EastEnders fans are set for another emotional week as Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) receives support from a most unlikely source following the harrowing aftermath of her assault by violent stepson Joel Marshall (Max Murray).

Picking Up the Pieces After the Horror

Viewers were left shaken last month after Joel’s twisted misogyny culminated in a shocking and brutal attack that left Vicki beaten and unconscious in her own kitchen. The scenes, widely described as some of the BBC soap’s most disturbing in recent years, saw Joel’s rage reach horrifying new depths.

In the wake of the attack, Joel went into hiding — aided by Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall), who initially sheltered him in the Slater family garage before guilt forced him to turn Joel in. Now, with Joel behind bars, Vicki is trying to rebuild her life. She’s ended her relationship with Joel’s father, Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw), and is struggling to cope with the emotional scars of the ordeal.

Schoolyard Backlash and a Shocking Revelation

While Vicki attempts to move forward, Tommy faces his own fallout at school. Labelled an “incel” like Joel, he becomes the target of cruel taunts from classmates Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) and Nugget Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury). To everyone’s surprise, Vicki steps in to defend Tommy — unaware of his involvement in hiding Joel after the attack.

When Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) tells Vicki the truth, she’s furious and storms to The Queen Vic to confront Tommy. Emotions flare, but before things can spiral, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) intervenes. In a twist that no one saw coming, Kat shows compassion instead of conflict, offering Vicki her full support.

An Unexpected Truce

Long-time EastEnders fans know that Vicki’s relationship with the Slater-Moon clan has been tense, marked by fiery confrontations with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) over past betrayals and family secrets. But Kat’s gesture could mark the beginning of a fragile peace — and perhaps a new alliance between two women bound by survival.

The Depth of Vicki’s Trauma

Later in the week, Vicki’s lingering trauma surfaces in heartbreaking fashion. After a night of drinking with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), she witnesses a man harassing a young woman and panics, rushing home in distress. Behind closed doors, she breaks down — a stark reminder that the scars of abuse run far deeper than the physical wounds.

A Powerful Week in Walford

The upcoming episodes promise raw emotion, layered performances, and a powerful exploration of recovery and solidarity. With Kat stepping into Vicki’s corner, EastEnders is poised to deliver another unforgettable story about resilience, empathy, and finding light after unthinkable darkness.