Chaos in Walford: Funeral Arrests, Star-Crossed Lovers, and Mitchell ultimatums

The upcoming week in Albert Square promises a volatile mix of grief and betrayal as EastEnders gears up for a series of high-stakes episodes. From a somber funeral that ends in handcuffs to the complicated resurgence of old flames, the residents of E20 are facing a week that will redefine loyalties and leave several lives hanging in the balance.

The centerpiece of the week’s drama is the funeral of Anthony Truman. What should be a quiet moment of reflection for the community quickly descends into a “police nightmare.” Patrick Trueman, already reeling from loss, finds himself devastated by the absence of his newly discovered granddaughter, Jasmine. However, unbeknownst to him, a complex web of manipulation is being spun behind the scenes. Cat Moon, working in an uneasy alliance with the notorious Chrissy Watts and Jake Moon, manages to track Jasmine down. Under the guise of supporting Patrick, Cat convinces her to return to the Square.

The reunion is short-lived and brutal. The moment Jasmine arrives to pay her respects, she realizes she has walked into a trap. As she attempts to flee the service, the police swoop in, arresting her for Anthony’s murder. The arrest sends shockwaves through the Square, leaving Oscar Branning torn over her protestations of innocence and Patrick struggling to reconcile the girl he welcomed into his home with the accused killer before him. Crucially, this development may finally pave the way for Zoe Slater’s long-awaited freedom.

Meanwhile, the Vic is buzzing with a different kind of tension. Following their recent shock kiss, Max Branning and Linda Carter find themselves unable to ignore the growing spark between them. Despite Elaine’s visible disapproval and the mounting obstacles—including the bullying of young Ollie and the complexities of co-parenting Annie—Max is ready to go all-in. In a moment of rare vulnerability, Max confesses to Lauren that his feelings for Linda are the real deal. A scheduled drink between the pair later in the week suggests that a “proper relationship” might finally be on the horizon, provided they can weather the storm of their complicated families.

The Mitchell and Knight clans are also facing their own internal shifts. Cojo Asara, feeling the weight of his lost independence, expresses a desperate desire to move back into his old flat. While George Knight is paralyzed by worry, Harry Mitchell steps up with a selfless offer to move back in as a roommate to ensure Cojo’s safety. This act of maturity seems to ripple through Harry’s personal life as well; after some blunt advice from Penny, Harry finally reconciles with Gina Knight, culminating in a long-overdue kiss that hints at a romantic reunion.

Finally, the week takes a somber turn for Callum Highway. Already struggling with the weight of his professional duties, he is blindsided by the arrival of divorce papers from Ben Mitchell. The emotional blow is compounded by Johnny Carter’s attempts to drag him into a legally dubious “favor.” As Callum reaches his breaking point and demands Johnny leave, the appearance of a mysterious friend of Ben’s suggests that even from a distance, Ben Mitchell isn’t done pulling the strings of Callum’s life.

As Walford braces for these seismic shifts, the question remains: who will survive the fallout of the week’s revelations, and who will be forced to leave the Square for good?