There’s high drama next week in Emmerdale, and not just because it’s the 10,000th episode.
Ruby and Caleb Miligan (Beth Cordingly and William Ash) are both in the frame when Ethan Anderson (Emile John) is left for dead in a hit and run – and there’s a distinct chance that Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) is responsible too.
Left for dead, Ethan is badly injured but manages to drag his way back to the village and shock locals by what has happened to him.
Murderous feelings brewing between them, can the three suspects play it cool?
Meanwhile, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) is finally set to snap at vicious abuser Tom King (James Chase) when he continues to gaslight her.
Weaponising the anniversary of Lisa’s death, Tom pushes his wife too far and she hits back – only for him to turn the tables in the most malicious way.
And finally, as the villagers enjoy a fete, Charity Dingle and Mack Boyd (Emma Atkins and Lawrence Robb) are having private fun of their own.
Or so they think…
Monday May 20
Pulled in all directions, Billy struggles to juggle his conflicting priorities. Exhausted and stressed, Dawn blames her past mistakes for Evan’s condition while overwhelmed Billy worries that, although he’s doing his best, it’s just not enough for his wife.
Belle forces Tom to address the elephant in the room and is hopeful when he agrees to get help. But during his doctors’ appointment with Liam, Tom manipulatively throws Belle under the bus when he instead says Belle is the one with the problems.
Implying she has got behaviour issues ie anger and is exerting coercive control over him. Meanwhile Mandy and Lydia are worried about Belle as she is not being herself and not replying to their calls or texts.
Later, during dinner, Tom puts on a show in front of the Dingles. Unaware he’s lying to her, Belle’s delighted to hear that Tom’s appointment with Liam went well.
Ella panics when Liam suggests staying at her place, but she manages to deflect his offer. Later, on the outskirts of the village, we see Ella bed down in her car, clearly lacking a permanent place to stay.
Tuesday May 21
Ella is found sleeping in her car by Manpreet during her morning run. Embarrassed, Ella begs Manpreet not to tell Liam. Ella’s furious when Manpreet clumsily admits to Liam that she found Ella sleeping in her car.
After some discussion, Liam suggest temporarily moves into the spare room at Tenants and Ella agrees.
Back at Tenants, Mandy enquires about Ella’s family as she moves her stuff into the house. When Ella spots an old photograph in Mandy’s hands, she snaps at her, leaving Mandy confused.
Caleb and Ruby are murderous when they spot Ethan out in the village, each of them eager for retribution.
Mack and Charity crave intimate time together but struggle with their busy lives.
Moira and Cain worry about how attached Isaac has become to Minty the lamb.
Will encourages Dawn to go home and make up with Billy.
Wednesday May 22 (10,000th episode)
As they adjust to living together at Tenants, Ella and Liam navigate their relationship. Liam’s bemused when Ella refuses to get her picture taken and abruptly dashes off.
Out in the beer garden, Mandy advises Liam to make sure Ella has no skeletons in the closet before things get serious between them.
Charles is concerned by Ethan’s absence when he fails to show up to Main Street for the village fete. Meanwhile, on the Village outskirts, Ethan’s bloodied and bruised as he lies in the middle of the road after a deliberate hit and run. A car screeches away from the scene.
Meanwhile, tensions are high as Ruby and Caleb await news on Nicky’s condition. As the fete takes place in the village, the villagers are alarmed when a battered Ethan limps into view before he collapses on Main Street.
As he comes round, Ethan claims he didn’t see his attacker and as his family clusters around him. Cain, Caleb and Ruby watch the spectacle from a distance.
The fete kicks off in classic style. When Minty goes missing, Isaac suspects Cain and Moira of foul play as the villagers and a newspaper photographer hunt for Minty.
Mack and Charity get intimate in a barn but are shocked to be interrupted by the newspaper photographer and the search for Minty.
Thursday May 23
It is the anniversary of Lisa’s death and Tom controls the day by engineering it that she waits in for a parcel for him, rather than join Lydia and Sam in a memory picnic for Lisa.
Meanwhile, at work Vanessa and Rhona prepare for Tom’s performance review but Tom is angered when he realises he’s about to receive some criticism. It’s clear he doesn’t handle the review well.
After Tom learns Belle didn’t wait for his parcel after all his fury boils over But Belle sees red when Tom turns the tables and blames her for ruining the day and makes some harsh comments about her mother.
Finally snapping, Belle pushes Tom over as the villagers watch on in disbelief. Has Belle’s reaction helped sell Tom’s narrative that Belle is the one with the problems?
Ella’s rattled by Liam’s intrusive questions and quickly darts out of the house. Later on, Ella visits a care home…
Rhona and Marlon’s marriage counselling doesn’t go well.
Friday May 24
Ella holds a secret as she tries to keep things from Liam following her surreptitious visit to the care home
Ruby’s left rattled when she receives a mysterious text message.
Caleb’s delighted to see Chas is back from Scotland.
