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doof-doofblog · 3 years ago

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“Come On, You!”

Monday 14th June 2021

(Part 1)

Hello everyone! I'm back from a huge week off! Instead of wittering on about episodes you've already seen I've decided I'm going to make some headline points of what happened last week and then jump straight into this week. But before I do there is a bit of EastEnders gossip that I need to share with you, Charlie Brooks has officially been seen entering and/or leaving the EastEnders set at Elstree Studios! I don't know about you, but this sighting of her has made me hugely excited - I am excitedly awaiting Janine's return to the screens!!! Check out these stunning new promo pictures of Charlie Brooks back on the Square as Janine Butcher!!!

Elsewhere, EastEnders have also announced another addition to their cast, Ross Boatman has been cast as the role of Harvey Monroe - Dana's Father! For those of you who don't remember, Dana is the young girl who Bobby has recently been seeing/dating. He's said to be a proud East End family man who is fiercely protective over his daughter. We know that Bobby has been hiding his true identity from Dana, going by the name of Rob - Will Harvey end up digging for information about the lad his daughter is seeing? Will he find out the truth about Bobby's identity and will he put everything in his power to stop him seeing Dana?!

So highlighting the main points from last week, I'm going to make a few bullet points on the main events:-

Ben asks Callum to leave the police, but after witnessing his partner being stabbed, Callum finds it hard to open up to him. Ben later realises that he can't ask his husband to make the biggest sacrifice for him, so he informs Callum that he can live with him being a policeman, but to never speak to him about work. So of course Callum is left feeling lost and ends up taking his anger/sadness/frustration out on a brick wall.

Ruby asks Lola and Isaac for advice on how to win over Lily. Ruby has been seen as The Wicked Stepmum in Lily's eyes, but after some mothership advice from Lola, Ruby reaches out to Lily and they come up with an agreement. However, Isaac also decides to step in and buys the children a pet rabbit - much to everyone's surprise. But the one thing that gets a bit awkward is when Isaac starts questioning Ruby about her Dad and eventually comes across a picture of Johnny Allen with his deceased brother, Paul.

After being mugged, Kat is furious at Phil for not being there to support her in her time of need and instead of supporting her he's still holding a grudge against Callum. However Phil later tries to cheer her up by informing her that he's considering buying the laundrette as he wants something legit for Raymond in the future, and asks Kat to be his partner in their new business opportunity.

Violet appears to be making foes instead of friends as she tries to set up Honey with Stuart - but Rainie still isn't happy about her Mother-In-Law still living with them and informs her husband that she wants her out. Violet then almost ruins their change of having a surrogate after interrupting Rainie's meeting with a candidate. But when Rainie confronts her and informs her to leave, Violet admits she doesn't have a home. As they talk their differences though and get prepared to welcome Abi home, Jack gives them devastating blow that Max has run off with Abi.

Elsewhere Bernadette is still trying her hardest to lose weight so she can go through with being Rainie and Stuart's surrogate - after seeing her running with Tiffany, Rainie approaches Bernie and admits that even thought they're grateful for her determination to lose the weight - they're going to look for another surrogate in the mean time, much to Bernie's devastation.

Linda tries fishing information from Denise on Max's whereabouts as she and Mick come to the decision to decide to inform Max about her pregnancy together, but Mick appears to be having doubts about informing Max though. However we've come to learn that Max has "settled down". But later Jack arrives home informing Denise that Max has done a runner with baby Abi and they've simply disappeared.

Bobby is still trying to impress his new girlfriend Dana - but after failing getting the afternoon off work to see her, she surprises him at the restaurant and Iqra is surprised to hear Dana calling him by the name "Rob" and also that he apparently owns half the restaurant. She tries to persuade him to come clean, but when Dana hints she wants to go back to his for "dessert", Bobby panics.

Now focusing on the first half of Monday's episode once again, there's a lot to mention, so I'm going to begin with Rainie, Stuart and Bernie. After the devastating news of learning that Max has done a runner with Abi, Rainie and Stuart decide to head off to the station to report Max for kidnapping. Whilst Rainie is completely and utterly heartbroken about the news of Abi, Bernie is still doing everything she can to make sure she loses the weight to officially become Rainie and Stuart's surrogate.

It seems that all her family have been asking why she's been wanting to lose weight all of a sudden, but Bernie isn't telling them the truth - other than she just wants to be healthier. In an attempt to be the supportive Mum and Best Friend, both Karen and Tiffany inform Bernie that they will join her at the weight loss club, Fat Blasters and will support her and help her through it. Only, whilst they're there at the meeting, as Bernie approaches the scales she less than impressed to realise that she's only just lost 2 pounds, regardless of her eating well and going on runs. I have to say though, as someone who has tried to lose weight and has yo-yoed with their weight almost all their life, losing two pounds is a brilliant achievement, any low amount of weight loss is a huge gain to the weight you want to be or body you want to have!

