Albert Square has never been a place of quiet reflection, but the final days of the year are set to be particularly explosive as EastEnders confirms the high-stakes returns of Harry Mitchell and Ravi Galati. Their homecoming, far from the festive cheer many might hope for, marks the beginning of a dangerous revenge plot born from unresolved trauma, addiction, and a catastrophic drug operation that went south weeks ago.

The Scars of the Past

The roots of this looming conflict trace back to a nightmarish ordeal involving the ruthless Oki. After a drug deal spiraled out of control, Harry Mitchell found himself kidnapped—a terrifying situation that ended with Harry killing his captor in a desperate bid for survival. While the death was an act of self-defense, the fallout was devastating. Harry’s father, Teddy, took the fall for the killing to protect his son, a sacrifice that pushed Harry into a spiral of guilt and self-destruction.

During his disappearance, Harry’s trauma manifested in a crippling drug addiction. It was only at his family’s insistence that he eventually sought help in rehab. Meanwhile, Ravi Galati, battered and bruised by the criminal underworld and fearing for his family’s safety, chose to vanish from Walford. Now, both men are back, and the friction between them is immediate and palpable.

A Fractured Homecoming

Harry’s return to the Square is met with a mix of joy and trepidation. Gina Knight is visibly moved by his presence, her bond with him remains strong, yet Harry is quick to set boundaries. Aware of his internal damage, he admits he cannot commit to a relationship until he finds a way to heal. This newfound self-awareness, however, is quickly overshadowed by a simmering rage.

The sight of Ravi Galati back in the fold of his own family proves to be the ultimate catalyst for Harry’s descent. To Harry, Ravi represents the beginning of the chain reaction that led to his captivity, his addiction, and the fragmentation of the Mitchell family. In the warped logic of unresolved trauma, revenge has begun to look a lot like justice.

The Descent into Vengeance

Despite pleas for reason from Kojo Asar, who warns that vengeance will only breed further destruction, Harry remains fixed on his target. Even a return to the routine of work at the Arches fails to ground him. Phil Mitchell, noticing the young man’s struggle, attempts to offer paternal guidance, but Harry’s focus is too narrow. In a tragic turn of perspective, Harry twists Phil’s advice into a silent endorsement of his plans, convincing himself that striking back is a necessity.

The situation takes a chilling turn as Harry begins to stalk Ravi through the streets of Walford. This isn’t the calculated move of a seasoned criminal, but the erratic behavior of a man pushed to the brink. The tension reaches a fever pitch when Nicola Mitchell spots her son lurking in the shadows, sensing the imminent violence.

A Community on the Edge

As 2026 looms, the question for Walford isn’t just whether Harry will follow through on his attack, but whether any shred of redemption remains for those whose suffering has turned into violence. EastEnders is poised to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, examining how easily pain can transform into a weapon when the damage runs deep. For Ravi and Harry, the road to peace is blocked by a wall of resentment, and the Square is once again the stage for a tragedy in the making.