WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for That '90s Show part 2!

Summary

• That '90s Show's new cast mirrors the original series, but Jackie's replacement, Nikki, lacks a key aspect of her character.
• Nikki's relationship with Leia and Gwen needs development to match Jackie's friendship with Donna in That '70s Show.
• Nate and Nikki's breakup worsens her relationships with Leia and Gwen, leaving her connection to the group less solid.

Netflix’s new cast and characters of That ‘90s Show have largely assumed roles very similar to the teens from That ‘70s Show. For instance, Eric and Donna’s teenage daughter Leia Forman takes on a dynamic within the group that mirrors both of her parents in the original sitcom.

While the real-life and fictional couple returned for a brief cameo in season 1, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis didn’t reprise their roles as Michael Kelso and Jackie Burkhart in That ‘90s Show season 2. Despite their absences, Jackie and Kelso still hold important roles in the sequel series as the parents of Jay Kelso, the boyfriend of Eric and Donna’s daughter Leia. While Kelso’s son takes on a similar role to his own from the original show, Jackie’s replacement in That ‘90s Show is still quite different, and loses a compelling part of what made her so integral to That ‘70s Show’s gang.

That '90s Show Has Set Up Nikki As Jackie Burkhart's Character Replacement

Jackie's closest parallel in That '90s Show is Nikki

Within the new teen group dynamic, That ‘90s Show has positioned Nikki (Sam Morelos) as its closest replacement for That ‘70s Show’s Jackie Burkhart. While the teens tend to share traits that overlap with some of the original characters, the parallels come closest as follows: Leia is similar to Eric/Donna, Gwen is a new version of Hyde/Donna, Ozzie comes closer to Fez, Nate and Jay both overlap with Michael Kelso, and Nikki’s role is reminiscent of Jackie. However, unlike Jackie being younger than most of the group, Nikki's age appears to be slightly older than Leia and Gwen.

At the start of That ‘90s Show, Nikki parallels Jackie in that she seemingly only ed the gang because she’s Nate’s girlfriend, similar to Jackie only being “welcomed” in because she’s Kelso’s girlfriend. Of course, the rest of the gang actually enjoys hanging around Nikki, whereas Eric and Hyde disliking Jackie was no secret in That ‘70s Show’s early seasons. Nikki and Jackie’s parallels are also furthered by their family backgrounds, as both come from seemingly wealthier homes with higher expectations of their daughters that don’t align with their chosen groups of friends.

Keeping up the similarities in more recent episodes, Nikki’s pregnancy scare in That ‘90s Show part 2 mirrors Jackie’s storyline from That ‘70s Show season 1, resulting in her breaking up with Kelso. Nikki also doesn’t seem to have the best relationship with her parents, leading her to go to Red and Kitty for help, much like Jackie’s relationship with the Formans in the original sitcom. However, as much as That ‘90s Show’s Nikki repeats Jackie’s initial role, the character misses an important part of what made Jackie a more convincing member of the gang in That ‘70s Show.

That '90s Show Needed To Spend More Time On Nikki's Friendship With Gwen & Leia

Gwen, Leia & Nikki's friendship had little screen time in That '90s Show part 2

An important aspect of Jackie’s role in That ‘70s Show is that season 1 takes time to focus on her frenemy dynamic with Donna Pinciotti, establishing her position in the gang outside her relationship with Kelso. When Jackie finally dumps Kelso after her pregnancy scare, it isn’t surprising that she’s still hanging around the gang, as she ultimately fosters an important friendship with Donna. Throughout season 1, Jackie and Donna are bonded by being the only two girls in the gang, and learn to actually enjoy each other's company despite often insulting one another.

Among the flaws of That ‘70s Show’s gang is that they aren’t too ashamed to take advantage of someone they may not genuinely care for. After Kelso kisses Pam Macy and Jackie briefly breaks up with him, the gang still opts to hang out with her because of her family’s ski cabin. However, That ‘90s Show hasn’t spent enough time reiterating the reason why Nikki still hangs with the gang every day after her breakup with Nate.

It was clear that Nikki had become friends with Leia and Gwen in That ‘90s Show season 1, but they weren't shown to be best friends in the way that Donna and Jackie became.

It was clear that Nikki had become friends with Leia and Gwen in That ‘90s Show season 1, but they weren't properly developed as best friends in the same way as Donna and Jackie. Rather, Nikki’s place in the friend group still appeared to be connected to her relationship with Nate. Nikki’s friendship with Gwen was primarily based on her being Nate’s sister, and Nikki hardly spoke to Leia outside their larger group hangouts. So, when Nate and Nikki's romance ended in That ‘90s Show part 2, her continued presence wasn’t explained as well as Jackie’s in That ‘70s Show.

Nikki goes shopping with Gwen and Leia in That '90s Show part 2, episode 6, but there's still little development in their friendships.

Nate & Nikki's Breakup Made Her Distance From Leia & Gwen Even Worse

Nikki couldn't rely on Leia & Gwen due to their connections to Nate

While That ‘90s Show part 2 could have used Nate and Nikki’s breakup to reinforce her friendship with Leia and Gwen, the opposite happened due to That ‘90s Show season 1’s ending twist. Since Leia and Nate had almost kissed, Nikki was furious with Leia and hardly spoke to her. Additionally, Gwen was caught in the middle given Nate is her brother and Leia is her best friend, so she couldn’t leap to Nikki’s side during the breakup. Though it seems likely that Nate and Nikki will get back together in That ‘90s Show part 3, the sitcom still needs to prioritize her friendships with Leia and Gwen.