Eastenders is really going through a rough patch at the moment - every storyline feels dragged out and like it's going in circles. Some of it may be due to an unexpected departure from Letitia Dean, but that doesn't explain why every storyline feels slow.

Do we really care who is behind the Zoe thing at this point? It will need a really good pay off, but I agree that whatever it is won't be enough for the dreary lead up.

For what it's worth, my theory is that it might not be any one individual. If I had to guess, I would say it's actually Bert and Ernie but I'm not sure they'd be capable of the paint message. My reasoning is that early on there was a scene of them on the stairs covering their ears asking Kat to stop rowing with Zoe. I think this could have led to them punishing Zoe and trying to make her leave. They definitely could have done the picture frame, despite denying it. We know they had the cat in a carry case and even the pepper spray incident suggests they've been going through Zoe's room.

I definitely think Anthony is somewhat involved as well, perhaps he is linked to the paint, video, review bombing etc. I think Anthony is probably the father of Zoe's children, I think he's still with his wife and they potentially have contact with the son/daughter who they have raised together. His motivation is to keep Zoe away from finding this out by distracting her with this stalker stuff.

I also wouldn't rule out Sam being involved, it feels like her stint will be related to Zoe and this would at least give the story a little bit of excitement. But I feel like Sam would have come back and confronted Zoe right away. I can't wait for it all to be over.

3 minutes ago, AaronTM said:

For what it's worth, my theory is that it might not be any one individual. If I had to guess, I would say it's actually Bert and Ernie

Please. For the love of God, let this happen.

I had a weird feeling that they were foreshadowing an Elaine and Ian romance today? I'm hoping I'm well off the mark but at the same time it could be iconic?

It has nothing to do with Sharon being around or not. Her parts just go to Vicki anyway. It's that the showrunner is shite. He needs to go, and the sooner, the better. Thr show might even get axed with him at the helm...

Elaine and Ian is kind of genius ngl

They're gonna be a thing right?

Also how is nobody suspecting Lily in all of the Zoe stuff? She torched Martins stall after all so is deffo capable

Maybe it's Chrissy? Hiding in the shadows seems more her speed than Sam's if that's the direction they're going in

Anthony needs to go like wtf is he even about

16 minutes ago, Lindsey. said:

Also how is nobody suspecting Lily in all of the Zoe stuff?

I thought her in the most recent episode when Jean broke Bobby's chain and Lily was just ominously sat there not really saying anything!

Lily was definitely pulling some interesting faces when Zoe and Jean were arguing. It's funny that the more this goes on the more it could be anyone as Zoe has quickly made a lot of enemies and re-established old ones

22 minutes ago, Lindsey. said:

Also how is nobody suspecting Lily in all of the Zoe stuff? She torched Martins stall after all so is deffo capable

Maybe it's Chrissy? Hiding in the shadows seems more her speed than Sam's if that's the direction they're going in

Anthony needs to go like wtf is he even about

He's there to make the sets look less wooden, and also for the Zoe baby stuff when it's (inevitably) revealed that he was the father all along!

Today's episode was such a slog. I rolled my eyes so hard at another quiz. Jean still being angry at Zoe, the scene where she broke Freddie's necklace felt particularly bad - the writing is just wafer thin and lacks any sort of logic or consistency. I don't think I could care less who Zoe's stalker is. Just another example of nostalgia bait and returning characters not being something the show can rely on.

Honestly expecting a Jean exit at this rate, they've well and truly destroyed her character between this and Harveygate

I don’t see why Jean couldn’t just go with Stacey lmfao there is NOTHING for her in the square, other than someone having to stay with Lily and I don’t see why if she had to stay in Walford bc of Charli and Ricky, she couldn’t live with the Brannings or Kat and Alfie. This is like Pauline Fowler levels of character assassination.

1 hour ago, Lindsey. said:

Honestly expecting a Jean exit at this rate, they've well and truly destroyed her character between this and Harveygate

Hopefully - she's been awful for about 2 years now

When did it become Anthony’s character to bs so creepy. He was NEVER like that. I’m not sure they can drag this out until Christmas.

Also Lauren has always been one of the most perceptive characters. How on Earth would she ever fall for a scam? It’d make more sense if it was Peter.

Jean used to be a favourite of mine but she’s so awful these days. I don’t know why she’s still in the show.

Anna just isn’t Cindy’s daughter is she? She has none of the fire that Gina has or Cindy jnr or that Lucy had. I’m surprised hers and Freddie’s exits are being this dragged out.

What have they done to Anthony Trueman?

I just want Anthony to leave, never a fan and he is the most wooden actor that makes it impossible to buy into the character.