CarouselUnique

Neat!

And yeah, she really roots for them, which almost feels like a secret being kept from him, which now that I think about it is actually super cute in a ship context like aw Jackie you liiiiiiike him (or support him for your friend but still Shh its cute you’re cute you like him)

Tech Noir

I was a big fan of Jackie and Eric's bantering scenes. Only wish there were a few more of those throughout the seasons.

MistyMountainHop

Agreed. I wish they'd had more interaction, period. Jackie does talk about Eric a lot, mostly with Donna, but it's not the same.

stlavin95

Definitely would have loved more Eric and Jackie scenes, that's for sure

MistyMountainHop

You and so many other T7S fans.

I'd want to see J/E develop a begrudging respect and friendship, nothing romantic. They both love the same people (Donna and Hyde), which is a good foundation to work from.

stlavin95

Yes it would have

rishik5

I always saw a lot of bromance potential between them

MistyMountainHop

A brosismance (just to make sure Jackie's gender is part of that term ). But, yeah, if Eric and Jackie became really close platonic friends (they truly aren't attracted to each other romantically or physically <--- particularly Jackie toward Eric), that would creep everyone out as much as Jackie and Hyde did becoming romantically involved.

rishik5

They had their moments though and i would really like if their interactions developed into something more.

stlavin95

Same here

MistyMountainHop

Their relationship dynamic was so half-formed that it's tough to pin down what a truly in-character friendship would look like. Whenever Laurie wasn't on the show, Eric (and the writers) transferred his sibling hostility onto her -- to the point of him using the same insults on Jackie as he did Laurie (minus the sl**-shaming). Jackie and Eric agree to become "secret" friends in "Jackie's Cheese Squeeze" (4x19) after Eric trades in his his hostility for compassion. He offers to stay by Jackie's side while she waits for Kelso, to stay by her side as backup support if Kelso were unable to get the proper perspective on what Jackie did -- only for Jackie to betray Eric at the first convenient moment.

"Jackie's Cheese Squeeze" had the potential to change the status quo between Jackie and Eric, but the writers wanted their cake and to eat it, too. In the end, Eric has no reason not to go back resenting Jackie and act hostile toward her. Jackie, obviously, didn't consider Eric's friendship and support worth more than using him as a way of deflecting Kelso's anger at her onto him.

Jackie and Eric's dynamic was given no true, lasting development. In the season 7 finale, Jackie's kind words to him are for a joke because of the above. "Hahahah. Jackie always insulted Eric and acted disgusted by him and treated him disrespectfully, but now she's all, 'You've always been very special to me," etc.

rishik5

If only writing process on the show was more organic and thoughtful. But we've got what we've got. Luckily we also have you

MistyMountainHop

True. I get frustrated (and disappointed) when such potential is wasted, though.



While season 6 was a season where Jackie and Donna's friendship should have deepened (storyline squandered), season 7 could've been a great time for Jackie and Eric's friendship to develop. The moment Jackie learns Eric's trying to find what he's passionate about, her ego would take over, and she'd make it her mission to help him. Taking up roller-disco could've been her idea, and he is really surprised how much he likes it. Jackie, of course, tells him he doesn't have a great chance of making a career out of it since roller-disco was on its way out a year ago, but at least he likes it.

The T7S writers, though, were very much about separating Eric from the majority of the other characters, save Donna and his parents. Most episodes, he's not interacting with Hyde, Kelso, Fez, or Jackie in significant ways.

rishik5

Maybe they were setting up ways to write Topher out of the show?

stlavin95

That's definitely possible