EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders’ Joel Marshall faces Vicki Fowler in court next week, as he stands trial for his horrific crimes against both her and Avani Nandra-Hart. Will the vile teenager finally get his comeuppance? With support from Ross as well as returning Mark Jr, Vicki makes her way to the court room.
There, Joel tries to keep up appearances as Tommy gives evidence against him. Vicki then takes the stand, prompting Joel’s team to fire their best defence tactics at her. How will Vicki fare in the heat of the moment?
“Vicki ends up rushing out of court!” reveals our EastEnders source. “The way that Joel’s defence goes about things is too much for her to stomach.
“It’s just awful because Vicki has been dreading this moment for so long, and it turns out to be as terrible as she imagined. Here’s hoping that the judge will be understanding of her position.”
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BBC
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The week begins with Vicki turning to Zack for comfort about the upcoming trial. Sympathetic, Zack invites Vicki to keep him company at his flat while he tests out new recipes for The Vic.
Over a glass of wine, the pair crack a smile and build on their close bond. Vicki is thankful for not only Zack’s kindness, but the distraction from all the thoughts racing around her mind.
“Vicki knows she can count on Zack,” notes our insider. “They can be honest with each other and chat away like two good friends would. Although, this time, Vicki is at Zack’s to be distracted rather than to talk her problems over.”
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BBC
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The next day, Vicki’s head is all over the place, but she summons up the courage to attend the court room, where all the drama with Joel’s defence team takes place.
After a brief pause following Vicki’s exit, the trial resumes with both Vicki and Avani feeling emotional. Later, Ross receives a request from Joel to visit him, but he decides to turn it down.
As a result, Joel changes tack and asks to see another Walford resident instead of his dad. Could the local in question swing the trial one way or another?
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“Joel doesn’t give up after Ross shuts him down,” reveals our source. “He requests a visit from somebody else – you’ll have to wait to find out who – but it doesn’t go to plan.
“It looks as though Joel has run out of options, but with the trial still ongoing, who knows what twists could be around the corner. After all, court rooms in Walford have a long history of throwing up surprises when you least expect them…”
As Joel’s trial takes a turn, will the teenager finally pay for his crimes? Or will he somehow walk away scot-free?
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women’s Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.
The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.