The final seasons of That '70s Show are often considered to be worse than the rest of the series. One fan theory suggests that the departure of actor Topher Grace, who played Eric, led to the decline in the show's quality. Another theory proposes that the strange events in the later seasons are the result of Eric's death, with Donna writing a different ending to cope with her grief. The theory suggests that Donna's story is an explanation for the out-of-character behavior and exaggerated traits of the other characters, including the introduction of a new love interest for Donna.

Eric's eventual return in the series finale represents Donna accepting the truth about Eric's character and rewriting their story. While this theory may be entertaining to consider, it is unlikely to have been the intention of the show's writers. The decline in quality is more likely due to the series running out of ideas and the desire to wrap up the show.