{"id":43055,"date":"2025-07-11T12:27:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T11:27:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/?p=43055"},"modified":"2025-07-11T12:27:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T11:27:41","slug":"emmerdale-fans-unhappy-show-return-wish-watched-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/news\/emmerdale-fans-unhappy-show-return-wish-watched-football\/","title":{"rendered":" Emmerdale fans unhappy with show&#8217;s return: &#8216;Wish I&#8217;d watched the football&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Just when you think Emmerdale can\u2019t get any more bonkers they go and air an episode like last night as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/news\/emmerdale-joe-tate-kidney-plot-reckless-irresponsible-charity-kidney-research-uk\/\">Joe Tate\u2019s kidney theft plot<\/a> took an even more bizarre turn. And fans have been left wondering what on earth they were watching!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-1st\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>After a week of being pretty much off-air, most viewers were looking forward to their hour-long Emmerdale fix. But the instalment left quite a few wishing they hadn\u2019t bothered!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41982\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41982\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-41982\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Joe fears for his life in Emmerdale\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-1300x731.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-180x101.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-96x54.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03-192x108.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_03.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41982\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joe feared for his life as Crowley held the power (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What happened in Emmerdale last night?<\/h2>\n<p>Well, as if Joe stealing a kidney wasn\u2019t far-fetched enough, on Thursday July 11 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/news\/it-gets-a-bit-crazy-emmerdale-star-ned-porteous-tells-us-about-joe-tate-coming-face-to-face-with-dr-crawley\/\">Joe was kidnapped<\/a> and paralysed by crazed doctor, Crowley, who had performed the previous kidney operation.<\/p>\n<p>It was more \u2018your money or your kidney\u2019 than \u2018your money or your life\u2019, but you get the gist \u2013 Joe had to give up the entire contents of his bank account or else Crowley would cut out his kidney and feed it to Shaun\u2019s dog.<\/p>\n<p>Joe was terrified and we were perplexed. How had Crowley set up a makeshift hospital with so much medical equipment? What on earth was the cocktail of drugs he\u2019d used to paralyse Joe, but not his head, and leave him still able to speak? And were we even still watching Emmerdale?!<\/p>\n<p>Joe did give him the money in the end and Shaun took Joe home where he waited for his paraylsis to wear off. It was really, really quite ridiculous!<\/p><section class=\"widget block-30 widget_block mb-4\"><div class=\"mb-3 stories-slider-container overflow-hidden w-[100%] max-sm:w-[108%] max-sm:ml-[-15px]\" data-items-visible=\"2\">\n  <h3 class=\"w-full text-center mb-5 uppercase\">article continues below<\/h3>  <div class=\"grid md:grid-cols-5 grid-cols-6\">\n          <a class=\"!no-underline col-span-4 mr-5 cursor-pointer mb-3 hover:!bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] block [-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent] uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/category\/spoilers\/\">\n        <h2 class=\"font-[var(--font-v-font)] text-[var(--color-v-primary)] font-bold !text-2xl flex flex-row place-content-baseline !mb-0 max-sm:ml-[10px]\">\n          <span class=\"flex-initial mr-2 transition-all duration-300 hover:-translate-y-1 ease-in-out !leading-[var(--title-line-height)]\">Read all the latest spoilers<\/span>\n          <span class=\"mt-auto mb-2 self-baseline h-1 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] block w-[100%] flex-1\"><\/span>\n        <\/h2>\n      <\/a>\n    \n\n\n\n\n    \n    <div class=\"rounded-tl-xl md:rounded-tr-xl bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] flex flex-row gap-4 md:col-span-1 col-span-2 justify-center pt-2\">\n      <button class=\"prev-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] items-center justify-center text-sm transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer\" href=\"#\" alt=\"right\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M15 19l-7-7 7-7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"next-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] font-bold items-center justify-center transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer \" href=\"#\" alt=\"left\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M9 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"px-[10px] bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] rounded-none md:rounded-l-xl md:rounded-br-xl max-sm:pb-3\">\n    <div class=\"stories-slider-viewport group overflow-x-auto relative scroll-smooth\">\n      \n      <div class=\"invisible md:block slide\">\n        <img class=\"h-[250px]\" src=\"https:\/\/placehold.co\/1x250\" alt=\"placeholder\">\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <div class=\"stories-slider-track top-[10px] max-sm:h-[233px] absolute flex flex-row flex-nowrap transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out\">\n                              <div class=\"story-item flex-none slide\">\n              <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:hidden dbxgas:md:block dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-desktop\"><\/div><\/div>            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\" md:ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/paddy-bear-dylan-face-jury-on-trial\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Emm-Banners-ExclusiveOp-Templates-11.jpg\" alt=\"Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Mon, May 4<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">1 day ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/kevs-comeback-dawn-exit-return-sadie-king\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-split-2026-04-10T172033.421.jpg\" alt=\"Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">Upcoming<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">1 day ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/joe-exposes-dawn-big-secret-paddy-faces-his-last-night-village\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DATE-split-2026-04-30T131946.383.jpg\" alt=\"Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Fri, May 1<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">2 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/moira-recruits-dawn-todd-beds-hope-bear\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Fan-theory-Split-36.jpg\" alt=\"Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Thu, Apr 30<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">3 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/dont-worry-that-was-not-moira-revenge-joe-emmerdale-spoilers-confirm-real-plan-next-week\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-split-2026-04-28T153547.115.jpg\" alt=\"Moira's real plan confirmed after letting Joe live\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">May 4 - 8<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira's real plan confirmed after letting Joe live<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">4 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/cain-moira-crisis-revelation-leaves-family-distraught\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DATE-split-2026-04-28T132835.379.jpg\" alt=\"Cain and Moira in crisis as his revelation leaves the family distraught\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Wed, Apr 29<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Cain and Moira in crisis as his revelation leaves the family distraught<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">4 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"story-item mx-auto flex-none md:hidden sm:block w-[300px]\">\n    <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-mpu\"><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41981\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41981\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-41981\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Crowley stands over Joe in Emmerdale\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-1300x731.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-180x101.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-96x54.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02-192x108.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_joe_crowley_02.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41981\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What on earth was that?! (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div><div data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot2\"><\/div>\n<h2>Fans definitely agreed!<\/h2>\n<p>After days of being messed about with their usual Emmerdale viewing, those watching at home weren\u2019t happy that this was what they had been waiting for.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis had to be the most ridiculous episode I have ever watched and I\u2019ve watched a lot!\u201d shared one.<\/p><div class=\"my-5 boxout\"><div><h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your Emmerdale news<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">It's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news &amp; schedules to share with our community of loyal readers.\r\n\r\nClick\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tvguide.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q%3Dtvguide.co.uk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw26YBpjtwUOaDOV8IYgQAmD\" data-track=\"preferred-source\" data-placement=\"article_body\"><b>here<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and tick\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uu9xte1Ig7bDiZNlkPjpu\">TVGuide.co.uk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Another agreed: \u201cWell, that\u2019s an hour of my life I\u2019ll never get back! Wish I\u2019d watched the football!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJoe Tate\u2019s storyline is daft! I couldn\u2019t believe what I was watching\/hearing!\u201d added a third.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>A fourth fumed: \u201cConsidering we have lost out on so much Emmerdale, you would have thought the hours episode would have been much better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\">\u201cCan you believe that we have sat through an hour of that [poo]<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\">. There have been some diabolical episodes but that must be up there with the worst ever,\u201d said one more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>A sixth wrote: \u201cWhat on earth was that storyline with Joe Tate and the scene with plastic sheeting? I mean this is Emmerdale not Dexter. Absolutely ridiculous \u2013 you have great storylines with Sarah and her baby grief and then the storyline with Joe, ruins it.