Kim Tate (Claire King) was left devastated in Emmerdale on October 1, as Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) returned from the hospital with his baby son, only to reveal he still planned to give the child up for adoption. Kim had hoped Joe had changed his mind about being a father, but instead he brought the baby to Home Farm so she could say goodbye.
Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) had spent the week trying to persuade Joe to keep baby Tate. He played an old video of Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) to remind Joe of their excitement about becoming parents, but it did not work. Graham then called Joe spineless, prompting Joe to slap him, an action he later regretted.
Graham's final plan fails
Provoking Joe was part of Graham's plan to get through to him, but it sadly did not work. Joe asked Graham to check potential families for baby Tate and ensure he went to a safe home. Graham played his final card, telling Joe that if he helped with this, it would be the last thing he did for him, and he would leave his life forever afterwards. Even the threat of losing his father figure did not stop Joe.
Kim says goodbye to baby Tate
In the episode, Joe arrived at Home Farm with baby Tate in his arms, and Kim quickly assumed he was ready to be a dad. Joe confirmed he only brought the baby so Kim could say goodbye. She was absolutely devastated, but the bad news did not end there.
Kim discovered that Graham was also leaving. She begged him to stay, but he knew he had to go. Just before he left, Graham told Kim to keep an eye on Joe, because he really needs someone on his side right now. Graham left Home Farm with baby Tate in his arms, telling everyone he would give the tot to social services prior to the adoption.
Thea overhears and grows angry
That afternoon, a heartbroken Kim headed to the pub with Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick). As she spoke about baby Tate, it was clear that Kim was trying to emotionally distance herself from the situation. She knew Joe would not get his son back, and as much as it broke her heart, there was nothing she could do about it.
Unbeknownst to her, DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) was listening to Kim's comments. Viewers know that Thea is Kim's daughter, who was also put up for adoption when she was a baby. Thea quietly grew annoyed at what Kim was saying about baby Tate, taking her apparent acceptance of the adoption as further evidence that Kim had never truly cared about the daughter she gave up herself. The question remains how much longer Thea will keep her identity a secret.
