Thursday 18th March 2021

Hello again everyone! Hope you've all had a fantastic weekend! I apologise for this post being up late, I've had a busy few days and this has been my only chance to catch up on Thursday's episode. So the last episode ended up with Lucas in prison, Caleb getting caught by police and having his men attack Lucas in his prison cell. I'm eager to see what's going to happen next! I just want to thank you for being incredibly patient with me also, I'd like to thank you all for your on-going support, it really means the world!

But now, focusing on the episode at hand, it seems to be the day of a few things, the day of Ash finding out if she still has a career and also the day of Sharon's leaving party at the Vic. I think I'll focus on Sharon and Kim. The first thing I need to mention is how brilliant Kim is during this whole section of the episode, wanting to hold an extravagant leaving party for Sharon, going all out with the decorations and fancy flyer to promote the event. I love how she was complete acting as the host, mentioning how she'll be the first one on the karaoke singing along to "Shout Out To My Ex" by Little Mix - may I add completely singing the wrong lyrics, and also sound-checking the mike! I just completely loved it all, I thought it was brilliant, she is a such a breath of fresh air and the comedy factor of the soap that we just need every now and again! I love her!

Even though Kim is excited to pull off an extravagant party, Sharon has her minds on other things. Even when Kathy pays her visit asking whether she's given her new-found brother, Zack, a call yet, Sharon admit she still hasn't. Is it something that she's really considering though? Will she take Kathy's advice and reach out to him? Later on, it seems as if the party has been a bit of a flop as Kim realises that no one has arrived for Sharon's celebration, unfortunately it's only when Kim is notified about her flyer holding the wrong date she realises her mistake. Poor Sharon however is sat upstairs on her own, it looks as if that she has deep thoughts on her mind, I'm guessing that all she's been thinking about is Zack and realising that she has another brother out there. Her silence is interrupted when Kim finds her and admits the mistake she's made of putting the wrong date on the flyer, however the funny thing is, Sharon admits that she noticed ages ago but never said anything. As they both tend to relax and laugh off the mistake, it's this scene which surprises me - a discussion that Kim and Sharon don't seem to have had before. Sharon seems down that all she seems to live for now is Albie, but Kim mentions that she is a strong woman who has her health and a healthy little boy, in the hindsight of things, she has everything and she is more better off than she actually realises. Realising that Kim is right, she chucks Zack's number to one side - maybe the last thing she needs is another man in her life? But who knows, will she take the plunge into approaching Zack?

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The second thing I have to mention is the happiness that this new little pup has brought to Bailey and Bernie, even though Karen is still adamant that the family are not ready to take on another dog, complaining that the new pup, which they've named, Banjo, has taken a liking to her slippers. The only thing on Mitch's mind though is how happy the dog has made Bailey, plus he gives a very valid point to Karen - they are not the kind of family who will turn anyone away if they haven't got a home to go to.

As Mitch goes off to collect some dog food for the new family member, and after a funny and yet slightly awkward conversation with Lola, he happens to notice a poster in the Minute Mart advertising about a missing dog. Unfortunately, the dog that's mentioned as missing happens to be the dog that Bailey has grown attached to. It looks as if Mitch now has to make a devastating decision. Eventually he meets the rest of the family back home and surprisingly Karen has had a change of heart. She recalls how much Bailey has lost, someone at such a young age has lost her Mum and her sister and her pet dog, she's had too much loss and needs something to make her happy, and if it just so happens to be Banjo, than Karen is allowing him to stay. Mitch seems a little surprised by her change of heart, it looked as if he was about to admit to Karen what he had found. But as Karen walks away to see to Bailey and the pup, Mitch decides to crumple up the poster of the missing dog.

The only thing that crosses my mind now is, will the poster be found? My prediction is that Bailey will be one who finds the poster and being the kind little girl that she is, she'll want to do the decent thing and find the rightful owners of the dog. Deep down I am hoping that the Taylor family will keep it, but I do fear that this little fluff ball will only be here for a small amount of time.

