As a dedicated fan of EastEnders, I must say that this year has been quite a rollercoaster ride for our beloved characters! From Linda’s struggle with alcohol to Bianca’s heart-wrenching disappearance, the drama never seems to let up.
As a movie connoisseur, I’m eagerly anticipating EastEnders’ upcoming Christmas spectacle. This time around, the cunning love rat, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), takes center stage during the holiday season, as her most recent infidelity is poised to unravel.
Currently, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) isn’t doing well, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is grappling with a confusing love situation, and dangerous character Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) continues to evade capture.
As a devoted cinephile, here’s my take on the festive episodes airing on Christmas Day:
EastEnders recap before Christmas Day 2024: What has Cindy Beale done this time?
It’s likely you remember the character Cindy Beale, who made a comeback on EastEnders last year. What many didn’t know is that her “death” in 1998 was actually a clever ruse as part of a witness protection program.
While she was away, Cindy assumed the identity of Rose Knight, lived with her husband George (Colin Salmon), and together they raised two daughters named Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford). Yet, upon hearing about the murder of their daughter Lucy Beale in the UK, Cindy suffered a mental collapse and left their home in Marbella.
In the end, Cindy managed to locate and reconnect with her ex-husband, Ian Beale. As time went on, they worked things out and resumed their relationship as a couple.
Currently, after her return, Cindy has reconnected with George, and her daughters who live at the Queen Victoria pub. It’s worth noting that George is now hitched to the pub’s landlady, Elaine Knight – Harriet Thorpe, Linda Carter’s mom.
Cindy continues to harbor feelings for George, yet he’s opted to be with Elaine, disregarding Cindy’s attempts.
As a disheartened movie critic, I’ve found myself unable to shake off the dissatisfaction I felt towards Ian and the sorrow that George left behind. Over the past few months, I’ve found solace in the enchanting arms of George’s son from his first marriage – the cunningly charming Junior Knight, played by Micah Balfour.
Over the past few weeks, George’s newfound brother, Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho), encountered both Cindy and Junior. Unfortunately, during an interaction with Cindy, Kojo fell off a fire escape and was hospitalized. Despite this, Cindy warned Kojo to keep quiet about the incident, while Junior openly confided in Kojo about his growing affection for Cindy.
Lauren Branning, Cindy’s potential future daughter-in-law and soon-to-be grandmother of Peter Beale’s child (played by Thomas Law), stumbled upon Kojo’s fall. She is currently pregnant again with Cindy’s grandchild, but she has been experiencing chronic pain due to an injury sustained in a nightclub accident earlier this year.
The injuries occurred due to Cindy and Junior’s actions, as they were forced into a secluded rendezvous in the club office at Peggy’s because the exit was locked. Unbeknownst to Peter, both Junior and his mother were present in that office.
To ensure Lauren wouldn’t reveal details about Kojo’s accident, Cindy consented to conceal the fact that Lauren was hooked on pain medication and had resorted to stealing some to continue her use. Furthermore, Cindy illegally acquired more painkillers for Lauren to keep quiet, but she became enraged when she discovered she was pregnant.
Since Lauren was concerned about withdrawing following medical counsel, Cindy persistently supplied the medication to her. However, their situation took a dangerous turn when a fire nearly claimed the lives of Lauren, Cindy, and Louie (Jake McNally), their son. Fortunately, Cindy managed to save them from the blaze.
Afterward, Lauren disclosed all she had learned, only for Cindy to label her as a liar. In an attempt to uncover the truth, Lauren approached Kojo at the Vic, hoping the Knights would provide insight into Cindy’s actions, but Kojo chose not to discuss it.
Unbeknownst to Junior, Cindy continues to harbor feelings for George. This becomes evident during a conversation they have. Previously, Cindy had an affair with David Wicks, Ian’s half-brother, but this clandestine relationship was inadvertently captured on tape by Freddie Slater in the Pie and Mash shop Beale’s Eeels. While Freddie was recording bird songs, he unwittingly taped their conversation instead.
Previous week, Elaine stumbled upon a song playing on a computer and now understands everything clearly. This coming Monday, Elaine confronted Cindy, ultimately presenting a choice: either deal with the consequences or depart from Walford permanently.
Instead of facing the repercussions, Cindy decided to embark on a fresh start in France with Ian, all while leading Junior on. Yet, an enigmatic figure has somehow obtained the USB containing Cindy’s unintentional admission and secretly placed it in the Secret Santa box – but who could that be?
To add to his troubles, I’ve learned that Ian has been dealing with additional strain and health complications after experiencing an angina attack a few weeks prior to Christmas. Only his resilient mother Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) seems to be privy to this situation, and she attributes his condition largely to the stressors brought about by Cindy.
Phil Mitchell’s loneliness
2024 proved particularly challenging for Phil Mitchell, as his marriage to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) disintegrated due to his infidelity with Lola’s mother Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit). To add to his troubles, his son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) was incarcerated in the United States for credit card fraud.
After that, solitary patriarch Phil found himself progressively excluded from the Mitchell family due to disagreements with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and the introduction of Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) and their group.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Phil’s long-term partner Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) has found herself drawn to Teddy, disregarding the past chemistry she shared with Phil. Meanwhile, Phil is prevented from spending time with his son Raymond Fox (Michael Jose Pomares Calixte) due to his mother Denise Fox (Diane Parish), who’s keeping him at bay because of Phil’s self-centered actions.
