Content warning: This article mentions an actor who was convicted of rape. It also includes spoilers for That ’90s Show part 3!
Summary
That ’90s Showpart 3 finally disproved a major theory surrounding Steven Hyde and his fate afterThat ’70s Show. Set over 15 years afterThat ‘70 Show’s timeline,That ’90s Showprimarily follows the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia, and her teenage friends in Point Place. Granted, several notable figures from the original show are prominentcharacters inThat ’90s Show, or at least have made cameos. Though that hasn’t been the case for Danny Masterson’s Hyde, a theory connecting him to the new cast has been made impossible.
WhenThat ’90s Showdebuted, it was revealed Eric and Donna had relocated to Chicago, but with Red and Kitty still in Point Place, they visited regularly. Jackie and Kelso, who were also married by the events ofThat ’90s Show, lived in the town they grew up in. Fez, of course, appeared a few times inThat ’90s Showpart 1, where it was revealed he owned a hair salon and dated the Forman’s neighbor, Sherri. Interestingly, a theory connected Sherri to Hyde briefly, and it would have been wild if it had been true.
That ’90s Show Season 3: Cancelation & Everything We Know
The nostalgic antics continued in the second season of Netflix’s That ’90s Show, but the spinoff of That ’70s Show won’t return for season 3.
That ’90s Show’s Otis Character Ends The Theory That Hyde Is Gwen’s Dad
Part 3 Introduces Cedric Yarbrough As Gwen’s Father
AfterThat ’90s Showintroduced a handful of new young characters, there were similarities made evident between Ashley Aufderheide’s Gwen and Hyde. The noticeable similarities eventually spawned a popular theory that suggested Hyde was Gwen’s dad. However,That ’90s Showconfirmed Cedric Yarbrough’s Otis is her Gwen’s birth father, putting an official end to the theory that Hyde was possibly the dad. Though Gwen had briefly mentioned her dad inThat ’90s Show, he never made a direct appearance until part 3’s “Life Is a Highway.”
Cedric Yarbrough is best known for roles inReno 911!, Speechless, BoJack Horseman,andThe Boondocks.
Why Gwen Being Hyde’s Daughter Was A Popular Theory Surrounding That ’90s Show
There Was Evidence Supporting The Major Hyde Theory
Hyde being Gwen’s dad might seem like an odd theory, but there was actually plenty of evidence in both shows that support the notion. Early inThat ’90s Show,it was stated that Nate and Gwen were siblings but with different fathers. Both men weren’t really in the picture, meaning Sherri was essentially raising the teens alone. With Sherri’s approach to her romantic life, it wouldn’t have been impossible to think a fling with Hyde could have led to Gwen being born. More importantly, Hyde’s birth father, William Barnett, was Black, so Hyde could’ve had a mixed-race child.
Many traits seen through Gwen have leaned toward Hyde’s characterization in the original show…
Gwen’s demeanor and rebellious nature also made her the Hyde of the group in the ’90s. Aside from her immediate friend group, she was described as a loner. Still, she has been extremely loyal to her family and close friends, even though she can be cynical at times. Gwen also enjoyed being labeled as a “delinquent” inThat ’90s Showpart 3’s ending, which is something Hyde would have certainly embraced being called. Many traits seen through Gwen have leaned toward Hyde’s characterization in the original show, helping fuel the theory ahead of part 3.
It’s Unlikely Hyde’s Fate Will Be Revealed In That ’90s Show
That ’90s Show Doesn’t Need To Reference Hyde
While the confirmation that Hyde was Gwen’s father would have been a massive reveal, it’s for the bestThat ’90s Showdidn’t go in that direction. SinceThat ’90s Showfirst debuted on Netflix, actor Danny Masterson had been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a conviction of rape. He wasn’t even considered for an opportunity to reprise his role as Hyde before the conviction due to the pending trial, and rightfully so.
Considering what happened to the actor sinceThat ’70s Showended,it’s very possibleThat ’90s Showwill act like Steven Hyde never existed.Out of all themajor'70s Showcharacters missing inThat ’90s Show, Hyde is the only one not to be referenced. It’s no secret that Hyde was a pivotal character throughoutThat ’70s Show, especially to the Forman family. However, under the circumstances of the serious criminal offenses, it makes sense whyThat ’90s Showwould avoid revealing what happened to Hyde.
The character was managing his father’s record store at the end ofThat ’70s Show, and unlessThat ’90s Showthrows in a brief mention to tie up loose ends, Hyde’s fate will forever be a mystery. That said, thanks to the big Gwen reveal, we can let go of any theories suggesting Hyde is related to any of the younger cast members.
