This theory about Stanley from The Office being in purgatory is wildly believable

As you’d expect with a show this big, hearing The Office fan theories isn’t entirely surprising on the internet. The beloved series ran on NBC for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013, and thanks to Netflix, it’s become even bigger since it went off air.

Diehard fans of the series have probably heard dozens of theories, including Toby Flenderson actually being the Scranton Strangler, Kevin Malone being a secret genius, and even the one speculating that Roy Anderson and Angela Martin had an affair. (If you haven’t heard the last one, it’s a doozy).

But now, we present you with one Office fan theory that is so wild, it might actually be true. Honestly, we might need showrunner Greg Daniels to step in and respond, because we’re a little bit convinced.

This fan theory comes from Reddit, of course, with user Burnnoticelover arguing that Stanley Hudson is actually in purgatory. A bit dark, we know, but the fan has some solid points to back up all their speculation.

The user starts off their post by boldly claiming that in the season 5 episode “Stress Relief Part 1,” in which Stanley has a heart attack, he actually dies. They also argue that Stanley isn’t a good person, referencing him being rude to his boss Michael Scott, along with having affairs. The theory then goes like this:

"I think the heart attack killed him, and being forced to work in the office is his punishment. You’ll notice that the office is not the same as it was before. The characters have become exaggerated parodies of themselves. The daily events get weirder and weirder. This is Stanley’s hell. When he retires, it’s him having served his punishment in purgatory, and being able to move on to heaven."

Believable? Honestly, we could see it. I always wondered why Stanley didn’t just quit Dunder Mifflin if he hated the place so much, and I don’t think waiting for his retirement would’ve been a reason solid enough to keep him there.

Maybe Leslie David Baker, the actor behind Stanley, could respond to this outrageous theory during his planned Office spinoff, Uncle Stan. To learn more about it, click here.