At the beginning of December, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), Teddy’s former wife who is scheming, noticed Phil’s self-neglect and the state of his home. She attempted to create issues for Teddy’s budding relationship with Sharon and even tempted Phil to revert back to alcoholism as a means of causing trouble. However, Phil showed determination and managed to steer clear of this situation.
Nevertheless, despite the offers of assistance and concern extended by Sharon, Jay Brown, and even Teddy, Phil persists in his solitude and unhappiness.
Denise Fox’s romantic dilemmas
Discussing challenging times and encounters with ghosts from previous events, Denise Fox (played by Diane Parish), one of The Six during Christmas 2023, endured the most hardships. She was tormented by the secret she kept about Keanu Taylor’s (portrayed by Danny Walters) murder and her violent act against Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), involving a champagne bottle.
Following a harrowing confrontation that led to a mental collapse, Denise found herself back at the Square. She was compelled to deal with the aftermath of her marriage to Jack Branning’s dissolution, a union fractured by mutual infidelity and deceit. Denise was unfaithful with the villainous Ravi Gulati, while Jack strayed with Stacey Slater.
Following the events, there’s still a chance for them to reunite with Jack, as their profound love persists and they are intimately familiar with one another.
Yet, a more complex situation has emerged due to the rekindling of the feelings between Denise and Ravi. This complicates matters further as it turns out that Ravi had been in a relationship with Denise’s daughter Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) at one point. Their past connection was revealed when the truth about his relationship with Denise surfaced.
Denise has also confessed to Ravi that she was the one who hit Nish to save the life of Suki.
So as Denise faces multiple romantic options, who will she choose: Jack or Ravi?
Who will Martin Fowler choose: Stacey Slater or Ruby Allen?
A new romantic quandary involving Martin Fowler (James Bye) has arisen, given his former spouse Ruby Allen’s (Louisa Lytton) reappearance and the disclosure that they share a son named Roman.
After a harrowing health ordeal that led to my own selfless liver donation to my son, Roman, I find myself sharing our abode with my resilient daughter, Ruby. In this new dynamic, life’s precious moments unfold in the warmth of our home.
It appears that Martin is considering rekindling his relationship with Ruby, possibly prompted by their renewed bond thanks to Roman. This suggestion comes from Martin’s close friend Zack Hudson (James Farrar). But, Zack, what could be your reason for this advice?
Yolande Trueman’s faith restored
Following a difficult year after the distressing experience of being sexually assaulted by Pastor Gideon Clayton, Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) found herself grappling with doubts about her religious beliefs.
After Pastor Clayton took his own life prior to facing justice for multiple sexual assault accusations during his career, Yolande felt as though the purpose behind her speaking out against him was lost or invalidated.
Upon attending a gathering at a church with other survivors, where Yolande listened to their experiences and witnessed the influence of her actions, a performance from the choir further reinforced this, she found her belief rejuvenated.
Returning to the Walford Community Centre soup kitchen, Yolande returned to work.
Nigel Bates returns
On Christmas Eve, an unexpected incident unfolded at the community center, where it appeared that Yolande was attending to a rather unkempt Nigel Bates.
When Yolande enquired why the stranger had returned to Walford, Nigel replied “Memories”.
So, what brings the classic character back to Walford?
Nish Panesar on the run
Following the discovery that Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) intends to marry Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) at New Year’s, after taking the blame for Keanu’s murder as a twisted means of safeguarding her and claiming ownership, the wicked and ailing Nish Panesar has managed to break free from prison and is now secretly residing in Walford.
Bianca Jackson remains held captive by killer Reiss Colwell
Have you seen this woman?!
Indeed, most people are familiar with the renowned character Bianca Jackson, portrayed by Patsy Palmer. However, tragically, this vibrant redhead is now being detained against her will in a storage containment facility, under the control of the delusional murderer Reiss Colwell, played by Jonny Freeman.
After cold-bloodedly killing his comatose wife Debbie to claim life insurance money for his relationship with fiancee Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and their unborn child, Reiss eventually allows Sonia to be falsely accused and imprisoned for Debbie’s murder.
Eager to expose him as untruthful, Bianca embarked on a mission to uncover the facts, but instead of finding freedom, she ended up being held captive by Reiss.
It’s been almost two months since we last saw Bianca, yet there’s a possibility she might unexpectedly show up during the upcoming holiday season.
Linda Carter is in rehab
Linda Carter, who survived, is currently residing at a recovery center, working towards sobriety and overcoming her alcohol addiction, following a life-threatening relapse during the winter season.
Overwhelmed by remorse after murdering Keanu Taylor and constantly haunted by his sister Bernie, Linda found herself struggling under the weight of multiple hardships, ultimately hitting a new low point in her life.
After a heartfelt vision of my future passing, which would leave my loved ones in pieces with sorrow and disarray, I found the resolve – with my mother Elaine’s encouragement – to strive for healing and improvement.
Here’s hoping for a much happier new year for Linda!
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2024-12-25 13:42