Eastenders: Lost in the Dark

(Monday 9^th – Thursday 12^th November 2020)

Well, the first thing I have to say is that I am so impressed with Simone Lahbib’s arrival as Katy Lewis. The story unravelling is engaging and deeply uncomfortable in equal measure. I had no idea how it was going to play out when Katy arrived on the Square but the way it has, blindsided me. This woman is clearly a master manipulator. She is wrapped up in beautiful smiles and a gentle voice and it was so unsettling to watch her persuade Mick that nothing had ever happened between them. Danny Dyer was incredible in these scenes as Mick began not to trust his own, very clear memories of how their relationship began. And she was so convincing! And so lovely to him at times. So bloody clever.

Katy is a master manipulator…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

Tina was delighted to see her and looked like she had as much of a crush on her as Mick once had. She forced Mick to persuade Frankie that he had been wrong and couldn’t be her Dad. Frankie was furious and disgusted with him that he could have let her believe her Mum was a paedophile. It really has been awful to watch but also fascinating. Eastenders has cast this so well. She is the nicest, girl next door type character. And yet, there she was, pressuring Mick, manipulating him, without him even realising it half the time. Changing his memories. Confusing him.

Mick suffers in silence…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

However, could I just suggest that the obvious answer is a paternity test? Just saying.

With Mick still in a dark place and his family not understanding why, Tina very sweetly persuaded Ian to ask him to do a shift at the Vic. And for a moment, Mick was back in his stride. But conversation between him, Tina and Shirley soon turned to Katy, he dropped an expensive bottle, Ian told him off and accidentally revealed that it was a pity shift. Mick was back to square one, leading to a very emotional scene between him and Tina where he so nearly told her the truth. I actually begged him out loud to tell her! But he closed up and kept his silence.

Mick temporarily gets his groove back…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Meanwhile, Jay confronted Lola and Peter about their infidelity but a chat with Honey made him realise that he and Lola were not meant to be and actually, he felt okay about it. She didn’t want his baby, she didn’t want to marry him, she didn’t really want to move in with him. Finally, he has realised he deserves better! Hooray! May I suggest he gets together with Honey? I hadn’t seen it before but recently, I’ve concluded they would make an excellent match.

It’s the end of the road for Lola and Jay…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Kat made her presence felt at Phil’s when she did the cleaning, stealing a football shirt in order to get his attention. She then requested his help in the robbery again. My wife and I actually laughed out loud when Kat turned up at the office with Phil in a cleaning pinny, allowing Kat to make fun of him in front of the security guard she had befriended, with a view to rob the place the next day. It really was funny. However, Phil decided that was no point robbing the place for a few grand and backed out, frustrating Kat. When he spotted the fancy cars parked in the underground car park though, he was much more interested and a new plan began to form. Kush was hurt when Kat refused to let him get involved, admitting that she didn’t trust him.

Sometimes pictures don’t need captions…
(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)

Stuart and Rainie were told once and for all that she could never carry a child. Having been friends for all of ten seconds, they then asked Tiffany if, for £10,000, she would be their surrogate. After a lot of thought, she agreed but Keegan was not happy about it.

Keegan isn’t happy with his wife’s decision…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Jack was supportive as Denise continued to try and bond with Raymond and help him through the grief of losing his parents. They took him to his old church, where he finally smiled and began to come back to life. Denise was able to speak to the church leader and find out more about Raymond and his family, as well as to get some advice about the way forward. Is this the storyline that will bring evil Lucas back into Denise’s life, I wonder…?

Denise will do anything to reach out to her son…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Doctors: There Ain’t No Party Like a Social Distanced Party!

(Monday 9^th – Thursday 12^th November)

So, I have decided to be the bigger person and put my feelings about Doctors ignoring Covid-19 aside and just enjoy the episodes for what they are. I do accept that filming a medical drama in a socially distanced fashion would be very difficult. So with that in mind, this week, the show has been back to its usual standard.

Emma teases Zara about Harper…
(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)

For starters, Harper has gone! Hooray! No more stupid Harper storyline! But first we got to enjoy some brilliant Zara and Emma scenes, with Emma teasing Zara about her new obsession and finally, Daniel (and Joe) had had enough and they and Zara staged a ‘Viking funeral’ for the thing. It is gone!

Daniel forces Zara to say goodbye to Harper…
(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)

Al and Lily’s relationship continued, with her buying him some tickets to a beer festival. She told Deborah they were seeing each other. Jimmi overhearing them was hilarious. Al confided in his friend, explaining it was all very casual. But I absolutely love this pairing. They are so well suited and it’s nice to see Al happy.

