EastEnders fans have been left furious after a online release of a new episode was delayed ahead of a major twist on the long-running BBC soap opera following a dramatic storyline
EastEnders fans have been left furious after a online release of a new episode was delayed. Fans of the BBC soap are normally able to catch all the latest Walford action from 6am when it is released on iPlayer, but several complained that their morning routine had been severely disrupted when the latest instalment did not appear.
Warning, this article contains spoilers from Tuesday night’s episode now available on BBC iPlayer.
One fan wrote: “Someone’s messing up my morning routine by forgetting to flip the switch on the 6am iPlayer release of today’s Eastenders,” and a second said: “It’s 9 minutes PAST six where is #eastenders!”
A third raged: “where the f*** is my eastenders?? this is throwing off my morning routine ffs,” whilst a fourth pointed out that more than two hours later, the episode still hadn’t dropped.
They wrote: “Hello @BBCiPlayer, it’s 8.10am you haven’t released today’s episode of Eastenders. What do I pay tv licence for?” Another said: “They didn’t fire everyone at the @BBC did they? Where’s #EastEnders,” and another angry viewer wrote: “No iPlayer release of #EastEnders this morning. Damn it BBC I could have had an extra half an hour in bed this morning.”
Some speculated that the content of the episode could be the reason behind the delay. One said: “I need commissioners to upload Eastenders to iPlayer on time. If not because of sensitive content, please let us know. Some of us start our day at 6am and look forwards to this!”
Another wrote: “I guess something big is happening as no early release, but if it’s the death spoiler that’s already been confirmed then what the point.”
The episode did eventually become available though, and fans were impressed with it despite the delay. One fan wrote: “Best episode in quite a while that one today,” and another said: “Okay I thought tonight’s episode was the first good one in ages!” As the episode progressed, Harry, having left the house to buy drugs, received a message and went to check on friend Koji, who was being held at knife point by Okie.
Harry Mitchell got involved in a violent tussle, and was knocked unconscious but when he came around, he realised that he had accidentally stabbed Okie. He panicked and tried to help Okie but it was too late as he was already dead, and when Harry’s dad Teddy rushed onto the scene, he decided to take the blame for his son.
Just before the credits rolled, Teddy was arrested and was seen being driven off in a police car. The dramatic scenes were part of a conclusion of a cuckooing storyline, which has seen Okie take part in the criminal practice of taking over the home of a vulnerable person with the intent to deal drugs.
Speaking about the storyline, executive producer Ben Wadey said: “At EastEnders, we’re proud to tell stories that reflect the real challenges people face, and Kojo’s cuckooing storyline is one that feels especially important. Cuckooing is a form of exploitation that too often goes unseen and hasn’t featured on EastEnders before.
“Through Kojo’s experience we hope to have shined a light on how easily vulnerable people can be manipulated and isolated – something that can happen in any community, but feels particularly resonant in a city like London, where people live side by side and yet can still slip through the cracks.
“Working closely with experts and charities, our aim has been to tell this story with care and authenticity, and to raise awareness as to how to identify the signs of exploitation and the importance of reaching out for help.”
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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