EastEnders spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (December 11), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Note: This article contains detailed discussion of alcoholism.
EastEnders has aired some devastating Linda Carter scenes as her alcoholism takes control, in the show’s latest episode.
This week, Linda’s drinking has continued to cause problems, and she chose to go and stay with Sharon when Johnny explained that her behaviour was impacting Ollie.
But after Linda stole alcohol from the Minute Mart, Alfie discovered that Sharon’s house had been broken into because she had left the door open, with Albie’s Christmas presents stolen.
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In today’s episode, viewers saw Linda bringing home more alcohol, while Phil and Lauren are both continuing to struggle with their own addictions.
With Linda having had another accident during the night, Sharon demanded that she make some apologies to her loved ones – and was furious when she found that her friend was hiding some more wine.
Linda tried to apologise to Alfie, but she ended up insulting him, and the situation escalated when Kat stepped in to defend her partner.
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Meanwhile, Sharon discovered a bottle of whiskey in Phil's house and he explained that Nicola had given it to her. She was stunned that Nicola had done this, knowing he was a recovering alcoholic, and the pair confronted her in The Vic.
Lauren witnessed Linda causing another drunken scene in front of Johnny and Annie, and it made her think twice about taking the new batch of pills Cindy gave her.
Linda then disrupted Ian’s Christmas float and was humiliated in front of a crowd, even pushing Ian off the sleigh. Phil and Lauren both took action and took her back home.
They staged an intervention, having both been in Linda’s position, and she eventually admitted that she was an alcoholic and agreed to go to a meeting that evening.
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Johnny was thrilled that his mum had finally accepted help, but his heart broke when he noticed Linda still eyeing a bottle of vodka, and he kicked her out of The Vic for good.
After Zack refused Linda’s desperate attempts to return to Sharon’s house, she stumbled into the café where Bernie found her.
Bernie said that because she didn’t want a death on her conscience, she forgave her for killing Keanu – making it clear that Linda could no longer use her as an excuse for her drinking.
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Phil and Lauren each saw Linda continuing to drink in the Square, in no state to go to the meeting, and they were both impacted by her inability to get sober.
Lauren escaped to the kitchen and decided to continue taking the pills, while Phil got dangerously close to having a drink – but he thankfully found the strength to pour the whiskey down the sink, distressed by his near relapse.
As a troubled Linda fell asleep on a bench, is she able to be saved?
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website.
Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.