Al and Lily’s relationship is blossoming…
*(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)*

Sid had to let Deborah down gently, although I immediately became concerned that she overheard that Daniel and Zara talking about Ruhma having ‘custody’ of Tanya. If the relevant authorities find out about it, Ruhma will lose her job for good. Deborah wants to stay. I have no idea why she wants to stay in a job where nobody likes her. But could she be that ruthless?

Shak and his mates suffer the effects of dodgy tequila…
*(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)*

While Ruhma was still away and suspended (so, do we assume the amazing NHS episode is outside of the Doctors timeline and didn’t really happen as part of any of the characters’ storylines then?), Shak decided to have a party. Bear and Sid felt like the old fogies amongst the young students and while Bear almost pulled a disgruntled neighbour, Sid was concerned about a student he had treated for an STI, pulling a girl who had no idea. Things came to a halt when most of the party started vomiting dodgy tequila that STI guy had brought. Grownups, Sid and Bear were left to clear up but Ruhma immediately worked it out when she got home and found a trashed painting behind the sofa.

However, that was the least of her problems, as the day after her return, she caught Tanya leaving with the baby, wanting to go and live with her sister and receive support from her mother. She didn’t feel able to talk to Ruhma about wanting to leave and start again. Ruhma found it hard to let go but it was all pretty good timing as just as I suspected, Deborah did leave an anonymous tip about Tanya staying with her. Ruhma and Shak managed to persuade her otherwise but things are not looking good for her case. And unfortunately, it has put innocent Zara in the firing line as Ruhma concluded that she was the only one who could have informed on her…

Ruhma is devastated to say goodbye to Tanya and the baby…
(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)

Doctors airs on BBC1 every weekday @ 1:45pm

Eastenders: The Truth Comes to Light

(Tuesday 3^rd – Friday 6^th November 2020)

After Kheerat persuaded his mother to let the Slaters stay, albeit at a much higher rent, Kat and Kush’s relationship was left hanging by a thread. In desperate need to raise funds, Kat happened upon a new scam to commit a robbery but even Phil rejected her request to join in. He did offer to let her clean his house though.

While Tiffany scored a job as a beautician at the undertakers, Keegan accidentally ran Rainie over on his moped. At the hospital, Rainie was distraught to learn that she wasn’t pregnant but having a phantom pregnancy. She attempted to run away from her husband but he persuaded her to stay, offering nothing but love and support. Bonkers that Stuart came into this show as an absolute monster.

An accident leads to a revelation about Rainie’s pregnancy…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

Lola and Jay were preparing to move in together despite the fact that she looked like she would rather move into a jail cell than live with her boyfriend. After spending some time with eligible bachelor, Isaac, he called her out on her reluctance to move in with Jay, forcing her to confront how she really felt. She finally admitted everything. And I mean everything. She even confessed to sleeping with Peter! Ouch.

Lola confronts the truth about her relationship status…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Mick finally caught up with Frankie who wanted nothing to do with him now she knows that she is the result of her mother abusing him. He was distraught when she referred to her mother as a paedophile. Shirley became suspicious of Mick’s fidelity when a random man barged into The Albert, warning Mick to leave Frankie alone.

Mick denied an affair and attempted to explain his apathy towards Shirley for abandoning him, something it had been easy to assume has been sorted out as they do normally get along. But obviously there is a lot of deep rooted pain that we were only just beginning to scratch the surface. He told her in great detail how he struggled in care and that it was Frankie’s Mum, Katy who was there for him, looked out for him and helped him survive. It was Katy who made him feel special. He didn’t tell her about the abuse, which he doesn’t seem to understand himself yet. And he didn’t tell her about Frankie.

One interesting part of his dialogue is that he told her about trying to contact Katy multiple times, right up until Lee went to secondary school. So… twelveish? Around the age he was when Katy abused him?

Mick was furious when Shirley, unaware of what had truly happened between him and Katy and feeling desperately guilty for letting him down as a child, contacted Katy and invited her to the Square. He accused her of not listening to him and was shocked at the end of Friday’s episode to find himself face to face with his abuser. For me, this is possibly the most brilliant casting ever. Katy is going to be so awful and so complex. And yet she’s played by such a beautiful, lovely actress who I’ve adored since the late nineties. It’s unsettling. Very unsettling.

