As a long-time resident of Walford, I’ve seen my fair share of drama and heartache, but nothing quite prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster that was this week’s EastEnders episode featuring Linda Carter. Having known Linda since she first stepped foot into the Queen Vic, I can confidently say that her struggle with alcoholism has been one of the most harrowing storylines in recent years.
Heed this notice: The content may reveal plot points from the EastEnders episode set to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, on Monday, 16th December.
EastEnders unveiled an innovative shift in its structure for the pivotal episode revolving around Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, which promises to be groundbreaking.
The special episode for the BBC One soap, focusing on the Queen Vic landlord’s perilous evening of excessive drinking, has been confirmed. However, the outcome for this character remains enveloped in uncertainty.
There was some worry among fans as pictures emerged in newspapers depicting characters Nancy (played by Maddy Hill) and Lee Carter (portrayed by Danny Hatchard) attending what seemed to be a funeral for their mother, Linda, on screen.
Today, it’s clear where the much-loved character is headed next: In Monday’s episode, Linda opted to carry on drinking, disregarding her distraught mother Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe)’s pleas for rehab. The confrontation escalated dramatically, with Linda angrily tossing Elaine onto the bed, a spectacle witnessed by sons Johnny (Charlie Suff) and young Ollie (Harry Farr).
Ollie feared Linda might abandon him permanently, much like his father Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) had done, knowing Linda’s struggles with alcohol. Johnny attempted to comfort him by saying Linda would come back improved after rehab. Later, Johnny gave Ollie’s drawing of Linda to his mother; the picture showed Linda drinking on the floor.
At the bar, Linda had intended to retire to bed with a drink, but Elaine warned her that she’d call the authorities for assault if she didn’t improve, and urged her to make amends instead. Yet, Linda persisted in her choice to keep drinking and, after some disagreement, left the Queen Vic, venturing out into the wet, rainy night.
While Linda was venting angrily about Elaine, she retrieved Ollie’s disheveled sketch and this action led her to grab a bottle of vodka. As the street lamps blinked, she considered drinking it – eventually taking a sip.
Later on, the night went on with Linda wandering the chilly and damp streets, drinking heavily. She eventually found herself in a crowd of homeless individuals, one of whom invited her to sit on a couch and hide under his blankets as he tried to win her over. However, Linda soon drifted off to sleep, only to be sexually assaulted by this man while she was unconscious. This caused her to flee immediately.
After taking the subway back to Walford, Linda wandered unsteadily through the streets until she was struck by severe agony and collapsed at the war memorial, retching and writhing in discomfort. Nevertheless, Linda persisted in attempting to grab a can of beer from the ground, but eventually succumbed to exhaustion on a bench, gasping for breath, and eventually passed away.
Subsequently, the scene shifted to the next morning as a patrol car pulled up outside the Queen Vic, with Elaine dozing inside the bar, awaiting Linda. The officers shared with Elaine their suspicion that Linda had passed away.
Subsequently, the camera shifted to a funeral square where Linda’s casket was being received at the Vic. Within, a distraught Johnny was observed indulging in alcohol. Later, he was met by his elder siblings Lee and Nancy.
Johnny declined to join the duo at their mother’s funeral and instead placed blame upon them for the circumstances, choosing to handle things with Linda on his own. Lee expressed regret, admitting he hadn’t been aware of the situation. Moreover, Johnny demanded that Ollie’s portrait of Linda continue to be displayed, as it accurately depicted her true nature.
Later on, Nancy nurtured anger towards Elaine due to the incident, inquiring about how long Johnny had been consuming alcohol. However, Elaine stayed quiet and devastated. Meanwhile, Walford found himself outside as Linda’s casket was being lifted up, with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) doubting whether The Six were at fault, discussing this with Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal).
Within the church, Sharon consoled a heartbroken Nancy and urged her to refrain from blaming Elaine for the incident.
In the scene, Lee and his companion, Tony Clay (Callum Highway), could be seen bearing the casket into the church, while Nancy chose to step outside and urged a tipsy Johnny to enter and bid farewell to their mother.
Standing before the gathered mourners, I found myself paying tribute to my dearly departed best friend, Linda – a woman whose spirit echoed that of my late mother, Angie Watts, portrayed so poignantly by Anita Dobson on screen. Alas, just like Angie, Linda succumbed to the relentless clutches of alcoholism, an affliction I view as a disease rather than a choice. However, my heart was jolted when Johnny, filled with righteous anger, contested this, asserting that Linda’s struggle was not illness but a series of choices she made, ultimately choosing death over life.
Following that, I gently escorted a distraught Johnny out of the church, with our family hot on my heels. I allowed Johnny to leave, as he collapsed outside, yearning for his mom. Elaine promised to find someone to take Johnny home, which sparked frustration in Nancy.
Instead of persistently blaming Elaine for not assisting Linda and labeling her as an enabler of alcoholism, Elaine defended herself vigorously. However, this led to a confrontation with Nancy, resulting in Elaine being slapped after accusing Nancy of inaction.
After the funeral at Vic’s place, Lee and Nancy later disclosed their intention to depart with Johnny and their youngest kids, Ollie and Annie. Elaine objected, but Nancy explained that a family court would determine the future of Linda’s younger children, and they all moved forward with this plan. Lee offered an apology to Elaine, stating it was for the best that Johnny leave, before giving her a farewell kiss.
After this, an angry Elaine asked everyone to leave the pub before she destroyed the wake food. Later, Sharon went up to Elaine and said it wasn’t her fault, as Linda had made her own decision. Elaine shed tears over the hopelessness of the situation and told Sharon to go back home to her son Albie.
Initially, Elaine found herself seated at the bar on her own. The lights momentarily pulsed, reminiscent of the street lights flickering from a previous scene in the episode where Linda was contemplating another sip of vodka. But unlike that instance, this time Linda discarded the vodka and instead took up Ollie’s crumpled drawing of her, which led her to weep.
Upon entering, Linda noticed Elaine weeping at the bar and commented, “I no longer wish to be this person.
Overwhelmed with remorse for harming her kids, Linda started weeping and admitted that she was terrified of death, and moreover, found it difficult to quit drinking.
Initially, Elaine vowed to stand by Linda, but her daughter clarified that it was a task solely for Elaine. However, Elaine harbored concerns about her own abilities. Instead, Elaine emphasized Linda’s determination towards recovery.
After this, Linda said she didn’t want to die and broke down in tears as Elaine held her close.
Does Linda Carter die in EastEnders?
No, Linda Carter does not die in EastEnders.
In this special episode, we saw a ‘What If?’ exploration unfold as Linda contemplated the possible consequences of her actions, envisioning a scenario where her choices led to her demise and distress for her loved ones, with a particular focus on her mother and children.
It seems Linda’s struggle with alcoholism is nearing its conclusion, as she now seeks assistance and steps away from the Square.
I’m wishing that Linda may one day reappear as a more radiant and cheerful person – especially since Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) has granted her forgiveness for the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) during the holiday season last year.
For support with issues around alcoholism and other forms of addiction, please see Mind’s website.
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2024-12-16 10:04