MapleLeafStudies

So many things going on. Roberts characteristic single-minded determination to charge ahead and 'save' his loved ones, with limited reflection of the consequences on those loved ones. Robert's unilateral decision making completely removing Victoria's power to do anything about this situation... She can't hand herself in to prevent Joe destroying Moiras life, because now that would require admitting Roberts role in planting evidence (and sending him back to prison (for trying to protect her (again))). Robert choosing to try and protect his loved ones in 2019 by handing himself in and facing the consequences of his actions versus him somewhat denying Victoria the chance to do the same. The irony of the fact that the bodies being found are the main piece of evidence against Moira leading to her arrest, none of this subterfuge was actually necessary, but now those passports are supporting evidence and they will all have to live with that knowledge unless Robert and Vic hand themselves in.

(It's done now, we just have to make the best of it... I spent years in prison making the best of it because I made a choice trying to protect you... All of which revolve around His Choices.)

Roberts ability to accept Moira as victim in return for his families safety, and taking the pragmatic route to ensure that they are left with something. Deeply understandable considering the way his 'vision' for the farm was wrapped up in rebuilding his life post-prison, and the way financial issues have played out in the Sugden family in the past and have affected both him and Victoria (really not qualified to speak on early days Robert but I have many Vic & Andy thoughts here on why their attitudes are so different). (sidenote of this deeply unstructured thought dump: ngl i feel like Robert trying to be a tenant farmer under Tate ownership is never going to work for him anyway but thats by the by). At the same time, his pragmatism doesn't really account for the way those closer to him will be much more impacted by these choices. Both Aaron and Vic are people who are very much ruled by their personal moral codes (a frequent source of conflict between them and Rob) and are both much closer to Moira. She's the closest thing Vic has to a mother in the village rn, someone who was a massive emotional support throughout the whole Lee/pregnancy mess. Ending up gaining in some way from a situation that screws over Moira and her family (aka Aarons family) was never really going to sit well with them (see here Aarons strong linking of his morals and material assets), as well as putting them in a horrible position with the rest of the Dingles even without knowledge of the whole planting evidence sitch. And let's face it on some level Robert knew this, hence why he did not go to them when Joe started the second phase of his blackmail.

You never choose me... Victoria and her very long history of being caught in the middle of Roberts conflicts (sometimes a result of scapegoating. sometimes a result of his own actions. Frequently an amalgamation of both). The Andy/John of it all. Her chiding him for his actions but trying to defend him to others (usually Aaron). Arguing his case during some pretty erratic behaviour post prison. Believing he was responsible for gorge. Keeping his secret husband from a recently nearly-murdered-by-last-dishonest-partner Aaron (she always takes your side!). Victoria loving him and repeatedly taking his side with no knowledge of the worst things he's done. The ever apparent limits to this. (Aaron loving him and repeatedly taking his side with full knowledge of the worst things he's done).

that got long, have a complimentary Martina pic if you got this far: