"I'd Look A Little Closer To Home If I Were You!"
Hello again everyone! I hope you're all doing well and had an enjoyable weekend! Thank you all for being super patient with me, I've been quite busy over the last few days and today has been the only time I've been able to catch up. This post is going to covering the two episodes which aired on Thursday evening. But before we dive in, there is some small news I'm going to share with you all which I'm sure you've all been made aware of by now. It's been announced that star of television and stage, Sue Holderness will be joining EastEnders for a small guest appearance later in the spring, playing the role of Estelle. What brings her to Walford remains to be seen, but I'm super excited to see her join the soap! She's better known for playing the role of Marlene in Only Fools And Horses, on a personal note, I got to meet her at Liverpool ComicCon last year, she was super nice! If I'd have known then that was going to be in EastEnders, I would've asked her about it, I would've loved to have heard her thoughts on it!
Now focusing on the soap, there's quite a bit of follow up on. I know the majority of you have seen Monday's episode, but I unfortunately haven't, so please no spoilers. I'll post about Monday and Tuesday's episodes tomorrow. I'm going to begin with the friendship and partnership that appears to be building between Ben and Kheerat! Honestly, I think it's the friendship that we never knew we needed! Confronting the youth who almost attacked Vinny and vandalised the Panesar's shop, both Ben and Kheerat warn the lad that he has simply messed with the wrong people. I guess that the Mitchell's have always had a reputation, now knowing that the Panesar family have a reputation also, putting both families together and becoming partners, I guess you could say they could hold all the power in certain situations, right?!
It's unknown what they did to him, but as they leave the scene, Kheerat bumps into Vinny and informs his brother that he's just basically cleaned up his mess. This leaves Vinny feeling absolutely devastated, he claims that he was going to deal with it in his own way, he feels saddened that even his own brother can't trust him to fix things. He informs his brother that he's still a valid part of the family and he's never been given the opportunity to prove himself.
This clearly plays on Kheerat's mind and he comes to realise that his younger brother has a point. Realising that all he wants is one chance, Kheerat informs his brother that he has a small job that he'd like him to take care of. This seems to surprise Vinny but after hearing that he'll be looking after some Russian fellow he jumps up with delight, ecstatic that he's finally being given the opportunity to prove himself to his family. I have to admit though, when it came to realisation of who Vinny would be working with or for, it was a little laughable! Coming face-to-face with the client, Vinny begins to act as the big man, informing the bloke that he will be looking after him. But as the Russian client lifts himself up from the table, the height difference between him and Vinny was just crazy! Poor Vinny looked incredibly small and tiny compared to him! He was little twice the size of Vinny, poor Vinny is completely dumbfounded as he's instructed to the driver instead.
Determined to stick to his guns and see the job through, Vinny agrees to be the driver. Although while this whole scene was being played out, the thoughts that crossed my mind were, what is this job? Who is this man? We didn't really know much about him to begin with. As Vinny is instructed to place a bag in the back of the car, he takes it upon himself to have a snoop inside the bag and finding some gold bars - which I have to say, looked a bit naff in my opinion! Of course we all know it's not real, but I kind of thought EastEnders would've made the gold bars look a lot more, decent? Anyway, regardless as Vinny gets giddy at the thought of handling gold, he gets back into the car, only realising that his client has passed in the backseat.
Realising that he needs help, he calls upon Callum as it seems that he can be the only person he can trust with this issue, especially considering the fact that we find out that this man worked for Stas, and if the police get involved, they both know that Ben and Kheerat will also be in big trouble. Callum does his brilliant police officer role and manages to sort out the situation. As things come to a head, Ben informs Vinny that he did a good job, even though he drops the bombshell that Stas was expecting more gold bars, but put it down to the deceased Russian man giving him the slip before he passed away. Being told he handled it well and did a good job, Vinny seems really pleased with himself.
Meanwhile however, both Kheerat and Suki are panicking, realising that Vinny should've been home and the job all done by now. To their relief Vinny walks through the door, as smug as anything! Kheerat demands to know what had happened, Vinny informs them about the man passing away and how dealt with it without the police getting involved. But then he pulls out two gold bars out of blazer pocket, informing his family that he is sticking up to the Panesar name and they need to start treating with respect and trust, and he out right demands that he wants to become a partner in the family business. Both Suki and Kheerat are completely stunned by his request, but will they agree and will they realise that Vinny is serious about making his mark on the family business and possibly reputation?!
