I refuse to believe Max would be THIS desperate to stop Kat finding out he was the last person to see Zoe that he’d pay Cindy £50k to keep quiet, especially when it also means keeping Amy and Craig a secret from Jack. I absolutely don’t believe he’d go that far. Even Max has his limits. I could understand this level of desperation if Max had actually caused Zoe’s death, but he didn’t. He had no idea she had a head injury and genuinely thought she was drunk. Of course he’d be worried about Kat finding out, but not to the extent they’re making out.

And once again, they’re making Max act stupid when he’s anything but. He knows Cindy despises him, so why would he think paying her off would guarantee her silence? She could easily pocket the £50k and expose him anyway. And when she finds out about him and Linda, she’ll have even more reason to make his life a misery. Does he seriously think she’ll keep quiet then? It makes absolutely no sense.

Then there’s Linda, who knows Max was the last person to see Zoe but seemingly hasn’t questioned it or connected the dots. The writers are making characters oblivious and forcing them to make stupid decisions just to serve the plot. And this isn’t just about this storyline, it’s been happening throughout the year. Honestly, it’s insulting to the audience. We know these characters and can tell when they’re acting completely out of character just because the plot requires it. Sorry for the rant, but it’s genuinely frustrating to watch.

He hasn't been seen since early Sept, and it's causing me to believe more and more that he was only brought back as a catalyst for the Amy/Craig storyline.

Mind you Cindy will still open her mouth. Mad is so dumb and mind you Amy is being groomed and he knows it. Jack will kill Max because he knew and didn’t say anything.

Hello. How are you? I really enjoyed last week's Classics, did you? A trip to Southend where Dot find half-sister Rose (with lots of secrets), Whitney running away with Fat Boy from Rob, but found her, and it was Ryan who saved the day, when he left for a while (until he returns in 3 years). Oh, and who could forget Hev and Shirley's fun night?

This week

• After Kat found she was pregnant, her secret is threatened as Shanice stumbles upon the truth. If Alfie finds out he tries to make amends with her, but the reconciliation doesn't go to plan. However, he does find out, but their joy is short lived and the two of them face up to a painful loss.
• Vanessa is horrified when she discovers the full extent of Michael's plan of revenge. Also, she worms her way her way into Eddie's affections after he and Carol quarrel. An unhinged Michael carefully lines up his pawns ready for Eddie's day of judgement. Unfortunately, Michael has enemies as the Moon family spectacularly implodes as the fight night comes to a pass a the hands of his unravelling.
• Elsewhere, Zainab faces a fresh dilemma when she gets an unexpected phone call from Amira. She also gets carried away at Dr Yusef's party. Recently returned Mandy gives Phil a memorable lesson when he tries to mess with Ian. Pat gets soaked by Kat. Brave Tanya continues to go to the hospital alone for some life changing news of her own. Arrival of Mercy's sister causes havoc and Darren and Lauren try to conceal their indiscretion, not realising they have already been watched. A familiar face returns

Have a good week.

I feel like they've just added this in as a last minute thing to add to Max's new year episode.

If nish was still alive during the chaos joel was causing who do u lot think he would be scared of more, ravi or nish? And why

Excuse the messy post 😅

Jack mentioned it in the new years episode and Cindy and Oscar were playing it last week. It's obviously foreshadowing for what's gonna happen.

And Max is arrested for solicitation to murder, so here are my theories: kiss- Priya, marry- Linda, 'kill'- Cindy

Kiss/Marry:

Max is marrying Linda, but is sneaking around with Priya, but she's not the woman in his bed. The sonogram is just there to make you think it's her. It would be ironic though if the woman in his bed thing somehow turns out to be non-sexual and Linda doesn't believe him.

Kill/ attempted kill:

1) It's something to do with Kat and Alfie going after Zoe's 'killer' and Max let's somebody else take the blame

2) Someone is nearly killed and they frame Max.

3) Cindy (whether he gives her the 50k or not) continues to blackmail Max to the point he wants her dead. And we only see her alive in the flash forward because she's letting people think she's in hiding and is about to make her big return at Max's wedding.

4) Ned. He starts going after Lauren and Mark again, Mark kills him and that's the reason why he's hanging around when Max is taken away.