However, even though the lovely lady running the club help put Bernie's spirit up, Karen was less than helpful after making comments such as "Some people weren't made to be skinny!" and something about a sausage roll? - Bernie then informs her Mum and Tiffany to leave and she'll be more than capable of losing weight on her own, without their help. Only later, as she leaves the dieting club Bernie finds Rainie on Arthur's bench in the gardens and can the see the sadness in her eyes over Abi, it's here that Rainie informs us that Abi's disappearance will only be classed as kidnap after 28 days, which is devastatingly unfortunate for both Rainie and Stuart - at the minute they can't do anything but wait. Bernie acknowledges Abi's disappearance and tries to cheer Rainie up that she is still sticking to losing the weight, but as soon as Rainie asks her how much she's lost, Bernie feels a bit to shy to tell her the truth, but as soon as Rainie assumes that she's lost no weight, Bernie mentions that she's almost lost a stone a weight. Rainie is visibly and clearly thrilled to hear of Bernie's weight loss and praises her, but deep down we know she's only lost 2 pounds - is Bernie going to find losing weight much hard? Could it spiral into depression maybe or worse - a horrific eating disorder?!

Meanwhile, after taking Isaac's advice, Ruby decides to make a "Worry Box" for the children and informs both Arthur and Lily that each day if something is on their mind they write down their worry or concern on a piece of paper and slip it into the box, but the most important thing is that it'll be kept a secret and no one will know about their worry.

At first, Lily is a bit reluctant to use it, claiming that she has no worries or concerns but after a bit of goading from her Dad and seeing her Dad put in his own worry, Lily grabs a pen a piece of paper and willingly puts in her own worry into the box. Only, later after informing the children that the worries were a secret, Ruby takes it upon herself to have sneak peak at the children's worries and eventually finds Lily's which mentions something along the lines of Amy not talking to her at school. Trying to be the best supportive stepmum she can be, Ruby catches Lily before she leaves for school and informs her that she'll do great at her first day back and if anyone decides to give her any trouble to completely ignore them and don't give them the time of day - but Lily is once again too smart for Ruby and she can tell straight away that Ruby is referring to her worry that she put in the box, feeling annoyed, she claims that trying to be the nice stepmum doesn't suit Ruby.

As Lily walks away, Ruby is once again make to feel like the wicked stepmum and as Jean approaches her and tries to give her advice on just trying to be normal, as Ruby turns to walk back into the house she creases over in pain. Later we see that Jean has accompanied Ruby to the clinic and it looks as if Jean is growing concerned as she seems to ask the receptionist whether Ruby was okay, considering that she had been in the room for a long time. Eventually Ruby comes out of the room looking completely and utterly shocked, lost, worried, scared and informs Jean that she is in fact pregnant again. Even though Jean reacts with a gasp of excitement, Ruby informs her of the devastating news that unfortunately, her pregnancy hormones are completely wrong and she'll most likely end up having another miscarriage.

As Jean brings Ruby back home and makes her feel comfortable, she can't help but act all motherly with her, asking whether she needs washing doing or whether she can help with the cooking, but Ruby thanks her for her help but reassures that she will be fine. As Jean turns to take her leave, she notices the "Worry Box" on the table. Ruby plays it down saying it was just a stupid idea for the children but then suddenly Jean asks whether she has put her worry inside the box, but when she admits that she hasn't, Jean takes it upon herself to write her own little note and puts it into the box, and gently urges Ruby to do the same, and of course willingly taking Jean's advice, Ruby then grabs and pen and paper and begins to write her own worry.

Although I do feel sorry for Ruby with her condition and also knowing that she's going to be losing another baby, I do wonder what her worry is going to be. Does she worry that she'll never get to be a proper Mum? Will the "Worry Box" be read out between the family and will someone stumble upon Jean's worry? I'm really intrigued as to where this could go!

Lastly, it's the day of Linda's scan after her collapse at the gym, however it seems that the news regarding Max and Abi has also worried Linda, she is carrying the baby of a man who has just done a runner with his Grandchild. Is this something that the Carter's can face together? Will Linda maybe even feel the need to inform Jack about her pregnancy?

As she waits in her bedroom for Mick, Nancy approaches and claims that her bump is getting bigger and bigger as the days go by and she can no longer hide it, at some point people might start to notice. As Mick then enters the room, Linda reminds him of the scan appointment and Mick looks as though he didn't quite remember but regardless he promises to be there with her to be by her side at the scan. Even though he has to meet someone from the brewery first and informs Linda that he will meet her there.

