The following article contains spoilers from an episode of Emmerdale that hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.
Oh, Robron. The course of true love never did run smooth, and Emmerdale’s favourite couple are a perfect example of that.
We won’t go all the way back through every obstacle they’ve faced, primarily because I have a deadline. But this year alone, they’ve dealt with both crazed killer husbands and…crazed bank robbing husbands, in the form of John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) and Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
But alas, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) are back together and looking to add to their numbers, both determined to bring Robert’s son, Sebastian, via the late Rebecca White (Emily Head), into their family unit.
Ross Barton (Michael Parr), however, Rebecca’s ex and stand-in father figure for little Seb, isn’t so keen, leading to a blow up with Aaron yesterday. When Aaron finds his windshield smashed and a fire is set outside their front door, he naturally assumes it’s the Barton baddie…
…And off he goes, finding Ross in the cafe, prepared to pummel him with all of the various cakes and pastries that Jimmy King (Nick Miles) has to offer, but is stopped in his tracks when said Jimmy offers Ross an alibi.
Meanwhile, back at home, Robert hears a rustling in the trees behind their house and, with Kev’s stealth clearly having rusted over his time in the clink, knows instantly who’s there. Calling out to his ex-husband, Kev emerges.
As they share a cup of tea, Kev is completely unwilling to accept that their relationship is over, and actor Chris’ patented blend of sinister-yet-sympathetic is on full display as a nervous Robert tries to convince him that his life needn’t be over and he could start again somewhere else, with someone who truly loves him.
Intense as ever, though, Kev is reluctant to accept.
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Seemingly accepting this, Kev urges Robert to call the police and report him, though he refuses to ring to land his ex-husband back in prison. Robert wants them to part amicably, and despite Kev’s frantic energy, he seemingly agrees.
When Aaron returns, furious that Ross had an alibi, Robert reveals all, leaving his partner raging to realise Kev had been inside their home, the same home he threatened them while waving a samurai sword around. Though he’s even angrier to learn that Robert hadn’t called the police, he’s placated somewhat to see that it came from sympathy.
How do you feel about Kev?
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I know I shouldn't, but I kind of love him...
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He's a wrong'un! Send him back to the slammer!
Robert knows that Kev isn’t evil incarnate; he’s just a lonely, troubled guy who’s struggling to find his place in the world.
With Robert genuinely enthusing that he believes he’s finally gotten through to Kev and that they’ll never see him again…we naturally cut to a scene of said Kev, nursing a gun.
Oh no.
With Kev (and his gun) back on the loose, and an imminent return for crazy John, it looks like Robron’s Christmas celebrations will end here. Apparently, it’s more ’tis the season to have a tonne of aggro from your unhinged ex’ than ‘to be jolly’ in Emmerdale this year…