Katy Lewis pitches up in Albert Square…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Doctors: Return of The Mill…

(Monday 2^nd – Thursday 5^th November 2020)

I’m sorry to say that after months of longing for Doctors to return to my screen, it was a bit of a lacklustre comeback last Monday. The episode wasn’t the most thrilling, as a handful of the cast had a social distanced birthday celebration for Jimmi, resulting in Al and new girl, Lily, bedding each other. I have to say, I am so up for this pairing! They are brilliant together!

Lily challenges Al to a drinking game…
(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)

Karen and Rob said farewell to their latest charge by taking him climbing and putting a rather unpleasant policeman in his place. And the annoying temporary midwife, Deborah, just about managed to deliver a baby. Is she even qualified? She seems to have no idea what she is doing. Also, in the NHS special, Ruhma was working so hard that she caught Covid-19 and nearly died so why is this woman even still here? Why wouldn’t Ruhma be back now? Unless she is still unwell. In which case, wouldn’t someone have acknowledged that or that Covid-19 has ever existed?

But anyway, Deborah continued to struggle to fit in, not helped by a sudden crush from nowhere on Sid which was not reciprocated. But undeterred, Deborah decided that The Mill might be somewhere she would like to stay.

Thankfully, Zara swooped in midweek and saved the show with a very cool episode about a very strange actress imitating her for a play. It was really quite creepy and the kind of Doctors episode we have come to expect. Unfortunately, this annoying Harper storyline still harps on. I did appreciate the Shakespeare’s sonnets though.

Zara is still obsessed with Harper.. maybe she should change the batteries as he clearly doesn’t have a plug?
*(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)*

Now, the time has come to replace Ayesha and Daniel and Bear were sure they had found ‘the one’ until they checked the woman’s references. They were not good.

Daniel and Bear interview for a new nurse…
*(photo credit: WhatsOnTV)*

Now, I’ve watched Doctors since just after Joe was born so quite a few years now. My Nan got my Mum into it and my Mum got me into it. My wife lived in Birmingham for years and she loves it. Just in case you were interested. Probably not. But anyway, of all the soaps, I am never disappointed in this show. I think it’s the most underrated soap there is. It doesn’t show off and it doesn’t boast and yet it tells the most intricate, important, incredible stories. This week, we had mental health, grief, vasectomies, births, meditation for people coming out of prison…

So, I am shocked to discover the soap that’s set in a GP surgery has skipped the entire Coronavirus pandemic and is acting as if it’s all over. I just find it really strange. It’s also skipped it without actually skipping time. All the storylines (Ruhma has vanished without mention, Deborah is still there, they’ve not filled Ayesha’s position, Jimmi’s birthday was literally about to happen, that annoying Harper thing) just ran continuously from where they left off in the summer.

I get it in the Aussie episodes which always have that element of fantasy in them (and also didn’t really go off air) but in this kind of show, even more so than any of the others, I think Doctors has really missed a trick. Now, it feels like we’re in a weird vortex of time and space. It’s not something I would ever normally say about my beloved Doctors but attempting to skip Covid-19 entirely from the show feels like a huge error.

Doctors airs on BBC1 every weekday @ 1:45pm

Eastenders: Ghosts of the Past

(Monday 12^th October – Monday 2^nd November 2020)

The big shock these past few weeks was the discovery that Frankie’s Mum, Katie was a carer for the family and Mick was twelve when Frankie was conceived. Of all the places I thought this story was going to go, this was not one of them. I’m also not quite so excited about one of my favourite actresses, Simone Lahbib taking the role! I mean, I am sure she will absolutely kill it. She’s amazing. But I wanted her to be fabulous. Not a sex offender. However, putting that aside, this story is going to be incredible in the kind of way only a soap can achieve. I know it will. I have been so ready to rant about Eastenders changing Mick and Linda’s past and there they go, throwing in the biggest curve ball ever. I can’t even fathom how emotional this story will be.

Mick is struggling…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

For now, Mick has been failing to hide his pain and anxiety and instead, taking everything out on Linda and especially on his mother, Shirley, who left him in the situation to be abused in the first place. And Frankie has vanished in a state of distress over the truth of her beginnings.

In response to her hurt, Shirley had the clever idea of stealing the swanky new car that a Covid-19 patient gifted Sonia. However, her conscience got the better of her and she gave her the money for it.

