EastEnders airs fresh Max Branning and Zoe Slater revelations in early BBC iPlayer release

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Heads up: Reveals significant plot points from the episode of EastEnders that aired on September 3, 2025. You can watch it on BBC iPlayer right now.

This article contains mentions of a sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

In my perspective, EastEnders unveiled an intriguing twist about the relationship between Max Branning (played by Jake Wood) and Zoe Slater (portrayed by Michelle Ryan), two characters who’ve made a comeback to the show.

This week on the BBC One soap, Zoe has come back to Walford, where she met up with her long-lost mother Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace). Unfortunately, during a struggle involving a gun between Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), Zoe was inadvertently shot.

On Wednesday, the eagerly awaited episode unfolded an unexpected turn: Zoe ended up in the hospital, and as flashbacks to 2006 emerged, it was revealed that she had given birth to twins by an unknown father. Tragically, one of her daughters passed away, while a son survived. However, Zoe later abandoned him.

At the end of the episode, a cryptic phone call received by Zoe was menacingly addressed by Kat, as she suspected it might be an individual planning to cause harm to Zoe.

The caller hung up, revealing a brooding Max.

On Thursday, new insights were unveiled through additional flashbacks written by seasoned writer Simon Ashdown, which took us back to the early months of this year in the episode.

In a bar setting, it was depicted that Max serendipitously encountered Zoe. Upon her credit card being rejected, he inquired about her association with Kat and Stacey Slater (played by Lacey Turner). Following this, Max covered the cost of their drinks, leading to an exchange where they reminisced about their shared pasts, particularly their experiences in Walford.

Max found out that his former wife, Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), had been attempting to reach him because she was taking care of their grandson, Abi Branning Jr.

Then, he admitted that he takes joy in being a father, but acknowledges he isn’t very effective at it. Max briefly brought up his distant son Oscar Branning (played by Pierre Moullier), explaining they haven’t spoken for three years. He also referred to his eldest daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and made somber references to his deceased children Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald).

Max confessed that although he enjoys fatherhood, he’s not very good at it. He mentioned his son Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier), whom he hasn’t seen for three years, as well as his daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Sadly, he also spoke about his lost children Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald).)

Afterwards, it became clear that the duo had shared a night together. While they lay in bed, Zoe disclosed details about her twins’ past and her current efforts to locate her missing son using a private detective. However, she’s facing difficulties finding him due to lack of funds.

Currently, at the hospital, a concerned Stacey found herself considering replying to the enigmatic texts – unbeknownst to her, these messages originated from her ex-partner and father-in-law, Max – and she confided in her mother Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) that the texts weren’t threatening; instead, they were amiable.

Stacey confided in Jean that she had no desire to go back to the Square until Zoe was there, and was eager to leave Walford behind and distance herself from the memories. Is it hinting at a possible future departure of Stacey from the soap opera?

Max then texted Zoe’s phone again, offering to give her the necklace or money should she need it.

Later, it was disclosed that Max had gifted a necklace to Zoe at a point when she owed money to a previous neighbor of her son’s foster parents. Max proposed she sell the necklace to cover the cost of a private investigator, but Zoe declined. Instead, Max offered to foot the bill for the information himself; he suggested this action could potentially help her in her quest to reclaim her son, as if Max couldn’t retrieve Bradley, she might still be able to get custody of him.

Today, Stacey dialed a number, and it was Max who picked up. However, due to poor connection, Stacey couldn’t make out Max’s voice clearly, and they remained quiet until Max ended the call.

In the sequence of recollections, Max drove Zoe to the residence of her son’s foster parents’ neighbor, situated in a rundown neighborhood. Despite this, Zoe felt the need to go inside on her own. Subsequently, she entered Greg Dolan’s (Dean Williamson) apartment and delivered the money.

Later on, Greg was reminded of the “sugar-coated yet sorrowful” young lad who tossed his soccer ball over the fence into Greg’s yard. This child, who sported a face like an angel, often called for his mother, but she never appeared. Then, under duress, Zoe asked for additional funds in exchange for more details, but she admitted that she had no money and only wished to be reunited with her son.

Currently, Kat found out that Zoe remained unconscious, causing her great worry. However, Zoe’s condition had improved and stabilized, yet it was uncertain when she might regain consciousness.

In subsequent recollections, Zoe persisted in seeking additional details, yet Greg became stern towards her due to her past actions of leaving her son behind. Subsequently, Greg suggested bargaining information for intimate acts, but when Zoe declined, he attempted to force himself upon her. This act of aggression led Zoe to strike him with a nearby lamp and then deliver another blow before she escaped.

Max declined to act as Zoe’s getaway driver and partner in crime upon learning about the incident, prompting him to leave him stranded in his car while she stormed off, angrily branding him a “coward” and a “useless check.” After this, Zoe was seen calling Stacey for assistance, which is where we first encountered her upon her return.

In the contemporary hospital setting, Zoe awoke from her sleep in her hospital bed, finding Kat, Alfie, and Stacey standing nearby. Attempting to comfort her, Kat was speaking softly.

After some time to rest and recuperate, Zoe reached out to Max personally. She expressed her intention of selling the necklace, asking for it. Upon hearing this, Max wanted to confirm if Zoe was indeed back in Walford, as he’d overheard Stacey on the phone before.

The peculiarity about me is, Zoe, I abhor being ordered around.

What transpires next remains uncertain; questions linger about when Max might return to Walford and who the baby daddy of Zoe’s child is. However, it can be undeniably said that more excitement lies ahead.

Don’t forget to include EastEnders in your list of shows to watch! Grab the TopMob: What to Watch app – it offers personalized TV suggestions, special features, and much more. Download it today!”

In this paraphrased sentence, I have attempted to make the text more conversational and engaging while maintaining the original meaning. The goal was to make the message sound less like an advertisement and more like friendly advice.

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2025-09-04 09:07