EastEnders fans are in for a big week on BBC iPlayer as a slow-burning mystery finally comes to a head, and it ends with a jaw-dropping confession no one saw coming.
After weeks of tension surrounding the missing charity money raised in Lucy Beale’s name, the truth is finally revealed. With scenes of fires, family fallouts and long-held secrets, the episode builds to a dramatic pub showdown between Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).
The drama begins in the aftermath of last night’s fire, which left Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) injured after he rushed in trying to be a hero. Max is by his son’s bedside, refusing to leave as Oscar lies unconscious in the hospital.
A shaken Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) can barely focus, clearly distracted as worry about the missing charity money continues to eat away at her. Ian Beale does his best to reassure Lauren that things will work themselves out, even though Peter is sitting in a police station being questioned about the theft. While Ian insists everything will be ‘sorted’, it’s clear the pressure is starting to crack Lauren’s calm exterior.
Meanwhile, Zoe arrives at the hospital to check on Oscar, having been saved by him during the fire. Grateful but visibly shaken, she opens up to Max about her stalker ordeal. Max reassures her that she’s not alone and that he’ll be there if she needs him and that he cares about her regardless of their history.
Oscar soon wakes up, bringing relief all round, but tensions rise when he makes it clear he doesn’t want Jasmine anywhere near him, despite the fact she’s been by his side all night. Max wastes no time in sending her packing, firmly backing his son. True to form, Oscar later discharges himself early and heads back to the Square, determined to recover at home.
Back in Walford, another blast from the past takes centre stage as Max and Linda Carter reunite for the first time in a while. It’s awkward at first, with plenty of unspoken history hanging in the air. Watching from a distance, Oscar nudges Jack to finally tell Max the truth about Annie, Linda’s daughter, who Max doesn’t know is actually his. Jack, however, hesitates, knowing just how explosive that revelation could be.
Max and Linda eventually head for a drink, where Max reveals he’s sticking around Walford for good and plans to bring AJ back with him. He also asks if he can stay at the B&B, and after a moment’s thought, Linda agrees.
But Max’s mind is elsewhere. He’s convinced the fire wasn’t an accident and is determined to find out who was behind it. Jack warns him to stay out of it, but Max ignores the advice, and his suspicions quickly turn to Ian Beale.
Already feeling sidelined, Max hates how Ian has become the head of the Beale/Branning family, with Lauren constantly defending him. The resentment bubbles over in the Vic when Max publicly accuses Ian of stealing the charity money.
What starts as a heated argument quickly turns serious, with the two EastEnders legends trading insults and shoving one another as shocked punters look on. Just as things threaten to spiral completely out of control, Lauren steps up and finally tells the truth.
In a moment that silences the pub, Lauren admits that she stole the charity money.
The episode ends on a brutal cliffhanger, with the Square reeling from Lauren’s confession and the fallout only just beginning. How will Peter cope knowing Lauren has kept this secret from him? Will Max continue to cause more trouble in Walford? And what happens when the truth about Annie finally comes out?
