What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Dead Holly 'returned', Cain cheated and Moira survived

Emmerdale tonight had us crying and screaming in equal measure. Holly Barton’s return was sweet and moving, but Cain sleeping with Ruby was possibly the most crazy decision the soap has ever made. Why? Just why?

Here’s all that happened in Emmerdale on Wednesday November 20.

Moira’s tale in Emmerdale tonight

Things were tense as the medical team prepped Moira for her operation (Credit: ITV)

Moira went in for surgery

As Moira was waiting with Cain for her surgery, he was still in denial over the situation. Moira demanded he go home, she was worried about him being aggressive with the doctors and nurses.

They shared a tearful hug before Moira was taken away, but Cain couldn’t tell her he loves her. He then went to work, despite Sam’s protests he couldn’t just ‘bog off’. Sam insisted Cain was going to do something stupid, but Cain stormed off.

Moira was overwhelmed to be near her daughter again (Credit: ITV)

Holly ‘returned’ for Moira

As Moira went under she went into a dream state and found herself lying on the sofa with Kyle and Isaac playing beside her. She was then transported outside as the boys played football and she walked out into the sunlight (beautifully reflecting Moira’s new blonde highlights, we must say!)

Then came shock twist number one: Holly Barton returned. Moira’s daughter Holly died in a heartbreaking overdose in 2016, but here she was sitting next to her mum. They shared a tearful catch-up as the doctor’s voiceover discussed the tumour being a higher grade than they thought. Holly apologised for leaving her and making her mum so sad. But then the doctor’s voice burst again in saying Moira was having a seizure and had lost a lot of blood.

It seemed like Holly was encouraging her mum to let go and be with her, but as they walked off, Moira couldn’t go with Holly, she needed to check on the boys, meaning Holly had to go alone. Moira was not ready to leave her boys yet.

Moira was then seen alive and in recovery, being woken up by the nurse. The operation went well and it’s all over.

Cain then arrived at the hospital and was actually grateful to the doctors and nurses for saving Moira’s life. He finally told Moira he loved her, but it was clear something was troubling him…

Cain’s tale in Emmerdale tonight

Jimmy got a beating

And then we cut to Cain‘s experiences over the last four hours. We saw him slugging whiskey with bloodied hands where Caleb found him and went nuts.

The clock then wound back to Cain drinking and Jimmy approaching him. Jimmy laid into him over the Tom and Belle situation. Talk about timing, Jimmy! So Cain then did what Cain does and beat him up!

Cain and RUBY??!!

We went back again in time again, with Cain closing up the garage and Caleb approaching, they rowed and then we went back another hour. And then can shock twist number two: Cain was doing up his shirt – and Ruby was there putting her own clothes back on.

Back we went another 45 minutes to see Cain sulking and drinking in a car at the garage when Ruby came in. It sort of came out of nowhere: they argued and Cain brought up her dad – before they suddenly kissed passionately. WHAT THE HELL?!

We then went forward to Cain arriving at the hospital to see Moira and find out how the operation went. The doctor said the tumour was out and she was confident the surgery went well. Cain was so relieved, but couldn’t see her – the guilt overwhelming him. Ruby then texted him telling him today had never happened.

Oh Emmerdale, what have you done? This was a bad, bad move. Not one single viewer will be happy about this, we can guarantee it. Why can’t you leave couples alone?

Whoever thought up this storyline twist? Off with their heads!

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns

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

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

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