EastEnders fans were left reeling this week as the BBC soap delivered a heart-stopping twist in its ongoing festive storyline. Following a tense and shocking Christmas Day double episode, Zoe Slater’s world has crumbled around her, culminating in a gripping courtroom verdict that has left Albert Square buzzing with speculation and despair.

For weeks, viewers had been anticipating a major holiday storyline centered on Zoe and the increasingly menacing threats surrounding her. However, the plot took a devastating turn when it was revealed that the person orchestrating much of the turmoil was none other than Zoe’s own daughter, Jasmine Fischer, acting under the manipulative influence of the long-awaited return of Chrissy Watts. The revelation set the stage for an explosive series of confrontations that pushed Zoe—and those closest to her—into emotional and moral extremities.

Christmas morning began deceptively peacefully for Zoe. She received a heartfelt card from her son announcing his plans to visit, and for a brief moment, a rare smile crossed her face. But peace proved fleeting. Cat discovered the card and, preparing to deliver upsetting news, found herself interrupted by Chelsea, whose startling confession added another layer of chaos: Anthony had lied about the deaths of both twins.

Fury ignited as Cat confronted Anthony in the Queen Vic, convinced he was behind the recent terror inflicted upon Zoe. Meanwhile, back at home, Patrick’s grief and anger boiled over in a private confrontation with his son. His final, devastating words—wishing Anthony had died instead of Paul—set off a tense and dangerous sequence that culminated in Anthony cornering Zoe upstairs at the pub, desperate to reconnect with the children he had raised. Zoe’s refusal to comply spiraled the situation into violence, leaving her unconscious and Anthony apparently dead.

The intensity of the moment reached new heights when Cat discovered Zoe badly hurt and Anthony lifeless. With quick thinking, she staged a power cut and cleared the crowded pub, attempting to contain the disaster. Their efforts were complicated by Chrissy’s unexpected arrival, who had been orchestrating much of the chaos from behind the scenes. When Jasmine admitted her true identity as Zoe’s daughter, the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place.

Earlier in the year, Jasmine had crossed paths with Chrissy at the hospital after seeing Zoe’s photograph in a newspaper following her shooting. United by shared grievances, they formed a calculated alliance driven by revenge. Chrissy’s long-standing resentment towards Zoe stemmed from Zoe abandoning her newborn twins—an act that resonated painfully with Chrissy, who had suffered a miscarriage during her prison sentence. The duo’s scheme was meticulously crafted to destabilize Zoe and exploit her vulnerabilities, with Jasmine carrying out Chrissy’s manipulations while believing she was seeking justice.

Despite the manipulation, a pivotal moment of clarity arrived when Sam intervened. He sided with Zoe, urging Jasmine to recognize Chrissy’s exploitation. The reunion of Zoe, Chrissy, and Sam for the first time since 2005 evoked memories of their shared past, particularly the secrets surrounding Dirty Den’s murder. Jasmine’s defiance and newfound understanding allowed her to sever ties with Chrissy, leaving the manipulative figure to disappear into the night, her plans thwarted but her presence lingering as a menacing specter over Albert Square.

While the revelation of Chrissy’s involvement clarified much, the emotional fallout continued to reverberate. Zoe, grappling with the trauma inflicted by both her daughter’s actions and her own perceived culpability in Anthony’s apparent death, contacted the authorities. Despite her uncertainty about what truly transpired, Zoe took responsibility to protect Jasmine and others from further harm. Her decision to involve the police set in motion a sequence of events that would irrevocably change the landscape of Walford.

In the aftermath of these events, the series provided glimpses into the complex emotional reactions of Albert Square residents. Patrick, devastated by his son’s death and his own harsh words, faces a journey of grief and reflection. Jasmine, while empowered by her independence from Chrissy, is left to navigate the consequences of her actions and the strained relationship with her mother. Zoe, now in police custody, begins a chapter marked by accountability and introspection, as the legal system takes center stage in her story.

Adding layers of drama, EastEnders interwove moments of lighter, yet revealing, domestic humor. Jean’s admission that she had considered auditioning for MasterChef provided a brief reprieve from the intense tension, while Max’s confrontation with his family during the Christmas dinner revealed hidden truths about Annie. A drunken slip by Cathy regarding Jack’s affair with Stacy triggered yet another wave of fallout, highlighting the series’ signature interplay of personal betrayal and interpersonal intrigue. Max’s chance encounter with Cindy further underscored the soap’s talent for weaving complex relationships, hinting at a volatile future as characters unknowingly confront past sins.

While Christmas Day’s episode may not be remembered as the series’ most iconic, it succeeded in leaving viewers on tenterhooks, eager to see the consequences unfold. Social media buzzed with theories about Anthony’s fate. Many fans questioned whether his apparent death was truly final, citing inconsistencies in the on-screen events and speculating about off-screen interventions. Viewers debated whether Jasmine might have played a more active role than initially revealed and whether Zoe’s decision to take responsibility might shield someone else from accountability.

Actress returning as Chrissy Watts described her character’s motivations, emphasizing that Chrissy’s vendetta against Zoe stemmed from decades of unresolved trauma, resentment, and perceived injustice surrounding Dirty Den’s death. Chrissy’s manipulation of Jasmine was framed not merely as cruelty, but as a misguided attempt to guide her “daughter” toward what Chrissy believed was justice. The actress revealed her excitement for the Christmas storyline, noting that revisiting the character allowed her to explore complex emotional layers and bring chaos to Walford during a period of heightened tension.

As the series moves into 2026, the ramifications of Anthony’s death, Zoe’s incarceration, and the fractured dynamics of the Slater family are set to dominate future storylines. Viewers can expect tense confrontations, explorations of grief and regret, and the slow rebuilding of trust and family ties. Jasmine’s fiery temperament and unresolved loyalty to her mother promise ongoing conflict, while Patrick’s grief will likely place him at the emotional heart of upcoming episodes.

The current narrative arc demonstrates EastEnders’ continued commitment to high-stakes drama, exploring moral ambiguity, psychological complexity, and the consequences of betrayal. The intertwining of past and present—Chrissy’s return, the unresolved legacy of Dirty Den, and the emergence of a new generation—ensures that the Square remains a site of tension, intrigue, and emotional resonance.

As Zoe faces her 14-year sentence behind bars, viewers are left with questions about justice, redemption, and the enduring power of family ties. Who will step up to fill the void left by Zoe’s absence? How will Jasmine reconcile her past loyalty to Chrissy with her newfound understanding of right and wrong? And will Albert Square ever truly recover from the cascading events of Christmas 2025?

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, with episodes available on BBC iPlayer from 6:00 a.m. ahead of broadcast. Fans are advised to stay tuned as the series continues to deliver the twists, revelations, and explosive confrontations that have become its hallmark.