Three massive BBC EastEnders theories: Christmas murder plot, Vic revenge horror and mental health spiral
LINDA Carter turns on her pal Sharon Watts and the Panesar clan as she introduces the new co-owner of The Vic this week.
But in failing to remember how dangerous Nish Panesar can be, the EastEnders favourite is flirting with danger.
1. Furious revenge over Vic ownership
Linda, played by Kellie Bright, had to sell Mick and Janine Carter’s half of The Vic and was devastated to realise she could lose the pub altogether.
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was the first to make an offer, ready to handle a new business aside from The Boxing Den and save her friend from the streets.
The landlady was happy to allow Sharon become a co-owner of the pub until she was met with the businesswoman’s rigid ways and a counter-offer from Suki and Nish Panesar (Balvinder Sopal and Navin Chowdhry).
Unconvinced, Linda was then seen on the phone with a mystery buyer and, due to her mother Elaine returning to Walford with a brand new partner, viewers have realised she’d be keeping The Vic in the family.
This week on BBC One, all three buyers remain unaware of the situation.
Linda struggles to be honest with Sharon about her plans for The Vic while the Panesars continue to operate as though the deal is done.
Things go from bad to worse when Linda receives news about her lost husband Mick and Suki overhears her breaking down.
Suki tells Nish there are no more obstacles to them sealing The Vic deal unaware that Linda is on the phone with a mystery caller as she explains she’s only keeping the Panesars on the hook until they’ve got the cash sorted.
In later scenes, Linda lets Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) know she’s been lying to Sharon and Nish in case her buyer doesn’t come through.
The Panesars, ready to extend their empire, then sweep in with their associates to show off their new acquisition but Linda bursts their bubble by explaining she’s pulling out of the deal.
Suki is fuming but Nish remains surprisingly quiet, simply stating it’s just business.
But a huge fight breaks out between Linda and Sharon as the landlady comes clean.
Sharon rages at her friend’s betrayal just as the doors of The Vic are flung open to reveal the new co-owner of the pub – Elaine, Linda’s mother.
Elaine’s return to Albert Square triggers a massive fallout as she quickly makes herself at home by charming some punters and putting others in their place.
Alfie tries to push Linda to mend her friendship with Sharon – but is it too late?
Meanwhile, Nish’s intimidation tactics fail to work on Elaine, however, he could have a plan to make himself understood.
Elaine and Linda are rattled later when they hear noises in the night and they come downstairs to find The Vic bar trashed by mystery intruders with a glass flamingo Nish previously gifted Linda pointedly left on the bar.
While Elaine is a force to be reckoned with in the Square, Nish’s violent nature has once led to murder.
Could he plot murderous revenge on Linda after losing The Vic?
2. Plot for Christmas murder begins
Although her friendship with Linda could be headed for the rocks this week, Sharon has an even bigger bone to pick with the Panesars.
Recent scenes of the London-based drama have shown Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) attack Sharon’s other half Keanu Taylor and she was eager to get revenge.
Nish saw his son was in danger and quickly interjected.
With a chilling whodunnit in the works, announced to hit our screens during the Christmas season, fans have speculated Nish or Ravi (or both?) could be at the centre of the murder mystery.
After losing The Vic, one could theorise that Sharon may have enough of the Panesars trying to rule over Walford and have more than enough reason to lash out if Nish begins to take his anger out on Linda.
Both Nish and Ravi have made many enemies throughout the Square and, to make matters worse for them, Suki Panesar is just as ready to turn on them to live out her secret romance with Eve Unwin.
Could the women of Walford, including Denise Fox who was played by Ravi, begin to see they have a common enemy to overthrow?
3. New mental health struggle
Soap bosses have announced Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) will be battling an eating disorder in upcoming scenes – but he won’t be the only one struggling with his mental health.
A new harrowing storyline begins for Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) as the beloved bold beautician faces justice for her car crash this week.
Kim becomes a shell of her no-nonsense self as Albert Square residents are getting ready to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation.
She first tries to keep her head up by taking part in a historical performance with Felix Baker as Dusty Springfield.
However, her stress levels reach an all-time high and only get worse when she can’t find Denzel Danes (Jayden Ladega) in the crowd.
On the eve of her court case, Kim has a full-blown panic attack when she’s asked to drive for a work errand.
Denzel sees her locked inside her vehicle and assume she’s having a heart attack.
The youngster makes Kim promise to tell his father Howie Danes about the incident but she eventually decides against it.
Kim prepares for court the following day, full of anxiety, while Denzel tries to help her.
However, he soon realises she hasn’t anything to Howie about her panic attack.
After suffering from another attack, Kim rallies herself for court and is touched to see both Howie (Delroy Atkinson) and Denzel waiting to accompany her.
In later scenes, Kim’s solicitor reassures her that she has nothing to worry about but as the case goes before the judge, the verdict leaves everybody speechless – what could it be?
Could her story be a good way of showing viewers what life with an anxiety or panic disorder, mild or severe, can entail?
Will she really go to prison?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.