Although Mick is trying to remain positive for his wife, Nancy knows that maybe her Dad is feeling some doubts and it looks like Linda is also clicking onto something that's going on between her husband and her daughter. When Mick is out, Linda grabs the opportunity to confront Nancy and informs her that she saw the look they shared to one another and she begins to fret that Mick has changed his mind about the baby, even though Nancy tries to calm her down. Unfortunately Nancy finds herself in a bit of a corner as Linda urges her to inform her what she knows, she informs her Mum that Mick is feeling a little worried - bringing a child into the family and having to play happy families with Max Branning is going to be quite difficult for Mick. Linda is devastated to hear this and voices her upset with Mick for not being able to talk to her ... I have to say though I loved the quote from her "I'm 6 months pregnant with another man's baby and my husband isn't talking to me, I'm sorry if I'm a bit emotional!" - I have to say but I thought that was a brilliant one-liner!

Later we see Mick making his way to the hospital to meet Linda, but unfortunately his car has a flat tire and then the train station is closed, as he scrolls through his phone to find a contact number, his phone suddenly dies - he knows that if he doesn't act fast, Linda is going to be facing her scan alone. For a small brief moment, I thought Mick was going to have another panic attack the way he was trying to get his breathing together, but he managed to keep it all under control. Eventually, Linda arrives at the hospital in preparation for her scan and we can see that she leaves Mick a voicemail informing him that she has spoken to Nancy and knows about his concerns and admits that she wishes that he could've talked to her about his worries. But she softly ends the call asking whether he's still coming to the scan.

For a brief moment it looks like Mick is never going to get to the hospital in time, but luckily he manages to flag down a cab - and of course the driver just so happens to be Danny Dyer's real life daughter Dani Dyer. To be honest, I was a bit sceptical after I heard the news that she was going to appear in EastEnders, but to be honest I thought her performance wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Even though she was just playing an extra, she seems to do a pretty good part. The dynamic between her and her Dad on screen of course was brilliantly done!

Dani Dyer's character was named Jeanette, who just so happened to be pregnant and was heading towards to the hospital also. Only as she promises to get Mick there on time to be with his wife, she does have to have a pit stop on the way to use a café' toilet - due to her being heavily pregnant, but suddenly as she's about to get back into the cab, her waters break and Mick is then forced to drive himself and his cab driver to the hospital!

Luckily he gets Jeanette there in time to see somebody but as he tries to leave her with a nurse, she begs him not to leave her, claiming he's her guardian angel, plus the minor fact that he owes her £20 for the taxi ride, even though he pretty much drove himself. Mick unfortunately finds himself stuck with Jeanette and as he leads her to be seen too, Linda walks out of another room, holding her baby scan picture as we realise she had to face her scan alone. However she does the most interesting thing, instead of taking the scan picture with her, she leaves it behind on a hospital table and walks out of the hospital alone.

I completely understand that Linda is going to be feeling saddened that Mick didn't turn up, is she going to see it as some form of confirmation that Mick doesn't want her to have the baby? Or that he can't play happy families with Max? Either way, I hope Linda and Mick have a serious discussion about this baby and their feelings about it before it's too late, otherwise it's going to cause to deep heartbreaks in the future when the baby arrives!

I just want to say a huge thank you to you all for being so patient with me, I realise it's been a long time since I've posted, and now with all the EastEnders episodes being online due to the football, I'm going to be doing a blog post every night this week hopefully. Thank you all for reading, it truly means the world. Feel free to leave me any messages or comments about the episodes or storylines happening at the moment! Enjoy the rest of your evening, love you all xXx

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doof-doofblog · 3 years ago

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"She Don't Scare Me No More!"

Monday 17th May 2021

Hello everyone! I realise this post is quite late, I've been working so many hours under the sun recently, I'm finding very little time to sit and make a post. So for the meantime, I'll probably be doing catch up posts, I'll still notify you on any EastEnders news making headlines etc! But before we jump into this week, we need to recap on the happenings of last week's epic episodes following Ben & Callum's wedding. It was eventually revealed that it was actually Kat who Whitney ran Gray's car into. But the main thing that been playing on my mind, and possibly you guys also - that car has now become interest in the hit and run, the police know that the car belongs to Gray, do you think if they do tests on it they'll find some form of DNA from Tina Carter??? Could this be the beginning of Gray's demise?! Of course I'm just speculating, but I'm sure you'll all agree that it's about time that Gray got captured!

Other than this unexpected hit and run, Ben and Callum's wedding went off without a hitch, other than Phil learning about Callum betraying the Mitchell family, but after what's happened to Kat, is Phil going to let this one with Callum slide? Or is he going to make Callum know that he hasn't been forgiven? Oh and speaking of Phil and Kat, it looks as if their relationship is hot gossip, as now Kathy, Linda and Sharon are all aware about their fling. When Phil steps into the ambulance with Kat, he looked genuinely concerned for her - do you think it's possible that he's fallen deeply for Kat?!

Also which has also grabbed my attention is the new, I guess you could call it a promo picture, of Janine's return to Albert Square! It makes it feel much more real now, knowing that she's returning to the Square, as far as I'm aware there has been a lot of gossip with people assuming that Janine could be the one to bring down Gray!! What do you guys think of the new picture?! Are you excited for Janine's return as much as I am? I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this particular subject!

