Few people on EastEnders are scarier right now than the unnervingly unhinged Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona). Fortunately, Phil Mitchell is one of them.
Phil's Disappointing Inaction
I'm very disappointed in Phil. Since the beginning of this year, the bonkers bunny-boiler has been worming her way into Billy Mitchell's (Perry Fenwick) house, thanks to her constant manipulation of Billy's sweet but naive wife Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton). Why hasn't Phil marched across the square to throw the demented Fatal Attraction tribute act out on her ear?
Where was Phil when Bea sabotaged Billy's ladder in revenge for kicking her out, which led to Honey getting severely injured? Where was Phil when Bea applied for a credit card in Honey's name and ran up a mountain of debt? Where was Phil when Bea trashed McClunky's and lied she was attacked, just to gaslight Will (Freddie Phillips) into guilt-tripping Honey and Billy into letting her continue staying at the house?
Phil's Excuses
Where was Phil? Well… caring for his old friend Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), as he finally lost his heart-breaking battle with dementia, of course. And of course, dealing with the return of his brother Grant (Ross Kemp) and the chaos he brings to the Mitchell door. Okay, so maybe we can give Phil a pass.
Still, Big P lives his life by one cardinal rule – don't mess with the Mitchells (unless you are a Mitchell). Billy might be nothing more than his runt-of-the-litter second cousin in Phil's eyes, but he's still family. Be afraid, Bea. Be very afraid.
Billy's Own Efforts
However, Billy's been doing a pretty bang-up job of kicking his missus' crazed bestie to the kerb all by himself lately, after he refused to let Bea move back in even though Honey needed major surgery.
Bea's Latest Scheme
But the Single White Female of Walford isn't finished with Honey yet. Yesterday's trip to the Square saw Bea use a recording of Billy's voice to create a fake dating profile of him – hoping to frame him for cheating. Honey is too nice and sweet not to be taken in by Bea, so Billy's about to find himself in a tough spot indeed.
Bea's an arch manipulator, a delusional fantasist who can mislead anyone into swallowing her bizarre narrative. Phil Mitchell, however, has a resume that makes her look like a girlscout. We're talking about a man with a record of arson, abuse and the attempted murder of Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), among others. He might have gentled down (a little) since those days, but he's still a force to be reckoned with.
Phil Steps In
So needless to say, when the Incredible Sulk gets involved in the Bea situation for his cousin Billy, EastEnders fans will be punching the air. In upcoming episodes, Mister Potato Head himself rolls up his sleeves and promises to 'deal with Bea' for Billy. Eep.
It's tense between Honey and Billy after their failed date but elsewhere, Bea is upset that no one in Walford has remembered her birthday. Don't let her anywhere near the candles… Later, she misreads a situation in The Vic when she assumes Kat's (Jessie Wallace) birthday surprise for Lily (Lillia Turner) is for her. Bea flees to the café with sympathetic Honey in tow. But when Honey asks her not to tell Billy that they saw each other, Bea leaps on her chance to paint Billy as controlling.
Suddenly, Billy stumbles on the pair, and with Bea's words on her mind, Honey is firm that she will see who she likes. Phil spies a worried Billy and upon discovering his plight with Bea, he decides to take matters into his own hands and give Bea what she wants most – cash. Big P hands Bea an envelope of money to leave Walford. Will it work?
Not Likely
Later in The Vic, Bea exposes Billy and Phil's actions, but just when Billy is about to win Honey round, Bea spins the mother of all lies — Billy tried to sleep with her! Honey and onlookers are stunned as Billy protests his innocence. Honey flees with Billy and Bea in tow, and the trio argue back at No.18 before Honey asks everyone to leave. Billy heads to see Phil, who insists he'll sort it. 'Sort it' how exactly, Phil?
