Walford has been left in turmoil after one of EastEnders’ darkest and most disturbing episodes to date, which saw Joel Marshall violently attack his father’s girlfriend, Vicky Fowler, in a horrifying act that has stunned viewers and residents alike.

The brutal assault not only leaves Vicky hospitalized but also opens the door to Joel’s potential downfall, as police close in on evidence linking him to a string of shocking past crimes.

The Attack That Shattered Walford

Tensions erupted when Joel’s father, Ross Marshall, stormed out of the house following an argument with his son over Joel’s misogynistic outburst. Left alone with Vicky, Joel’s behavior turned cruel and predatory. He verbally abused her, calling her “barren” and accusing her of being “a failure as a woman” because she couldn’t have children.

When Vicky stood her ground and insisted she was stronger than him, Joel snapped. He struck her across the face, sending her crashing to the floor. In a sickening escalation, he then took out his phone and began filming as he kicked her while she lay trembling on the ground, terrified and unable to fight back.

That very footage, now believed to be in police hands, could become the key piece of evidence leading to Joel’s arrest. Upcoming scenes will show Vicky receiving an update from detectives that leaves her speechless—suggesting authorities may have finally uncovered the damning video.

A Disturbing Pattern of Abuse Emerges

As the investigation deepens, Joel’s horrific past is coming to light. His violent attack on Vicky is just the latest in a series of offenses that paint a chilling picture:

• Sexual Exploitation: Earlier this year, Joel secretly filmed himself during an intimate encounter with Avani, without her consent.

• The Tube Attack: He was also linked to an assault on a woman on the London Underground—an incident caught on camera by Tommy Moon. Although Joel claimed to have deleted the footage, investigators now believe he kept it.

• Overseas Cover-up: During his time in Australia, Joel allegedly took an upskirt photo of a teenage girl, a scandal that his father reportedly paid $50,000 to conceal.

Each revelation further isolates Joel, turning him from an arrogant troublemaker into one of Walford’s most reviled figures.

Ross and Vicky’s Relationship in Ruins

The emotional fallout from the attack has devastated Ross and Vicky’s relationship. Returning home to find Vicky gone and her phone abandoned, Ross initially refused to believe his son could be capable of such horror. That denial quickly turned to anguish as he learned the truth.

“Ross is utterly broken,” a source close to the show reveals. “He’s sickened that the woman he loves is in hospital—and that his own son is responsible.”

Though Vicky is expected to recover physically, the emotional scars run deep. The bond between her and Ross may never heal, and the once-proud father now faces the unbearable reality that his son is a monster.

Joel, meanwhile, is on the run—hiding out in the Slater family’s garage as he awaits the inevitable reckoning.

What Comes Next for Walford

The shocking episode has been hailed by fans as one of the most powerful in EastEnders history, with the BBC receiving widespread praise for tackling difficult subjects such as domestic abuse, toxic masculinity, and accountability.

Elsewhere in Walford, Elijah Holay (Harry Mitchell) addressed fan theories linking Nicola Mitchell’s unseen sister to the return of Max Branning’s ex, Vanessa Gold. Holay confirmed there are “no current plans” for such a storyline but teased that “fans will be surprised by what’s next.”

Meanwhile, Suki Panesar’s plans to adopt a child with Eve Unwin hit a heartbreaking obstacle when Suki’s children, Priya and Vinnie, accused her of being a hypocrite who “destroyed their own childhoods.” The confrontation forces Suki to rethink her future and whether she deserves a second chance at motherhood.

With Joel’s crimes set to dominate the coming weeks and the Panesars’ family drama deepening, EastEnders is entering one of its most gripping and emotionally charged chapters yet.