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So as well as this episode being the day of Sharon's leaving do, it's also the day of Ash's hearing result, it's today she'll find out whether her job is safe or not. After everything that's happened she appears to voicing her concerns to her brother about after one stupid mistake her career as a doctor could be completely over! The interesting thing is as she and her brother are having this conversation, Suki appears to be listening in, taking in every word her daughter is saying. Ash is even adamant that even if she does lose her job, she really doesn't want to be take part in the family business. Knowing that his sister's career could be at stake, Kheerat wishes his sister luck as they all go their separate ways.

Suki makes a type of funny comment to her daughter, that she put her faith and trust in a Beale, so she needs to hope and pray that things go her way regarding her job now. As she leaves her daughter alone and makes her way onto the Square, Suki is once again confronted by Peter. It's here that they have another row/disagreement regarding Ash. Suki isn't one bit impressed by the way Peter cost her daughter her job, regardless if he's apologetic or not. She seems to think that he's nothing but trouble, it's then that Peter lashes out claiming that she has actually done nothing for her children and it's no wonder that she's so hated by her own kids.

Now this claim seems to really hit Suki where it hurts. I don't know about you guys but I saw a big change in Suki in this episode. It looks as if Peter's words play on her mind, so she decides to take it upon herself and visit the hospital. At first I was a bit concerned as to what she was doing, what was she up to? Was she really going to put her daughter's job at more risk? Later, everyone gathers in the Vic waiting to hear news of Ash's job. Poor Ash has been waiting all day for the very important phone call. Kheerat, Suki and Peter are all there to support her in her time of need. As Ash's phone begins to ring she answers the call privately as they all watch her walk away, eventually she comes away looking completely lost, but of course it was all a big show as she jumps up and down excitedly claiming that her job is safe and there's no reason for them to carry on the investigation.

As the excitement kicks in, Peter rushes to the bar to buy drinks to celebrate - only this seems to give Kheerat and Suki the impression that they simply don't care about making their same mistakes. Kheerat even mentions that his sister isn't even grateful about being able to keep her job. To their point of view, they're rushing into getting drunk again and making the same mistake which got her into the mess to begin with. Suki decides to act fast and informs her daughter to stop socialising with Peter and focus on her career. It's then that we learn the full extent as to why Suki went to the hospital, it turns out that she actually confronted Ash's boss and pretty much blackmailed her into giving Ash her job back. Hearing this news, Ash is completely disgusted in her Mother for her actions, and this is where things get really nasty. Ash claims that Suki's life revolves around blackmail and deceit, as long as things go her way she doesn't care about who she hurts in the process. She claims her Mum think's she's something special, but in actual fact she's a nobody and always will be.

This is the turning point for Suki I believe, hearing her daughter say these words without an ounce of sympathy or guilt absolutely breaks her. Ash she leaves her daughter to drink with Peter, she reassures Kheerat that it'll more than that to get under her skin. But as she leaves the Vic alone, she softly begins to cry. If I'm not mistaken - this is the first time we've actually seen Suki cry! I'm beginning to think that the whole reason Suki went to the hospital, was to initially help her daughter, in her mind she was helping her daughter get her career back on track. This wall that Suki has been holding up against herself for such a long time has now been completely broken down by her own daughter.

The interesting thing is EastEnders have announced that there is going to be devastating storyline ahead for Suki, revealing that they're going to take a look at her past. Did something happen in her childhood maybe or in her young adult life that made her who she is today? Did she experience some kind of trauma or was she abused in some way? Something has happened to her which has made her change her outlook on life, as if like she'll get nowhere in life if she's not going to be strong and in some ways, manipulative and nasty? Who knows? It's true that Suki has been a bit of nasty piece of work since she arrived on the Square, but with the news of her past being revealed, it's making me think that maybe there'll be a reason as to why she is this way, and I for one, can't wait to find out what that is! 

