BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025 EastEnders review: Max Branning's back, Zoe's in trouble, and Jack and Ravi are a mess Well that was quite the week, wasn't it? Features Jack Branning Max Branning Ravi Gulati Zoe Slater Share By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025 Our EastEnders review for this week finds us in a state of shock following this week’s run of game-changing episodes. This comes as Zoe Slater‘s long-awaited return to the soap unfolded in spectacularly dramatic fashion – with the muvva of all reunions taking place between her and estranged mum Zoe. Meanwhile, across the Square, a very different kind of confrontation occurred between Jack and Ravi, whose rivalry spilled over with violent consequences. And, to top it all off, the mighty Max Branning returned! Join us for our review of this week’s EastEnders. Deja vu, anyone? (Credit: BBC) EastEnders review: Zoe Slater returned Zoe Slater properly returned to EastEnders this week, thanks to the sterling work of little brother Tommy. And the long-awaited reunion of Kat and Zoe proved to be one for the books. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Between the torrential rain, heightened performances, and the re-staging of the soap’s most iconic scene, this week’s EastEnders felt properly cinematic. Taking their painful reunion inside, Kat and Zoe continued to hash out the past, as the reason for Zoe’s estrangement became clear. In some of the year’s most electric scenes, Zoe revealed why she’d really stayed away, explaining her turmoil at discovering she was the child of abuse, while also continuing to hint at her own dark past. Take a bow Michelle Ryan and Jessie Wallace, who haven’t lost a beat since 2001. Jack and Ravi inadvertently set into motion a terrible chain of events (Credit: BBC) EastEnders review: Jack and Ravi played hot potato Feuding macho men Jack and Ravi took their rivalry to the next level this week as they fought it out over Okie’s gun. After taking the firearm into his possession, Jack was planning to dispose of the gun when Ravi broke in to steal it back. The pair got into a scuffle as Ravi flashed the pistol at literal police officer Jack and, during the ensuing wrestling match, managed to get Zoe shot. Leaving aside the logistics (how did Ravi hear Jack’s conversation in the first place? And how did Okie’s puny little pistol hit Zoe from that distance?) this could all so easily have been avoided. But they’re both clearly very bitter about the whole Denise situation, which would explain why they decided to start wrestling rather than doing the sensible thing. Arrest the man standing in front of you flashing a literal gun? Nah, best get into a slap fight instead. And as for Ravi? Who knows what possessed him to flash his gun at an actual police officer? As they attempted to cover their tracks, a reluctant alliance was formed. Can Jack and Ravi put aside their pride long enough to protect their secret? Zoe’s had a traumatic few years (Credit: BBC) Zoe’s shocking past was revealed… and it’s got nothing to do with Joel! The second half of Zoe’s return was where the really shocking stuff came to light. As Zoe drifted in and out of consciousness, a series of flashbacks revealed that Zoe had given birth in 2006 – to a pair of twins. Losing her daughter in childbirth and abandoning the boy at the hospital, Zoe then cleared off to Ibiza, leaving behind only a keychain (which we’re sure will come into play sooner rather than later). Now back in the UK, Zoe has been trying to find her son, even enlisting a sleazy Private Detective to help track him down. And it was the Private Dick who Zoe has been on the run from. Leaving him for dead after he tried to sexually assault her, she assumed that he was her mystery shooter. Is creepy Greg Dolan on his way to Walford? All of which is burying the lede for the real story here – Zoe’s not Joel’s mother! Unless Joel and Ross have been lying about his age, 2006 would put fifteen-year-old Joel out of contention, meaning that particular fan theory is now dead and buried. She could have had another child in the following nine years of course, but given her sense of guilt over the son she already gave up, it seems unlikely. But who is the father of Zoe’s twins? Max and Zoe – the romance you never saw coming (Credit: BBC) EastEnders review: Max Branning is back on the scene Max Branning’s back! In the week’s biggest twist, Max Branning made his shock return on Wednesday, attempting to call Zoe as she lay dying in hospital. The following episode’s flashbacks revealed their connection, and unveiled the next great Slater-Branning romance. Max, it emerged, had bumped into Zoe in a bar and the pair had quickly fallen into bed. Impressive work, especially after leading with ‘you remind me of Stacey’ as his choice of chat-up line. It was an astonishingly effective reveal from EastEnders, and we can’t wait to see how this all plays out. Not least because Max genuinely appears to care for Zoe. What fresh chaos will Max Branning’s return have in store? Will his return be what causes Stacey to pack things in for good? Yolande and Patrick tied the knot (Credit: BBC) A toast to the happy couple Between the shooting and the Zoe drama and the Max Branning of it all, it’s easy to forget that Patrick and Yolande got married this week. A shame, as Monday’s scenes were a genuinely beautiful celebration of modern EastEnders’ most iconic couple. With Patrick managing to overcome his recent trauma, he and Yolande finally made it down the aisle, becoming Mr. and Mrs. Trueman once more. And good for Oscar too, who made amends for the attack by putting together a wonderful venue set-up at short notice. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 6 2025