Lastly, before we focus on Monday's episode, another spoiler I have heard is regarding Bernie. We know that Bernadette has offered to be Stuart and Rainie's surrogate as she knows her family are in desperate need for the money on offer. But during a recent episode, a doctor/nurse informed Bernie that for her to have a successful pregnancy, she needs to lose weight. Rainie wasn't best pleased when she learned that Bernie had suffered miscarriage a while back, could it have been due to her weight? However, as much as Bernie is eager to please Stuart and Rainie and help both them out as well as her family, it seems that Bernadette is going to suffer from some kind of eating disorder - could it be bulimia? I happened to notice that she recently went to throw away a piece of toast but Mitch and Karen stopped her before she could. Could this be the beginning of Bernadette's eating disorder storyline?!

Now focusing on Monday's episode, quite a lot of different things happened, but first I'm going to start off with the happy news that Bailey was finally found safe and well. The Taylor have been completely distraught by her disappearance and being going out of their minds with worry. However, during the last couple of days, unbeknown to them, Amy has been hiding Bailey at the allotments. The one thing that I never really understood is that Amy knew her family we worried sick, so why would she lie to Bailey informing her that her Dad was angry at her for running away, suggesting that she stays away a bit longer.

But Denise happened to notice Amy's behaviour and become increasingly suspicious of her. Amy has been nicking food from all sorts of different stalls for Bailey, so when Denise catches her out in the street and asking why she's not in school, Amy lies informing her that she's taking part in a chess club during break time. But Denise seems to know her soon-to-be step-daughter all too well, and ends up following Amy and finding both her and Bailey sat in a shed at the allotment.

I have to be honest, it was a beautiful scene when everyone on the Square began to applaud Bailey's return to the Square, and the way both Bailey and Mitch's faces lit up as they saw one another and she ran into her Dad's arms, it really moved me. It kind of puts it into perspective, sadly some children who disappear or run away from home, some sadly never get found or return home. It's clear to see that everyone is relieved to have Bailey home safe and sound.

Sticking with the Taylor's, we need to discuss Bernie. She still hasn't told her family that she has offered to be Rainie and Stuart's surrogate, being seeing them struggle for money is making her more determined than ever to make sure she can lose the weight to be able to carry a baby safely. It seems though that her family isn't the only person she hasn't told - her new girlfriend Molly happens to think that Bernie has a "Friend" who is doing the surrogacy.

But when Molly happens to mention the future plans she wants to have with Bernie, going on holiday etc etc, Bernie happens to inform her that she couldn't, using the excuse that her family are skint and she can't afford to go anywhere right now. But Bernadette soon comes to realise that she can no longer hide the secret from her new girlfriend and comes clean that it's actually her who's agreed to be a surrogate. Needless to say that Molly is not best pleased with Bernie's decision, claiming that giving away a baby isn't normal.

But Bernie I think knows more than anyone what it must be like to fall pregnant and then to devastatingly lose it. We know that Bernie's first major storyline on EastEnders was her miscarriage. As the episode progresses, Molly tries to convince Bernadette that being a surrogate is not a good idea, but once Bailey returns home and Bernie overhears her Mum informing the family that even though they may not be rich, it makes them the most strongest and powerful family ever! Feeling her Mum's positive energy and realising her Mum is right, Bernie informs her girlfriend that Bailey ran away because she felt guilty of her family not being able to afford looking after her, but with the money she'll receive from the surrogacy, she'll be able to provide for her family - and in her world, her family comes first, always have and always will! Which kind of means that maybe sadly Bernadette and Molly's brief relationship has come to an end. But as time goes on, will Molly be able to see Bernie's point of view? Will she be able to come round and support her girlfriend's decision?

However, later when Bernie finds Rainie and informs her about the good news about Bailey returning home safe and well, she informs Rainie that she's going to start herself on the strict diet the following day to make sure she can lose the weight. But devastatingly Rainie reveals the devastating blow that she and Stuart are going to look for another surrogate, as the risk of losing the baby is too high if they were to continue with Bernadette as the surrogate. Leaving Bernie completely and utterly devastated, almost pleading Rainie for her to give her a chance to prove herself. But I feel I can kind of understand Rainie's concern, as she said herself she's not getting any younger, so in her mind, her chance to become a Mum is slowly drifting away from her and with Bernadette having to lose weight, it could take quite a long time, time that Rainie simply doesn't have. I did feel for Bernie, will she able to persuade Rainie to change her mind?

Elsewhere on the Square, Sharon is having to put up with her brother and the flashy women he keeps bringing back to her apartment. I have to say I thought it was brilliant at the beginning of the episode when Sharon completely embarrassed Zack in front of his lady friend, who happened to stay the night before. She quickly informs Zack that he needs to find a job if he's thinking about sticking around in Walford and suggests that he approaches Ruby at her club. But, as Sharon heads out, it seems that her brother has had more than one lady friend that he's been bringing round to the flat. Sharon is horrified when she notices another lady on the Square wearing her blazer and scarf and demands it back!

