Hiiiiiiiiiiii! I was told you know everything there is to know about t70s! :) I have a doubt and a question-- When Hyde says on screen 'I love you' to Jackie for the only time, are we supposed to believe this was the first time? In case it's this way, you think is in character of him saying it for the first time during that tense time? (and if you thinks is ooc, how do you think the first time saying ILY to her should have gone or when it was for you?). Thanks!
Hi! Sorry for taking so long to get to your Q. I want to give it a thoughtful answer, finishing the latest batch of Those ‘70s Comics then writing the next batch took most of my T7S free time.
I do think we’re supposed to believe Hyde’s first on-screen, “I love you,” to Jackie is supposed to be the first time he says it to her.
The fact he says it to her after he didn’t trust her, made an assumption based on that distrust, acted impulsively based on that assumption, and betrayed her? I have a big problem with that character-wise. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, I believe an in-character Hyde wouldn’t confront Jackie immediately when he finds her on Donna’s couch with Kelso and would sleep with the nurse as his break-up letter to Jackie. Hyde doesn’t tell Jackie, “I love you,” afterward for her sake. He says it for his own, in a desperate, last-ditch effort to get her to forgive him.
His first on-screen, “I love you,” on the show to Jackie in this context is, ultimately, a selfish and manipulative act. He withholds his declaration of love for so long during “peace time,” and he makes it only once he’s lost her due to betraying her.
I don’t believe he’s conscious of trying to manipulate her. If he’s aware of anything, it’s the desire not to lose her, and – to his mind – his, “I love you,” is a plea for her not to end their relationship.
But he should have shown that he loves her rather than declaring it. He halfway owns his actions in “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” (5x23) but doesn’t go far enough. Before saying, “I love you,” in the same scene he says, “Come on, Jackie. Imade a mistake, okay? It was a stupid, one-time thing.” He’s essentially telling her she should forgive him. That he’s entitled to her forgiveness. Why? Because his “mistake” is a “stupid, one-time thing.”
No. Forgiveness must be earned after such a betrayal, and I believe an in-character Hyde would understand this. An in-character Hyde would express his utter remorse that he hurt her, not act from his own hurt. That’s what got him into this situation to begin with.
For me, the conflict that spirals out of Hyde not confronting Jackie directly and immediately in “You Shook Me” (5x22) doesn’t stem organically from his core characterization but is manufactured by the writers to create drama. The writers themselves even acknowledge Hyde’s OOC behavior in the following scene from the episode:
Roy: Have you talked to her?
Hyde: No! Come on, man, I’mdone talkin’! I’m just glad I saw them. Now I can be the bigger person and bailbefore she does.
The writers knew Hyde would have talked to Jackie, and they have him explain why he doesn’t in order to dismiss his OOC behavior. Him wanting to be the “bigger person” by ending the relationship first? Sure, I can buy that. But an in-character Hyde would’ve told Jackie, “We’re done,” and why. Only then would he sleep with someone else. By sleeping with the nurse first, he’s not being the “bigger person”. He’s maliciously trying to hurt her the way he feels hurt.
An in-character Hyde could have confronted Jackie and broken up with her without listening to her side of the story, sleep with the nurse afterward, then learn how false his assumption about Jackie and Kelso was. It’s not something I’d have liked him to do, but I do believe he’s capable of it.
What I don’t believe, however, is that an in-character Hyde would go about the situation as he does on the show. Regardless of how hurt he is, he still has a personal moral code we’ve seen him both practice and preach throughout the series before “You Shook Me”. For instance, he says to Kelso in “Baby Fever” (3x07) about Jackie wrecking Kelso’s van, “You could’ve been a man and forgiven her.” Hyde, too, could’ve stuck to his moral code and still ended his relationship with Jackie impulsively without betraying her in the process.
On the optimistic side, I also believe an in-character Hyde might have listened to Jackie and Kelso’s explanation for their suspicious interaction in “You Shook Me”. He would’ve asked them to prove it, and after Fez confesses to his erotic dream about Kelso, Hyde would finally realize his mistrust of Jackie has gotten out of control. He’d start owing it rather than making her responsible for his emotional wounds (e.g., by ordering Jackie not to hang out with Kelso alone).
His first, “I love you,” to her, then, might come out during a serious discussion between them.
Jackie: Why do you think I’d betray you like that with Michael? Why don’t you trust that you’re the one I’m love with?
Hyde: Because, man, I … [He looks away and scratches the nape of his neck.] Look, the people I love – they tend to split on me, all right? My dad did it twice. My mom did it. Leo’s freakin’ gone, too. Why the hell wouldn’t I think you’d be next?
Jackie [realizing the implications of his statement]: You love me?
Jackie [amazed]: You love me.
Hyde: Jackie, can you focus? I’m tryin’ to explain this crap to you–
Jackie: You’ve already explained it, Steven – no. I explained it, way back when we had our first date.
Jackie: My Veteran’s Day miracle, remember? On my Lincoln, at Inspiration Point, I told you I understood you. I said you had to be wondering, “How can I open up to her when everyone I have ever loved has abandoned me? Am I even worthy oflove?“ And then I told you that you are. [Beat.] It’s still true. You are.
Hyde [uncomfortable]: Not so sure about that…
Jackie: Why? Because you almost made the biggest mistake of your life? But you didn’t. You gave me a chance to explain when you found me and Michael at Donna’s. Instead of running off and doing something we’d both regret, you waited until you got the facts.
Hyde swallows and takes off his shades. He rubs his eyes and clears his throat.
Hyde [almost inaudible]: Yeah … I love you.
Jackie [slightly teasing]: What was that?
Hyde: I love you, Jackie, okay? Don’t make me say it again.
Jackie loops her arms around the back of his neck.
Jackie [happy but somewhat annoyed]: Oh, you’ll be saying it again. Many, many times. It’s out now. You can’t keep it inside anymore.
Jackie kisses him, one of the most passionate kisses they’ve ever shared.
Jackie: Do you believe I love you?
Jackie: Then you can trust that I’m not going to abandon you. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved back … by someone who won’t betray me like Michael or leave me like my own parents. I would never “split” on the man I love more than anything – even for diamonds. I accepted a cheeseburger wrapped in tinfoil from you!
Hyde shuts his eyes. He gets that Jackie’s been as hurt and as abandoned as he has by the people she loves. He doesn’t want to admit he loves her again. It was hard enough the first three times.
Hyde: This ain’t easy for me. I’m this close to freakin’ puking.
Jackie [sarcastic]: How romantic.
Hyde: ‘Cause saying it’s made it real–
Jackie: No, feeling it makes it real. And saying it to me isn’t going to change how I feel about you. I told you that already on Valentine’s day.
Hyde [seeing her POV]: The way I feel about you … I’ve never felt about a girl before. Usually I can’t wait for a chick to bail on me. The quicker the better. But you, I want you around.
Jackie [touched]: Aw, Puddin’ Pop…
Hyde: And callin’ me Puddin’ Pop.
Jackie beams with happiness.
Hyde: And I’m startin’ to believe you wanna stick around.
Hyde: Then I guess you’ll be hearin’ me say, “I love you.” ‘The longer you’re with me, the more of a chance that kind of thing’ll slip out. It’s all about odds, man. Like rolling dice. Playin’ craps. Your number’s gotta come up some time.
Jackie [grinning]: Then I’ve got great odds because I’m never leaving you.
Hyde blows out a breath, as if her statement unnerves him, but secretly he’s relieved and happy to hear it.
Thank you for your question!