Emmerdale review of the week: Tom’s banged up, John’s opening up, and Will needs to man up!
Tom King is gone – and so is Amelia
Our Emmerdale review this week looked like being a tough one. After all, this week’s episodes had to follow the emotional upheaval of Ruby’s story last week.
But despite the bar being set very high, we reckon Emmerdale pulled it off, thanks to the drama of Tom King’s trial.
Here’s what we thought of this week in our Emmerdale review.
Unlikely friendships in our Emmerdale review
There’s very little we like more in soap than unlikely friendships, so we really enjoyed Belle going to Paddy for advice when Tom tried to take his own life.
Paddy of course had his own struggle with suicidal thoughts and it was good to see the ongoing effects of that heart-wrenching story. And we loved how sweet he was with Belle, reassuring her and making sure she was all right.
Emmerdale review: Tom’s trial
We’ve all been waiting for abuser Tom King to face justice for the ordeal he’s subjected poor Belle too. And the moment finally came this week when he was in the dock, charged with assault and coercive control.
The episode featuring the trial took an interesting approach. The focus wasn’t on Tom – instead it was on the jurors who had to decide his fate. It made for a fascinating episode as the jury members debated whether Tom was guilty.
However, we did feel the whole thing was just too quick. It’s only a matter of weeks since Tom’s arrest, the trial itself took up just one double episode, and Tom was sentenced and taken off to jail on the same day. A year-long story has been neatly wrapped up like a Christmas present. We couldn’t help feeling a bit cheated about it.
The truth about Aidan Moore revealed! Or was it?
We still love moody John Sugden, and we really enjoyed his camping trip with Aaron this week. We liked the pair opening up to one another and the reveal that John was in love with Aidan – the man whose dog tag he’s kept.
Except, we can’t help thinking there’s more to this story. Is John telling the truth? We’re looking forward to learning more.
Amelia’s gone to Leicester with Esther
Amelia Spencer waved goodbye to the village this week. Her exit was a bit of a damp squib and also felt slightly rushed. She’s been a part of Emmerdale since she was a little girl and we’ll miss her.
Dawn and Billy
The Dawn and Billy bickering rumbles on. Evan’s allowed home again, which we think is good news, though frankly at this stage we couldn’t care less. Will Clemmie and Lucas ever be allowed back to school? Where are Clemmie and Lucas, come to that?
Man up, Will!
Remember how Will used to be? Ex-con, protective dad, didn’t think twice about moving the body of a dead policeman, kept Kim on her toes… Now he’s wafting about Home Farm, marching to the beat of financial adviser Peter’s drum. If Peter says jump, Will asks how high. It’s very out of character.
We can’t believe we’re saying this, but this is what it’s come to. While the other men of Emmerdale – including Will’s son-in-law Billy, are dripping with toxic masculinity, we can’t help thinking Will could do with, well, manning up a bit!
It’s time to grow a pair, Mr Taylor. Tell Peter to sling his hook and take your chances with whoever’s calling the shots behind the scenes.
Speaking of which, our guesses about the identity of Mr I-Live-In-A-Different-Time-Zone Where Phones and Email Don’t Work is, are becoming increasingly outlandish. Is it Joe Tate? Jean Tate? Steve Marchant? Another long-lost child of Frank’s. Kim herself?! We just hope it’s not Caleb. Oh god, it’s Caleb isn’t it?
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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