BBC Share By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025 By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025 EastEnders review: Joel's sinister threats, Avani's big decision, and Oscar making amends It was all about the teens in EastEnders this week - but it wasn't all good! Avani Nandra-Hart Joel Marshall Share By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025 By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025 Our EastEnders review this week is all about the teens, because they have been right in the heart of the action! From Joel and his misogyny to Avani’s pregnancy, via Barney’s words of advice, Oscar trying to make amends and Nugget’s concern for his sister, it’s all been about the youngsters. And they have been smashing it! Here’s what we thought of the action in this week’s EastEnders review. Eve’s the best mum in Walford! (Credit: BBC) EastEnders review: Avani made a decision After some wise words from Barney who was talking more sense than anyone else in Walford this week, Avani started to rethink her plan to sell her baby to Suki. And when Suki acted even more unhinged, interrupting Amy’s party and marching Avani home, the teen mum-to-be changed her mind altogether. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers She confided in Eve, who is fast becoming the best mum on the Square, despite having no kids of her own! Eve took Avani to the clinic for her termination, and she was there when Avani told her shocked parents. And talking of Ravi and Priya, if Eve’s the best mum in Walford, they’re definitely the best couple. Except they’re not actually a couple. Anyway, we’re thrilled to bits that this awful scheme is over but we’re sad that it seems to be the end of Sukeve. Can they recover from this? Joel showed Vicki his true colours as he threatened her (Credit: BBC) Joel’s out of control Joel’s behaviour turned darker and more sinister this week as he ramped up his campaign against Stacey and generally showed the people of Walford exactly what he thinks of women and girls. First he shared Stacey’s saucy pictures on the Albert Square community online group. And without so much as flinching, he denied doing it when his dad, Ross, asked him. Obviously despite the upskirting pics, the groping on the tube, the video of Avani, the abusive language and whatever Joel did that made the whole family have to leave Australia, Ross took him at his word. But things got even darker. Joel found out that Avani had been pregnant but had an abortion. And he was FUMING. Spouting all sorts of nonsense from the manosphere influencers he admires, he wanted answers. And he wasn’t even intimidated by Ravi. RAVI. Everyone’s intimidated by Ravi. Anyway, fresh from squaring up to the scariest man on the Square, Joel set his sights on a new target – his stepmum, Vicki. Ross had gone off to work in Eastbourne, leaving Vicki in charge. And Joel wasn’t about to take any guidance from her. In fact, he let rip at frightened Vicki, threatening to give her a slap. It was hard to watch a teen boy being so sinister. Max Murray, who plays Joel, is doing a cracking job of making his alter ego switch from being a normal teenager one minute, to snarling threats the next. This story isn’t easy, but it feels important and we’re really enjoying the way it’s being handled. Plus, we KNOW Joel’s mum is called Cleo. We know that. But we still can’t help thinking she could be Zoe Slater. Joel literally said “you ain’t my mum” to Vicki this week. Oscar wants to make things right (Credit: BBC) Oscar made amends with Patrick Meanwhile, across the Square, Oscar was being tormented about his assault on Patrick. He was racked with guilt and he decided to try to make amends. Now he’s befriended Patrick – who’s really struggling in the aftermath of his attack. We love an inter-generational friendship and we enjoyed their dominoes game, but we can’t see that this bromance is going to end well. Nugget’s a cutie in EastEnders review How cute was Nugget this week? Hiding behind the hot tub when his grandma Suki stormed into the party? And we loved when he went straight to check that Avani was all right when he found out what was going on. Such a sweetheart! Kojo is in danger(Credit: BBC) Kojo’s in danger Another sweetheart this week was Kojo. We loved him making the picnic for Gina and Harry. And we’re really worried about Okie’s evil plan to exploit Kojo’s good nature. Not nice. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025 By Kerry Barrett Aug 16 2025
