It seems leopard’s don’t change their spots in Walford, as EastEnders have revealed Eddie Knight’s real reason for reconciling with George – and it has nothing to do with feeling guilty about murdering Henry. In tonight’s episode (5 May), Eddie’s true motives for reaching out to his son became clear.
Eddie (Chris Fairbank) had previously been in prison for murdering George’s (Colin Salmon) biological father Henry Asare. But he was released to a hospital for treatment after getting lung cancer.
At first, it seemed his march towards death had pushed the murderer to try to make amends, especially to his son, whom he had been racist towards throughout his life. By the end of the episode, it was revealed that really, he wanted to avoid being sent back to die in prison.
View 3 ImagesGeorge Knight reunited with his dad Eddie(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
In a scene between him and his nurse (Raychel Addo), the medical professional reminded him that he would soon be discharged and if he had no where to go, he would be sent back to prison to die there. As she finished, she patted his shoulder, which he grimaced at and swatted away, as the nurse was a Black woman.
Meanwhile, George seemed to have fallen for Eddie’s pretence of change. He told Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) that he thought his dad was genuinely sorry and deserved a second chance.
Nicola warned him that if he did decide to allow Eddie back into their lives, then it might cause a huge divide with George’s daughter Gina (Francesca Henry), who was also suffered because of Eddie’s racism.
Fans agreed with Nicola, noting that Eddie hadn’t really changed and bringing him back might not just hurt Gina, but George’s brother Kojo (Dayo Koleosho) as well, as Eddie had murdered Kojo’s father.
“Of course Eddie hasn’t changed,” said one fan. They added: “I hope George doesn’t take him in, Kojo would be forced to interact with his father’s murderer!”
View 3 ImagesEddie had gone to prison for murder(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Another pointed out how difficult it would be for Gina: “Gina has every right to hate Eddie because it wasn’t just the fact he hated her, it was the weird comments he made about her appearance if memory serves me right. He seemed to objectify her in a way he never did with Anna, largely because Anna has lighter skin.”
A third questioned how George could consider helping his dad when doing so would be so damaging for his children, including Ivy, his premature infant, and his brother. “Surely George can’t put the welfare of a racist, child-abusing murderer above his kids (one of whom is a premature infant) and vulnerable brother?”
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Some worried about what Eddie might do if he came face to face with Ivy. The show have made it clear that because Ivy is premature, George and Nicola have to keep an eye on her as she is quite fragile. One fan said: “They’re gonna take in Eddie then Eddies going to do something to the baby isn’t he?”
Another agreed: “You’re probably right. He’ll probably learn how delicate her health is because she’s premature and then use that as an opportunity to do something awful. I really hope not, but he has a history of murder….”
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