A brilliant Friends theory solves a long-standing side character mystery (& it totally works)

One of Friends’ many peculiar characters might finally have an explanation, and it includes Joey’s cunning idiocy.

Years after the series ended, it's still being watched and analyzed by both old and new viewers. The complex relationships between Ross and Rachel or those of Joey and Chandler never seem to run out, and keep the viewers entertained.

However, one Eugene Merman-based storyline in Season 2 stands out as one of the show’s strangest when Eddie Menuek, Chandler Bing’s bizarre roommate character, gets some screen time. Now, a psychotic fan theory suggests that Eddie’s eerie likeness was not random – It could have been an attempt by Joey Tribbiani to get his way back as Chandler’s roommate.

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When Joey moved out & Eddie moved in

Joey moves out in Season 2 since he has gotten his big break in acting on ‘Days of Our Lives’, and he feels that it is indeed time to ‘fend for himself’. This creates friction with Chandler because, in essence, their close friendship was tied by the shared apartment that they lived in. Just one episode later, Chandler encounters Eddie in a supermarket and, on a whim, offers him Joey's old space.

Initially, Eddie appears to be perfectly socially acceptable, if somewhat soft-spoken. Then, his behavior becomes outright disturbing. He claims that Chandler cheated on his ex with him, stalks him in bed, and in the end, doesn’t accept that he’s being forced to move out.

It is true that Eddie’s growing paranoia and mental condition deteriorating add to the comedic elements of the story, but raise one important question: what was up with Eddie?

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The Fan Theory: Eddie was an actor that Joey hired

The fan theory certainly brings in some interesting points of view. Some people think that Eddie’s behavior was calculated and not a coincidence. From their perspective, Eddie was an actor hired by Joey to frustrate Chandler to such a degree that he would yearn for Joey’s company.

This is plausible since Joey regretted leaving but was too proud to put forth the request to Chanandler Bing directly. The theory claims that Joey arranged it so that Chandler would live with someone so horrible that he would be shouting at the top of his lungs for Joey to come back.

Not only does the theory fit perfectly within the framework of such a sitcom, but it also makes a surprising amount of sense. Eddie’s odd behavior on such short notice can also be perceived as part of the act.

Eddie, in the theory, posed as a normal guy so that he could gain entry to the apartment, but then went full antagonistic mode as Chandler’s housemate. It is easy to see why one might assume Joey would have known a bunch of actors willing to enjoy the role, and in the mix, Eddie could be the name.

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Does it hold up?

Absolutely, the timeline is a bit sloppy. Joey only ever seems to realize that he wants to move back in after he has already seen Eddie. However, Friends never seemed to be too concerned with timelines, and days and weeks seem to pass without any clear markers.

It’s perfectly reasonable that he could have quickly come up with the idea after talking with Monica and Phoebe, especially if Eddie was already a friend or acquaintance of his in the acting world.

The theory does not work for every single detail of the plot, but it is definitely interesting in its own way, or downright astonishing, if you will. It paints Joey not only as a carelessly reckless roommate, but also someone who missed his best friend enough to stage an elaborate plot to return home.

Whether Eddie was putting on a performance or simply just gone in the head remains a mystery in the show, but this theory adds depth to a subplot that is already outlandish and hilarious.

In the case that fans prefer to believe that Eddie was either part of a brilliantly evil scheme to distract Chandler or just one of the ridiculously eccentric characters on television, it really does not change the fact that the reunion of Chandler and Joey brought back one of the most beloved dynamics of Friends.

And in the case that Joey did orchestrate the entire thing? Then that would truly be his best performance in the entire series.