EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (22 April), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
EastEnders has aired a horrific car crash, as Ravi Gulati’s powerful mental health story takes a very dangerous turn. As his family try to get him urgent help, a shocking chain of events leave them in danger when their car collides another vehicle containing Cindy Beale and Max Branning.
This week, struggling Ravi attempted to keep his family in the flat by bolting the door shut, but his loved ones soon realised that things weren’t right. As Nugget confronted his dad, Ravi ended up revealing that he attacked his son in the Square several months ago.
BBC
BBC
Related: Best streaming services
In today’s episode, Nugget came to terms with the fact that his own dad left him in a critical condition, while Priya and Avani watched Ravi anxiously explain the events of that fateful night when he experienced hallucinations.
As Ravi refused to let his partner and kids leave the flat, Suki continued to worry about her family and was forced to admit to Eve that Ravi had been struggling with his mental health recently.
A tense struggle ensued when Priya tried to give Avani and Nugget the keys to leave, and it was revealed to the kids that Priya also knew about Ravi’s attack. Nugget raged at his dad for his actions and heartbreakingly told him to disappear.
Priya later managed to take the keys from Ravi and attempted to unlock the door, but Ravi put a stop to her escape plan. He exploded with anger and smashed up the living room before collapsing to the floor.
Coming up with another plan, Priya convinced Ravi that they need to leave Walford to run from the so-called bad people – but she secretly told the kids that she was going to get their dad in the car then take him to hospital.
BBC
Related: EastEnders announces powerful new Will Mitchell storyline in special week
She took a vehicle from the car lot, and the family drove off, with Avani and Nugget refusing to leave their mum alone with Ravi. Meanwhile, Suki, Eve and Vinny got into the now empty flat and discovered that the family’s phones had been hidden and the door padlocked.
It didn’t take long for Ravi to realise that Priya had tricked him into leaving the house and he demanded she stop the car. At that moment, Nugget started having a seizure, which caused Priya to swerve and crash into Cindy, Max and baby Jimmy, who were driving back from a nursery mixer.
Cindy and Max’s car collided with the other vehicle and flipped over several times, leaving the fate of all characters up in the air. We know that everyone survives the incident, but what will be the lasting effects of this crash?
If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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.