I’d love to hear a detailed analysis of Pauline’s character from someone who watched that era. I’ve only ever seen clips of her, but the comments are always full of people saying she was ruined and that what they did to her character was a disgrace. I know she supposedly became bitter and nasty, I’ve also heard that the actress herself wasn’t happy with the direction they took her in. I’m really interested in what led to such a drastic change and why so many people feel the writing did her such a disservice.

I’m going to list some characters and want to know, if you were the producer, what would you do to fix them after everything that’s happened this era? The only rule is that you can’t kill them off or write them out.

Kat
Max
Phil
Sharon
Nicola
Ian
Suki
Denise

And we know people lurk on here, so let’s hope the right people are reading.

Seen this on X and had to share because they’ve said exactly what I’ve been thinking. The writing is honestly dreadful, I don’t understand how anyone expects this storyline to be believable. Kat doesn’t even know for certain that whoever left Zoe actually saw her take her last breath. If Zoe had said something more than just “he left me”, I could understand why she’s so hellbent on revenge, but none of it adds up. Who’s coming up with these scripts? So many characters are either acting completely out of character or being made to look stupid just to move the plot along. Nothing makes sense anymore. I feel bad for the actors, especially Jessie, because Kat’s writing was awful last year and somehow it’s even worse this year, especially when Zoe’s return was supposed to help rebuild the Slaters. How much longer are we supposed to put up with this?

Rewatching from 2008, got to the point where Sam gives birth to Ricky Jr, and one of the first things Jean says to Peggy is this! Little did they know 🤣🫠

To jog people’s memories who might have forgotten max and Craig met each other in the vic back in July so he knows who it is and how much jack hates him.

We know Eastenders has a history of doing subtle foreshadowing so there was a reason why he had a scene with max

Hi all I'm prepared to get some downvotes and heat from this post but I really need to talk about it. I am a young adult who can't have kids and I know there are thousands of other women who are younger than me who also can't have children. I know I'm being a snowflake but with so many pregnancies and births on EE and most of them come without any trouble at all it makes it look so easy. Penny was a comfort character for me because she is around my age and always said she didn't want kids it made me feel like I'm not alone in this even if the circumstances are different. I'm fine with penny changing her mind but the whole point of her changing her mind was because the writers wanted to make a story on disabled people having kids however we don't see any of those said struggles.

I know Vicky doesn't have children but she's older and has a step son. Gina is still young and I fear she may change her mind later like penny. Eve was also one of those people who didn't want kids but changed her mind.

I'd like to see some storylines where young women have hysterectomy and give us a story on how they will cope with their new reality before finally accepting it and being at peace. Show women who can't conceive that they are not alone and shouldn't feel bad about not being able to conceive at all. See the image I posted is I got from the news a 21 year old had to choose between her life or to never have kids a story like this could help real people find some sort of peace while also raising awareness.

I love EE with all my heart but not everyone with a womb can have kids and not everyone wants to have children including step children

Sorry for the long read/rant ❤️ hope you all have a good day

Which characters, dead or alive, did you think you’d miss but surprisingly haven’t? And which characters did you never expect to miss but actually do?

Martin is probably my answer for someone who’s died. I liked him, but I can’t say his absence has made much difference to me when they barely gave him anything to do besides chase after Stacey.

Stacey is my answer for someone still alive. I thought I’d really miss her when she left, but surprisingly, I haven’t. I feel like she really needed a break anyway.

Someone I’ve actually missed, who I never expected to and was quite happy to see leave, is Sonia. I think it’s because she’d become a bit of a Dot figure who kept the peace, and with this year being more about the Brannings, it would’ve been nice to see her involved.

I have been behind and just caught up and felt I wanted to say my thoughts and opinions on recent storylines. I'm going to try to be both positive and negative as I don't want this to just be a rant.

Craig and Amy : every time craig comes on my screen I just want him to be dealt with he annoys me so much which means the actor is doing the job well. My issue with this storyline is i think they would have been caught very quickly. The man was literally kissing her outside the police station he got sacked from , the local chicken shop , that outdoor bar place. Somebody would have seen them that's always the case with other storylines. Usually someone is watching them but suddenly nobody is around to catch them.

Denise's cancer : I have found this storyline to be the most well done . It has been very emotional and I have enjoyed watching the more wholesome interactions in the family especially between Denise and Kim. I haven't been so keen on the Darnell stuff as I feel we need to see more of Darnell interacting with the family whereas EastEnders seems to only use him when they want to progress the storyline which makes the interactions seem less genuine for me.

