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Whether fans are filling the time between seasons or attempting to explain a glaring plot inconsistency, devoted TV viewers often create intricate theories about their favorite series. Some theories brilliantly link key plot points, while others are more speculative. Here are 10 such theories. Be warned: Spoilers ahead!
1. EVERY CHARACTER IN THE WALKING DEAD IS DEAF.
Despite walkers being slow and noisy, they frequently manage to ambush characters on The Walking Dead, even in open spaces. The experts at The Film Theorists suggest that the characters might be suffering from hearing loss, explaining their inability to detect approaching walkers.
In the first episode, Rick Grimes fired a gun inside a tank to eliminate a zombie; the deafening noise from the shot left him temporarily unable to hear. Given the frequent close-range gunfire in The Walking Dead, it’s plausible that the characters’ hearing is deteriorating, which could explain why they constantly draw walkers. Essentially, Rick and his group are unaware of how much noise they’re making.
Is it possible that the six main characters in Friends are actually patients in a mental institution, with the show representing a shared delusion of their ideal lives? A widely discussed fan theory supports this idea. According to this theory, Phoebe lost touch with reality after her mother’s suicide, Monica struggled with the trauma of being bullied for her weight, Rachel exhibits sociopathic tendencies, Ross is haunted by abandonment issues, Chandler is scarred by his dysfunctional upbringing, and Joey’s mental state deteriorated due to being the only male sibling. How else could New York City in the '90s appear so crime-free and untouched by urban decay? Why would the characters overlook the city’s transformation post-September 11, 2001?
HBO
A widely circulated theory from Vox Media proposes that the White Walkers in Game of Thrones symbolize climate change, with humanity being too preoccupied to confront them. These icy humanoid creatures, absent for centuries, return to threaten mankind. Yet, despite their looming danger, the noble families of Westeros remain engrossed in their power struggles, with some even refusing to acknowledge the White Walkers’ existence.
4. MALCOLM FROM
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE
EVENTUALLY BECAME WALTER WHITE IN
BREAKING BAD
.
YouTube
Alongside the theory proposing that Walter White from Breaking Bad entered witness protection and became Hal in Malcolm in the Middle (both roles famously portrayed by Bryan Cranston), another unusual fan theory claims that Walter White isn’t Hal—he’s actually Malcolm all grown up.
Malcolm and Walter exhibit several similarities: both are highly intelligent, determined, cunning, and excel in chemistry—yet they can also display violent and self-centered tendencies. Despite this, they both possess a strong moral core.
5. THE CHARACTERS IN
FULLER HOUSE
ARE AWARE THEY’RE ON TELEVISION.
The Netflix reboot of the beloved TGIF sitcom was met with nostalgia and heartfelt praise. While Fuller House paid homage to its predecessor with clever nods, a fan theory proposes that the Tanner family is fully aware they’re fictional characters entertaining viewers, much like the premise of The Truman Show.
Mashable’s Andrea Romano authored a detailed piece highlighting moments in Fuller House that support this theory, including the Tanners often breaking the fourth wall, Uncle Jesse mentioning his role as a music composer on General Hospital, and characters acknowledging the show’s background score.
6.
GILMORE GIRLS
IS MERELY A ROMANTICIZED PORTRAYAL OF RORY GILMORE’S LIFE.
Warner Bros.
In the finale of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Rory Gilmore pens a novel titled The Gilmore Girls, capturing the unique bond she shares with her mother, Lorelai. A theory posits that the Netflix revival represents the true reality of the show, while the original Gilmore Girls series is merely Rory’s romanticized recollection of her teenage years, viewed through the lens of her discontented, thirty-something self.
The Netflix revival portrays Rory’s life as messy and far from perfect, a stark departure from the flawless young adult depicted in the original series. Her dynamic with Lorelai also becomes more strained in A Year in the Life. Lorelai’s reluctance about Rory’s book further suggests it’s an embellished account of her life.
7. SPRINGFIELD IN
THE SIMPSONS
IS ACTUALLY IN OREGON. OR MAINE. OR OHIO. OR ...
Simpsons Wiki
Despite The Simpsons airing for nearly three decades, the exact state where Springfield is situated remains a mystery. While Springfield exists in 22 U.S. states, many fans speculate it’s either Maine or Ohio. However, The Film Theorists argues that Springfield is in Oregon, citing clues from seasons one through nine.
Using deductive reasoning, MatPat from the YouTube Channel concluded Springfield is in Oregon. Key evidence includes the radio station KBBL (stations with “K” call signs are west of the Mississippi River), the town’s elevation of about 8000 feet, and its coastal location, as seen in beach and ocean episodes. Additionally, Homer’s paycheck from the nuclear plant deducts state income tax, a feature of Oregon.
Furthermore, Simpsons creator Matt Groening hails from Portland, Oregon, located roughly 100 miles south of Springfield, Oregon. Groening also named several characters after Portland streets, such as Lovejoy, Flanders, and Quimby.
8. CERTAIN CHARACTERS IN
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
AREN’T AS THEY APPEAR TO THE AUDIENCE.
FX/Getty
Among the many strange fan theories about It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—such as Dennis being a serial killer or Charlie’s Uncle Jack being the true Nightman—a particularly intriguing Reddit theory proposes that Mac, Dennis, and Sweet Dee don’t actually look like their on-screen portrayals in real life. The theory suggests their true appearances will be unveiled in the series finale.
At its heart, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia revolves around a group of delusional friends running a bar. Mac fancies himself a tough guy but avoids confrontation, Dennis considers himself irresistible to women yet relies on manipulative tactics, and Sweet Dee dreams of being a star but panics in front of an audience.
A popular theory suggests that by the series finale, Paddy’s Pub will shut down. Frank plans to take a final group photo, which will reveal Mac as frail, Dennis as far less attractive, and Dee still wearing her high school back brace. Charlie and Frank, however, remain unchanged, as they’ve always accepted their flaws. The season 12 premiere, "The Gang Turns Black," subtly hinted at this revelation.
9. KENNETH FROM
30 ROCK
IS ETERNAL.
YouTube
Fans of 30 Rock are well aware that Kenneth the NBC Page is an eccentric character, but one theory takes it a step further, claiming he’s immortal. Evidence includes his knowledge of TV stars from the '40s and '50s and his claim of owning a pet bird for “nearly 60 years.”
Additionally, in the season seven episode “Governor Dunston,” Kenneth’s mother—portrayed by Catherine O'Hara—playfully alluded to this theory when she mentioned her son’s unusual birth.
10.
STRANGER THINGS
AND
PARKS AND RECREATION
ARE LINKED.
YouTube
Ever since Stranger Things debuted, fans have speculated that Steve Harrington, Nancy’s boyfriend, eventually becomes the father of Jean-Ralphio Saperstein from Parks and Recreation, as per this popular theory.
Stranger Things is set in Indiana during the early '80s, while Parks and Recreation unfolds in the present day, also in Indiana. Interestingly, Joe Keery, who portrays Steve, bears a striking resemblance to Ben Schwartz, the actor behind Jean-Ralphio. The two even collaborated on a video titled The Truth About Steve & Jean-Ralphio for The Late Late Show with James Corden.
