EASTENDERS fans sobbed after Jean Slater’s downward spiral reached a climax in dramatic sea scenes tonight.
The cleaner – played by Gillian Wright on the BBC One soap – has been going through a manic episode which has led to her having some troubling behaviours.
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Tonight’s episode opened with Jean waking up in her wedding dress, before racing out the door to get married on her ‘big day’.
Before her family could realise she was missing, Jean made her way to Southend, and beamed as people complimented her on her dress.
She then headed to the beach where she drew a heart in the sand surrounded by happy families playing, only for the camera to suddenly switch to show she was on the sand by herself.
Jean’s daughter Stacey raced to the seaside town with Martin after figuring out where she had gone, but when Jean saw them she raced into the House of Mirrors at the fairground.
Once inside, Jean came face to face with her own reflection but didn’t recognise herself, thinking it was another woman on her wedding day too.
Stacey followed her into the House of Mirrors and was alarmed when she realised her mum thought she was marrying Daniel, who had died from cancer in February 2020.
Jean managed to escape her daughter and headed for the water, smiling as she looked out at the – in her mind – sunny vista.
As she started walking into the water, Stacey arrived and begged her mum to come back to the beach.
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But Jean turned and said: “I know i’m ill, but I’ve got important things to do Stacey, Daniel’s waiting for me. I’ve got to go now.”
She then continued to wade into the water before losing her footing and slipping under the water.
Thankfully Stacey got to her in time and pulled her to the surface, where Jean looked around and saw the dark grey clouds above her and with some realisation as to what had just happened, she let out a wail of pain.
As the soap’s famous duff duffs played, viewers took to Twitter to comment on the emotional scenes.
One wrote: “What an amazing episode of @bbceastenders. Jean’s acting and portrayal of her storyline is so good. Awards to #EastEnders”
Another added: “The Slaters are the best family on #EastEnders, exceptional episode tonight dealing with Jean’s bipolar. Gillian Wright and Lacey Turner absolutely killed it.”
A third tweeted: “Heart was pounding throughout the last three minutes of the episode. I’m so glad Jean was saved and finally got help. #EastEnders”
EastEnders is available on BBC iPlayer.
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