In some good news, Whitney was found not guilty of murder! Hooray! Although, how Gray was allowed to act as her emergency barrister when at the beginning of the trial, he was physically removed from the court, I have no idea. But anyway… success! Traumatised by everything that has happened (you know, murdering his wife and all), Gray went home and decided that everything had to stop. He tucked the kids into bed and set off the gas. He was just about to flick on his lighter when Shirley barged in to tell him off for having a go at Linda earlier in the day. Realising the depth of pain he was in, Shirley then took Gray under her wing. She failed her son so she wanted to help Gray instead. I have been enjoying their scenes, although I am desperate for someone to realise the truth about Chantelle’s death! It’s not fair!

Martin and Ruby returned from a trip away to announce they were married. Martin better watch himself – he’ll soon have been married as many times as Ian Beale. There’s been Sonia, Stacey and now Ruby. Eventually, he’ll ditch Ruby and remarry Stacey, of course, so that’s four at least…

And tensions are high. Very high. It’s fair to say that Stacey and Ruby hate each other. I am Team Stacey, of course. But it’s sad. Only last year, Stacey was the best friend Ruby could ever have asked for. She got her through the worst time in her life. Now, Stacey believes that Ruby has stolen her husband (they were already split up, to be fair) and has robbed Ruby blind. And while Stacey was at least being upfront about her hatred of Ruby, Ruby was being utterly vile behind her back. She got Dotty to post a rat through their front door. She had Stacey assaulted outside the club. And finally, she teamed up with Suki to use Kush’s gambling addiction to lose them their house.

Ruby teamed up with Suki to try and get rid of the Slaters… Unforgiveable!
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Thankfully, Stacey had already bonded with Kheerat (emotionally and physically) and he persuaded his mother to cancel the bet and in exchange for higher rent, the family were allowed to stay. For now. But it looks like it might be the end for Kat and Kush, as she felt she had been let down by too many men before and he had proved to be just the same. I’m upset, to be honest. I know the actor is leaving but did they have to completely ruin his character on the way out?

Has Kush lost everything?
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

When Lola heard that Phil had been visiting Raymond at the hospital and befriended his grandmother, Ellie, she immediately broke Mitchell Rules and Ranks and did the right thing – she told Denise. With Callum still working ‘undercover’ for the dodgy cop, he discovered that Ellie was not a nice lady at all and actually, the reason her family died was a revenge killing by her enemies.

Phil persuaded Denise to take Raymond back, offering his support but promising not to crowd her. He then forced Ellie’s hand, with Callum’s help. Unfortunately, taking Raymond back spelled the end of Denise and Jack, one of the Square’s dullest couples. Jack insisted that Phil would never stay away from Raymond and he couldn’t have him involved in his children’s lives. He has a point. The first thing Phil did was attempt to pay Isaac to feed him information. Isaac took the money and gave it to Denise, telling her everything. It’s the first time I’ve liked him since he joined the show.

Bobby continued to struggle with OCD. He has also been working very hard on the Lucy Beale Foundation and asked Max and Sharon to be the treasurers, hurting Ian’s feelings. However, I’m sure he felt justified when the truth came tumbling out that Ian had fraudulently mortgaged the café behind Kathy’s back in order to pay back the money he had stolen from Max. I mean, he’s not exactly an advert for strong financial decisions right now, is he?

Peter switched Kathy’s age down by twenty five years on a dating app, not telling her until the last minute. The date went well until she fell over outside and her grandchildren accidentally outed her. Her date, Iain was not very kind.

Honey’s world was left in pieces yet again…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

However, her date was nothing compared to the horror of what poor Honey went through with a guy called Paul. He drugged her drink and when she was suitably incapacitated, he dragged her into an alley when he filmed her. It’s not clear whether he actually assaulted her or was about to when Jay turned up, worried about a ‘drunken’ phone call she made to him. He chased the guy off and rushed Honey to the hospital where she couldn’t remember anything and was heartbroken to discover what had happened. She bravely pressed charges and Jay was absolutely amazing, supporting her through everything. He also talked Billy down when he attempted to go after Paul. Of course, Billy was haunted by memories of what had happened to his ex-wife, Little Mo. I feel so sorry for Honey. She was only just putting her life back together and now this has happened…

Billy was devastated over history repeating itself…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Eastenders: You Win Some, You Lose Some

(Tuesday 6^th – Friday 9^th October 2020)

At first, Mick didn’t believe a word of what Frankie had to say but then clearly recognised her mother’s name. While Frankie had initially been told her father walked out on her mother when he learned she was pregnant, she recently found letters from Mick which proved otherwise and wanted to find him. Now, I have to say, I am shocked that Mick has completely rejected the poor girl. He has always been such a moral, family man. But he told her that Linda didn’t know about her mother and was an alcoholic who would never cope with the news that he had another child. Well, to be honest, we’re all a bit stunned that Eastenders have re-written Mick’s entire history.

