Peach Cobbler
S5 E21: Trampled Under Foot
That 70’s Show, 1998.
In "Trampled Under Foot", the gang grapples with existential boredom, social hierarchies, and the timeless truth that sometimes your mom invites over the worst possible person because she wants peach cobbler.
Eric Forman’s basement becomes a microcosm of suburban stagnation—a "nursing home," as Hyde declares—while Kitty Forman's well-intentioned meddling introduces us to Lance Crawford, an awkward, locker-raiding proto-incel who’s somehow creepier than Fez on a good day.
The episode teeters on the absurd while leaning heavily on the well-oiled chemistry of the cast. Fez’s melodramatic heartbreak at being dumped by Nina—via the dreaded “it’s not you, it’s me”—turns into a hilariously misguided attempt at aloofness. A "Six Million Dollar Man"-inspired montage reconstructs him into a needy boy pretending to be a man who doesn’t need anyone. It ends predictably: Fez rejects Nina with the same vapid line she gave him, reinforcing the That ‘70s Show gospel that true power lies in embracing your flaws—and occasionally, your Fry Daddy.
Behind the scenes, the writers and producers were firing on all cylinders, weaving pop culture references into the DNA of the show. From Eric’s perpetual Star Wars analogies (irritating Jackie’s free-ride aspirations) to Kelso’s bizarro logic (“slutty’s my bread and butter”), the episode captures the cultural touchstones of the 1970s while layering in the anachronistic self-awareness of the 2000s. Directed by David Trainer—who helmed nearly every episode—the episode maintains the distinct That ‘70s Show rhythm: whip-smart, endearingly dumb, and occasionally dipping into the surreal (a race car bed? Naturally, Fez has one).
Fun fact: The title “Trampled Under Foot” references a Led Zeppelin song, continuing the show's tradition of naming episodes after classic rock tracks. It’s an apt choice for a plot that stomps all over social norms while the gang debates who to recruit as their "fat kid" stand-in to break the monotony of their lives. Spoiler: they realize they don’t need anyone else, because if there’s one lesson That ‘70s Show taught us, it’s that a well-worn basement and a pan of stolen cobbler can heal all wounds.