Okay so the next thing I'm going to mention is Ruby, it looks as if she's still trying to absorb the recent news from Jean. As Martin walks in he apologises for waking her up in the middle of the night. Their conversation seems to swerve onto the subject of Martin coming to the realisation that when Stacey and Kush have both got to go away to prison, little Arthur could be losing both his Mum and Dad - to be honest, that's something that I've never really noticed. Both of Arthur's biological parents are going to be going to prison, I mean of course he'll have more family to look after him but that could be so damaging to the poor child. Would Ruby really be able to cope with another burden?!
As she carries on with her day, almost about to leave for an appointment, Ruby once again bumps into Jean, she states that maybe she should tell Stacey about her cancer coming back, but Jean is adamant that she doesn't want to spend the next few months arguing about whether she should take treatment or not. But what Jean speaks of next really got to me a bit, she reminisces about when Stacey and Ruby were younger, what such best friends they were and how Stacey always used to talk about her to her Mum, I think this moment might've touched Ruby also. Jean once again pleads to Ruby to drop the case against Stacey, looking almost defeated, Ruby nods and informs her she'll try and call DC Barnes. Being ever so thankful, Jean thanks Ruby repeatedly and hurries home to give Stacey the news that Ruby has dropped the charges, of course Stacey is really confused and doesn't seem to understand why Ruby would change her mind out of the blue, but Jean reassures her daughter that all she did was talk to her.
However, in the meantime, both Ruby and Martin have attended an appointment in regards to her miscarriage. Devastatingly, she's given the news that she could have endometriosis. Now doing a bit of research I've come to find that endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The symptoms include pain in the lower tummy or back, severe period pain also pain during or after sex. Endometriosis is a widely undiagnosed condition; taking on average 8 years to diagnose. It affects 1.5 million women in the UK or 1 in 10 women from puberty to menopause, although the impact can be felt for life. This could mean that Ruby may not be able to have children in the future? Does this mean that this child could've been her one and only opportunity to be a Mum?!
Understandably, this news is a massive blow for Ruby, in her eyes she has lost the one chance to become a Mum, and of course she is going to blame Stacey for it. As she's left with her thoughts alone, Jean finds her in the Vic crying, Jean takes the gentle approach asking whether she's okay. It's then that Ruby informs her about her news. Jean of course is more than sympathetic towards Ruby, as much as she gives her her condolences, she also is nervous about asking the question whether she got round to calling the detective. Astonished that Jean could even ask her something like that considering what she's just found out, she claims that she did try to call DC Barnes to try and change her statement, but it was simply too late and it's already in the hands of the court and will be going to trial. Jean is devastated to hear this news and frets that she's told Stacey she may not have to go to prison, with this news, Jean takes her leave. But as she does, it becomes perfectly clear that Ruby actually never did try to change her statement and actually refuses to do so.
Jean tries to build up her courage to try and tell her daughter what's happened, although she is finding it devastatingly hard as the family had made plans to go away with the kids, give them something to look forward to. But Stacey can see that Jean is worried about something and pleads her Mum to just tell her what's going on. Jean reveals that after speaking with Ruby again, unfortunately things are going to be going in Stacey's favour, she will still have to go to trial. With the realisation hitting hard, Stacey tries to reassure her Mum that everything will be fine and with the hope that she could be out after 6 months with the possibility of good behaviour, if things go okay for her should could be out of prison before Christmas. I can understand Stacey putting on a brave face for her family, but I also think deep down this is tearing her apart, being sent to prison for something she didn't do!
Later as she comes to terms with the fact she could be sent to prison, Martin and Ruby find her alone. She admits to them that she's going to plead Guilty, with the hope of being released from prison sooner rather than later. However, she has the main concern of telling the children. It's here where Martin actually seems to support Stacey, he informs her that when she feels ready to tell the children, he'll be there to support her. Agreeing to tell Lily first as she's the oldest, both Stacey and Martin sit her down and inform her that her Mum will be going away for a while, but Lily instantly knows what they're talking about and knows that that they're telling her that her Mum will be going to prison! Lily pleads for her not to go and the best and right thing for her to do would be to stay with her family.
This really gets to Stacey, she leaves the house claiming to get food for the family, but Martin knows that she's just putting on a brave face and tries to rush after her as she leaves the house. However, when Ruby catches him she questions whether he's going to join her at home, but when he's adamant that he's going to try and find Stacey, Ruby notices her hiding behind a wall absolutely sobbing her heart out. I do feel for Stacey right now, it's heart-breaking that she's having to leave her children and go to prison for something she hasn't done. Ruby shows no ounce of sympathy or guilt and leaves Stacey alone on the Square, crying her eyes out!
