Devoted EastEnders fans have identified a significant inconsistency in the show's current narrative, centring on the prolonged absence of Linda Carter and her two youngest children from Albert Square.
The Missing Carters
Earlier this year, Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, departed Walford for a cruise holiday with her children Johnny, Ollie, and Annie. While her son Johnny has since returned to the Square, Linda, Ollie, and Annie have remained conspicuously at sea.
Observant fans tracking the timeline have calculated that the family has now been on this cruise for over 100 days. As one fan highlighted on Reddit, by 10th November, they had reached day 111 of their voyage. This extended timeframe means that young Annie Carter, who celebrated her fourth birthday during the trip, will have spent a remarkable 7.3% of her entire life on this single cruise.
A Timeline of Trauma
The extended sea voyage presents a major plot hole, not just due to its improbable length and the unrealistically low cost, but because it starkly contradicts Linda Carter's established history of traumatic, water-related events.
In 2020, Linda was involved in a horrific boat accident. During a party celebrating the Queen Vic winning Pub of the Year, a fight between Phil Mitchell and Keanu Taylor caused the boat to crash and sink. Linda was trapped inside, drowned, and had to be resuscitated after being pulled from the water by her then-husband, Mick Carter.
Just two years later, Linda faced another near-death experience involving water. Janine Butcher deliberately drove a car containing herself and Linda off a cliff and into the sea. Mick Carter dove in to save them, successfully rescuing Linda before disappearing beneath the waves while attempting to save Janine. His body was never found, a loss that profoundly impacted Linda.
Fan Reactions and Theories
Viewers have taken to social media to express their disbelief at the storyline's oversight. One fan quipped on Reddit, "For a woman who has had two very traumatic water-related events happen to her in the past five or six years I admire her courage and tenacity for basically living at sea. That's resilience."
Another fan provided a striking political comparison, noting the cruise's duration is "2.22 times the length of time Liz Truss was Prime Minister." They projected that the Carters would reach the "magic Triple Truss figure on December 19th."
Some fans have offered creative theories to explain the anomaly. One questioned, "Maybe she’s searching the seven seas for Mick’s body?" while another speculated, "Maybe the cruise ship saw a man floating in the water and it was Mick and Danny’s coming back."
Linda originally left Walford after selling The Queen Vic, a decision prompted by her mother's divorce. Her continued absence and the unresolved nature of her storyline continue to puzzle the show's dedicated audience.
