MistyMountainHop

Kelso, of course, was fooling around with everyone he could in Point Place while Jackie was in California, but he gets all hypocritical and indignant when he learns Jackie had dated a boy or two during the summer.

Kelso's possessiveness of her is awful, and I could see (a properly written) Donna defending Jackie, saying that Jackie never looked happier without Kelso dragging her down. This wouldn't sit well with Kelso, though. He'd be just as bad (or worse) toward Jackie as he was after she kissed Todd.

His ego has so much to do with how he reacts to Jackie being with guys who aren't him. A good portion of what upset him about Jackie and Hyde dating is that he felt humiliated his ex-girlfriend chose one of his best friends over him -- even though no. Jackie fell in love with Hyde after Kelso ran off to California and had sex with a bunch of other girls before he and Jackie were even broken up. If Jackie hadn't written him that break-up letter, he probably would've expected her to welcome him back with open arms.

And that's what Donna should tell him.

msstock87

I would have loved if Donna stuck up for Jackie more in the Kelso scenario, she seemed to take Kelso's side more.

Grazzhopper

The Sandy Sandals must stick together!

MistyMountainHop

She certainly didn't hold him all that accountable. If Donna wasn't going to tell Jackie that Kelso was cheating, she should've at least shown solidarity to Jackie by telling Eric she won't be in the basement as long as Kelso is. Then Eric would have to decide between Kelso and Donna. That could've gotten interesting -- because maybe Eric would've gotten sick of the basement being so split, and he'd end up telling Jackie about Kelso himself.

Also, Sandy Sandals forever!

Grazzhopper

That would've made for an interesting episode or two. Great character stuff for everyone involved.

MistyMountainHop

It would've been different, for sure. The writers could've gotten a lot of drama, humor, and character development from that.

I could, too -- if I wrote a One Difference story about it.

msstock87

That could have been an interesting scenario if Donna refused to go to the basement.

MistyMountainHop

It would've forced Eric to think about his choices ... though I wonder if he'd get angry at Kelso for causing Donna's absence or (irrationally) blame Jackie for basically existing having Donna's loyalty.

msstock87

I like to think he would be angry at Kelso, but sadly I can see him taking it out on Jackie.

MistyMountainHop

Eric would need a real wake-up call to snap out it. At least he was protective of Jackie in "The Pill" and didn't blame her for "burdening Kelso" with that situation, as if Kelso had done nothing to make it happen.

msstock87

We do see some rare moments of Eric being protective of Jackie. I wouldn't have minded seeing more.

MistyMountainHop

If the writers wanted to show that Eric is an actual good guy, him choosing Jackie -- the girl he couldn't stand -- over his loyalty to Kelso once Kelso starts cheating on her would've been an excellent opportunity.

Grazzhopper

This!

MistyMountainHop

It could've been sooo good. Laughter can be mined from good characterization, too. T7S proves this many times.

msstock87

I would have loved to see that!