So, while Mick was all over the place, struggling to come to terms with the latest revelations and snapping at Linda, little did he know that Max has now thrown his hat into the ring. Well, I mean, who needs to worry? It’s not like Max is an infamous lothario or anything… Although Linda didn’t confess about drinking, she did confess to Max kissing her. While Mick weirdly didn’t react to Linda, he was quick to warn Max away from his wife.

Mick warns Max away from his wife…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Callum’s superior tried and failed to get him to wear a wire at home to capture any dodgy conversations but all Phil is really concerned with right now is getting custody of Raymond anyway. Like Denise, he has started visiting the hospital and befriending his grandmother, Ellie.

Callum decided that enough was enough and he was out. Now, the thing I am most stunned about is the revelation that Callum thought this was a legal operation. I have been reporting this all wrong. I assumed he knew that being a completely bent cop was illegal. But apparently, he is actually that stupid. Perhaps his career on the police force actually should be this short. Lockdown must have seriously got to the writers. I mean, what are they doing to this boy?!

From dumb to evil, Suki handed over Jag’s bloodied jeans to the police and fitted him up for the attack on Martin ‘for the sake of the family’. Basically, he was stepping out of line by suggesting she gain some ethics and also daring to date Habiba. So he was whipped off by the police, presumably never to be heard from again as the actor has left the show. It’s a shame. It took me a while to warm to him but I quite liked him by the end. Ash did attempt to persuade her brother to change his plea but in the end, neither of them were brave enough to stand up to their mother.

One person brave enough or dumb enough to throw their weight around with Suki was Stacey. She mouthed off to her in the Square and by the end of the day, Suki had put their rent up, claiming they now owed hundreds as the rent Daniel had put down in advance had now run out. It was then down to Kush, who appears to be fast developing a gambling habit, to save the day with a win to keep their nasty landlady at bay.

Gray loses it in court…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Worried about both Gray and the kids, Whitney demanded that Gray stepped down from her case and be there for his family instead. However, he opted to abandon the funeral (which happened off screen) and pitched up at the court where he basically heckled proceedings until he was thrown out. Just as he was being removed, he practically told everyone that Leo got what he deserved that Whitney would do it again if she got the chance. Ever so helpful there, Gray.

Whitney holds her own in court…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

Thankfully, the next day, Whitney held her own with dignity and poise but unfortunately, her next witness, Mick, completely let her down. He had a panic attack on the stand, making her look guiltier than ever. By the end of Friday’s episode, the poor girl had decided that her only option was to plead guilty.

Mick buckles under the pressure…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

At home, Mick was overwhelmed with guilt over betraying Linda. While she reassured him that she has forgiven him for Whitney, she has no idea the depth of what is to come…

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Eastenders: Who’s That Girl?

(Tuesday 22^nd September – Monday 5^th October 2020)

Ian’s life plummeted even further down the toilet as it all came out about his theft of Max’s money. For the second time in a row, Max wrecked his attempt to raise the cash to pay him back, Sharon took him down a peg or two after the way he has been throwing his weight around with her since she turned him down and he continued to completely let his youngest son down. He really has become a terrible, terrible person.

Speaking of Max, he and Linda suddenly seem to be BFF’s, don’t they? I know they did that wife swap thing a while back but I didn’t realise they were besties now! However, Linda was quick to look out for Max when she realised he was being screwed over by Ian. And on a night out with the girls when she caved and had a drink, feeling stifled by Mick who was genuinely trying to look after her, Max stepped in and made sure she was okay. But of course, in soap, nobody can just be mates, can they? Of course they had to have a secret snog. Unacceptable!!!

Max hasn’t stolen anyone’s wife for a while…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

For now though, Mick is distracted by his dislike and discomfort with Frankie’s interest in his family. Tina has completely misread the signs that Frankie fancies her, leading to a more awkward moment than she even realises. But when Linda allowed Frankie to babysit (because her son was annoying her), Mick lost it and snatched Ollie away, demanding to know why she was so interested in his family. The young girl finally confessed that she believes his family is her family – that he is her Dad. Now, while I am annoyed at the potential rewrite of Mick and Linda’s entire relationship, I do like Frankie and I am curious to know where this is going to go. I am also excited at the prospect of Simone Lahbib coming bounding onto the Square, presumably as Frankie’s mother. Bad Girls reunion anyone?! I mean, just to wave my rainbow flag for a moment, any gay woman my age (maybe not even my age) was in love with Simone Lahbib back in the Bad Girls era. I actually cannot explain how exciting it is to think she is joining Eastenders.