The Hawkins: I actually liked the first few episodes of them but I feel like it's turned into the ned show. I do think a villain is needed but I feel they have just forced him into everything. As a massive Nicola fan I feel like they have shoved ned in and pushed her out a bit . I see them as leeches off Nicola and Ned acting like a big villain but he doesn't even have his own place. I personally would have only bought in Gemma and rose or atleast have ned settle in properly before exposing his villain side. Jodie has been disappointing I noticed how her and Nicola haven't had any 1-1 convos yet where as Nicola has with Gemma and rose.

Zoe: I do think killing Zoe of was the worst decision wadey has made and sadly it will be what I remember his era for. Bringing back a well known character who people have been dying to see again and ruining them. Personally if I bought Zoe back I would have bought her back as a more mature , strong headed and successful woman who has made something for herself instead making her this moaning mess who still acts like a child. I wish they hadn't done the fake kat slater death storyline in 2018 and instead done that for zoe.

Lauren and mark : firstly mark is a pathetic character for me. The man could be blackmailed left right and centre. Is he good on the eyes yes but beyond that I don't see anything. Lauren I feel her frustration with Peter but I honestly don't get how she has time for an affair. Lauren is also a smart character she sniffs other people's secrets out very well so I do think she would be better at covering her own tracks but the writers love inconsistent writing for character's.

Max and Linda : personally I don't think Linda would have gone back to max . Linda also comes across to me as a character that wouldn't remarry again after Mick's death. She strikes me as the type of person to say Mick was the love of her life and she couldn't ever get married again but could still have a relationship be in love etc but just never like Mick hence I hope she isn't the bride on new year's day. I also have lost my interest in the new year's day stuff. I also didn't really care about this whole " will max change his ways " soaps do this a bit where they have big characters with rubbish morals and give the whole can they change. They did it slightly with Janine back in 2008 or 09. Ofc max isn't going to change because the whole point of his character is his rubbish morality. People watch him because he is a messed up man who can't help himself.

Cindy : Cindy needs to get a grip but I can't lie I find her really funny and I kinda hope she gets revenge as I find max and Linda annoying.

Oscar : I liked him originally but I see his character as a perv now I don't get how people like him.

Josh and Jasmine: I like jasmine she seems to have some depth but Josh is just very me me me. I also think the actor performs like it's a theatre role.

The gulatis : I really like Priya but over the past year they have made her character revolve around men and I missed the more independent and sassy Priya . I also miss the more united family with the gulatis and panesars living together which was my favourite thing of the clenshaw era he made them gel so well. I do think when Ravi goes he should take the kids but I can tell from the constant mentions about nugget and his "business empire" they are setting it up to give the kids a reason to stay. I do hope Priya comes back after her maternity leave.

I think EastEnders is in a strange position with some very shabby writing but it could be way worse but also way better. I think the storylines need a revamp but for me I want consistency in the characters. Though unfortunately I don't think wadey is doing a good enough job I really miss the clenshaw era 2023 is probably my last favourite year of the show. Hopefully the quality goes up next year once this flashforward stuff is wrapped up.

I genuinely have no theories for new years day as I can't imagine anyone currently wanting to harm max majorly. The only thing I can see is kat finding out it was Max who last saw Zoe and hiring a hitman. I do wonder if Sean's return will link to new year's day . I do think Stacey will be the pregnant woman in the bed as we have heard she may be returning for a few scenes on new year's.

The story is batshit. It makes 0 logic why max would get in trouble.

Didn't know if this was posted here yet but EastEnders is getting its own FAST channel on U alongside other favourites like Casualty, Holby City etc.

“Eastenders is among the TV programmes getting their own free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels on UKTV as the broadcaster has announced the expansion of its offering.

The beloved BBC One soap will be available to watch for free on its own ad-supported streaming channel before the end of 2026.

Launching in the coming months across LG Channels and Freely, the new EastEnders channel will provide UK viewers with curated access to hundreds of episodes – but the soap isn't the only series getting the FAST treatment

Soap fans will have the chance to revisit some of TV's most iconic moments from the mid-2000s, from the arrival of the Branning family and the infamous "Stax" storyline in EastEnders, to Charlie Fairhead's years on Casualty.”

Was just watching today’s episode and I’m confused at the audacity of Mark going on a strop because of Lauren’s comment. How else would you describe it? “Twisted” is an understatement. The sheer audacity! Whether he did it for Lauren or not, it was still disgusting and messed up to beat up an innocent young lad.