EastEnders is set to air more emotional fallout next week as Vicki Fowler (Scarlett Alice Johnson) faces another devastating revelation about her attacker, Joel Marshall — and the people she thought she could trust.

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Vicki Struggles to Heal After the Attack

Although Joel has finally been arrested, his violent actions continue to haunt Vicki. She’s desperate to move on and rebuild her life, but her attempt at peace is shattered when she learns that not everyone around her has been honest.

According to an EastEnders insider, “Joel may have been carted off by the cops, but his actions have haunted Vicki. She’s desperate to move on, although she doesn’t know the whole story. Vicki’s about to take a backward step and will need all the support she can get.”

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Tommy’s Guilt Boils Over

Meanwhile, Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) is still reeling from his role in Joel’s crimes. Once influenced by Joel’s toxic views and online hate preacher Drake Zagan, Tommy has begun to see how dangerous his former idol really was.

But guilt continues to weigh him down. When Nugget and Denzel mock him in the café, Tommy hangs his head in shame — until Vicki steps in to defend him. “They were both victims of Joel,” she insists, standing firmly in his corner.

Her compassion, however, draws suspicion. Amy Mitchell overhears the exchange and quickly realizes something shocking: Vicki doesn’t know the full truth.

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The Secret That Changes Everything

Amy pulls Vicki aside and reveals what Tommy has been hiding — that he didn’t immediately turn Joel in after the attack. Instead, he kept him hidden in the garage for hours before finally calling the police.

Vicki is horrified. Betrayal and anger consume her as she confronts Tommy in The Queen Vic, shouting that he lied while she suffered. The confrontation spirals until Kat Slater is forced to intervene, urging both to calm down.

But the damage is done. Vicki’s fragile sense of safety crumbles once again.

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A Shocking Trigger and Emotional Breakdown

Later, Kathy Beale takes Vicki out for a drink to help her unwind. For a moment, it seems to work — until Vicki spots a man harassing a young woman at the bar. The sight sends her spiralling, triggering flashbacks of her own assault.

Overwhelmed, Vicki flees and breaks down at home, her frustration erupting into tears and anger. Her outburst captures the raw, painful truth of trauma: recovery is never simple, and scars run deep.

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Can Vicki Find Peace Again?

As the aftermath of Joel’s crimes continues to ripple through Walford, Vicki must confront the emotional wreckage he left behind — and decide whether she can forgive those who failed to protect her.

The coming episodes promise intense drama and powerful performances as EastEnders delves into the lingering impact of abuse, guilt, and silence.

Will Vicki find closure, or is this just the beginning of a darker chapter?