Mick is shocked by Frankie…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Ahem. Moving on.

So, what on earth is going on with Callum, the nicest boy in soap? He’s only been in uniform for five seconds and he’s turning into some kind of dodgy cop, controlled by an even dodgier cop. He’s also managing to turn into a Mitchell, controlled by Phil. He’s making Martin Fowler look like he’s had the last year completely under control! Honestly, what are the writers playing at? I don’t like it. Callum is our equilibrium in Eastenders. He is the good amongst the dark. He is the moral compass. If you have him beating Phil’s gangster mates up and trying to fit Phil up with the police, what hope is there for anyone?!

Meanwhile, Gray’s murderous activities seem to have so far gone undetected. Although Kheerat raised the alarm with Mitch, Karen dismissed the idea completely out of hand. She is going to be so distraught to have believed in him so sincerely. Mitch did suspect him. He has always suspected him. Unfortunately, Gray used Mitch’s own guilt for being an absent father to deter him from any accusations. He really knows how to get into people’s heads. And the funeral is on the first day of Whitney’s trial. Of course it is.

Denise confesses all to Jack…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

In other news:

Martin had to persuade Ruby not to press charges against Stacey for the sake of the kids but Jean quite rightly didn’t welcome her daughter back to the Square with open arms.

Denise was shocked to be reunited with her son, Raymond when his adoptive parents were killed in a car accident.

Amy accused Isaac of smoking weed when he dropped her as a tutoring student, upset because she had a crush on him.

Stuart and Rainie participated in the first social distanced wedding, with him trapped inside a car. Very creative! She also announced that she was pregnant, which a lot of people have objected to as she was previously revealed to be infertile and they think it is unrealistic. I have two words for you: Sharon. Mitchell.

Jags and Habiba came out as a couple. Suki was not happy. She even wasted a perfectly good cupcake.

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Eastenders: Goodbye Chantelle Atkins

(Friday 18^th – Monday 21^st September 2020)

Friday was a pivotal episode and truly one that will go down in soap history. It was unnerving, overwhelming and heartbreaking as Gray and Chantelle returned to the Square with the kids. Gray trapped Chantelle, who finally stood up for herself and informed him that she was leaving him. Of course, he ensured that that would never happen, forcing her to phone Kheerat and let him know that the plan was off. But when he caught her with her stashed cash and spare phone, all hell broke loose, resulting in her falling back on the open dishwasher.

For a while, I couldn’t work out what was going on after that. One of the kids woke up so he settled her. Then he told poor, dying Chantelle that he was going to get help. Instead, he took her spare phone and cash, wiped them and threw them away in an outside bin, making sure he was seen by as many people as possible round the Square. Then I realised he was making sure that people could confirm that he wasn’t in the house while his wife lay dying in the kitchen. He even had half a pint in the pub.

Returning home, Chantelle wasn’t quite dead but she passed away, suffering and in pain, moments after he arrived back. He then positioned a toy car to look like she had slipped on it and fallen back. Then he staged his arrival, dropping the pint of milk he had just deliberately bought in the shop, broke down at her body as he would genuinely have done, had the scenario been real and then called the police in tears. What a psycho. What a very clever psycho.

Gray tells his story to the police…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

I cannot applaud Eastenders enough. This story has broken my heart and to have killed Chantelle off rather to have saved her from Gray is such incredibly brave way of propelling this story forward and making its point. My only criticism is that I desperately wish this hadn’t been Chantelle’s only attempt at escaping. The show could have gone a lot further by exploring and highlighting the services that are available to people who are the victims of domestic abuse if they had had Chantelle contact someone such as the Domestic Abuse Helpline or Women’s Aid just to name a couple of options. I think that could have done a lot of good for anyone in a similar position, to have seen the kind of help that was available. However, I hope that the grief of the end of this story will also do what it intends to.

I was also very impressed with how well they managed to film it, considering they had to social distance throughout! It was very creative and Toby-Alexander Smith (who has taken this story so much to heart) and Jessica Plummer were absolutely incredible.

