The bells of St. Mary’s are ringing in more than just the festive season this year; they are tolling for the long-buried secrets and fractured families of Albert Square. In what is being hailed as one of the most transformative Christmas weeks in EastEnders history, the return of iconic faces and the unveiling of deep-seated betrayals have left the residents of Walford reeling.

The Return of the Prodigal Daughter

Two decades after she walked away from the Queen Vic, Zoe Slater has made her long-awaited return. Initially framed as a move toward reconciliation with her mother, Kat, Zoe’s homecoming has instead plunged her into a nightmare. Since September, she has been the target of a shadowy stalker whose campaign of terror—menacing letters and midnight disturbances—has pushed her to the brink.

The drama reached a fever pitch with the revelation that Zoe’s “lost” child, Jasmine, is alive and well in the Square. This bombshell has reignited old feuds, particularly with Anthony Truman, who is grappling with the discovery of two children he never knew existed. As the Slaters gathered for a festive celebration at the Vic, the joy was short-lived. The Christmas Eve episode teased a “jaw-dropping twist” regarding the identity of Zoe’s tormentor, suggesting that the most dangerous threats are often the ones closest to home.

A Father’s Right, A Mother’s Fury

While the Slaters face an external threat, the Brannings and Carters are imploding from within. Max Branning’s return to Walford has been nothing short of explosive, but it was Linda Carter’s confession that truly shifted the landscape. In a moment of raw honesty, Linda revealed that Max is the biological father of her daughter, Annie.

Encouraged by a cynical Zoe Slater—who reminded him that “no one should keep a parent away from their child”—Max wasted no time. Under the guise of a trip to see Santa, Max took Annie aside to reveal the truth, promising to always protect her. The resulting confrontation with an enraged Linda has drawn battle lines that threaten to divide the Square for months to come. For Max, a man defined by his losses, the chance to be a father again is a mission he won’t abandon easily.

Memories and Mirages

Perhaps the most poignant chapter of the week focused on Nigel Bates and his progressing dementia. In a masterfully crafted episode, the Vic was transformed into its 1990s iteration through Nigel’s fragmented memories. Viewers were treated to appearances by the late Pat and Barry Evans, as well as Nigel’s first wife, Debbie.

The episode also delivered a surprising look at the past through a flashback involving young Phil and Grant Mitchell. The scene, which showed Phil yielding to Grant in a competition for a woman’s attention to honor their mother’s wishes, provided a rare glimpse into the loyalty beneath Phil’s hardened exterior. As Phil was forced to admit he can no longer care for Nigel alone, the episode served as a powerful reminder of the enduring bonds of friendship in the face of inevitable loss.

In Walford, the ghosts of the past are never truly gone, and as this Christmas proves, they are often the ones who hold the keys to the future.