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The final thing I have to mention is Lucas, Chelsea and Denise. After Jack's proposal, the Fox family are completely excited about the news of Denise and Jack's engagement. Sheree is even beginning to show Denise ideas for wedding dresses, as much as Denise appreciates her trying to help, she insists that the wedding she wants is going to be elegant and grown-up! As everyone is enjoying the possibilities of the wedding, Chelsea makes an appearance informing her Mother that she is genuinely happy for them and mentions that they are meant to be together. It's then that she drops the bombshell to her Mum that she has a friend who has spare room for her to stay in, but it's in Birmingham, and she's planning on staying there for a while. This news seems to really hurt Denise, in her point of view - as soon she Chelsea is faced with problems she does a runner. Chelsea admits that she can't stay in London now after everything she's done, to her Mum's surprise she reveals that she's feels like she's nothing more than a screw up and all she does is disappoint her and brings trouble to her door. Denise pleads to her daughter to stay and move in with her but Chelsea insists that she can't. As Jack walks in after hearing the commotion, Denise reveals to her fiancé that it's always the same when it comes to her daughter, as soon as she thinks she's got her back, she runs off again! 

I feel that Chelsea is being a bit too hard on herself, she is not a bad person, it's just unfortunate that she's gotten herself into bad situations after coming across and encountering bad people who seem to have even taken advantage of her, or who simply trap her and use her to their advantage. After Lucas willingly gave himself up to the police at the airport, Chelsea seems to have come to the realisation that he has simply thrown his life away, so she can live her life. Jack approaches Chelsea suggesting that maybe she should visit her Dad in prison, if she can't life with the guilt of what she's caused him, maybe she should go and visit him and ask for forgiveness. 

Taking his advice, she decides to go the prison to visit her Dad. However as soon as she seems him, she sees the damage that's been made to him whilst he's been in prison. He approaches her table and it's clear to see that he's been given a black eye after being attacked in his cell. Chelsea is shocked at the state of her Dad and she bursts into tears when she realises it was people connected to Caleb who attacked him. I have to admit, this whole section of their visit I found really touching, moving, emotional. For the first time in a long time, Chelsea is showing emotion and feelings towards her Dad.

Lucas admits to her that this was all part of his plan. Chelsea is really surprised to hear this, but what Lucas states makes perfect sense. He informs her that he needed her to see the path of life, to realise that that person Caleb made her was not who she was. To make sure she'd be safe and have a life, a good life of a her own, he took the wrap for the drugs so she could live a happy and better life. This is no way means that he was doing this out of spite or hatred, it was simply out of love for his daughter. As Chelsea wipes her tears away she claims that her staying in Walford might be a good idea as it'll give her a chance to come a visit her Dad as often as she can. 

However, Lucas gives her another devastating blow. He hasn't included her on his visitor's list. Once again, Chelsea is brought to tears by her Dad's bombshell, she questions him if he really hates her that much to not want her visiting him. But that couldn't be further from the truth. He loves his daughter more than anything, that we know for sure. I guess you could say Lucas really has changed his ways, since his return to the Square it's been hard to believe whether he simply had changed or whether it was all a ploy to get back into his family's life, but during recent episodes, I guess it's fair to say that Lucas has come out onto the other side. He makes Chelsea to promise him to stay away, enjoy her life on the outside and make something of herself, become successful and have as much happiness as she possibly can, she's a tough woman and if she finds herself in a sticky situation, she'll have her Mum to support her who is just as tough as she is!

I found this final moment really emotional, Chelsea agrees to say one last final goodbye to her Dad. Wiping her tears away, she stands up and pushes her chair under the table. As Lucas also has tears building up in his eyes, Chelsea says one final thing, "I love you, Dad!" - those were the words that Lucas has been longing to hear for such a long time! Taking one last look to her Dad before she leaves, Lucas bits his lip as they tremble as he tries his best to hold back tears. It's probably been so so long that Lucas has heard those three little words from someone and for them to actually mean it, have it come from his daughter means the absolute world to him. 

It has been revealed that this specific episode happened to be Lucas's final episode. I have to say I am a little saddened by that as I was hoping we'd have a lot more to see from him. Part of me feels happy that he hasn't been killed off. He has been sent back to prison again and will serve time smuggling drugs. But who's not to say that he won't return again one day to the Square? Who knows? I feel that if a character hasn't been killed off, there will always be a chance for them to return one day! I do hope that maybe in a few years to come, Lucas will return - it might not happen, but I can always live in hope!