Last night saw the fall out from Chantelle’s murder (although to be honest, not enough of the episode was focussed on it). Gray gave the police his perfect story, although Kheerat and Mitch were not so sure. Poor Karen was devastated at the loss of her child and had no suspicions at all.

Karen is devastated at the loss of her daughter…
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Meanwhile, Callum was under pressure regarding Ben’s arrest and Ruby discovered that it was Stacey who had been stealing from her as revenge for ‘stealing’ Martin. And… Stacey returned! Hooray!

Stacey returns!
*(photo credit: Digital Spy)*

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Eastenders: We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday…

(Tuesday 15^th – Thursday 17^th September 2020)

Ian desperately scrambled to raise the cash to pay Max back before he noticed that his money was missing. Of course, he failed, messed up his opportunity with the Council and is now in big trouble with Max. His response was to throw his (metaphorical) weight around with Sharon, still wounded from being snubbed. What a grown up.

Martin miraculously recovered from his injuries all in the space of one episode. Honestly, the magical healing powers in Walford are incredible! Remember Phil recovering from his never again mentioned drug addiction? Out of it during one episode? Right as rain in the next? Well, Martin was practically at death’s door on Monday. He was up and about and walking on Tuesday and in shock as guilt ridden Ruby told him she loved him. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t. I’m pretty sure she just feels guilty that she nearly got him killed (or didn’t, as the case may be). Honestly, who ever heard of someone getting smashed in the head with a fire extinguisher and walking away with barely a scratch?! Also, how come Walford General allows visitors? That’s not currently NHS policy…

Anyway, after he recovered from his shock (rather more slowly than he recovered from the fire extinguisher) and stopped to have a few pints in The Vic with Kush (obviously recommended after a head injury), Martin decided he loved Ruby too. Aww. Isn’t that sweet? Well, no, not really. Because if it’s true that Ruby does love him, she is seriously going to get her heart broken because he will always love Stacey. Obvs.

With Phil refusing to play ball, Ben enlisted Jay’s help to set Danny up for the warehouse job but alas, when the police arrested Danny, he rolled over on Ben. Callum’s superior spotted Callum and Ben together and worked out that they were a couple (the fact that Callum just left Ben out of his vetting form is completely unrealistic) and offered Callum a deal – Ben can walk free if Callum helps them take down Phil! And in all that hassle, Stuart and Rainie’s hen and stag nights were completely forgotten. Oops.

Of course, the big story of the week is of tragic Chantelle as she attempted to escape evil Gray. I was completely wrong in my last blog in my assumption that she wouldn’t depart for the holiday with her family. She did, leaving the kids behind with Gray. On the trip, Mitch was desperately worried about his clearly distressed daughter but she couldn’t open up to him. Eventually, she told him she was missing the kids so off he went on the train to fetch them. While Chantelle made plans with Kheerat, deciding she could take a chance on him after all and asking him to let himself into the house and fetch her precious baby box so they could escape together, she had no idea that Gray had driven Mitch and the kids to the holiday home.

Chantelle is unaware that Gray is onto her…
(photo credit: Digital Spy)

Gray listened to her phone call, undetected and then spent the rest of the day as a threatening presence over his wife, as he has for their entire marriage. While Karen remained oblivious to what was happening, Mitch has known for a long time that there is something amiss. That’s one of the saddest things about this and how we know things are going to play out tonight (as has been released in a formal statement by Eastenders in order to be responsible). If only Chantelle could find the words to tell her Dad the truth, he would have been able to protect her.

Instead, Gray secretly changed the alarm code to the house so when Kheerat followed Chantelle’s instructions to get into the house, the alarm went off, prompting Gray to drag the family home. Chantelle objected but Gray insisted. There was a moment when Mitch gave Chantelle the opportunity to stay but sadly, she chose to go with her husband.

I found it truly devastating to watch these scenes and to watch Chantelle at this crossroads in her life during this episode, knowing what she will face in tonight’s episode. I think Eastenders are very brave to tackle this story in this way, as sad as it will be. I am both eager to watch how it plays out and also dreading witnessing it. But I think it’s an important story to tell and to my memory, no soap has done this before. Please feel free to correct me. Sometimes I think soaps get a hard time of it but creating these stories, especially with the current limits on filming is a genuine achievement.

Eastenders airs on BBC1 on Mondays @ 8:05pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 7:35pm & Fridays @ 8:30pm

Eastenders Returns!

