Hollyoaks spoilers follow for the latest episode to air on E4 and stream on the Channel 4 service, while this article contains discussion of domestic abuse and self-harm.
Hollyoaks has aired more disturbing scenes for Lucas Hay as he lashes out again, and this time there are some major new consequences.
Lucas has recently been taking his anger out on his dad Ste, who has been keeping it quiet to try and keep his family together. In yesterday's episode, Dillon Ray found out about what was going on and was appalled.
In tonight's instalment, Dillon told Lucas that he "can't even look" at his on-off boyfriend at the moment. Rather than realise how awful he had been, Lucas went to The Dog and raged at his dad in the kitchen.
"You couldn't keep your fat mouth shut, could you? Dillon, he thinks I'm some kind of violent thug now, 'coz you told him that I hit ya. He wants to break up with me now."
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Ste tried to plead that he never told Dillon anything — which is true, as Dillon just overheard them in the hospital — but Lucas refused to listen, and burnt Ste's hand on the stove.
"Why do you always keep making me do this to you?" he exclaimed, without a shred of empathy or awareness.
Dillon later went to The Dog and saw Ste pouring cold water on the burn. As they bandaged his hand up, Ste tried to play it off as an accident, and tried to make out like Dillon had got the wrong idea about Lucas.
Unconvinced, Dillon explained that he was going to break up with Lucas, once again bringing up that he had fallen for Ste.
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"Are you really doing this right now?" Ste replied. "When are you going to get it into your thick head that I've got zero feelings for you...
"I'm trying my best to hold things together, I really am. I'm trying to be a good dad for Lucas. Which is what you should be doing, focus on raising your kid instead of trying to get off with his grandad.
"Why'd you think I'd feel anything for you? You're arrogant. You're entitled, you're selfish."
Ste's plan partly worked, as Dillon said he was "done" with Ste, but backfired as it also made the teen more determined to go break up with Lucas. Knowing that his son would probably take that out on him, a look of horror came across Ste's face.
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As Dillon arrived to get his stuff and call time on his relationship, he realised that Lucas was about to self-harm again.
"I ain't your problem anymore. You deserve better than me. You don't even love me anymore," Lucas said.
Dillon convinced him to put the blade down by telling him that he does still love him, seemingly agreeing to stay together.
Just how far will Lucas' violence and manipulation go?
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
Organisations including The Mankind Initiative provide support and advice to men experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control. The helpline is open weekdays between 10am and 4pm, is 01823 334244.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