One small brief thing I have mention is that Frankie has finally moved into the Vic! Both Mick and Linda are overly happy to see her joining the family and inform her that she can move into Nancy's room and she can do whatever she likes with it! I loved how happy they all were and how slightly awkward it was as well, as Mick admits that even though Frankie is his daughter, he's still trying to find out more about her, getting to know her. It's then he notices an old flyer on the floor from Sharon's leaving do, it's almost a type of questionnaire, at first he laughs it off but realises that maybe this could give him an opportunity on learning more about his daughter. As they all gather upstairs, Mick, Linda and Frankie all share laughs as they answer the questions on the flyer's. It's a lovely happy moment and I'm thrilled to see Mick looking so happy after such a long time. I have to be honest, I am so excited about Nancy returning, I can't wait to see the dynamic grow between Nancy and Frankie! I think it could be brilliant if they manage to build a bond - eventually!
Finally, the last thing I have to mention is Gray! He still can't seem to get over the fact that Whitney is now dating Kush, I think it's fair to say that he is riddled with jealousy. Is he going to do everything he can to manipulate them into splitting up so he can get Whitney for himself?! He even manipulates Kush into changing their plans. Kush and Whitney had plans to take Arthur to the zoo, they want to give the young boy some happy memories before his Dad goes to prison, even though the young boy doesn't have a clue at this moment in time. Gray mentions that it's good he's spending time with his son, but informs him not to delay telling him that he'll be going away. It looks as if he's giving him "Father-ly Advice" - but now I think he's just completely manipulating him!
Taking his advice, Kush returns to Whitney and admits that it may just be best if he took Arthur to the zoo alone, that way he'll be able to tell his son the truth about him going away for while. Even though Whitney is a little disheartened, she agrees that it should be a father-son day. It's then that she gives Gray a call informing that she'll be free to pick up his children from school if she's still needed. Oooo Gray is so manipulative isn't he? That was his plan all along wasn't it?! As Whitney makes her way to the Atkins household and starts doing her cleaning and washing for Gray, Gray happens to get a phone call from the school, claiming that there has been some trouble with his son.
The first thing that is mentioned is the word "Bullying" - that made me question whether Mack is being bullied at school? Or - is he being the bully?! As the teacher pays Gray a visit, with Whiney present, they're informed that Mack has been lashing out at school, losing his temper and being physically aggressive with other children. They seem to understand that the poor boy has been through a lot and is still grieving for his deceased Mother, but they simply cannot condone violent behaviour. They inform Gray that if things don't seem to improve with his behaviour that little Mack will have to be excluded. Trying to be the best Dad he can be, he informs the teacher that he'll look into getting Mack some counselling, but something tells me that putting a child through counselling, isn't going to help the situation. It gives you the thought that Mack could be going down the same path as his Dad? Has Mack actually seen and possibly heard his Dad's antics and is taking after his Dad, if that could be the case, then there's no wonder why Mack has started acting out! It'll be something he's always known and brought up on.
Gray thanks Whitney for being there for him and the kids and claims that she could do so much better! Once again he tries to manipulate her by discussing the fact that Kush going to prison could change him, would she really want to be with someone who's spent time in prison? Go in as one person and come out as someone else?! It looks as if he gets into Whitney's mind for a moment, making her question her relationship with Kush. Later as Mack returns home Gray takes the opportunity to talk to his son about his recent behaviour in school, even though he talks to his son in a calm manner, something is telling me that he's really trying to hold back from lashing out, even almost accusing his son of taking something from his Mum's jewellery box?! I'm intrigued to see if this story about Mack's behaviour will develop, because it will become known where Mack is learning his behaviour from! Also if Gray does send his son to counselling, could Mack end up admitting that he's learnt his behaviour from his Dad because of what he's witnessed at home?! I don't know whether it will, but I'd love to see this little story escalate!
Finding out that Whitney is having to stay late at Gray's, Kush the romantic gesture by bringing his girlfriend a takeaway. As they enjoy their food and take advantage of being alone at the Atkins household, whilst the children are in bed, they have a lovely meal. However as soon as Gray walks in, he's horrified to see Whitney and Kush sat as his dinner table enjoying a romantic meal! Absolutely livid he informs them to leave - well I guess you could say Kush more than Whitney - claiming that Kush is just using Whitney for his advances before going to prison. But Kush completely and utterly shuts Gray down and warns him not to say another word otherwise they'll be adding more years onto his sentence! I absolutely loved this moment, Kush completely put Gray in his place! But also, to Gray's shock, so did Whitney!!!! After witnessing his outburst to Kush, it wouldn't be a surprise where Mack learned his behaviour from!
Oooooo I loved this so much! I apologise once again for this post being so late! Thank you all for being incredibly patient with me! I'll be back again tomorrow for another double episode post! Thank you all for reading! Please feel free to leave me a comment or a message about anything EastEnders related and I'll gladly respond! Love you all xXx