(Monday 7^th – Monday 14^th September 2020)

The Walford gang have been living in lockdown like the rest of us these past few months and we have a hell of a lot to catch up on! And one of the best things to report is that Kat is back! Hooray!

When we last saw everyone, Ian and Sharon had just bought the Queen Vic together, with Ian having pinched Max’s money from the restaurant on the pretence of looking after it for him while he divorced Rainie (Ian is just getting darker and darker, isn’t it?!) Well, it turns out that during lockdown, they have been cosily living together at the pub, with Ian having apparently forgotten all about his Mum and Bobby back at home. It’s all about Sharon and Albie (the baby, who used to be called Kayden). I’m not sure which name is worse.

Sharon has a lot to deal with…
(photo credit: Metro)

Having got off her drugs charges but with Ian still lording everything over her, Dotty finally lost her temper and revealed everything about Denny’s death to Sharon. But with no proof, Sharon couldn’t believe that her dearest friend would ever do such a thing and threw Dotty out of the pub. Undeterred, Dotty decided that the pair deserved each other and wound Ian up by convincing him that Sharon had feelings for him. Having harboured feelings for Sharon for months (probably years, to be honest), the moron finally made his move, only to be turned down. Awkward. Very awkward. Oh and now Max’s divorced is through and he wants his money back…

Ruby is has had her credit card stolen and is being rinsed. I can’t remember if we know who by… But she and Vinny planned an insurance job that went wrong. Before Ruby could call it off, Vinny was chased down by Martin who ended up getting smacked in the head with a fire extinguisher, which was a bit extreme! Suki covered it all up and got him sent off to hospital. I was quite impressed by how well it was all filmed, actually. I’ve been impressed by how almost everything has been filmed – in all the soaps. They’re doing amazingly well in the circumstances.

Vinny knocks Martin out…
(photo credit: Metro)

One thing that did let Eastenders down though was one scene in the Chantelle and Gray storyline and it’s such a shame as this story has been utterly flawless since the beginning and of course, the news has been released that this week, Chantelle will be murdered by Gray. I am absolutely heartbroken that this is the way the story will end, not to mention shocked. But I have to applaud the show for being honest about how these situations do pan out sometimes. Not everyone gets a happy ending and it’s important reflect that. In a horrific and heartbreaking way, this plot may save lives.

However, while every step of this abuse plot has been chilling and uncomfortable and genuinely upsetting, last week’s bath scene was just weird. I’m sorry. I know it must have been really difficult to film but it was just so weird. It made no sense at all. For starters, if, over lockdown, Gray had started this kind of breath play abuse, why, when she knew he was furious with her and wanted a divorce and her out of the house, would Chantelle have ever thought, hey, I’ll go and have a lovely bath? Absolutely ridiculous.

I just hope the next few episodes live up to the truthful, clever storytelling we have witnessed since it began. And it truly has been clever. If we think back, we knew there was something up with Gray long before they ever showed anything. We never saw inside their home for weeks and weeks. The only version of themselves we ever saw was what they presented to the outside world so we knew there was something not right before it was ever explicitly shown to us. As horrific as the next few episodes may be, I hope they do the story justice.

At the point we have left them, Chantelle so nearly made her escape, turning Kheerat, who had fallen in love with her, down and planning a holiday with her parents and siblings, from which she didn’t plan to return. Of course, Gray got wind of it and banned the children from going. Chantelle was left with a dilemma – abandon her children and escape her husband or stay behind? Well, it’s obvious what she will do and what the consequences will be…

Gray thwarts Chantelle’s plan of escape with her kids…
(photo credit: Metro)

In other news, Ben’s operation finally went ahead and his hearing returned. But more trouble lay ahead when Callum saw the CCTV footage, identifying Ben at the warehouse job. Cue: Ballum tension. However, Callum agreed to tackle the problem at work if Ben persuaded Phil to roll over on Danny Hardcastle, the person that the police are really trying to nail. Phil refused.

Tina grew closer to Frankie when Kathy gave her a job at The Albert, once she had offended and then corrected herself over some thoughtless words about her being deaf. Linda teased her mercilessly when she brought her for some drinks at The Vic, with it being quite clear that Tina fancied her, although it’s not clear as to whether Frankie feels the same way. What is clear is that Frankie is attached to Ollie, who reminds her of her little brother, Harry who died when he was very young. Later, Frankie, a photographer, took secret pictures of the Carters while they played football in the Square. I can’t decide if she is nice or strange. Time will tell…