Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) grabbed a bottle of alcohol from her son Lee (Danny Hatchard) in EastEnders, entering self-destruct mode after learning that her soulmate Mick (Danny Dyer) may have survived his supposed demise. Mick was thought to have vanished at sea four years ago when he jumped into the ocean to rescue Linda, unaware that she had made it back to shore safely.
Her world came crashing down this week when ex love rival Janine (Charlie Brooks) informed her that Mick survived his icy plunge and lived almost half a decade more, choosing to stay away from his loved ones for the remainder of his life. The whole thing was an elaborate scheme to have Mick declared dead legally so that Janine could secure a payout, with Max Branning (Jake Wood) going along with it to ensure Linda thought the worst of Mick so she could move on with him instead.
Linda's Self-Destruct Mode
The notion that Mick not only survived but stayed away from his clan for four years proved a tough pill to swallow for Lee, Nancy (Maddy Hill) and Johnny (Charlie Suff), as well as for Linda, who contemplated taking a drink. When she was told that Lee, who has been drinking a lot as of late, was drunk at the bar, Linda decided to enter self-destruct mode too, grabbing hold of the booze, much to the horror of her son and Max.
New spoilers for Thursday, November 12 reveal what happens next. With Linda staring down the neck of the bottle of alcohol before her, the question is whether she will take a sip and relapse. The Carter matriarch has struggled with addiction numerous times over the past decade but accepted help after seeing her life – and potential death – flash before her eyes last Christmas.
Hospital Dash and Max's Regret
Johnny, Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) and Zack (James Farrar) rush Nancy to the hospital after her waters break, and they frantically call Linda and Lee. Lee worries about becoming a dad, but Linda assures him that he will be a great one. Max, meanwhile, regrets what he's done and turns to drink.
Elsewhere, Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) confides in Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) about her worries after her meeting with Harleen. Sharon encourages her to fight for Ria. Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) spends the afternoon with Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple), but passion soon turns to emotion as Lauren is overwhelmed with guilt.
EastEnders airs these scenes Thursday November 12 at 7:30pm on BBC One or streams from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
