Joseph 'Joey the Rat' Epstein

Joey "The Rat" Epstein
First appearance Back 2 School Final appearance Graduation
Information Name Joey Epstein Role Student, bully Final Status Graduated John Adams High Portrayed by Blake Soper

“	That's a good one, Harley! That's a great one! I'll be laughing at that one for years and years. I'll probably tell my grandkids about it sixty years from now. Unless of course if I don't have grandkids, and then I'll tell some strange kids in the park. And the cops will come and say, 'You in the raincoat...'	”
	—Joey

Joey Epstein (aka Joey the Rat) is a short and skinny kid who acts as a flunky to the local bully, Harley Keiner, alongside Frankie Stecchino. He has a squeaky voice and often babbles on.

He and Frankie are best friends and are often seen together, often torturing little kids along Frankie's side even after Harley is gone. Unlike Frankie, he never really softens and befriends Cory and Shawn.

After Harley leaves, Frankie and Joey attempt working as lackeys for Eric Matthews, but they ultimately wind up working for the new guy, Griffin Hawkins, in Pop Quiz. After Griff's last appearance, Frankie and Joey start working independently.

In The Thrilla' in the Phila', he is the only student applying to the John Adams High wrestling team in Cory's weight class. After training with Frankie who only knows Sumo wrestling, Cory quickly beats him, but he cries fix and challenges Cory to a rematch for bragging rights. The fight escalates beyond a simple wrestling match, and there's really no discernable outcome.

In City Slackers, Joey challenged Eric to a game of po

ol, claiming he is an expert pool shot. The match doesn't end, and he and Eric are equally bad. Until Graduation, this is his last appearance.

Even though he doesn't appear in the episode, Joey is responsible for dressing Cory and Shawn up like cheerleaders. Unlike Frankie, he is suspended for his deed. Mr. Feeny suggests that Frankie find friends that are a better influence, and Frankie befriends Cory and Shawn.

In Graduation, though, he appears again (this time with short hair). He seems to have reconnected with Frankie, and has returned to his criminal ways. Even though he considers Cory and Shawn his friends, he wants them to write down their addresses so he can go to their houses and rob them.

Trivia

In the Girl Meets World first season episode Girl Meets Flaws (Oct 17, 2014), an award is named after Joey (the Joseph T.R. Epstein Confidence Award).  It is awarded to Farkle, son of Stuart Minkus, whose last appearance in Boy Meets World is also Graduation.