Eric Matthews (Boy Meets World)
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Eric Randall Matthews (born June 24, 1978) is a fictional character played by Will Friedle on the television sitcom Boy Meets World, the older brother of protagonist Cory Matthews.
[edit] Character biography
The brother of Cory, Morgan, and Joshua Matthews, Eric began the show as a suave, popular young man who was constantly dating. He was originally portrayed as the stereotypical older brother. Eric's character changed mid-series from preppy older brother to "crazy moronic brother." During the fourth season, Eric takes a year off from school when he doesn't get into a college of his choice. He eventually attends the fictional Pennbrook University in Philadelphia, and appears to do quite well there, graduating in three years.
Eric also often plays off his hero and mentor, Mr. Feeny. Though Eric and Feeny are not originally seen as having a close relationship, the two develop a bond. Feeny's fondness for Eric can be seen in the episode where Feeny chooses Eric to teach a citizenship course and when he teaches him to appreciate the opera. Although occasionally exasperated with Eric's antics, it's clear that Feeny has great faith in Eric and takes great pride in his accomplishments. Eric, to his end, appears to regard Mr. Feeny with an almost familial love, evidenced at the end of the fifth season when Eric sings a rousing rendition of "To Sir, With Love" at Cory's High School Graduation. Eric also coins the "Feeny call" and even makes a talking doll for Feeny that does the call so Feeny will not miss him when he moves to New York with Cory, Topanga, and Shawn.
Eric is actually highly intelligent, and Feeny mentions that Eric can get passing grades in his sleep (in fact, he once did). He compares this to Cory who, though lacking Eric's natural intelligence, makes up for it by being hard-working when he wants to be, and thus succeeds. Eric, on the other hand, does not apply himself, and wastes his talents, to the annoyance of both his family and Feeny.
There is some evidence to suggest that Eric's sometimes inexplicable behavior in the later years could be best explained as some sort of mental illness. Eric is often capable of extraordinary intellect and is often able to explain his ideas and eccentricities with very grandiose and complex phrasing. Many of his personality traits are ones shared by those suffering from schizotypal personality disorder.
During the later years, storylines involving Eric became stranger and wackier, often bending the rules of reality itself, such as an episode where Eric continually tries to sneak up on Topanga by using many disguises and crazy situations. He is regarded by a US military officer as a "Disgrace to Pennbrook University, to this country, and humanity in general!" and Eric is impressed by that. He is also shown to be very sensitive and wise, as can be seen in the episode where he is heading the effort to resolve fights with the rest of the group.
His favorite color is blue and his favorite film is The Godfather Part II.
| Episode List | ||
| Primary Characters |
Cory Matthews | Eric Matthews | Shawn Hunter | Topanga Lawrence | George Feeny | Alan Matthews | Amy Matthews |
|
| Secondary Characters |
Morgan Matthews | Jonathan Turner | Eli Williams | Joey Epstein | Jack Hunter | Angela Moore | Rachel McGuire |
|
