Bonnie and Terry Turner and their daughter Lindsey Turner, promises to deliver another nostalgic journey. Showrunner Gregg Mettler, another familiar face, is back to steer the ship.
Stepping into 1996, Leia Forman (Calie Haverda) returns to Point Place for another summer of laughter and drama with her friends and grandparents, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith). The air is thick with anticipation as Leia and Jay Kelso (Mace Cornell) reunite after nine months of separation. However, a secret from the past threatens to shatter their happiness- Leia’s almost-kiss with Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), a truth that Jay is still oblivious to.
Meanwhile, Nate is grappling with his girlfriend, Nikki (Sam Morelos), unaware of his near-infidelity. The question looms-how long can they keep this secret? As the truth unravels, the very fabric of their relationships is torn, friendships hang in the balance, and the summer threatens to end before it even begins. Nate’s rebellious half-sister, Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), and the always insightful Ozzie (Reyn Doi) are adding to the mix.
In my assessment of Season 1, I noted that I have not been an avid enthusiast of That ’70s Show. Nevertheless, I found the trailer for Season 2 of ‘That ’90s Show ‘intriguing enough to warrant revisiting the series. Analogous to the inaugural season, the second installment commences with a surge of nostalgia as Kitty introduces Jay to the Macarena. This nostalgic element, a hallmark of the show, continues to resonate with viewers, evoking a sense of connection and fondness for the ’90s era.
Commendations are for the creative team’s adeptness in deepening the characters of Red and Kitty; Kurtwood Smith and Deborah Jo Rupp continue to manifest their distinctive comedic timing with finesse. The seamless integration of these characters into their independent storylines within the broader narrative is particularly noteworthy. I wholeheartedly applaud the writers for brilliantly diving into themes of Online Dating, Hot Topic trends, and other nostalgic gems from 1996. There’s also a delightful moment featuring “A Different World” alum Kadeem Hardison that fans will surely appreciate. As those exciting trailers hinted, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and Matt Rife make fantastic extended cameos. Callie Haverda, Reyn Doi, and Ashley Aufderheide’s comedic timing has notably sharpened. While some characters still feel like echoes of the original show’s cast, there is heartening progress with stronger writing that kept me engaged.
Fans of the franchise will undoubtedly find much to love about “That ’90s Show.” Even for newcomers like myself, while there’s some room for growth, this reboot is clearly doing a commendable job carving out its unique identity while honoring its beloved roots.
Final Grade: C+
Part 1 of Season 2 of “That 90s Show” is available to stream today on Netflix.
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