Vicki at Breaking Point

Walford is heading into another storm as Vicki Fowler reaches her limit. Joel’s troubling behaviour has been simmering for weeks, but his latest obsession is about to push everyone to the edge. His fixation on a toxic podcaster leads him down a reckless path, and in the process, he drags young Tommy Moon into danger.

Despite her best efforts, Vicki cannot control Joel. Every time she lays down rules, he finds a way to break them. His father Ross has taken on a new job, leaving Vicki in charge. But instead of easing the pressure, Joel ramps up his defiance. And when he becomes fixated on attending a live show for his favourite influencer, things escalate fast.

Joel’s Dangerous New Obsession

Joel’s obsession isn’t harmless. The influencer he idolises is known for spreading misogynistic and damaging views. Vicki immediately steps in. She refuses to fund his ticket and warns him about following such a destructive path. Joel ignores her concerns and plots behind her back.

Frustrated, Vicki vents her worries to Kathy at the café. Joel seizes the opportunity. He steals Vicki’s bank card, buys the tickets anyway, and ropes Tommy into his scheme. Convinced it will be fun, Joel pressures Tommy to skip school and join him. At first, Tommy goes along, but it soon becomes clear that Joel’s recklessness could cost them both.

Vicki and Kathy Race Against Time

When Vicki discovers what Joel has done, panic sets in. She and Kathy rush to track the boys down, fearing what kind of trouble they may face. They eventually find Joel and Tommy at the event, but the confrontation only makes things worse.

Joel lashes out, furious that Vicki has interfered. He blames her for ruining his chance to connect with his idol and refuses to accept responsibility. Tommy, nervous and regretful, just wants to go home. But when Kat finds out her son skipped school to follow Joel, she comes down hard on him. The fallout leaves Vicki shaken. No matter what she tries, Joel keeps slipping further out of control.

Julie Bates Steps In

Realising she cannot handle Joel alone, Vicki turns to Walford’s new teacher, Julie Bates. Julie has experience with troubled teens and isn’t afraid to confront difficult truths. She knows the danger of toxic masculinity and believes Joel is heading down a destructive road.

Julie, however, still sees hope for Tommy. She believes he can be steered away from Joel’s influence if the right people step in. For Joel, the challenge will be far tougher. His lack of respect for authority—and especially for women—has already set him on a worrying path.

Can Joel Be Saved?

Julie decides to speak to Joel directly, hoping her words will cut through the anger and obsession. Vicki is cautiously optimistic. She wants to believe someone can succeed where she has failed. But Joel’s behaviour continues to raise red flags. His defiance, his obsession with harmful figures, and his willingness to drag Tommy down with him leave everyone in Walford deeply concerned.

The question now is whether Joel can be pulled back from the brink—or if he’s already too far gone. Will Julie’s intervention make a difference? Can Tommy escape before Joel drags him deeper into trouble?

One thing is certain: Vicki’s fight to save Joel has only just begun, and Walford is about to feel the ripple effects of his obsession.