We've now had a chance to screen the tapes from Joey's drunken meltdown, the intervention, and his departure for rehab.  It all happened so fast it is difficult to believe he is gone.  This house misses Joey.

We try to play armchair therapists here, and have been looking at the reasons Joey got so drunk the other night.  Yes, he's an alcoholic, but what was the emotional 'trigger' that set him off?

We think it was his relationship with Brianna.  Joey really did care for her, but she had enough of his drunken antics and turned her affection instead to JoJo – and Joey was jealous.  In a conversation at the hot tub Joey told Brianna that he was better looking than JoJo, and took better care of himself – so how could she choose JoJo over him?  Brianna's response was that Joey was conceited.  It was very clear in this conversation that Brianna was no longer interested in Joey – and it hurt. 

The next day, Brianna returned to Philadelphia with Will to face her arrest charges – and Joey went out, got drunk, and lost control.  It really looks like it was an emotional reaction to Brianna's losing interest in Joey.  Maybe if Brianna and Will had been here, Joey would not have acted out like this and he might still be in the house.

Of course, eventually that 'monster' would have to come out and the result would be the same.

The two Real World staff members who met with Joey and offered him rehab were Ken Chien, the Supervising Producer; and Matt Ruecker, the Lead Director.  Both are long time veterans of The Real World and both had a great relationship with Joey.  He trusted them, and willingly chose rehab with their suggestion. 

Tune in Wednesday night at 10 p.m. for an all new episode and check back here on Thursday to see an exclusive new batch of Bonus Clips.