Eventually she bumps into Martin as he returns from home from Kush's funeral. I just have to say that I loved the look of confusion on Martin's face when he's asked about the crash that happened and Sharon informs him that it was Kat - but the fact that Phil has been sat by her bedside every night. It looks as if the news about Kat and Phil's fling/romance is slowly spreading around the Square. But then Sharon also informs him that her brother has arrived on the Square and she's sent him across to Ruby to see if she can give him a job.

I guess it's hard to tell how Martin is feeling at this point, however as soon as he comes face to face with Ruby and Zack, he really is not pleased with what he's witnessing. Zack is once again back to his old tricks and is horrendously flirting with Ruby. Martin informs him that he is in fact his bosses wife, so he needs to be incredibly careful not to cross the line where his boss is concerned. But Ruby informs her husband that she is glad to have him home and she missed him terribly, which kind of eases Martin's mood, but something tells me that this Zack is going to cause a stir. What do you guys think?

Finally I have to mention Nancy and Mick, I have to say though, it's been really lovely seeing these two share scenes again, I've really missed that Dad and Daughter bonding from these two. Nancy informs her Dad that if he's still willing to go to the Doctor's appointment then he can still join her. When she pops by the Vic to inform him the time, even though Mick reassures her that he'll be there, Shirley is suspicious to what the two of them are planning/doing and informs her "technically" Granddaughter that Mick needs to focus on writing his victim statement for court and can't have any distractions.

However, even though that of course Nancy wouldn't want to distract her Dad from something as important as his victim statement, but she feels happy that her Dad joined her for the appointment. However, from what I can gather, it looks as if that Nancy is having to wait 12 more months until she can go through with being sterilized, is it something to do with her being the right age? I'm not so sure, I think I missed that bit, however I recall Nancy mentioning that she is old enough to make the decision if she does wants kids at aged 16, but she's not allowed to make the decision if she doesn't want children at the age of 27?! Does she need to be 28 then for them to go through with the sterilization?

She agrees to wait for the 12 months as she is completely certain that her feelings is not going to change on the matter - however, can I just say? - How much do you guys want to bet now that during these next 12 months, at some point Nancy will find herself pregnant? What will she do if she does??? - But back to the present, she informs her Dad that if she agrees to wait for the next 12 months, she wants to make sure that her Dad promises to do something for her also - read his victim statement aloud in court. She's hoping it'll give him the opportunity for him to have his say - about how everything that happened with Katy truly made him feel!

As they arrive back on the Square, Mick heads to the Vic and gets his head down to write his victim statement, as Shirley enters and sees her son working away, she questions him whether he wants her to go over it. However Mick informs her that she'll be able to hear it for herself as he's agreed he's going to read it in court. But as Shirley voices her concern, Mick informs her that he's changed his mind about reading his statement - Katy doesn't scare him anymore! Although, unbeknown to them, as Mick is sat inside the pub writing his victim statement, Katy is stood right outside the pub, watching, staring, waiting! What is she doing back in Walford? Shouldn't she be behind bars? If there's going to be court date coming up, surely she's broken the rules of her bail if she's arrived back on the Square? I'm intrigued to see what's going to happen next. I hope Mick doesn't see her, he'll flip his lid! I have to be honest though, I'm looking forward to seeing the court hearing, as hopefully we'll get to see/hear what kind of sentence Katy will get and whether justice has been served!

Thank you all again for reading, I know it's been a while but I truly appreciate you all taking the time to read and respond! I can't wait to see what happens next, please feel free to leave me a message or comment on any of the storylines happening in EastEnders right now. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you again everyone, enjoy the rest of your evening! Love you all xXx

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doof-doofblog · 4 years ago

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EastEnders Iconic Episodes:- Pat & Frank's Affair

Tuesday 18th August 2020

Good evening everyone! We're back with a new week and a new iconic EastEnders episode! This week's episode has one of the most memorable scenes in it, which I'm sure you'll all know and recognise. Everything comes to blow when Peggy becomes aware of Pat and Frank's affair! This episode was originally aired 2nd November 2000! Incredible to believe that this episode is almost 20 years old!

I had no idea that this episode was 60 minutes long! This must've been a hour long special episode for Bonfire Night! I don't recall much of this episode to begin with, being born in the 90s, I must've been around 9-10 years of age when this episode aired! Still can't believe I've come to the realisation that I've been watching EastEnders for nearly 20 years! Crazy! Anyway, the episode seems to start with Frank and Peggy already in the Vic, upstairs and Peggy seems to think that Frank is up to something, he's looked very dodgy as if he's trying to hide something! I believe that there is meant to be some kind of letter he has supposed to have written to her? Has that already been written and he has lost it? I'm sure as the episode goes all it'll all be revealed! Frank is looking ever so shifty as Peggy reveals to him that she's had a wasted journey, it looks as if he's terrified that she might know something!

