That '70s Show spin-off, Netflix's That '90s Show prides itself on the healthy portrayal of family dynamics, parenthood, friendships, and gay representation among other things. The Netflix series adds another chapter to the Forman family through Eric and Donna's daughter, Leia, who's finding her feet as a teenager. Her story starts when she decides to stay the summer of 1995 at her grandparents Red and Kitty's house in Point Place, Wisconsin. She makes friends with the neighborhood kids who add excitement to her life. Her ragtag team of teenagers consists of Gwen and her half-brother, Nate Runck, Jay Kelso, Nikki and Ozzie.

As Leia and her ragtag That 90's Show pack navigate their teens, each can be individually seen battling teenage angst. There's no denying that the show's breakout character is the openly gay, witty, insightful, sarcastic, Ozzie (played by Reyn Doi). He likes to observe things from a distance and make sarcastic comments, albeit in good-natured humor. He claims to date a Canadian named, Etienne but none of his peers believe him. They think his love story is imaginary at best. Whilst Ozzie keeps defending Etienne's existence however vehemently he can, he fails to convince his group.

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How Ozzie's Arc Progresses In That '90s Show

Kitty Forman and Ozzie using a computer in That '90s Show.

Ozzie's arc deals with coming out to people while hoping for acceptance. Although he's proud of his identity, he also has a fear of society's reaction, considering That '90s Show is a period piece. He has a yearly-updated coming-out plan in place and Kitty Forman is only seven in his step seventeen. Before coming out to her, Ozzie was at step six which entailed coming out to strangers he is never going to see again. It's obvious Ozzie wants people to know he's gay and telling strangers gives him a sense of confidence. The final step of Ozzie's plan is coming out to his parents which for a kid growing up in '90s Wisconsin is understandably overwhelming.

Ozzie has found a perfect mentor in Kitty (That '70s Show alum Debra Jo Rupp). His coming out also happens while he's teaching her to use a computer and the scene establishes that neither Ozzie nor grandma are behind the times. Kitty embraces technology and people for who they are, meanwhile Ozzie is in the process of valuing and understanding his sexual orientation with regard to his immediate environment. Kitty would much rather Ozzie drop the Canadian because her friend Shannon had a bad experience dating a man from the same country. Later when Ozzie asks if she's okay with him being gay, she replies, "Well, of course, I am."

That '90s Show handles Ozzie's coming-out story carefully, but here's where it does it injustice. The boyfriend, who is the other half of this romance is practically a non-existent entity. Sadly, the writers didn't feel the need to include him on the screen or have him and Ozzie spend some time in person, just as the various heterosexual couples on the show do. Ozzie's romance, in the end, stands out as a mere symbolic gesture. That said, there's room for improvement in the upcoming That '90s Show season 2. Since Wisconsin is near Canada, it would be perfectly plausible for Ozzie and Etienne to see each other and explore the dynamics of their young love.

Leia And Gwen's Unexplored Romantic Potential

Leia Ozzie and Gwen hanging out in That '90s Show.

Gwen spends most of her time at Leia's, from giving her pieces of advice to suggesting she go to the mall to have her first kiss. She likes to look out for her, and their chemistry is absolute fireworks from the beginning. In That '90s Show season 1, episode 9, "Dirty Double Booker," Gwen gets upset when Leia spends the day with her boyfriend, Jay. Leia meanwhile tries to rush through the date going as far as snapping at Jay. That '90s Show makes it clear that Gwen and Leia are more than just friends and now it's up to That '90s Show season 2 to tilt the narrative in favor of their romance.

That '90s Show also takes things a tad too far in the finale by setting up an almost-kiss between Leia and Nate. Granted their kiss arises out of the uncertainty of their respective partners being unsure about their futures together, but there's simply no chemistry there. It's just an odd twist and simply put, a plot device for season 2. The writing and the characters' weak chemistry dictate that it is Leia and Gwen who have to explore their bond beyond the boundaries of friendship. That '90s Show narrative falls short of healthy gay representation, but the show's upcoming season 2 does provide ample room for the inclusion of actual same-sex romances.

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