This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer.
A sex revelation leading to a vicious punch up and a family divided. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a successful Christening, no? No?!
Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale’s (Thomas Law) deliberating yesterday saw Max Branning (Jake Wood) uninvited to avoid a clash with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), then re-invited and finally uninvited again.
The young couple, completely unaware that their respective father and mother had enjoyed an anonymous bunk up on Christmas Day endeavoured to keep them apart due to Max’s part in Cindy’s son, Steven’s (Aaron Sidwell) death.
Max followed Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) advice and rocked up to the Christening anyway, where he was instantly questioned as to his attendance. When Max recognised his Christmas dinner as Cindy and revealed his own identity to her, their jaws dropped.
Today’s trip to Walford drops us off exactly where we left off yesterday, with the Beale/Branning contingent demanding that Max leave. Lauren makes it abundantly clear that she’s sick of her dad making special days, such as her wedding, all about him.
As Cindy lays into Max, he tries to quell things, suggesting they ‘bite down on it’. Cindy snaps back that she seems to remember him saying something similar prior…ooh-er!
As the conversation turns to Steven, Cindy unloads an almighty slap across Max’s chops and I mean, almighty. Max responds by revealing their festive bunk up. Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) spells it out to the disbelieving families: ‘Santa left some ginger nuts in Cindy’s stocking’.
We’re less than three minutes in and the innuendo levels are hitting the roof, and in a church of all places…
As the congregation reels, Peter’s blood is boiling as Max denigrates his mum. Combined with his fury at the slew of ruined special days, he delivers a vicious punch to Max, before receiving one in return.
Surely Max has concussion by now? How many knocks to the head has he taken this week alone?
Anyway…brother Jack (Scott Maslen) swoops in to remove Max. As further Beales and Brannings spill from the church, Max throws himself on Louie’s (Jake McNally) mercy and finds none, with his grandson following suit by ordering him to leave.
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Back on the Square, Max delights in wandering down the middle of the road while enjoying a cigarette, holding back the Christening guests as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) blasts his horn. It takes a barb from Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) to shift him over to Harry’s Barn, where he flirts with Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington).
Linda comes to comfort Max, who opens up about losing Abi Junior to ex-wife Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). When Linda gently presses to find out if the root cause of the disruption was a woman, Max snaps, fed up of peoples snide comments and judgemental attitudes and lays into Linda, causing her to withdraw.
Softening, he later finds her at Peacock’s Palace and apologises. Dropping his ice cold front, tears flow as Max regrets his failings as a parent, drawing Linda’s supportive side out once again. Declaring that she knows Max has a heart deep down and that he’ll eventually figure things out.
Her words clearly land and Max thanks her genuinely and heads to bed for an early night, right?
Don’t be daft. He does a Max and leans in for a kiss.
While we won’t spoil what happens, you can head over to BBC iPlayer right now to see the outcome. Go on, we’ll be here when you get back!
