Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) is forced into a massive risk to put things right in Emmerdale, after Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) catches her in a secret meeting and launches a blackmail plot to free Charity Dingle.
Thea came to the village seeking revenge on her long-lost mother Kim Tate (Claire King), but her plans have fallen apart. She had plotted to bring Kim down, including snooping through Home Farm for evidence, recruiting pal Serena to infiltrate the Tate household, and framing Kim for Jimmy's (Nick Miles) death with fake evidence. When that failed, she has been searching for a plan B.
Thea's hatred resurfaces
Thea had softened after seeing Kim raw and vulnerable at Will's graveside, but a partially overheard conversation about Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) giving up his baby reignited her hatred. Consumed by it, she gets caught out by Sarah, threatening her entire career.
Thea has been investigating Todd's death and was instrumental in putting Charity behind bars. Serena, whose friendship with Thea is unknown to the village, helped cover up the death and could be in trouble if implicated. Sarah spots Serena and Thea having a secret urgent meeting, realises they are in on things together, and now has what she needs to get Charity out of prison.
Sarah's blackmail
Sarah goes in hard on the two women, slapping them with a blackmail plot to try and get Charity freed. Sarah is particularly invested in seeing Charity released, given that she is in prison for a crime Sarah committed, after Sarah falsely changed her statement out of spite. Thea tries to talk Sarah out of her blackmail, but Sarah remains strong, indignant, and stubborn.
Serena visits Charity to chat about Sarah and what's going on back home, another vain hope to get themselves off the hook. Thea panics and catches up with Serena for an update, but Serena only has bad news, and Thea's hand is forced.
Charity's release
It's not long before Charity gets the unexpected news that she's being released, but Thea's involvement in that could prove problematic for the police officer. The question remains what Charity's release will mean for Thea, and what Sarah will do with her knowledge.
