EastEnders spoilers: SEVEN explosive storylines revealed as Max Branning’s revenge is exposed, Phil Mitchell returns to crime with a new gangland villain and Lauren and Abi leave Walford
The show's reversal of fortunes has well and truly begun with an explosive week of action leading to major storylines in the lead up to Christmas
EASTENDERS wasn't in the best shape a few months ago, but with a quick changing of the guard, that's all changed.
Now with the ratings surging to double what they were just months ago, the show's reversal of fortunes has well and truly begun with an explosive week of action leading to major storylines in the lead up to Christmas.
Max's overlong revenge finally ending
And people thought the Count of Monte Cristo waited a long time for his revenge - he had nothing on Max Branning.
Walford's ineffective answer to Emily Thorne's revenge scheme is hanging by a thread after the disaster of a fire went a bit wrong and Steven Beale ended up dying instead of literally anyone who had wronged Max.
Most noteably the thread keeping Walford's answer to Jessica Fletcher, Jane Beale alive in the hospital ready and waiting to wake up and spill the tea.
It won't be long until Jane is singing like a canary and Max's revenge plan will come to fruition and then be swiftly wrapped up to give closure to the storyline that inexplicably seemed to have begun before television was invented.
A gangster villain coming for Phil
EastEnders does something that no other soap can do - proper gangsters who can only be challenged by someone like Peggy Mitchell. And now we're getting another in the form of Hollywood star Patrick Bergin.
Aidan Joseph Patrick Maguire, will play a charismatic old school villain who is full of charm but cross him at your peril.
Aidan is an old friend of Phil Mitchell’s; they used to live together at Her Majesty’s Pleasure in 2005.
During their time inside the two formed a strong friendship helping each other out if and when they needed it. Although they haven’t been in touch for years, when Aidan turns up on Phil’s doorstep it’s not long before the old bond is instantly reignited as well as Phil’s passion for dabbling in things that aren’t, well, strictly legit.
Phil back to crime - Mitchells unhinged
The arrival of said gangster, the likes of which have not been seen since that Jonny bloke (we'll ignore Sharon's biological father Gavin), will see a return to criminal form of Phil Mitchell.
The Walford hardman has been more of a victim lately what with his liver packing up and being replaced under guarantee by the NHS.
But now his villainous roots are about to become exposed with his family put under the glare again.
Though while Phil's off robbing and killing or whatever it is he'll do as a criminal, the true power will no doubt be revealed to be Sharon.
Because as everyone knows - Sharon IS the heir to Peggy and no-one can best her.
New love for Ben?
Ben's misery loving company shtick is really beginning to grate and in soapland his boyfriend Paul has been dead for at least four decades.
With the Mitchells being returned front and centre where they deserve to be, it can only be a matter of time before Ben looks for love again.
And wouldn't you just know it, Johnny Carter has recently been put through the life-changing experience of being shot by a pensioner neighbour who panicked over a gas main blowing.
Could the near death experience push Ben and Johnny together?
Or could he have his eye on someone else? Perhaps new boy Keanu with his prolific number giving ways?
Lauren and Abi's exit
While the Mitchell sisters' shock exit was met by an almost universal wail from the nation's soap fans, the Branning sisters may get mere sniffles.
Never the most popular pairing, alcoholic cheat Lauren and deranged attempted murderer sourpuss Abi will soon depart the Square in what promises to be a nail biting run of episodes.
With Abi secretly pregnant with her sister's equally psychotic but also dead boyfriend's love child could Lauren discover this and kill her? Or will demented Abi grow more mad, buy a wedding dress and go swimming and drown both of them like Ronnie and Roxy?
Mick and Linda - her secret, their marriage tested
They were one of EastEnders' strongest couples until the soap god's decided they needed to be broken.
And broken they were. But it wasn't in the form of Linda's horrific rape ordeal at the hand's of Mick's vile brother Dean, or their son Lee's depression, or their son Johnny's head transplant, or Nancy disappearing off the face of the earth or even Olly's tragic accident and disability.
No. It was Whitney Dean and her overactive lips that broke them.
Three kisses and this fuss! And for all her banging on about Mick telling her the truth? It recently emerged that Linda had battled cancer without bothering to inform her husband or family.
Fortunately the pair will return to the forefront of the show, hopefully united, and save the Vic from Max's weird revenge plan.
Arthur's health crisis
Stacey Fowler is another one put through the ringer by the soap gods and now she's going through another sudsy cycle.
Her baby son Arthur, fathered by Kush Kazemi and not her husband Martin (do keep up), will soon undergo some medical tests which leave the couple terrified.
What is wrong with Arthur and will his parents be able to cope with it all?
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.