Gwen's Shocking Origins Unveiled - Mind-Blowing Season 2 Twist Exposed!

According to a theory about That '90s Show, Gwen Runck may share a familial connection with Steven Hyde from That '70s Show. This potential revelation would bring about a significant twist in the plot for season 2. While Hyde has not yet appeared in the spinoff set in the 1990s (and is unlikely to), there are apparent connections between his character from That '70s Show and the new girl-next-door, Gwen. This has prompted the theory that they might be father and daughter, which is bolstered by the way That '90s Show season 1 introduced Gwen's family situation.

The story of That '90s Show begins with Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, visiting her grandparents in Point Place, Wisconsin, for the summer. As expected, Leia makes new friends and gets up to typical teenage mischief (including spending time in the iconic 'circle' from That '70s Show). One of the people Leia meets is Gwen Runck, who resides in the house next to the Formans', which used to be Donna's childhood home. Gwen exhibits rebellious, edgy, and distrusting characteristics—traits reminiscent of a certain familiar character from That '70s Show. This could be a mere coincidence, but it could also serve as a hint for a significant plot twist in season 2 of That '90s Show.

Gwen's Absentee Father In That '90s Show Could Be Steven Hyde

In the first season of That '90s Show, Gwen lived with her mother, Sherri, and her brother Nate. It is disclosed that Gwen and Nate have different fathers, but neither of them were involved in their lives. While Nate's father would occasionally send gifts, Gwen hardly heard from her father. This topic was briefly mentioned in the spinoff series' first season, emphasizing the relationship between the siblings, who usually have a somewhat strained bond. However, with scarce information about Gwen's father, it appeared that That '90s Show was leaving room for a potential surprise.

This has sparked speculation that Gwen's father could eventually be revealed as Steven Hyde. So far, each of the original That '70s Show characters has had some connection to the new characters, such as Kelso and Jackie being the parents of Jay and Fez dating Sherri Runck. Therefore, it would make sense for Hyde, even if he is unlikely to make an appearance on the show, to have a subtle connection as well. Moreover, the concept of an absentee father aligns with Hyde's character.

Back in That '70s Show, Hyde emerged as the result of neglectful parents, and although the Formans made an effort to shield him from the negative repercussions, there was always an underlying insinuation that he would emulate their path. Hyde took pleasure in making poor choices and consistently challenged authority. This notion was exemplified in "It's a Wonderful Life," an episode from season 4 of That '70s Show, where Eric envisioned an alternate future in which Hyde (now married to Donna) abandoned his family. Hence, the concept that Hyde may have followed a similar trajectory in the canonical future is not at all implausible.

The suggestion that Hyde could potentially be an absentee father is not the sole reason behind the speculation that he may be related to Gwen. What truly fuels this theory are the shared character traits between them. Gwen, much like Hyde, possesses a rebellious nature, an edgy demeanor, and a deep involvement in politics. She exudes an air of having given up on the world, positioning herself as the influential troublemaker within their circle of friends. Just as Hyde would occasionally reveal his softer, more emotional side in That '70s Show, Gwen, too, demonstrated glimpses of vulnerability, albeit hidden away as much as possible.

Still, when Gwen and Nate were questioned about their parentage in That '90s Show, it became evident that the characters were addressing the fact that these two siblings belonged to different racial backgrounds. Gwen clarified that they had different fathers, implying that her father was Black. Although Steven was presumed to be white in That '70s Show, there was a significant storyline where he discovered that his biological father was actually Black. This suggests the possibility that Hyde, as the presumed father, could have passed on these genetic traits to his daughter. However, given Hyde's absence in That '90s Show, it might be challenging to definitively confirm or refute this theory.

Why Hyde Doesn't Appear In That '90s Show

While all the other main characters from That '70s Show have made cameo appearances in That '90s Show, Steven Hyde has been noticeably absent. This is unlikely to change in the future due to actor Danny Masterson's arrest in 2020 and subsequent guilty verdict in 2023. As a result, he may be facing several decades in prison, which means he cannot participate in any upcoming episodes of the That '70s Show spinoff, even if the showrunners wanted him to. However, the Hyde-Gwen theory could offer a way for That '90s Show to explain Hyde's absence.

There are still ways for That '90s Show to validate this theory without including Masterson in the series. In future episodes, Sherri, Gwen's mother, could disclose the identity of the mysterious father, and even the mere mention of Hyde's name would undoubtedly trigger a response from Kitty, Red, and Fez (since Sherri dated Fez in season 1). Alternatively, Hyde could be humorously replaced with an older actor, highlighting the impact of his life choices. The potential avenues are limitless, particularly for the imaginative writers behind That '70s Show and That '90s Show.