Summary

• A fan theory posits that Gwen from That '90s Show could be the daughter of Steven Hyde from That '70s Show, since Gwen's father is absent and their characters are similar.
• This fan theory not only creates another interesting link between an original character from That '70s Show and a new character in That '90s Show, but it also explains Hyde's absence from the spinoff.
• Hyde's actor's absence from That '90s Show makes sense, but this fan theory offers a way to address his character's glaring disappearance in the world of the show.

This article contains mention of sexual assault.

One brilliant fan theory explains a That '70s Show character's glaring absence from That '70s Show Easter Eggs and references in That '90s Show, including connections between the original characters and the new cast. Besides the Formans' obvious connection, Kelso and Jackie are Jay's parents and Fez is dating Sherri, Gwen and Nate's mother and Red and Kitty's next-door neighbor.

That '90s Show season 1 is available to stream on Netflix. That '70s Show is available to stream on Peacock.

Other That '70s Show That '90s Show season 2 to explain the character's absence from the spinoff in the world of the show.

That '90s Show season 2 will be released in summer 2024.

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That '90s Show's season 1 finale leaves plenty of loose ends untied for Leia and the gang as summer 1995 comes to an end in Point Place.

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That '90s Show Fan Theory Explains A Major Absence (& Reveals Gwen's Father)

The Theory Posits That Gwen's Father Is Steven Hyde

In That '90s Show, Leia becomes friends with her next-door neighbor, Gwen Runck, who lives in The Pinciottis' old house with her mother Sherri and half-brother Nate. Gwen explains early on that she and Nate have different fathers, which is why the half-siblings appear to be different races. It's later revealed that Gwen's dad is a truck driver whom she only sees "when he comes through town on his way to another city." Because her father never appears onscreen and is never named, there is a fan theory that Steven Hyde from That '70s Show is actually Gwen's father.

Not only is it totally plausible that Hyde is Gwen's father, but this theory would also explain Hyde's absence in That '90s Show.

It makes sense given the similarities between the characters. Seen as the "bad influences" of their friend groups, Gwen and Hyde are both rebellious and live to challenge authority. Hyde also had absentee parents himself, and it was often implied in That '70s Show that he might do the same to his children someday. Although it's implied that Gwen's dad is Black and Hyde was presumed to be white, it's revealed later on in That '70s Show that Hyde's biological father is Black, so it's still possible that That '90s Show.

Not only is it totally plausible that Hyde is Gwen's father, but this . He's the only character from the main '70s gang who doesn't have any connection to the new cast or make a cameo in the spinoff, and That '90s Show has yet to address Hyde's absence or even acknowledge his existence at all. Making Hyde Gwen's absentee father would provide an opportunity to finally bring up the character, establish his whereabouts, and explain why he's not around.

This Fan Theory Is That '90s Show's Best Chance At Addressing Hyde's Disappearance

Hyde's Absence Makes Sense In Real Life, But Not In The Show

Hyde not appearing or even being mentioned in That '90s Show might seem mystifying given the character's significance in the original show, but there is a very real reason why Danny Masterson, the actor who portrayed Hyde in That '70s Show, didn't return for the spinoff. Masterson was accused of sexual assault by multiple women and facing criminal charges long before production started on That '90s Show. Since That '90s Show premiered in January 2023, Masterson has been convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Instead of figuring out a satisfying and sufficient way to write off the character, That '90s Show avoided the topic of Hyde altogether and basically pretended he doesn't exist.

Because of his criminal charges and sexual assault trial in real life, it would've been incredibly controversial and an overall bad call if Masterson reprised his role as Hyde in the spinoff. It's not a mystery why That '90s Show didn't find a way for Masterson to make a cameo like the rest of the original That '70s Show cast, but instead of figuring out a satisfying and sufficient way to write off the character, That '90s Show avoided the topic of Hyde altogether and basically pretended he doesn't exist.

While Masterson's onscreen absence makes sense, the character's absence still needs to be dealt with in the world of the show somehow. Hyde was like a brother to Eric and a son to Red and Kitty, and ignoring the existence of such a prominent character comes dangerously close to creating a plot hole. Revealing that Hyde is Gwen's truck driver father is the best way to address Hyde's absence in That '90s Show and give the OG character a connection to the new batch of kids without having to bring back the original actor or recast the character.