EastEnders airs disturbing Dean manipulation in early iPlayer release
Dean's torment hung heavy on Linda's shoulders.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for EastEnders' episode, airing on 22nd November 2023. It also contains discussion of sexual assault that some may find upsetting.
Events took a dreadful turn on EastEnders for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she continued to be tormented by Dean Wicks (Matt di Angelo).
While Dean recovered in hospital after being attacked by George (Colin Salmon), the Knights wondered if they wouldn't get to spend Christmas with the paternal figure.
The girls couldn't come to terms with George leaving them and having to go to prison, and Linda was equally as worried for her mum's fiancé.
Dean offered them a life-line – if Linda admitted she wasn't raped by Dean, he wouldn't press charges.
Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) wondered if Linda should do it, just to get Dean off their backs, but Linda insisted she couldn't – what if another woman was attacked by him?
George was insistent they stood up to the rapist, but it didn't work and Dean remained firm.
Gina and Anna tried their hand, and went to speak to Cindy to see if she would talk some sense into Dean.
Worried for her relationship with her kids, Cindy actually did get through to Dean, who eventually decided to drop it for the sake of his business.
At the same time, Linda was considering the potential impact of George being sent to prison, with Ollie especially concerned at his exit.
Feeling guilty at what George's attack on her behalf could mean, Linda went to see Dean, clearly having not caught up with Anna and Gina about their breakthrough with Cindy.
She made a fake confession, telling Dean she had been lying the whole time, and he didn't rape her.
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The disturbing scene was punctuated by a poignant moment when Dean pressed record on his voice notes app.
As Linda returned to the Queen Vic, she was broken and exhausted. Without fully telling Elaine what happened, the mother knew.
"It's only words," Elaine reassured Linda, but without knowing the horrible lengths Dean had gone to earlier.
Will those words prove to have huge consequences?
Anyone affected by Linda's story can find support by visiting Rape Crisis, or calling their 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.
Read more:
- EastEnders winter preview 2023: Chris Clenshaw on Christmas, exits, returns
- EastEnders’ Alfie and Linda plot to force Dean out of Walford after new low
- EastEnders’ Nish Panesar gives Rocky new ultimatum over café fire
- EastEnders drops dramatic Christmas trailer with violent Kathy Cotton
- EastEnders couple face split after outburst in early BBC iPlayer release
- EastEnders airs dramatic Christmas teaser for Sharon
- EastEnders boss explains Dean Wicks return to Walford in Halloween shock
- Who was Tom Banks in EastEnders? Sharon’s tragic lost love explained
- EastEnders boss teases "huge consequences" for Reiss Colwell lie
- EastEnders' Lauren Branning "won’t be returning on her own", teases soap boss
- EastEnders confirms festive "miracle" for Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
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Authors
Helen Daly is the Associate Editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.
