EastEnders is back on top – after a big week, big stories and a whole bunch of brand new questions.
A dramatic week of episodes saw Whitney and Callum's wedding collide with Hunter Owen's deadly revenge plan – and we've been left with lots of exciting new plot threads as a result.
Annually, EastEnders' action-packed autumn week tends to spark several story strands that will take us through until Christmas. But, what are the biggest questions we've been left to ponder now it's all over?
1. What now for Mel?
Poor Mel was left devastated at the end of tonight's episode, which saw her beloved son Hunter gunned down by police.
Having wreaked havoc on the Square this week (and long before that, too!), we can't imagine many of the residents losing too much sleep over Hunter's death – apart from Mel, who now has a dark and difficult journey ahead.
Let's not forget that Mel has been harbouring a criminal over the last few days, and therefore played a key part in tonight's scary siege – and we can't see many of her neighbours forgiving and forgetting so easily.
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And with Tamzin Outhwaite due to bow out over the autumn, it's looking like this will be the final chapter in Mel's story. Will Mel do time for her crime? Will she be forced out of Walford? Or will she simply opt for a fresh start overseas? Whatever happens, the end is certainly nigh.
2. Are Sheanu really over?
It's the never-ending story that has had us hooked for over a year – and something tells us we already know the answer to this one.
Given that Sharon is pregnant with Keanu's baby, the plot was already gathering pace for an explosive conclusion, but could things take another shocking turn if the on-off pair are tempted back to each other before then?
Thursday's episode saw Sharon throw Keanu a lifeline at the eleventh hour – unable to bear the thought of never seeing him again. Interestingly, it was also hinted that Keanu still had feelings for Sharon – despite his recent devotion to her step-daughter, Louise – who is also pregnant.
Struggling to keep up? Us too. But it's time to start paying attention as we have a feeling things could be about to get really, really complicated...
3. Why was Bianca in prison?
Bianca's absence throughout Tiffany's ongoing ordeal never really made much sense, but all started to become clear earlier this week.
Patsy Palmer has reprised her role for a short stint as Bianca – she returned for Whitney's doomed wedding and has seemingly brought a whole heap of trouble with her.
After being arrested following a boozy night out with her best pal Kat, Bianca revealed that she'd recently just endured another prison stint – but didn't provide any further details as to why.
What has Bianca done this time? Well, that brings us nicely onto our next question…
4. Who is Leo?
Those soap bosses sure do love a mystery newcomer, but seriously, who is he? An enigmatic man credited as 'Leo' made a somewhat random appearance at Whitney and Callum's wedding on Tuesday, when Bianca found him talking to her teenager daughter, Tiffany.
Although Bianca warned Leo to stay away, we doubt he'll be paying too much attention – especially if these new spoilers are anything to go by.
When Digital Spy attended an EastEnders press event recently, show bosses Kate Oates and Jon Sen explained that Bianca's reappearance would have a long-lasting impact on Albert Square – sparking a story that could run for over a year. Gone but not forgotten and all that.
5. Hope for Ballum?
Ballum fans, rejoice – things are looking up. With both Callum and Ben (narrowly) surviving this week's grim reaper, the big question will undoubtedly be what the writers have in store for their relationship now.
Callum is now young, free and single after Whitney called time on their relationship, but whether he's ready to make a go of things with Ben remains to be seen. Will there be a happy ever after? Or perhaps the question should be: will Ben ever stop getting beaten up/injured/endangered in every single episode?
6. What now for Whitney?
Whitney was undoubtedly one of the unsung heroes of this week, but what next for her now? Whitney's heart was broken when she discovered Callum had cheated on her with Ben prior to her big day, and we've slowly but surely seen it shattered into smithereens throughout the course of this week.
Interestingly, though, Whitney broke away from the soap cliche of the betrayed bride and took a far more harmonious approach with Callum. Not only did she insist that she wouldn't allow Callum to live a lie, Whitney even respected his privacy enough not to share the reasons for their doomed nuptials with their guests in The Vic.
As for whether her breakup with Callum will remain as affable if he moves on with Ben, well... that remains to be seen. But what does the future hold for Whit after another doomed relationship?
7. Lola and Jay forever?
Amid all the drama that was unfolding downstairs, Lola took the opportunity to declare her love for Jay – and kissed him. As you do.
Lola and Jay's on-off romance has been a talking point ever since she returned earlier this year, but is this really it for them? Or was it simply a case of being swept up in the moment?
8. Have Ben and Phil turned a corner?
Speaking of Ben, there's also a question mark over what impact his near-death experience will have on his fragile relationship with Phil. Phil and Ben have been somewhat tumultuous over the years (and that's putting it lightly), but it all got a bit emotional tonight when the Walford hard man feared he was about to lose his eldest child forever.
In fact, Phil was so distraught that he even chose to stay with Ben, over rescuing his daughter Louise – who was being dragged out of The Vic by Hunter.
The status quo in the Mitchell family has always seen Louise seemingly take priority when it comes to Phil – something which has, quite understandably, given Ben a bit of a chip on his shoulder – but it's now clear how much he cares about his son after all.
And while we can't envisage them enjoying father-son fishing trips moving forwards, could tonight's episode mark a major turning point for Phil and Ben?
9. Keanu and Louise vs Ben?
While things might be looking up for Ben in terms of his relationship with Callum and his dad Phil, he's still got some pretty big fish to fry when it comes to Keanu and Louise.
Louise and Keanu have spent the last few weeks on the run thanks to Ben and his lies, and have only been able to stay due to some interference from Sharon.
Sharon has promised that Phil will make Ben withdraw the statement he gave to the police regarding his attack, but we can't see Keanu and Louise forgiving and forgetting all that easily. Is a brand new feud brewing in the Mitchell family?
EastEnders continues on Monday, September 9 at 8pm on BBC One.
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