Ahhh so as far as I can make out, Frank is on the edge of ending things with Peggy. It's devastating to know that she literally has no idea at that moment in time! Frank makes his way downstairs and asks Mel whether she had been upstairs and moved something, I am certain that it's the letter to Peggy that Frank has written, because all of sudden something he his wanting seems to be missing! While Frank is being teased by the locals in the pub and sweating because he can't find his letter, it looks as if Pat is waiting at home to hear news from Frank. Barry goes under the stairs and pulls out a suitcase ... are Pat and Frank planning on running away together? Poor gullible Barry seems to think that it's his Dad, Roy and Pat who appear to be going away - even on the plastic bag it says "Second Honeymoon!" even Pat goes along with the story to hide the fact that it's actually Frank she's going away with.

Back at the pub Frank has a word with Little Mo, seeing as she's the cleaner of the Vic, she may know the whereabouts of his letter. She confesses she was cleaning the kitchen and did see an envelope with Peggy's name on it, she might've put it in the bin but she can't be sure, even though Frank is eager to get his hands on the letter, he tells her not to worry. Can I just say how amazing it is seeing all these characters again - Roy, Barry, Frank, Little Mo, Lynne, Janine - the main thing I've enjoyed while watching these classic iconic episodes is seeing the old members of the cast, many who I would love to see return one day! Back at the house, Roy and Barry are persuading Pat to join them for the evening and she agrees - even though she is reluctant to do so!

Back in the Vic upstairs, Frank is rummaging through the bin , desperately trying to find the note - ahhh and Janine comes in! (We know Janine is a bitch, but to tell the truth, I've always loved her character!) She plays all coy with her father, playing her little games again not saying directly whether she had seen or read the letter left for Peggy. She informs him that Phil might have possibly seen it as he was looking for Peggy earlier! I don't recall seeing Phil in this episode, but will he be the one to actually show his Mum the letter?! All the locals are gathering downstairs to celebrate the holiday, Pat and Frank clock eyes on each other from across the bar and they both make an excuse the leave the Vic. Pat states she wants to be with the kids, and Frank dashes after her, claiming to Peggy that he's left his car lights on! I don't know about you lot, but I can already feel the tension in this episode, it's slowly building and building! Frank dashes to Phil's house, but - as far as I can make out - Phil has no idea what Frank is on about or what he's after, he asks why he lied about Janine moving to Manchester and whether he'd been up to something he shouldn't have, obviously Frank starts to squirm as he believes Phil knows!

Meanwhile, Peggy is serving her customers and the Vic is packed full of happy and lively locals. Pat is seen standing beside the bar when Little Mo approaches Peggy and reveals that she actually found Frank's note to her in her cleaning apron. Now Peggy is left in the dark about what the letter is about and who it's from, all she knows is that a letter addressed to her has been found. Pat eyes and ear prick up! She know's that the one which reveals everything! As Peggy is too busy serving her customers, she puts the letter to one side and carries on. Back at Phil's house, it looks as if Frank is almost begging to Phil to give him the letter back, which as us viewers already know, he hasn't got it! But it does also seem to appear that Phil knows about what Frank and Pat have been up to! Frank tries to appeal to Phil saying that he understands considering what he's been through with Sharon, and yet Phil makes the brilliant point that Frank is actually Peggy's husband and Pat is her best friend, which makes the whole situation a lot more worse!

I just love that through-out this episode both Roy and Peggy have no idea what's about to happen and what's actually going on around them. In the Vic, Pat's eyes are firmly on the letter behind the bar, something is telling me that she's needing to go and fetch it before Peggy reads it. She takes it upon herself to make a move and says to Peggy she'll help her behind the bar, but Peggy insists that she stays the other side of the bar and asks her to hand out the sandwiches, much to Pat's disappointment. On the other side of the Square in Phil's gaff, Frank is still pleading to Phil to give him the letter, only after all this discussion, Phil has been toying with him ... he tells him he hasn't got it, Frank's eyes widen with worry, desperation and shock! Poor Peggy back at the Vic is still busy on her feet ... Pat eventually manages to worm her way behind the bar but unfortunately Peggy grabs the letter before she can get to it and claims that she's going upstairs to change, and she takes the letter with her. I'm sure back when this soap was originally aired, the viewers must've been on the edge of their seats. I know I am currently watching it and everything is building and building!! This is truly EastEnders at it's best!!!

