If that 70’s show was depicted as a soap opera how do you think the family dynamics would be portrayed?
Every soap needs a powerful family or two. And a lot of other families.
Jack Burkhart, the Patriarch who's both an attorney and owns what seems like half the businesses in Point Place.
Pam Burkhart, the Matriarch who has x great deal of influential about who moves to Point Place since she's the town's premier real estate agent. Her husband might technically have the most power, but she has the most information. Nothing happens in Point Place without her knowledge or, often, influence.
Jackie Burkhart, the secretly rebellious daughter. On the surface, she seems to be a clone of her parents. Underneath, she's doing what she can to dismantle their chokehold on the town, even as a teenager.
A bunch of extended family -- aunts, uncles, cousins (to Jackie) -- each with their own agenda.
Bob Pinciotti, who aspires to be where Jackie Burkhart is now and acts like a sycophant while planning to take his place in the town.
Midge Pinciotti, a somewhat ditzy but insightful member of Pam Burkhart's circle. She reports back whatever information she learns to Bob, not all of it accurate since Pam is on to Bob's plans. When they align with Pam's, Midge's reports are accurate.
Donna Pinciotti, the daughter who wants nothing to do with her father's machinations -- despite Bob believing she has no idea about any of them. Lots of tension between daughter and father, with mother in between.
A bunch of extended family -- aunts, uncles, cousins (to Donna) -- each with their own agenda.
This family is the moral center of the town.
Red Forman, who sees through bull crap and does what he can to foil Jack Burkhart's plans for the town. He works with Bob sometimes to do so. Ultimately, Red hopes for a balance of power between the Burkharts and Pinciottis ... although he'd prefer them both to leave Point Place.
Kitty Forman let's herself be underestimated by Pam Burkhart and ends up being a thorn in Pam's side. Of course, Kitty also works at the hospital, where tons of soapy drama occurs.
Laurie Forman, chaos incarnate. She'll use whatever means necessary to get whatever she wants from whomever she wants. Switching babies. Kidnapping people and leaving them in wells. Every daytime soap opera trope ever.
Eric Forman, the goodhearted but insecure son who finds himself fighting the corrupt forces in town when all he wants to do is read comic books and spend time with his girlfriend, Donna Pinciotti.
Steven Hyde, the wild card. People of all kinds trust him because he's willing to get his hands dirty if it means freeing Point Place from Jack and Pam Burkhart. Through his girlfriend, Jackie Burkhart, he gets into Jack and Pam's good graces. While seemingly working for them, he's actually working on dismantling their power.
Red's family (mother, brothers) and Kitty's family (parents, sister) get involved during certain storylines, some as antagonists and others as helpers.
This family has a lot of members, and each plays a role. Michael Kelso and Casey Kelso have a contentious relationship but will work together when they deem it necessary.
Mr. and Mrs. Erdman are Point Place's morality police. Annoying to everyone, especially the student they're hosting from another country.
Fez is both naive and psychologically savvy. He often gets pulled into situations too big for him to handle. But his ability to disarm someone through his understanding of their mind saves him and others from nefarious people and plots.
Soap operas, by their very nature, cannot allow its characters to be happy for long. The only way out is to move away (and leave the show) or to die.
snowghoul
janainaart
ellievsbear
jacobvanloon
blakekathryn
