EastEnders Joel's 'exit sealed' as harrowing attack on Vicki leaves viewers 'sickened'

EastEnders fans were left in shock at the end of tonight's episode, as teen Joel Marshall brutally attacked his stepmother Vicki Fowler, leaving her lying on the floor unconscious amid the ongoing misogyny plot. The scenes left viewers sickened and in shock, with many believing the storyline is leading to an exit for the character, one way or another.

In tonight's special standalone edition of the soap, viewers watched on as the teens of Walford were exposed to an extremely explicit video, put on the screen by Joel and Tommy, with teacher Julie Bates informing the parents the police were getting involved.

The episode started with Amy Mitchellrunning down the street in tears, telling her father Jack Branning that Joel had hit her. While the sickening footage was playing, Amy also revealed that Joel had been making her feel uncomfortable with his looks towards her.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans in tears as Ben and Callum call it quits in heartbreaking scenes

READ MORE: EastEnders star teases fallout to Vicki's horrific attack by Joel in dark episode

Joel said he was acting in self defence with witnesses including Billy's son, Will Mitchell, backing his statement. The episode wasn't just about the teens though, the incident sparked conversations around the Square, with many of the older characters including Billy and Sharon, appearing to play down what had happened.

As well as showing the video, Joel also left the teacher in tears, telling her to be quiet. As always, he refused to listen to his father Ross, and couldn't accept his behaviour was wrong. Ross got so angry he punched the wall, with Vicki ordering him to leave before he did something he regretted.

However, it was then when Joel went onto brutally attack his stepmother in extremely disturbing scenes. "You get off in making women feel small. That’s why you told me I needed a good slap," she said, before continuing: "You’re a pathetic little beta male, a silly little twerp."

"And you should feel embarrassed, you should feel humiliated because I am so much stronger than you," she shouted as Joel violently attacked Vicki and recorded her as she was left on the ground. The camera then panned away from the kitchen, but Joel could be heard continuously attacking his stepmother as she lay on the ground.

Now fans are convinced there's no way back for Joel, believing he'll be leaving the soap one way or another. One penned: "Surely this is leading to Joel's prison exit," while another said: "The guy who plays Joel is incredible but I think the character is irredeemable at this point."

Another wrote: "Definitely. I hope he dies tbh!" with another responding: "Yeah me too. I think it's the only logical solution."

"Joel is definitely being killed off at Christmas so the question is who’s gonna do it ???" another added.

Fans were also left horrified by Joel's actions, but at the same time, praised EastEnders for bringing awareness. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "todays eastenders episode genuinely made me feel sick to my stomach," while another wrote: "Damn, Eastenders was DARK tonight but man this storyline with Joel is brilliant."

A third penned: "every single person in today’s eastenders episodes deserves their flowers. what an important topic they are all addressing. outstanding acting. just hope this brings as much awareness as possible as to the types of media our young people are exposed to."

Another agreed: "I've just watched that moment between Joel and Vicki again and I'm physically shaking - such a harrowing and chilling scene but Vicki touched on so many points in that scene. Alice Haig is phenomenal."

Spoilers for next week reveal Vicki will be taken to hospital after the brutal attack, with Tommy helping Joel hide in the Slaters garage. But how will the storyline progress?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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