This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer.
Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) has made a decision between Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) and Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth).
As viewers saw earlier this week, Harvey’s affair with Kath’ was exposed for all to hear in front of The Queen Vic’s punters. A vengeful Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) had recorded them kissing, and after taking ownership of The Prince Albert bar, charged into the pub to play the video.
We delved straight back into the action in today’s episode, with nobody wanting to believe that the footage was real.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) claimed it was AI technology, and Jean was inclined to believe him. However, Harvey’s silence was deafening, confirming her worst fears.
A horrified Jean then darted out, with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) ordering Harvey to stay away. He wanted to explain his part of the story, and the two sat down for a difficult conversation.
Laying his cards on the table, he admitted that he felt incapable of helping the Slater family in the wake of Martin Fowler’s death and became increasingly isolated in his own grief. He also noted that despite the house being so full, he’s never felt so lonely.
Jean was furious that his constant mentions of Martin seemed like some form of competition.
She then opened up about her late husband Brian, and how he had a second family and other children on the other side of the country. Both he and Harvey had decided she wasn’t enough for them.
Amid their argument, Harvey began to wonder whether she was showing symptoms of her bipolar disorder. Jean was – understandably – furious and began to smash plates on the floor. The commotion had alerted her daughter, Stacey (Lacey Turner), who came downstairs for a heart-to-heart with her mum while he packed his bags.
Stace admitted that love is a complicated thing, and that you can still love someone and show affection towards someone else. After all, she slept with Max Branning when she was in committed relationships with both his son Bradley and Martin.
The conversation gave Jean food for thought, wondering whether he still did care deep down. When Stacey noted that the kids won’t cope without the ‘cement that holds the bricks together’, Jean headed to speak with Kath.
The women didn’t get off to a good start. Jean slapped Kathy around the chops and then sat down, asking for a glass of whiskey. She wanted her side of the story and to know whether she’d be prepared to abandon her relationship with Harvey.
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Kath’ said that it wasn’t her decision, and she wouldn’t turn him away if he turned up on her doorstep. Jean seemed satisfied with her answer and headed back home to catch Harvey before he left.
There, he confessed that Jean and the Slaters gave him life again following son Aaron’s imprisonment and daughter Dana’s exit. She then gave an impassioned speech – telling him that the Slaters are where he belongs, and he’s the one who holds them all together.
But who will he eventually settle with? Jean, or Kathy? Metro are choosing to keep this one under our hats until the episode goes out on TV.
As the episode ended, Cindy smirked in the distance. Is she pleased to see Harvey turn his back on Kathy, or overjoyed to see her destroy someone else’s life?
