That ’90s Show has finally hit Netflix and has been a recursively nostalgic boost for audiences. A sequel series to the popular That ’70s Show, the new series picks up in 1995 about fifteen years after the original series ended, and finds Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, deciding to stay in Point Place for the summer and make new friends. The series is a legacy sequel and features plenty of returning characters in fun cameo roles, the series also firmly establishes the new characters that are familiar but also unique to make it stand apart from the original.

Seeing as how original That ’70s Show protagonist Eric Forman was a big fan of Star Wars, it is fitting for That ’90s Show to adopt a similar story and character format to The Force Awakens. Much like how The Force Awakens drew heavily from the original Star Wars in the plot but mixed up the character dynamics, That ’90s Show keeps the formula of the original series but also reworks the characters, so nobody is a direct one-to-one counterpart of a previous character and instead various traits are mixed up for refreshing new takes. Here is how the kids on That ’90s Show compare to their That ’70s Show counterparts and how they subvert expectations.

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Leia Forman - Eric and Donna

     Netflix

Leia Forman is the lead character on That ’90s Show and the central legacy character of the original series, as she is the child of Eric and Donna from That ’70s Show and the granddaughter of both Red and Kitty Forman and Bob Pinciotti. Leia very much fills the role of her father in the original series, the central character whose house and basement operate as the main hangout for the teenagers. She has her father’s awkwardness and her mother’s intelligence. Unlike her father, though, Leia has a much better relationship with Red, similar to the dynamic Donna had with him.

One notable aspect of the series that separates it from its predecessor is, unlike the original series where everyone was already established as being friends, Leia is an outsider to the group. Season one is about her meeting this gang for the first time and forming bonds that become the foundation for the friendship, something the original series skipped past as everyone already knew each other.

Gwen Runck - Hyde and Donna

     Carsey-Werner Distribution

Gwen is Leia’s best friend and the first person she meets when she visits Point Place. Gwen very much fills the role of Hyde from the original series, the best friend of the main character who is into an underground subculture.

Hyde was into rock music and conspiracy theories, while Gwen is very much into the riot grrrl scene and the feminist movement of the 1990s. Making the Hyde character a woman is a clever subversion of the trope, that explores a new dynamic within the group. Gwen also has some shades of Donna, from her interest in feminism to literally living in Donna’s house and in her old room.

Jay Kelso - Kelso and Donna

The other legacy child of the series, Jay Kelso is the son of Michael Kelso and Jackie Burkheart. He has gained his parents’ looks which has given him the reputation of a player and ladies’ man, although unlike his father he is much smarter, seemingly having gotten all A’s.

Despite being named Kelso, the character that Jay aligns most with is actually Donna. He is the main love interest of Leia, mirroring a similar romantic dynamic between Eric and Donna in the series. If the series’ end goal is to put them together, their relationship will bring together four of the original families together and further connect the gang of That ’70s Show.

Ozzie - Fez

Ozzie fills a role similar to Fez in the original series, the funny sarcastic kid with the broadest sitcom-type humor who also develops a close bond with Kitty Forman. Yet notably, Ozzie is not mentioned as a foreign exchange student and is also an openly gay character, one that was notably lacking from the original That ’70s Show apart from one episode in season one. With Ozzie being openly gay, it will be interesting to see how the series explores this and hopefully gives him opportunities in later episodes to be more than just the funny supporting character.

Nikki - Jackie

Nikki is clearly meant to be the Jackie of the group, the popular girl, and also the one who is constantly making out with her boyfriend. Yet what is interesting about Nikki is where she and Jackie differ, particularly when it comes to education. Jackie had little interest in school or college, but for Nikki, it is at the forefront of her mind and serves as the potential block in her relationship with her boyfriend Nate.

While Leia might be the socially awkward member of the group, Nikki certainly fits the role of the traditional nerd as she is excited for school to start. It is a nice update on the popular girl troupe that shows that they can also be educated and motivated.

Nate Runke - Kelso

Nate is Gwen’s half-brother and Jay’s best friend. Despite Jay being part of the Kelso family, Nate fills the role of Kelso within the group dynamic. He is dim-witted by also well-intentioned and has a big heart. Unlike any character from the previous series, Nate is an athlete which provides a nice addition to the dynamics of everyone. He is in deeply in love with his girlfriend Nikki, yet his own insecurities about the future seem to be getting in his head and will impact his relationship similar to what happened with Eric and Donna in the original series.

That ’90s Show also seems to be developing a potential love triangle with Leia having to choose between Jay and Nate, similar to a storyline from That ’70s Show where Jackie had to choose between Kelso and Hyde. Nate being both a comedic foil and a major romantic interest has the potential to push That ’90s Show in new story directions.