Max Branning (Jake Wood) made a significant admission of guilt regarding Zoe Slater's (Michelle Ryan) death in a high-octane episode of EastEnders, with more drama to follow in the next instalment. Zoe died in the small hours of the morning in bed at the Vic after sustaining a head wound, sending shockwaves through Albert Square and leaving the Slater clan consumed with grief.
Max, reeling from the news of Zoe's demise, confided in Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) that he feels guilty. He saw Zoe shortly before her death and, mistakenly presuming she was drunk, did nothing to help. The aftermath of his confession will continue in the next episode of the BBC One soap, alongside big developments elsewhere, including for Penny (Kitty Castledine), who gives birth in upcoming scenes.
Max's confession and Oscar's reaction
With Max having confessed to seeing Zoe prior to her death, he will no doubt be worried about what Oscar will do with this information and whether it will get back to the Slaters. Meanwhile, Oscar is soon talking to Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughn) after Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) worries about how his grandson is bottling up his feelings about Zoe's death.
As the boys discuss Zoe, old feelings resurface and it is not long before they are kissing. The question is whether Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) will find out, and if so, how she will react. There are more emotional scenes for the Slaters on the cards, while Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) attempts to settle into the community, but her efforts to cook for the grieving family do not go to plan.
Penny gives birth
Elsewhere, Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) is set to celebrate his 30th birthday, with Penny determined to make it one to remember. Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) worries when she sees Penny upset and goes to support her. Penny reveals that she intends to tell Vinny he might not be the baby's dad. Lauren attempts to dissuade her, but Penny is adamant that it is the right thing to do.
Before she has a chance to say anything, her waters break. She is taken to the hospital while Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) attempt to sober Vinny up and get him to the hospital in time for the birth. Their efforts prove successful, and Vinny arrives in time for him and Penny to welcome a baby son. Later, Penny confides in Lauren that she will keep quiet about the fact that Vinny might not be the dad, but little do they know that someone has overheard.
EastEnders airs these scenes on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