Ooooohhhhh and there's the moment everyone has taken a gasp of breath!!! The phone rings while Frank is at Phil's - it's Peggy and she has a piece of paper in her hand, she pleads her son to come and see her straight away! She's left on her own in the kitchen and she tears fall from her face and she collapses in a wail of tears! She's read the letter!!! Phil walks into the Vic ready to console his poor mother, followed by Frank who once again clocks eyes with Pat behind the bar. They both have that silent knowledge and understanding between them that Peggy is about to find out everything and their cover is about to be blown! Upstairs, Phil and Peggy are sat together and Phil gets to see the note for the first time, Phil reveals to his Mum that Frank told him that both he and Pat bottled their plans to run away together. It is then that Phil says a terrific line to his Mum, which I believe kinda stayed with the legendary Peggy until he sad passing: "It's time for make-your-mind-up time, are you a Butcher or a Mitchell?!" ... As long as I can remember, Peggy was always proud of having the Mitchell name and she was always proud of the Mitchell family! It is THAT moment when Phil asks her, that she actually looks and thinks and you can see the look in her face change ... She is Peggy Mitchell!!

Of course both Pat and Frank are frantic downstairs as they both come to the realisation that Peggy has the letter. Frank then pleads to Pat to change her mind about leaving together, it's the only way they'll be able to escape the situation. If they leave, neither of them would have to face Peggy. Pat doesn't know what say, she has her grandchildren and all of her family around her, would she really be able to leave it all behind? I don't know whether it's a way of him getting her to change her mind, but he says to Pat that he can't stay and face the music, he's going whether she decides to join him or not, but he makes it very well known to her that he has always loved her, absolutely tugging at her heart strings. Just as he goes to leave the bar, Peggy makes her appearance all glammed up.

We as viewers know full well that she's toying with Frank, saying how very cross she is with him ... Frank is visibly shaking in his boots ... This is the moment that this episode will always be remembered for ... Peggy rings the bell to make her announcement, both Frank and Pat stood beside her, looking nervous and uncertain to what she's about to do. I absolutely LOVE Barbara Windsor in this scene! Taking centre stage, behind the bar as Peggy Mitchell ... her speech starts very cheerfully to her fellow punters who have taken part in The Best Guy Competition, complementing each one and then making the point that one of them was actually meant to be her husband, Frank. I just LOVE how she's being so professional about her job role, making sure the children enjoy themselves, giving out prizes - while all the time Phil, Frank and Pat are watching her, watching and waiting for her to either finish her speech or see what she does next. As Peggy continues with her speech, she suddenly changes her tone and says there's an extra award to present - to both Pat and Frank, a lifetime achievement award for deceit and wickedness ... (this is when her locals are all looking confused and shocked!) She then brings out the letter to which both Frank and Pat look in dismay and disbelief as she starts to read the letter out aloud to everyone in the pub! The pub falls silent as she reads the words from the small piece of paper, the iconic moment as she says the words "I've never quite been able to stop myself loving Pat!" and how much hatred and power she puts into those words! It's so fantastic and what quite frankly makes the episode so memorable! I feel like this was the moment everyone's jaw dropped to the floor, both Pat and Frank stood beside her cowering in their corners, while the look on poor Roy's face is despair and shock! As she finishes the letter, everyone is in shock and as Peggy says she has the last prizes to hand out - she turns to Frank and whacks him across the face, you can hear his grown on how hard the slap was, she then turns to Pat and whacks her across the face, so hard that her earring falls out and in true Peggy style she leaves them to deal with the revelation on their own!

The Queen Vic empties and Pat and Frank are left behind the bar on their own, as Roy is stood there with Phil watching the two of them. Roy is stood in silence, his eyes fixed on Pat. Frank attempts to explain to Roy that the reason they never left is because Pat decided to choose Roy over him, which I believe is far from the truth, Pat was just scared. She collapses in hysterical crying, so much she's gasping for breath, Roy is badgering her, asking questions such a where and how long! She clearly cant take the pressure anymore and she blares at him that there have been hundreds of times!! Meanwhile, upstairs Phil is consoling his mother, she's made her decision - she's a Mitchell and she's shown them that she is not to be messed with! Frank makes his way into the kitchen and Phil follows, demanding him that he leaves, even then Frank tries to turn it around and blame Phil for stopping him coming over to the Vic to find the letter before Peggy got hold of it ... but of course Phil wasn't to know, so of course he's just looking for excuses and for someone else to take the rap for him, but it is not going to work!

Back downstairs Pat and Roy and talking things through, she's explaining herself to him, but to be honest, she isn't using her words quite cleverly. From what Roy and, the viewers can make out, she's explaining that Frank always makes her feel like she's young and 16 and enjoying life and yet with Roy, she feels as if her life is just passing her by and how with Roy, she'll just be 57! It's a horrible way to describe it to someone I think, I think it's very blunt and quite heartbreaking. I do feel for Roy, as he seems like such a gentleman who has just had his heart ripped out. While Roy and Pat are talking, upstairs, Frank tries to approach Peggy but she doesn't want to hear any of his explanations or excuses. He tries his best to explain himself but she has none of it and calls Phil to get him to leave!

