EastEnders has never shied away from dark and provocative storylines — and the recent revelations surrounding Joel Marshall have sent shockwaves through Albert Square.

What began as mischief between Joel and Tommy Moon on a late-night tube ride quickly spirals into criminal territory. Joel, already showing worrying signs of misogyny, takes things to a disturbing new level when he pressures Tommy into filming him. What Tommy doesn’t realize is that Joel has a sinister plan in mind.

Pretending to stumble into a female passenger named Isla, Joel inappropriately touches her, triggering an immediate and shocking confrontation. Isla reports the incident to tube staff as soon as they stop, and Joel is apprehended — leaving Ross Marshall and Vicki Fowler stunned and horrified.

But instead of confronting their son’s twisted actions with honesty, the couple begins to spiral into moral collapse.

Ross is heartbroken. His son has crossed a line, and Joel’s string of lies shows no sign of stopping. Meanwhile, Vicki — though initially supportive of Isla and offering her a phone number for support — abandons her principles.

In a disturbing twist, Vicki bribes Isla to drop the complaint, promising they’ll handle Joel privately. But can a family so deep in denial really offer the discipline Joel needs? Or is this just enabling a future predator?

Meanwhile, Tommy Moon, shaken to the core, tries to distance himself from Joel. He wants no part in what’s happened. But Vicki corners him, threatening to drag him down if he speaks up. Now, Tommy stands at a crossroads: protect himself and the truth, or stay silent and risk being complicit in something he knows is deeply wrong.

As this haunting storyline unfolds, EastEnders dives into complex and very real issues — teen misogyny, parental accountability, and the ripple effect of silence.

Will Joel ever face real consequences? Can Tommy escape his influence before it’s too late? And will Vicki and Ross finally confront the truth before their family is torn apart completely?