EastEnders spoilers and updates for the week of January 5 tease Harry and Nicola Mitchell’s (Elijah Holloway, revenge, and Julie Bates’ (Karen Henthorn) Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) decision. Also, Jean Slater’s (Gillian Wright) mental health takes a dive!

Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Julie Bates bring Nigel to a care home to discuss options for those with dementia. They learn that if they want him to secure a spot, they need to decide quickly.

 

 

This understandably causes distress for Nige, leading them to take him back home and continue searching elsewhere.

Phil insists that his friend should have a say in his future when Julie starts looking for other care facilities, and later, the two men share a heartfelt conversation.

Nigel shares his desire to visit the beach. Julie faces a tough decision and decides to sell their family home in Scotland to raise the necessary funds for Nigel’s care.

Harry And Nicola’s Revenge
A furious Harry Mitchell is focused on Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), but his mother Nicola advises him to wait for the right moment. Yet, after witnessing the seemingly perfect life of the Gulati family, he feels compelled to act on his plan.

Nicola intervenes to prevent him from resorting to violence and decides to create her own strategy to make Ravi pay for his actions.

The following day, Ravi’s family attends a meeting with Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and her wife, Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace), regarding their adoption process.

Left alone, Ravi goes to Harry’s Barn to drown his sorrows with a grieving Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker); there, scheming Nic secretly drugs his drink.

Ravi’s Horrifying Experience
Ravi later stumbles down Turpin Road, and Harry takes him to The Arches, where he starts experiencing hallucinations; however, Harry’s uncle Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) interrupts his plans, leaving Ravi by himself.

Later, Ravi’s partner Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy), half-brother Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota), and son Davinder “Nugget” Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) grow worried when Ravi fails to come home. Unaware of his condition, and set out to find him.

At The Arches, Ravi has collapsed into the pit, and although he manages to climb out and head to the Square, his visions worsen, causing him to lash out, resulting in dire consequences!

Jean’s Mental Health Takes A Dive
After a very eventful Christmas Day, where Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) was killed and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) was taken into custody, the consequences are still unfolding.

And the Slaters are having a tough time! Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) sets out to assist Zoe, who is in prison – could this be linked to the recent return of Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman)?

Meanwhile, Jean Slater’s (Gillian Wright) mental health declines due to all the family issues.

After attempts from Lily Slater (Gillian Wright), Eve, and Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter), Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) tries to encourage Jean to share her feelings-but her actions raise more worries.

Sam Prepares For Her Breast Cancer Procedure
In the wake of her cancer diagnosis, which came just before Christmas, Sam Mitchell ( Kim Medcalf) finally learns the date of her upcoming lumpectomy. During an emotional exchange, she shares her challenges regarding her health with Alfie, revealing her inner turmoil.

This is the first time that Kim has been willing to share her fears with anyone else, preferring to handle things on her own. As the story progresses, we catch glimpses of her in photographs having heartfelt conversations with her older brother, Phil.

The question looms large: will Sam be able to find the support and strength she truly needs from her family during this difficult time?

Linda’s Trip Down Memory Lane
Meanwhile, a new face is set to arrive in Albert Square, as Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) reconnects with an old friend.

Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) learns that his mother Linda is hesitant about attending her school reunion and encourages her to go, with her friend Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) by her side.

The two women make their way to the event, pretending that Honey is ‘Bea’-another former student Linda used to know.

However, they are in for a surprise when the real Bea (Ronni Ancona) is already at the venue. Linda is not too happy either when Bea starts to share stories about what Linda was like in school-revealing that their memories of their teenage years are quite different.

Elaine Peacock Declares War On The Beales
Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) has officially declared war on the Beale family, escalating their rivalry to a whole new level!

Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) along with his mother Kathy Beale, (Gillian Taylforth), stumble upon the news that Elaine is set to unveil a unique breakfast promotion at Peacock Palace.

To make matters worse, she is even disparaging Kathy’s Cafe in the promotional leaflets she has distributed! It’s hard to believe that the Beales will simply accept this attack without putting up a fight.

Vinny And Penny-New Romance?
Storylines – particularly those involving romance – have been rather subdued for both Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) and, more notably, Vinny Panesar.