Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) was left fighting for his life in EastEnders after a prison showdown with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). Ian is currently behind bars after receiving an eight-month sentence for unknowingly knocking down Jordan Fox (Jahsaiah Williams) while over the limit. His nightmare was made worse when he discovered that Gray, Jordan’s serial killer father who claimed the lives of several Walford favourites, was a fellow inmate.
Gray’s manipulation and Chelsea’s shock
Determined to worm his way into Jordan’s life, Gray used Ian to his own end, manipulating the former councillor into thinking that he wouldn’t make it to the end of his sentence unscathed. Desperate to ensure his future, Ian begged Gray for his protection. Gray offered him said protection in exchange for Ian organising a visit with Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams).
Ian did as he was told, with Chelsea horrified when she came face-to-face with Gray. The bigger shock came moments later when she uncovered Gray’s twisted plan to have nan Sheila (Sheila Ruskin) kidnap Jordan to take him out of the country. With assistance from Denise (Diane Parish) and Kim (Tameka Empson), Sheila’s plot was foiled.
The prison struggle
Gray was irate in the aftermath of such a thing and took his frustrations out on Ian, believing the Walford legend to have tipped Chelsea off about where Sheila was intending to take Jordan – but this simply wasn’t true. Fearing for his life, Ian reached for the bladed weapon Gray had provided him with earlier in the week only to discover it had vanished. Gray held the weapon in question.
Ian desperately tried to talk him out of doing anything rash. Gray put the blade down and talked about missing out on being a dad to Jordan and, when Ian spotted a chance, he attempted to grab the item. A struggle ensued, with Gray getting stabbed. Ian called for help as Gray told him to tell Jordan he loves him. Ian was apprehended and feared what his future might look like if Gray doesn’t pull through, assuring authorities that it was an accident.
Chelsea’s confrontation and aftermath
Back on the Square, Chelsea got wind of what happened and paid Gray a visit in the hospital, branding him a ‘controlling bully’, making it clear that she isn’t afraid of him any more. ‘Didn’t win Gray’, she said, walking away from the twisted killer.
Is this the end for Gray? And has the incident impacted on Ian’s future? We know he’s out of jail come New Year’s Day thanks to the flashforward episode, but just how much longer will he be forced to spend behind bars?
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