It's sad that even Roy reveals to Pat that he knew he was always second best to her, feeling that everything around him smelt of Frank or had a Frank-vibe to it. He even asks Pat if it was to do with the sex but I don't think her convincing is any good, she can barely look at him in the eye. But she does say that that is something that she doesn't care about anymore, but is she telling the truth? Next minute Janine comes out from behind the bar, wondering what has happened, Pat explains to her that her Dad is upstairs with Peggy and that he'll explain everything to her. As Roy and Pat leave the Vic, Mo, Charlie, Lynne and Little Mo are all talking about Pat, Mo making the statement that Pat used to be a prostitute in her younger days, little did they know that both Pat and Roy could hear every word she was saying, the both ignore the gossip and walk slowly home.

Back at their home, Barry is sat waiting for his Dad. He's shocked to discover that he has come home with Pat in tow. Roy asks him politely to leave them to talk as Pat makes her way into the living room. I feel this was another moment when the jaws dropped for the viewers. Pat appeals to Roy and says that she simply doesn't deserve him, she gives him a hug but he doesn't reciprocate. He demands that if they're going to be happy they need to be honest with each other, she agrees and he starts be making the big and bold statement of never liking her iconic earrings. Now EVERYONE knows that Pat's iconic looks was always with her big earrings, and for someone to declare that they don't like them, is basically a bit punch in the gut for her. She looks at him in shock as he describes them as cheap and vulgar, as she is doing everything in her power to keep her marriage together, she simply removes her earrings in silence. At the Vic Frank is telling his daughter, Janine that he can't stay any longer. He needs and leave and once Janine is accusing him of being a bad father. He tries to worm his way into her good backs by explaining that she's a strong woman and she'll be able to cope, but she really isn't happy. Janine has always been Daddy's Little Girl, although she'd never admit it, she always loved her Dad deeply. But when he's saying he's leaving and that he's never realised how much he actually loves his daughter, it gives her the feeling that he's abandoning her again. She leaves as they're both in tears, Frank begs her not to leave on such sad terms but she can't bring herself to stay. Back at home Pat is trying to make amends to her husband but as Roy tries to explain to his son that they're going to make changes and try and sort things out, its then when Barry informs Roy about Pat's suitcase, Barry explains to him that she made up a story that she was going to take Roy away, when in fact it's the case she was going to use to run away with Frank. Barry informs his Dad that if he decides to look inside, he wont be happy with what he finds. Without a word, Roy unzips the suitcase and inside finds the bag which says "Second Honeymoon!"

Pat walks in only to deny it all and say it was spur of the moment. Roy pulls out the items in the bag which reveal lingerie and massage oils. It hurts him deeply that she had lied to him when she claimed it wasn't about sex, but all this evidence made it perfectly clear. Pat begs her husband to believe her that it wasn't her idea, but Roy has none of it throws her out! Pat is left in pouring torrential rain, in floods of tears on her knees, her clothes all soaked on the pavement. Frank eventually gathers his things and walks towards his car in the pouring rain ... I remember watching this as a child 9/10 years old ... I know it sounds silly but it kinda frightened me, and i'll explain why ... as the camera follows Frank to his car, Pat is seen sat on Arthur's bench, still drenched in her big coat and crying her eyes out. Frank finds Pat's gloves in his can and quickly decides to take them back to Pat, only to be given another smack in the mouth by Roy! I know a lot of people were happy he did that, he should've done it a lot earlier!

This is the moment that scared me a child, the way I see it now, it's a bit silly, but hopefully you guys will understand. So Frank is walking towards his car, he's looking low, beaten and drenched ... he's shouting out Pat's name ... calling for her, of course he has no idea where she is, it's as if he's calling desperately wanting her to maker herself known! Pat can only hear her soulmates voice calling her name and it breaks her, she covers her face and cries hysterically. He shouts at the top of his lungs "I'm sorry!" and then for the whole Square to hear "I LOVE YOU!" .... it's as if they've both come to the realisation that they can't have each other after everything that has happened. They are both lost souls! Pat calls out his name but it's too late as he already drives away in his car, he's unable to see her in the teaming rain and she watches in pure heartache as his car drives away. For a 9/10 year old, watching two people pretty much lose everything in the worst possible way, was pretty horrific. The last thing Frank sees as he drives out of Walford is his dummy set alight!

Another brilliantly written episode and I can fully understand why it's made into the list of iconic episodes. Fantastic performances from Barbara Windsor, Pam St Clement and Mike Reid, such legends and I can’t applaud them enough! I'm sorry this post is late, but I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the next iconic episode is going to be! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week! I'll be back very soon! Goodnight and look after yourselves! xXx

#peggymitchell #patevans #patbutcher #frankbutcher #royevans #barryevans #philmitchell #littlemo #janinebutcher #eastenders #iconic

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