Next week’s EastEnders promises wall-to-wall drama, with Walford brimming over with tension, buried secrets, and emotional fallout that threatens to tear multiple families apart. From a courtroom battle that reopens old wounds to personal vendettas spiraling into public warfare, every corner of the Square feels primed to erupt. No storyline feels safe, no relationship untouched, and no character immune from consequences. As loyalties shift and desperation takes hold, Walford braces itself for one of its most explosive weeks yet.

The drama ignites with the unexpected return of Mark Junior, whose sudden reappearance instantly raises suspicions. Having stayed away from Walford for years, his timing couldn’t be more questionable. While he reassures Vicki that he’s only back to support her through the looming ordeal of Joel’s trial, his behavior quickly suggests there’s much more going on beneath the surface. Mark’s guarded demeanor and selective honesty hint that he’s carrying a heavy secret—one he doesn’t dare share with just anyone. His surprising decision to confide in Phil of all people suggests whatever he’s hiding could have serious, possibly dangerous, implications.

Meanwhile, Jasmine’s frantic attempts to escape Walford begin to unravel as cracks form in her carefully constructed story. Max starts to suspect she hasn’t been truthful about her contact with the police, and when the truth begins to emerge, the balance of power between them dramatically shifts. Instead of helping Jasmine flee, Max uses his newfound leverage to keep her trapped under his control. Matters grow even more complicated when Oscar admits to Kat that he and Jasmine have been planning to run away together. Suddenly, Kat holds all the cards—and the future of several lives hangs on the choice she makes next.

Phil’s own future becomes uncertain when his secret plans to leave Walford are exposed. After listening to Mark Junior’s confession, Phil firmly refuses to get dragged back into local chaos, insisting his heart is set on starting anew in Portugal with Nigel. But Mark refuses to accept this. In a bold and risky move, he reveals Phil’s departure plans to Julie, dragging Phil back into the emotional heart of the Square. It’s a gamble that could explode spectacularly, forcing Phil to confront unfinished business he thought he’d left behind.

As Joel’s trial draws closer, Vicki begins to crack under the mounting pressure. The weight of what lies ahead becomes almost unbearable, and her composure starts to slip. Unexpectedly, it’s Zack who steps up, offering her a quiet refuge and a welcome distraction from the storm brewing around her. Their shared moments are understated yet deeply meaningful—rare pockets of calm that feel honest and human amid the chaos. In a week defined by conflict, these gentle scenes remind viewers that small acts of kindness can still matter.

Patrick, however, has little patience for compassion. He makes his anger painfully clear when he places the blame for Jasmine’s desire to flee squarely on Kat’s shoulders. In Patrick’s eyes, Kat’s past involvement in freeing Zoe pushed Jasmine too far, triggering the current crisis. Tensions spike further when Max admits he confronted Jasmine over her lies. Oscar reacts with explosive fury, feeling utterly betrayed. His anger is raw, volatile, and clearly only the beginning of a much darker emotional journey.

The long-awaited trial finally begins, plunging Vicki into an emotional nightmare. With support from Ross, Mark, and later Zack, she tries to hold herself together, but the courtroom proves merciless. Joel appears outwardly calm as Tommy delivers his testimony, but when Vicki takes the stand, the defense ruthlessly targets her deepest trauma. The psychological assault proves devastating, pushing Vicki to her breaking point and forcing her to flee the courtroom in distress. Whether she can find the strength to return could determine the entire outcome of the case.

Elsewhere, George makes a decision that sends shockwaves through his personal life when he tells Elaine about Nicola’s pregnancy. What begins as a seemingly casual drink quickly turns emotionally charged, especially when Bee subtly plants the idea that George might be considering reconciliation. Elaine allows herself a flicker of hope, daring to believe in a second chance—only to be brutally brought back to reality when George reveals his true reasons for meeting. The humiliation hits hard, sending Elaine into an emotional spiral, with Ian soon finding himself caught directly in her line of fire.

Back at the courthouse, tensions continue to escalate. Joel, increasingly desperate, attempts to reach out from custody after Ross refuses him a visit. Another resident reluctantly agrees to see him instead, but the meeting doesn’t unfold the way Joel expects. As proceedings take an unexpected turn, it becomes painfully clear that justice may not be as straightforward as Vicki and Avani had hoped. Doubt creeps in, and the possibility of an outcome no one anticipated looms large.

Elaine’s fury reaches boiling point when she finds herself splashed across the front page of the Walford Gazette. Convinced Ian is responsible, she launches a retaliation that quickly spirals out of control. Kathy watches on in alarm as Ian becomes increasingly obsessed with destroying Elaine, his fixation pushing their feud into dangerously uncharted territory. What started as personal resentment now threatens to consume them both.

Amid the turmoil, Bee quietly begins to prove her worth. After struggling to find steady work, she finds herself in the right place at the right time during a robbery attempt, stepping in at a critical moment and catching Honey’s attention. The following day, when trouble strikes again, Bee doesn’t hesitate to help, earning further respect. Vinnie, in particular, is impressed, and it finally feels like Bee might be on the brink of a fresh start she’s long been denied.

Nugget’s recovery continues, but it remains a delicate process. Ravi tries to rebuild his son’s confidence by planning a carefree day out, and for a moment, it seems to work. When Nugget agrees to return to Six Farm, there’s a fragile glimmer of hope for the family. Still, it’s clear he’s far from fully healed—one wrong move could undo all the progress they’ve made.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Ian seizes the moment to escalate his feud with Elaine to new heights. After yet another explosive clash, he publicly announces his intention to stand for the vacant councillor seat left by Barker. In a shocking declaration, Ian openly vows to shut down Elaine’s B&B if elected. Refusing to be bullied, Elaine immediately decides to run against him. What began as a bitter personal conflict rapidly transforms into a full-scale political battle for control of Walford.

By the end of the week, EastEnders delivers a relentless barrage of drama. Trauma, ambition, guilt, and unresolved history collide across the Square, leaving lasting repercussions in their wake. From the brutal courtroom confrontations to the high-stakes council race, Walford is plunged into dangerously turbulent waters. Alliances will fracture, reputations will be ruined, and the consequences of this week’s events promise to echo far into the future. One thing is certain—no one in Walford will emerge unscathed.