This article includes discussion of pregnancy loss which some readers may find upsetting.

In the gripping episode of EastEnders that aired on September 3, 2025, one of Zoe Slater’s (portrayed by Michelle Ryan) long-held secrets was unveiled to the audience.

Following a struggle between Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) over a gun, which discharged accidentally, Zoe became aware that she had been wounded. In a state of alarm, her mother Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) rushed her to Walford East and dialed for an ambulance.

As I, Kat, noticed Zoe’s concerning behavior persisting, I implored her to open up about what she was grappling with. She confided in me that she had an adversary out there who remains alive.

As a cinephile immersed in the world of “EastEnders,” I found myself in the shoes of Alfie (Shane Richie). After our little adventure, we inevitably ended up back at The Queen Vic. In true form, Jack was there, playing his role as a diligent police officer while discreetly managing his own affairs.

In a straightforward and conversational style, Anthony Trueman, also known as Nicholas Bailey, moved forward to provide assistance, and for a moment, the ex-couple reminisced. It was heartening for Zoe to learn that Anthony had become a parent now.

In the throes of agony, a sudden memory transported us back to the year 2006, where Zoe was vocalizing her intense labor pain while delivering twins.

Unfortunately, one of the newborns couldn’t make it, and since she had merely provided the medical staff with her daughter’s first name, Zoe hastily departed from the hospital, leaving her infant unattended.

Currently, as they are now, Kat observed a tattoo belonging to Zoe, depicting infant feet adorned with an angelic halo, and her heart ached for her daughter.

In the ambulance, Zoe displayed more affection towards Kat, admitting that she felt incapable of handling childbirth.

Simultaneously, Jack instructed Ravi to swap his clothes and take a shower to wash off the gun residue, as it was increasingly apparent that Jack was acting on his own and deviating from their plan.

In the hospital, it was necessary for Zoe to undergo emergency surgery to stem the bleeding. Meanwhile, Kat remained vigilant for updates, responding to a call on Zoe’s malfunctioning mobile device.

Under the assumption that the caller was pursuing Zoe and had fired at her, Kat warned him menacingly that she would exact retribution. However, the man remained unresponsive.

As the call concluded, it was revealed to the audience that the person Kat had been menacing was none other than Max Branning, played by Jake Wood!

5 huge questions after EastEnders’ Zoe Slater and Max Branning twist

How are Zoe and Max connected?

It’s quite intriguing to wonder about how Zoe, who departed from Walford in 2005, and Max, who joined later in 2006, could have become acquainted with one another.

Max may have a history of pursuing multiple women, which could potentially mean that he and Zoe met at some point prior to his initial appearance on screen, or during the time when both characters were off-screen for a while.

Still, we also have to entertain the idea that their relationship is not romantic at all!

Was Max calling Zoe as a friend or foe?

With Zoe in fear of an “enemy”, that brings us onto our next big question…

Has Max returned as a villain?

I’ve been well-acquainted with an era of villainy, as Max has relentlessly pursued vengeance after a false conviction for the murder of Lucy Beater (Hetti Bywater) by attempting to seize control of the Square and even trying to eliminate Ian (Adam Woodyatt).

So might his return see him playing the bad guy in vulnerable Zoe’s story?

As of now, it seems that Max will find himself in a conflict involving Kat and the Moon/Slater family. However, considering the current state of his relationship with his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and estranged son Oscar (Pierre Moullier), it’s hard to imagine them wanting any involvement with him.

So, is Max up to no good again, or is there another twist in this tale?

Who fathered Zoe’s children?

It turned out that the father of Zoe’s baby couldn’t have been the late character Dirty Den Watts, played by Leslie Grantham.

After setting aside the misconception of who isn’t the father, I find myself eagerly curious to discover the true identity of the father, especially if he’s one of our familiar characters.

In a different vein from Max, could Anthony be an option? Was there perhaps a deeper meaning in Zoe’s remark that she was happy he had children besides just the fact that he did?

Zoe’s tragic relationship with Den’s son, Dennis Rickman (played by Nigel Harman), ended prior to her departure. However, Dennis lived until the end of 2005, and it’s unclear whether Zoe had given birth in early 2006 or not.

If widow Sharon (Letitia Dean) were to discover that Dennis had a romantic involvement with Zoe, which may have resulted in an unforeseen pregnancy, it could come as quite a surprise to her.

In addition, Zoe used to be part of a group of characters that includes individuals such as Ronny Ferreira, played by Ray Panthaki, and Tariq Larousi portrayed by Nabil Elouahabi.

Whoever this mystery man is, we can’t shake the feeling that it’s a familiar face.

In the flashback scene, the nurse and physician appeared worried when Zoe mentioned something ominous about her baby’s blood. Was Zoe alluding to her own mysterious pregnancy background, or was it related to her baby’s?

Have we already met Zoe’s son?

What if Zoe’s child, who would now be 19 years old, is a character we already know about?

In 2006, none of the male EastEnders characters appeared to be born on screen, but that doesn’t automatically disprove this particular theory.

Over the span of time, numerous personalities have graced Albert Square. It seems intriguing that the soap opera is centering its initial attention on Zoe’s hidden child.

One point that seems clear is that Zoe cannot be Joel Marshall’s (Max Murray) mother, given the age difference between them; at present, it appears that Joel is significantly younger than she would be for her to have given birth to him.

What else is Zoe hiding after troubling dialogue?

Was it a clue when Zoe made a point of saying that the man after her is “still alive”?

Additionally, Zoe persists in asserting that she has committed an act so heinous, she thinks even Kat would find it unforgivable and abandon her.

We’ve been contemplating this matter since the summer, and with the hint of additional revelations coming out on September 4th, 2025, it seems that we’re on the verge of finding out more details shortly.

Anyone affected by Zoe’s story can find support via Sands.

EastEnders continues on Thursday from 6am on BBC iPlayer and at 7.30pm on BBC One.

As a movie enthusiast, I highly recommend you add “EastEnders” to your viewing list through the TopMob: What to Watch app. This handy tool offers daily TV recommendations, intriguing features, and much more, all conveniently in one place. Simply download it now!

2025-09-03 23:07

5 huge EastEnders questions after shock Max Branning return and Zoe Slater twists