EastEnders’ Linda faces a painful backlash after choosing to help Nancy
Linda tries to support Nancy and address Lee’s drinking in EastEnders, but a decision about an antenatal class leads to a public confrontation.
Coming up on EastEnders, Linda is trying to support two children whose difficulties have become closely connected. Nancy needs help with her pregnancy, while Lee is struggling with drinking that is affecting the family around him.
Nancy agreed to act as a surrogate for Lee and his partner Jess. However, the couple’s separation has left her carrying a baby in circumstances very different from those she originally accepted.
Jess’s return has also exposed problems Lee had not been honest about. Linda has learned more about his drinking, placing her in the painful position of recognising a struggle she understands from her own life.
Wanting him to confront what is happening, Linda challenges Lee to remain sober for a week. At the same time, Nancy admits that she feels overwhelmed and needs support herself.
Linda agrees to attend Nancy’s antenatal class instead of Lee. The arrangement gives Nancy someone she feels able to lean on, but Lee interprets being left out as another rejection.
He drinks before arriving at the class and causes a scene. Rather than allowing Nancy a calmer experience, his response brings the family’s disagreement into a setting where she had hoped to receive practical help.
Max sees the tension and attempts to become involved. Linda asks him to stay out of their family affairs and tells him to leave, making clear that his intervention is not what she needs.
Nancy gives Max a similar response when he later criticises Lee. The Carters eventually call a truce, but Max remains determined to become part of Linda’s family, despite being told that this is a situation they want to handle themselves.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer. Follow SoapLandTV for more from Walford.
Image credit: BBC
