MistyMountainHop

And once they had talked about it, then Eric could propose (if the writers still wanted to go in that direction).

msstock87

Yes! That would have actually made sense!

MistyMountainHop

And yet -- I think the writers wanted a "big" storyline, so they went with the engagement. But Jackie and Hyde starting a romantic relationship was big enough for season 5.

Imagine if Eric and Donna got engaged later in the season. Then Red finds out in the season finale just before Laurie announces she married Fez. Then, in the season 6 opener, Eric wonders out loud what gave Red the heart attack, Eric and Donna's engagement or Laurie and Fez's marriage. Lots of jokes could've spun out from that.

msstock87

Oh that could have been interesting! I would have actually liked to see that.

MistyMountainHop

Red wouldn't know who to be angrier at, and he might just "give up" his anger and let it go because it's too much. That would freak out everyone but Kitty, who'd be happy about it.

msstock87

Seeing Red give up his anger might actually me scary for a second...

MistyMountainHop

Like the episode where he's hopped up after the dentist. Eric ran away from him (at first).

Grazzhopper

MistyMountainHop

But then he rallied, much to his mom's horror.

Eric [to Red]: I--

Kitty: Stooooooooop! He was drugged!

Eric [to Red]: --love you.

msstock87

It was a good thing Eric found out he was drugged! It could have been bad if he hadn't!

MistyMountainHop

Yeah, even though Eric already said an, "I love you," out loud to Red.

msstock87

Eric found out just in time!

MistyMountainHop

Well, a second too late. His, "I love you," got out.

msstock87

Haha, so he was close.

MistyMountainHop

Imagine, though, if Eric and Red had to undergo a dental procedure at the same time and ended up both on the gas. What would that post-procedure conversation be like?