More than a month after Off Campus premiered on Prime Video—quickly becoming the streamer’s third most successful debut series of all time—fans are still talking about its steamiest, most unforgettable moments. And in the case of Allie and Dean’s bathtub scene, that description is quite literal.
To recap, Episode 6 includes a montage of the pair’s secret situationship, highlighting their growing sexual tension and chemistry. One standout moment takes place during a candlelit bath at the Briar house. When Tucker unexpectedly walks into the bathroom, Allie quickly submerges herself to avoid being seen—creating the illusion, from his perspective, that Dean is alone in the tub with a pink vibrator during a romantic soak.
After Tucker leaves, Allie resurfaces from the bubbles, gasping for air before telling Dean: “That was absolutely the last time.”
If the scene felt oddly familiar, you’re not wrong. Co-showrunner Louisa Levy confirmed to Bustle that the moment was partly inspired by another iconic TV couple known for their secret relationship phase—Monica and Chandler from Friends.
“Yes, we did that as a Friends moment for sure,” Levy explained, adding that she’s a longtime fan of the sitcom. “It was also tied to a moment from the book. We kind of merged the book inspiration with our Friends reference.”
As Levy explains, Allie and Dean’s bathtub moment originally appears in Elle Kennedy’s novel The Score—including the infamous vibrator detail. In fact, it even becomes an ongoing inside joke among the Briar boys, with Tucker at one point teasing Dean about whether his “little pink buddy” will be joining them for breakfast.
However, the book version differs slightly in execution. When Logan walks in, Allie quickly jumps out of the tub and hides behind the door. The series adaptation instead leans closer to a Friends reference, echoing the scene where Joey accidentally interrupts Chandler and Monica during a romantic bath, forcing Monica to hide underwater.
Much like in Off Campus, Joey is puzzled to find Chandler unexpectedly enjoying a sensual candlelit bath, while Chandler tries to act completely normal. “I’ve had a very long, hard day,” he casually explains to his confused roommate.
It’s easy to see why Off Campus draws this parallel between Allie and Dean and the iconic Friends couple. In both stories, the relationships begin as secret hookups hidden from friends, only to gradually evolve into something much deeper than physical attraction.
With Allie and Dean expected to take center stage again in Off Campus Season 2, fans are now eagerly waiting for the moment their friends finally discover the truth about their hidden romance.
