Walford is no stranger to scandal, betrayal, and heartbreak, but this week’s EastEnders episodes pack an especially dangerous punch as Kojo Asare’s involvement with Ravi’s criminal world spirals out of control. Secrets, manipulation, and shocking confrontations explode across the Square, leaving lives hanging in the balance. From Kojo’s terrifying ordeal with Oki and Ravi, to Cat and Stacey’s emotional bid to heal Zoe’s grief, and Joel Marshall’s chilling descent into darkness, the week of September 22–26 promises some of the most explosive drama yet.

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Kojo’s Life on the Line

Kojo’s drug storyline takes a deadly turn this week, shaking both him and his brother George to their core. For weeks, fans have seen Harry and Oki using Kojo’s flat as the perfect cover for Ravi’s underhand dealings. Kojo has been caught in the crossfire before, most notably when Oki slipped him drugs and George found him stumbling helplessly in the Square. Since then, George has kept a close eye on his younger brother, deeply suspicious of Harry and Oki’s hold over him, even as Kojo insists that nothing is wrong.

On Monday, George’s unease reaches new heights when he spots Oki sneaking into Kojo’s apartment. Determined to protect his brother, George secretly makes a copy of Kojo’s key, hoping to uncover evidence of the dodgy business happening inside. Although he fails to catch Ravi’s men in the act, his instincts tell him something sinister is brewing. His suspicions spark tension, and Harry wastes no time warning Ravi about George’s snooping. Ravi, cold and calculating as ever, vows to “deal with George” himself — a chilling promise that hangs ominously over the week’s events.

By Tuesday, Ravi and Oki are pressing Harry for information about George’s work schedule, making it clear that they’re plotting to “teach him a lesson.” Meanwhile, George faces a dilemma of his own when Phil approaches him with an offer to commentate on a boxing tour. Gina objects, worried about his health, but Harry encourages George to accept. Unbeknownst to George, Harry is already feeding Ravi dangerous information about his brother’s CTE diagnosis — a condition that means one hard knock could prove fatal. Ravi, ever ruthless, assures Harry their plan for George won’t kill him… just incapacitate him long enough to make their point.

Harry, torn between loyalty and fear, rings Kojo and urges him to convince George to accept the job. After a heartfelt conversation, George agrees, announcing at the Arches that he’ll take the tour. As he leaves Walford behind, Ravi and Harry watch from the shadows, satisfied their manipulations are working.

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Kojo’s Dangerous Errand

But the real horror begins back at Kojo’s flat. When Harry returns home, he finds Ravi and Oki waiting, with Kojo visibly rattled. The men order Kojo to deliver drugs to Luton. Harry desperately offers to go in his place, but Ravi and Oki insist it must be Kojo — a dangerous test of loyalty and obedience.

Once Kojo retreats to his room, Oki ominously explains to Harry that as long as Kojo is actively seen helping the operation, he’ll be “protected.” The words sound like reassurance, but the menace in Oki’s tone suggests otherwise. Harry tries to comfort Kojo, convincing him that running the errand is the only way to stay safe, though his own doubts eat away at him.

Later that evening, Harry drowns his nerves in drink at the pub, only for Ravi to appear coolly at his side. Not long after, Oki storms in alone — without Kojo. Oki claims the police swarmed the area, forcing him to abandon Kojo and escape. Panic floods Harry as he realizes his brother may have been left for dead. Furious, he storms out of the pub, leaving Ravi and Oki behind with satisfied smirks.

The pressing question now: where is Kojo? Has he been arrested, kidnapped, or worse? With Ravi and Oki pulling the strings, Walford could be on the brink of another tragedy.

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Cat and Stacey’s Gesture for Zoe

While Kojo’s fate hangs in the balance, the Slater family faces emotional turmoil of their own. Since Zoe’s dramatic return to Walford, she has been weighed down by secrecy, mistrust, and grief. Her guarded responses about her time away have unsettled her family, leaving Cat, Alfie, and Stacey on edge. This week, however, Cat decides it’s time to reach out in a way words can’t.

She asks Stacey to help her organize a memorial tree in honor of Zoe’s late child, hoping the gesture will provide comfort and show Zoe she isn’t alone in her pain. Stacey, understanding the quiet weight of grief, agrees to help bring Cat’s idea to life. The surprise tribute could be the first step toward repairing their fractured bond, though Zoe’s reluctance to open up leaves the outcome uncertain.

Meanwhile, Zoe’s presence continues to spark tension in the Square. Sharon, shocked to see her again, makes no attempt to hide her unease. While Vicki and Zack welcome Zoe warmly, Sharon remains cold, and when a clash between Zoe and Vicki escalates, Sharon storms into the Vic ready for a showdown.

The confrontation is explosive. Zoe delivers a revelation so shocking it leaves Sharon reeling. Refusing to believe it, Sharon lashes out, forcing Cat to intervene and protect her daughter by throwing Sharon and Vicki out of the pub. Zoe, feeling isolated and attacked, withdraws further, her secrets still locked away.

Later, Sharon vents to Ian and Cathy, who try to soothe her. Ian, however, issues a warning: don’t take Zoe’s words at face value. But the damage is already done — Zoe feels more alone than ever, while Sharon grows increasingly determined to dig into her past.

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Joel Marshall’s Dark Descent

As if Kojo’s disappearance and the Slater drama weren’t enough, Joel Marshall’s troubling behavior takes an even darker turn this week, leaving fans fearful for Vicki’s safety.

Since arriving in Walford, Joel has been a storm of toxic masculinity and resentment. With his father Ross absent for work, Vicki has been left to handle him alone, and his hostility is escalating rapidly. After skipping school to attend a Drake Zagan event with Tommy, Joel is confronted by Vicki and Kathy, who drag the boys home. Joel reacts with scorn, sneering at Julie, a teacher who tries to intervene, and ranting about feminism and women’s supposed failings.

But the true horror strikes later. Alone with Vicki, Joel unleashes his anger, mocking her past and stepping dangerously close to intimidation. His chilling words — warning her never to embarrass him again — leave Vicki frozen in fear. Viewers immediately took to social media, predicting Joel’s aggression could soon cross an even darker line.

Meanwhile, the Vic becomes a hotspot of chaos once more when Cat, Zoe, and Stacey hand over money to Greg in exchange for safety, only for the situation to spiral violently. Greg ends up unconscious during the confrontation, and Zoe, in her panic, falsely claims Greg was the one who shot her — unaware that Jack himself had accidentally pulled the trigger. Ravi and Jack seize the lie as a convenient cover, but the truth threatens to unravel everything.

Adding to the tension, Tommy stumbles into the pub mid-standoff, narrowly escaping danger as Greg brandishes a knife. His quick thinking to run for help buys the Slaters time, but when Joel later asks how he handled it, Tommy lies, claiming he hit Greg to protect the family. Joel praises him, disturbing viewers further with his dangerous influence over the boy.

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What Comes Next?

With Kojo missing and possibly left for dead, Zoe’s secrets straining her family ties, Sharon and Vicki on edge, and Joel spiraling further into toxic rage, Walford is at breaking point. Cat and Stacey’s memorial gesture offers a glimmer of hope, but with Ravi and Oki tightening their grip on Kojo, and Joel’s behavior edging toward violence, the week ahead promises no easy resolutions.

One thing is certain: by the time the credits roll on Friday, lives will be changed forever.

EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.