Ep 2. Eric's Birthday

Eric's Birthday is the second episode of the hit television show That 70's Show's first season. This episode aired on August 30th, 1998 and was directed by Terry Hughes. The episode begins with Eric, the show's protagonist, eagerly anticipating his 17th birthday and hoping for a wild time with his friends.

Eric's parents, Red and Kitty Forman, begin the day by presenting Eric with a brand new record player, which he had been eyeing for months. Eric's excitement over the present quickly fades, however, when he realizes that his parents expect him to spend the day with his clueless older sister, Laurie. Laurie is constant in her teasing of Eric and insists that he spend his birthday doing things she wants to do.

Meanwhile, Eric's best friend, Kelso, has his own plans for the day. He wants to throw Eric a surprise birthday party with the help of their friends Hyde, Fez, and Donna. Kelso, however, lacks even the most basic concept of planning and organization, so his attempts to gather all their friends for the party end in chaos. Fez and Hyde, for example, end up bringing their own friends instead of the guests Kelso had in mind.

Eric attempts to make the best of his birthday, although his hopes for the day are continually dashed. His girlfriend, Donna, disappears for the day, Kelso is nowhere to be found, and Laurie continues to act like a spoiled brat. Eric eventually turns to his parents for comfort, but Red and Kitty prove to be more interested in celebrating with a bottle of wine than helping Eric.

As the day wears on, Kelso finally manages to rally their friends for the party. He meets up with Hyde, Fez, and the rest of the gang at a local burger joint. To their dismay, however, the party quickly spirals out of control. They end up getting kicked out of the restaurant, and the party moves to a nearby park, where the group proceeds to drink and dance around a bonfire.

Eric, who has been having the worst birthday ever, is none too pleased to see his friends stumbling around in the park. He tells them off and walks away, fed up with their antics. Donna finds Eric and tries to cheer him up, but it is too late – Eric has seen enough of their partying and is ready to head home.

The episode ends with Eric returning home to find that his parents are drunk and stumbling around the living room. Red and Kitty, however, manage to pull it together and give their son a thoughtful and heartfelt birthday present. They apologize for not being there for Eric and tell him that he is all they want for their own birthdays. The touching moment convinces Eric that despite the chaos and disappointment of his birthday, he is still loved and appreciated.

In conclusion, Eric's Birthday continues That 70's Show's tradition of combining hilarious hijinks with genuine emotional moments. It introduces the audience to the show's quirky and lovable cast of characters and sets the stage for the many adventures that will follow. Overall, it is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone looking for a good laugh and a reminder of the importance of family and friends.