WHILE he’s used to stirring up trouble in Albert Square, Ben Mitchell has made more new enemies since his rape.
This week in EastEnders, his behaviour is still a major cause for concern for people around him. Here’s what you need to know.
Ben Mitchell has found unhealthy ways to cope with is trauma
His behaviour doesn’t get any better this week
He’s also made new enemies in the Square
Meanwhile, his aunt Sam has her own secrets to keep up with
1. Sam takes action
Kim Medcalf’s Sam Mitchell has only one goal in mind – destroy the family empire.
But by taking action and getting shot in the process, she has had to bring Jonah Tyler into her plan to avoid being exposed to her brother Phil.
Sam has had to agree to allow Jonah’s men to deal drugs in local wine bar Peggy’s.
Unfortunately for her, another Walford resident will be getting down to business with her – her nephew, Ben Mitchell (played by Max Bowden).
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It all begins when Ben spots Jonah’s drug dealer in Peggy’s giving Sam a packet of drugs.
Intrigued, he’s taken aback when his father Phil (Steve McFadden) questions him.
Phil was recently told by Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that Ben was raped by former Prince Albert manager Lewis Butler.
Ben throws the tough man off his own scent and turns the focus to Sam by telling Phil he should be worried about her.
As soon as his son implies she may be damaging the bar’s reputation, Phil takes matters into his own hands and quizzes Sam, forcing her to cover.
She soon realises Ben ratted her out to Phil for working with Tez and retaliates by calling his bluff.
Sam feels she has no other choice than to bring him into her plan and she wins his silence by making him the co-manager of Peggy’s.
But Ben sticks to his troublemaking nature as he continues to spiral out of control – and the police raids Peggy’s.
Ben’s behaviour continues to be a cause for concern
2. Ben continues to spiral
Taken on board as the new co-manager of Peggy’s, Ben makes another enemy out of Zack Hudson (James Farrar) when the chef desperately tries to buy his car back from Rocky Cotton.
Short on cash, he plans to ask Sam for an advance on his wages but is surprised when an arrogant Ben shows up, acting like the boss.
But before drama picks up a pace at Peggy’s, Ben is dealing with a lot more trouble in Albert Square altogether.
Ben is already on the wrong side of Kheerat Panesar who was once a great source of support for him.
After admitting his part in Jags’ death, Ben is the target of the Panesar family.
Kathy is horrified to see Kheerat and Vinny destroyed The Arches this week.
Kheerat tells Kathy he wants out and leaves Ben with an ultimatum – he only has three days to pay him or else.
Ben sees the damage and, feeling regretful, asks Tez for drugs.
He fetches Tommy from football and the young boy finds the drugs, innocently taunting Ben about them.
This prompts the latter to aggressively ask for them back and Tommy advises him to get rid of the drugs.
Instead of trying to smooth things over with the residents he has hurt and turn to healthier ways of coping with his trauma, Ben then mocks Zack over his money issues at Peggy’s.
The hunk loses his cool, much like Kheerat, and punches Ben to the ground.
Sam is furious but the chef defends himself and says he suspects that Ben has been dealing drugs in the bar.
Their focus turns to a group of police officers raiding Peggy’s.
As chaos ensues, Ben continues to drink and takes drugs – before reaching out to his former school friend James.
Will he ever get out of his downward spiral?
Jay Brown is facing relationship struggles
3. Jay is accused of cheating
Meanwhile, there’s trouble in paradise for Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and his partner Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton).
The owner of Maximum Motors is accused of cheating on his other half with his friend Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold).
It all begins when a hungover Jay walked into the café making plans with Frankie Lewis and Lola for an evening out, much to Honey’s disappointment.
Later on, at Peggy’s, a drunk Jay pretends to be Lola’s boyfriend to get a guy off her back and the pair leave together – a scene witnessed by Ash Panesar.
Lola and Jay laugh off his antics, more specifically him pretending to be her boyfriend the night before.
Unbeknownst to them, Lola’s daughter Lexi overhears their conversation.
The 10-year-old then sees a disagreement between Jay and Honey, telling her son Will that Jay is cheating on the latter with Lola.
Will is fuming and tells Jada Lennox what he’s been told – but the gossip starts to spread around Walford.
But while there’s no truth to it, it all gets back to Honey.
Jay Brown gets attacked this week
4. Billy loses his cool
Jay doesn’t let the rumour get to him and heads to The Vic with Honey, where he promises her a relaxing stay at a spa.
Little did he know that Ash Panesar would turn to the Market Inspector and tell her Jay was cheating on her with Lola.
Jay is then shocked and confused when Billy (Perry Fenwick) storms in and punches him as a mortified Lola watches the scene.
This prompts both Jay and Lola to explain themselves.
Will Honey believe them?
Suki is slowly coming to terms with her sexuality
5. Suki kisses Eve
Elsewhere in the Square, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) is slowly opening up about her feelings for Eve Unwin (Heather Peace).
Coming up, he Panesar children make plans to go to the opening of the family’s new GP surgery the following day, despite their differences with Suki.
Ash gets a frustrating phone call, leaving her brother Vinny intrigued.
Kheerat then makes it clear to his mother he will never forgive her for sending their brother Jags to prison unnecessarily.
Eve offers Suki her support after overhearing the conversation and suggests they go to McClunky’s, where they end up bonding over music.
Suki feels a spark and invites Eve back home – where she kisses her.
Later on, however, Eve understands Suki is as ready to make their relationship public.
During the opening of the Panesar’s new surgery, Eve turns up to support Suki but is upset when she’s being standoffish.
With the opening underway, Suki is too busy introducing her daughter Ash to a journalist but both are stunned when she drops a bombshell.
Eve and Suki eventually manage to catch up and talk about the night before.
However, Eve is heartbroken when Suki makes it known she will always hide their relationship.
But she can’t escape how she truly feels.
In later scenes, Suki is oblivious to Ranveer’s advances in Walford East and she slyly watches Ash and Eve from afar.
Ash tries to kiss Eve but she’s gently rejected.
Will it make Suki realise she has to make things official with Eve?
Or is there more heartbreak ahead?
Kat and Phil are going ahead with wedding plans – but there’s an obstacle ahead
6. Kat gets shock surprise
Phil Mitchell is back in Walford, ready to tie the knot with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).
This is despite the fact he recently shared a sneaky kiss with his former wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
Coming up, the bride-to-be is upset, despite getting a special ring from her other half, and Lily Slater is determined to cheer her up.
The youngster suggests that they organise a pre-wedding party.
Kat is thrilled as they try on dresses sent over by Big Mo.
But soon, her joy is cut short when Lily and her mother Stacey Slater tell Kat they have one more surprise.
The owner of Kat’s Cabs is less than pleased – but what could have shaken her so much?
Kathy is trying to give Ben some stability
7. Kathy is desperate for money
Meanwhile, Kathy is growing increasingly concerned for her son’s future – more particularly after the Panesar brothers threaten Ben.
This week, she’s hoping to buy Kheerat out of The Arches but with no money of her own to lend Ben, due to her grandson Peter clearing their business account, she has to find another way.
Kathy turns to Phil for money but the baddie tells her he doesn’t have any cash to spare, still believing his son is doing fine.
She then has another plan in mind – get the money from the late Gavin Sullivan’s sister, who could release the funds from his estate.
While her partner Rocky Cotton strongly advises her against it, Kathy marches to the beat of her own drum and asks anyway.
Rocky lets Kathy’s plan slip to Zack – how will he react once he know she’s trying to get her hands on his father’s estate?
Tune in to BBC One to find out.
