WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for That '90s Show season 1!Eric Forman (Topher Grace) finally makes his stern father Red (Kurtwood Smith) proud of him in That ‘70s Show, only appears in a cameo to drop his daughter Leia off in Point Place for the summer. Eric’s return may be brief, but it features several satisfying, long-awaited moments that make his journey better, including glimpses into how he acts as a parent, his happy marriage with Donna, and a defining moment in his connection to Red.
Red and Eric’s relationship was one of the most important dynamics of That ‘70s Show, especially as Eric became more confident in himself, embraced Red’s “dumbass” insults, and matured into realizing that his dad’s sternness was his way of showing love and care. However, Red’s inability to show affection, unrelenting toughness, and failure to be ive also meant that Eric never wanted to be like his father when he became one himself. Of course, That ‘90s Show season 1 reaffirms that in the circle of life, becoming a parent means unintentionally repeating the habits of his own, leading to the best moment of Eric’s return.
Eric's "Foot In Ass" Insult Finally Made Red Proud Of Him
While not in the manner he hoped, That ‘70s Show’s Eric Forman finally makes his father Red proud of him when trying to discipline That '90s Show season 1's main character Leia. After the rebellious Leia says she’s not going back to Chicago, Eric yells, “You’re going to get in that car or my foot is going to get in your ass!” Aside from the “dumbass" insult, Red’s most notable catchphrase from That ‘70s Show was his threat to put his foot in someone’s ass, with Eric often being the recipient of such remarks. So, in a low moment of his parenting, Eric regrettably made Red proud by becoming him.
After Red remarks that he has “never been prouder,” Eric realizes the true meaning of his actions. When speaking to Donna about their 15-year-old daughter Leia, Eric reflects that in his moment of truth, he went against the teachings of Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker and turned into his evil father. While this is exactly what Eric had always feared, That ‘90s Show’s ing of the “foot in ass” torch is a hilarious continuation of his dynamic with Red that simultaneously reflects a level of understanding for one another and resentment for Eric's lowest parenting moment being what makes Red proud.
Eric's Absence Makes Red's That '90s Storyline Worse
Without Eric around to argue with, Red is actually far more easygoing and kind in That ‘90s Show than he was in That ‘70s Show. While this reflects the natural progression of becoming a grandparent, Red Forman is very affectionate to Leia and doesn’t bother to discipline her when she lies or gets in trouble. This time around, it’s Kitty who is harsher on the kid they’re raising. Though Red primarily acts like he wants nothing to do with Leia’s friends in That ‘90s Show, he’s more understanding with them than with Eric’s friends, indicating he’s grown a softer heart without Eric around.
Eric’s absence means that Red isn’t as annoyed or shrewish in That ‘90s Show, as this side of him seems to wane after Eric leaves in the spinoff’s pilot. In fact, Red is also far kinder to his annoying neighbor than he was to That ‘70s Show's returning character; Red is very accommodating and patient with their next-door neighbor Sherri in That ‘90s Show, yet he had absolutely no patience for Bob in the original series. Seeing Red as a more easygoing grandparent is an exciting change of pace for That ‘90s Show, but a key component of his character is still missing without his antagonistic dynamic with Eric.