EastEnders viewers were left emotional and frustrated as Stacey Slater departed Walford for Brazil with her children Hope and Arthur, but without a final goodbye scene with her mother Jean. The episode, which aired on BBC One, saw Stacey leave in a taxi at the end, while Jean was stuck on a delayed tube with Priya, unaware of the drama unfolding at home.
Earlier in the episode, Jean experienced a panic attack on the tube, but Priya helped calm her down. Jean expressed regret over persuading Stacey not to move to Brazil, believing Stacey deserved a fresh start. However, Stacey had already changed her mind and decided to leave, but Jean could not be reached in time to say farewell.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment. One tweeted: "Nah Jean didn’t even get to say bye!" Another wrote: "The fact that we didn't get a final scene between Stacey & Jean before Stacey's exit!!" Some viewers noted that the exit focused heavily on Max Branning and Zoe Slater's past relationship, rather than Stacey's fresh start.
However, some fans saw a silver lining, suggesting that the lack of a Julia's theme or a proper goodbye indicates Stacey will return. At the episode's end, Jean blamed Zoe for Stacey's departure, shouting: "You did this! You made her go! I know you Zoe Slater, you're a toxic little madam!"
EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
