Here are some spoilers for Tuesday’s (October 31) episode of EastEnders, which you can watch online at BBC iPlayer right now.
After his return to the Square, Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) drops a massive bombshell that leaves Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) inconsolable.
The perpetrator, who made an unexpected reappearance on Monday, crept inside The Vic and cornered Linda in the kitchen—exactly where he had attacked her seven years prior.
Years after leaving the Square, Dean has created another made-up account of what happened; the deranged villain now maintains his innocence even though he had earlier acknowledged that he had sexually assaulted Linda.
While Dean confirmed that he is Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) new business partner and that his daughter Jade is ill, Linda was afraid of him and demanded to know why he had returned after all this time.
The biggest surprise, though, came a few seconds later when Dean revealed that he’s not only gotten back in touch with Shirley (Linda Henry), but he’s also convinced her that he’s not a rapist, allaying Linda’s anxieties.
Viewers are aware that Shirley left the Square behind when she fled with Lady Di at Christmas, after Mick’s (Danny Dyer) untimely abduction.
Linda continued to live in Walford, but in February she was shocked to see a photo of Shirley with Dean, which caused a rift with her mother-in-law.
Could Dean really have tricked Shirley into believing his falsehoods, as he claims?
Although Linda didn’t buy his story, the rapist kept laying out shocking details, such how Shirl had mental health issues when Mick vanished and how he may have taken advantage of her weakness to get back in.
He remarked, “Someone has to stand up and put her back together.”
Still doubtful, Linda questioned Dean about Shirl’s formal diagnosis, but he remained evasive and refused to respond.
Linda took a knife and told Dean to leave the property as he grew more and more menacing. She tried to call Shirley after that, but the line was unreachable.
Is Dean being honest? Is Shirley genuinely no longer interested in Linda? If so, is Linda able to find Shirley and help her understand?
BBC One broadcasts EastEnders from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.