Eric is one of Penny's ex-boyfriends that appears in "The Codpiece Topology" (S02E02). When Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Rajesh return from a Renaissance Fair, they meet Penny and Eric. Eric says he likes Howard's jester hat when he and Penny leave. In the same episode, when Leslie Winkle is saying good-bye to Leonard after their date, they meet Penny and Eric walking up the stairs, and Penny is explaining Schrödinger's Cat to Eric. Sighting each other, the two couples engage in a competition of kissing.