The latest episode saw Lauren Branning receive worrying news about her baby
The episode didn’t contain the show’s famous duff duffs(Image: BBC)
EastEnders fans said they had their ‘heartstrings’ pulled as major change was made to the show’s iconic theme music.
It was a busy evening on the BBC soap with the entirety of Wednesday’s (May 21) episode dedicated to Lauren Branning in her pursuit to get her baby son Jimmy medical treatment.
Lauren has had a difficult week to date, with her convinced that her and Peter Beale’s son is unable to see, just weeks after he was welcomed into the world
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At the hospital, Lauren demanded that somebody examine Jimmy. While Peter was left panicking when he and their other son Louie arrived home and Lauren wasn’t there.
After revealing earlier in the week that he fears Lauren’s past addiction issues will impact their children, Peter became even more worried when Louie innocently said he’s seen his mum taking pills.
As Lauren became increasingly agitated at the hospital, her midwife Hannan spotted her and intervened. Hannan rang Peter, who told her his fears that Lauren was using again.
Peter eventually arrived at the hospital with his dad Ian and Lauren’s friend Linda Carter, but Lauren was furious that by his claims that she’s using. It turned out she had just been taking folic acid, not illicit drugs.
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning on EastEnders(Image: BBC)
Putting their differences aside for Jimmy, the parents were left floored by the news their baby is severely sight impaired, with Peter leaving Lauren on her own.
Despite the worrying news, Lauren promised Jimmy alone in the bathroom that she will never take any drug again and asked him to forgive her.
With Jimmy finally being able to latch on to breastfeed for the first time, the show opted not to use its traditional doof doof outro.
Instead the screen cut to black as the credits rolled with a lullaby version of the BBC soap’s theme music by composer Simon May playing.
The emotional episode left everyone watching feeling a little worse for wear, with fans on the EastEnders Reddit page praising the programme for tackling the subject.
@ebichuman5 said: “Really powerful performance from Jacqueline Jossa today. I think too often women’s concerns can get brushed aside under the guise of reassurance.” @definiteRose added: “Gosh that episode ruined my morning. Brilliant but pulled my heart strings.”
@warm_Astronomer_9305 wrote: “Wow that episode hit really hard as a mother, it feels exactly like this. It’s an impossible amount of hoops to jump over.” @machdel posted: “Jacqueline Jossa is great. Lauren deserves better than Peter.”
@patient-Platypus-585 commented: “I loved today’s episode. That receptionist did the role well- a true depiction of how some of them are these days. A lot of issues are swept under the carpet.” @SJSSOLDIER stated: “Holy lord. That was a POWERFUL episode. Wow.”
