Joey's Delayed Reaction, also known as the 'Joey Realization' meme, originates from a Season 8 episode of the hit sitcom Friends titled 'The One with the Red Sweater.' In the scene, Joey Tribbiani initially reacts with a smug, knowing smile when he learns a red sweater belongs to the father of Rachel's baby, only to transition into a look of sheer horror seconds later when he realizes the sweater belongs to Ross. This two-panel transition has become the internet's go-to template for depicting a 'slow burn' epiphany or the moment a disturbing truth finally sinks in. It is widely used to highlight situations where someone is initially oblivious to a major problem or embarrassing fact before the sudden, dramatic realization hits.