OPINION: Emmerdale made the right decision by not killing Joe Tate, here’s why it wouldn’t make sense to kill him now

Emmerdale has revealed that Joe Tate did not die in the attack, and instead is in an induced coma due to a brain bleed. And we think that was the right decision.

After months of making enemies in the village, Joe was pushed out of a Home Farm window during Lydia’s birthday party. And right before it happened, the truth about him spiking Noah came out, leaving quite a lot of people out for revenge.

But while we still have no idea who pushed him – Joe does. He saw whoever it was that walked into his room. And this could very well play into his redemption arc. And if he were to die now, then it would be a pointless waste of so much potential.

Joe Tate in Emmerdale — Someone took revenge against Joe (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale Joe not dying is the right decision

Love him or hate him, Joe Tate is one of the most interesting characters in Emmerdale. And we all have to agree that the show seriously benefitted from his return.

Yes, his kidney stealing storyline got a bit ridiculous, and went on for way too long. But now that is behind him, he can start to get back to the Joe we all once loved. And in recent episodes we had began seeing that again, especially with his alliance with Kim.

Emmerdale is seriously lacking in Tate’s. They’re supposed to be one of the most iconic families. So, if Joe had died, Kim once again would have been left with no real relatives. With Joe around there is the potential for other familiar faces to return, like Jean Tate.

Joe is a complex character, and there are many different sides to him. While some of those sides are his evil scheming ways (fits in well with Kim), he does still have a loving and caring side.

It’s been hard for anyone to know if Joe really does love Dawn. But he came back to the village, knowing his secrets could blow up, seemingly all for her. So, while he may make some bad decisions, deep down, he is still capable of love.

And now, if he stays alive, Emmerdale can work on building his redemption arc. Have him build the Tate empire with Kim, find a way to put his mistakes in the past. We’re not saying he didn’t deserve his comeuppance, but losing a character with so many layers like Joe would not have been the right decision.

Tonight’s episode ended with a warning that someone could be facing a murder charge if Joe doesn’t wake up. So, while Emmerdale are still teasing the possibility that he could die, what would be the point?

Joe looks smug in the kitchen on Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Composite: EI) — Joe is needed in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)

Killing him now would be pointless

If Joe was going to die, it would have been more impactful for it to happen when he got pushed. But keeping him in a coma just to later kill him would lose any sort of shock factor.

Temporarily having Joe in a coma means we get to see the way characters behave, giving us clues as to who attacked him. But hopefully it won’t drag on and become another storyline that has been done countless of times in soaps.

With the mirroring of Tom King’s 2006 death, it would’ve more sense for Joe to die immediately. So it would be bizarre to kill him off now.

But by him waking up, we could start to see how he acts with people. Does he remember what happened? Will he go for revenge – Ned Porteous teased that if Joe survives he will want his own justice.

Emmerdale needs a good feud, and Joe is the perfect man to have one with. The bad boy side will always be there.

Not only woukd killing Joe mean we would once again lose the wonderful Ned Porteous, but it would also mean someone else could be leaving the soap for good as there would be another murderer in the village. Right now, no cast exits have been announced. And with the suspect lineup full of huge characters, Emmerdale can’t lose any of them.

So, overall Emmerdale was right to not kill one of their most complex characters, and if Joe dies while in a coma, then that would be a huge mistake from Emmerdale.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.

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