\u201d<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41987\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41987 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-1024x727.jpg\" alt=\"Sarah sits in a hospital bed with Cain and Charity\" width=\"1024\" height=\"727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-1300x924.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-1536x1091.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-180x128.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-96x68.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-512x364.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03-192x136.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/10_07_emm_sarah_cain_charity_03.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sarah refuses to give up on her wish to become a mum (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Sarah Sugden \u2013 the shining light of Emmerdale last night<\/h2>\n<p>One thing did have fans gripped, however, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/episode-recaps\/emmerdale-pregnancy-shock-sarah-surrogacy-dream-takes-huge-step-forward\/\">Sarah breaking down<\/a> over her baby trauma. Desperate for a baby of her own, Sarah finally confided exactly how she felt in grandad Cain. And it certainly gave fans all the feels.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis was one of Emmerdale\u2019s most moving conversations, beautifully executed because of the calibre of actors they have on Emmerdale,\u201d said one viewer.<\/p>\n<p>Another added: \u201cKatie deserves an award. OMG She is so talented, amazing actress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat beautiful scenes with Sarah and Grumpy. Moving and very emotional. Well done to all,\u201d agreed a third.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5 boxout\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Isn't far-fetched what soaps are all about?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\"><strong>Emmerdale Insider's Carena Crawford questions whether actually the more bonkers the better when it comes to soap!<\/strong>\n<p>So I get it, Joe Tate's kidney theft plot has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/news\/have-questions-about-joe-tate-emmerdale-ned-porteous-has-given-answers\/\">made no sense<\/a> from start to finish. And yes, it has now got even more bonkers with Crowley's plot to extorte more money out of him. (If you haven't already watching Friday night's on ITVX, I won't spoil it for you, but let's just say it continues to get crazier!)<\/p>\n<p>But, isn't the ridiculous one of the things we love about soaps? Sometimes they can just take storylines and throw themselves into it, running as far as possible with them. And it kinda works, right?<\/p>\n<p>Well, I think it does, anyway.<\/p>\n<h2>Should soaps reflect reality?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, soaps do strive to reflect reality - when they tackle an issue such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/episode-recaps\/emmerdale-sarah-baby-dream-destroyed-fans-convinced-surrogacy\/\">Sarah's health and baby struggles<\/a>, Paddy's mental health battle and Belle's domestic abuse nightmare, it's clear Emmerdale has done its research and is trying to represent a version of real life within the parameters of Soapland.<\/p>\n<p>But honestly, is that what we want to watch all the time? Don't we want some stuff in our soaps that is less like real-life and more like entertainment?<\/p>\n<p>How many serial killers live in tiny Yorkshire villages? How many people go round harvesting organs from their long-lost relatives? Why not go all-in with an already far-fetched storyline and make it as bonkers as you possibly can?<\/p>\n<p>Fans often complain that Emmerdale has become all doom and gloom - but a plot like Joe Tate, wasn't so much gloomy as laughable. And we all need a laugh every now and then, don't we?<\/p>\n<p>Take Meena Jutla for example. She was ace! Brilliantly bonkers and so out there, she could get away with just about anything - and she almost did. We were gripped when she was on our screens waiting for her next move. But we also knew it wasn't real - it wasn't based on a real-life issue, it was just OTT drama.<\/p>\n<p>I love the serious stuff and I love it when Emmerdale gets it right with that. But I also love the ridiculous - it's about getting the balance spot on.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Read more: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/emmerdale-insider.com\/2025\/01\/01\/whos-leaving-emmerdale-2025-complete-guide-departures-returns-new-arrivals\/\"><b>Who\u2019s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src-consent=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7cVfKlAgQEc?si=wbo3rui73ZEMQ6wh\" data-consent-required=\"true\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joe Tate&#8217;s kidney theft plot took a bizarre turn &#8211; again<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734177,"featured_media":43063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Emmerdale last night","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Emmerdale fans unhappy with show's return: 'Wish I'd watched the football'","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Just when you think Emmerdale 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