EastEnders fans found themselves sharply divided when the legendary villain Chrissie Watts made a sudden and unexpected return to the BBC soap on Thursday night. The character, famously part of the Witches of Walford alongside Kat and Zoe Slater in the early 2000s, reappeared in a mysterious one-off appearance during the festive season and then again in the most recent episode, sparking intense debate among viewers.
Chrissie Watts' Dramatic Comeback Sparks Controversy
During the Christmas period, Chrissie was revealed to have been tormenting Zoe Slater, leading to a confrontation in the Queen Vic where she disclosed that Jasmine Fisher is actually Zoe's long-lost daughter. On that same fateful day, Anthony Trueman was found dead upstairs in the London pub, with Zoe currently serving time for his murder, although Kat remains convinced of her daughter's innocence.
Kat's Desperate Quest for Answers
Having persuaded Chrissie's former flame Jake to bring her back to Walford, Kat demanded clarity on the events. Kat asserted, "On Christmas Day, right, Antony attacked Zoe and when she woke up, he was dead!" Chrissie, played by Tracy Ann Oberman, retorted, "Well, I'm no Miss Marple, but I'm pretty sure the police have the right culprit."
Not satisfied, Kat pressed further, saying, "You turn up at the pub for the first time in donkey's years and you've been obsessed with destroying Zoe. Do you see what I'm getting at?" Chrissie denied any involvement, later adding, "Either you're really not very bright, or it's something else, Kat."
Chrissie's Harsh Truths and Revelations
Chrissie then launched into a brutal critique of Zoe, highlighting how for years, Zoe believed Kat was her sister rather than her mother. Over a glass of wine, Chrissie continued, "I could get into Jasmine's head because she was a wreck. It's the Slater rot going down through the generations."
She warned Kat, "You trust way too easily; it's your downfall. It's made you blind to what is in front of you. I've got a dark heart when I need to, Kat. But it's nothing in comparison to who I've been working with. Did Jasmine point the finger at me for Anthony's death? That girl has got a demon in her, she manipulated me and now she's manipulated you. If Zoe didn't kill Anthony, then there is only one person who is capable of it. Jasmine," leaving Kat speechless as the episode concluded.
Fan Reactions: From Praise to Criticism
The return of Chrissie Watts has polarized the long-running soap's audience. Some fans expressed frustration, arguing that her appearance merely reiterated known plot points. One viewer posted on X, "Hated at the end how Chrissie was literally stating the obvious about Jasmine - we know she killed Anthony and we know she's got a dark streak after pushing Cindy. Kat was meant to be following up on Jean's suspicions but still chose to pursue Chrissie anyway."
Another added, "As much as I loved the Kat & Chrissie scenes today, it seemed pointless to bring Chrissie back just to confirm what we already knew about Jasmine. Kat knows Jasmine did a runner and didn't go to the police - she didn't need Chrissie to help her work out the truth. If Chrissie doesn't go down for Anthony's murder then what's the point!"
Potential for Future Storylines
However, other fans saw deeper implications in Chrissie's return. One commenter noted, "What I got from the conversation was Chrissie is right about Kat being blind. She is the key to actually finding Jasmine and bringing her back, as she references 'who she’s been working with,' which could be Jasmine’s mystery adopted dad or Jasmine."
Another enthusiast praised the move, saying, "Bringing Chrissie and Jake back was such a good move. It’s been amazing! I really hope they come back long term…"
Fashion Choices Steal the Spotlight
Interestingly, some viewers were more distracted by Chrissie's wardrobe than the plot twists. One fan quipped, "Why is Chrissie dressed like some private investigator, pls?" while another joked, "Chrissie on her way to a Peaky Blinders fancy dress party."
EastEnders continues to air Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with its unfolding dramas.
