EastEnders revealed the return of Max Branning tonight (Tuesday, December 16), as he arrived back in Walford… again. Max’s unexpected return came as Oscar risked his life to save Zoe Slater from a deadly housefire, started by (what seemed to be) her stalker.
Thankfully, both survived the fire and, as the family rushed Oscar to the hospital, his father arrived back on the scene.
But what brings Max back to Walford? And who started the fire anyway?
Zoe and Oscar in danger
As the episode began, the police released Jasmine without charge. They had no evidence that she’d attacked Cindy, and could do nothing with her claims that Zoe is her mother.
Returning to Albert Square, Oscar was determined to build bridges between Jasmine and his family, and brought her home to explain herself. This didn’t go particularly well though and, frustrated by Jasmine’s continued secrecy, he called off their relationship.
Meanwhile, back at Peter and Lauren’s, Zoe was surprised to smell fire coming from one of the bedrooms. She walked in to find a teddy bear ablaze, and the fire beginning to take hold.
And, before she could exit, someone locked the door behind her.
Max Branning returned as a fire broke out in EastEnders tonight
Outside the house, Oscar heard Zoe’
…
