Every Emmerdale fan has been mentally prepared for the exit of Olivia Bromley, who is set to depart her role as Dawn Taylor after 8 years.
However, things may not be that simple.
It’s been an especially dramatic week in the Dales, which makes the recent change to broadcast scheduling all the more frustrating.
The blushing bride-to-be of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) has been playing the long game, acting all loved up when in fact she plans to jilt him at the altar and flee the country with their unborn child to start a new life with her ex-husband Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle)
Dawn’s desire to escape comes from her conviction that Joe was the one who attacked Billy from behind in the depot after discovering their almost kiss. Billy was obviously all too eager to believe that Joe was behind it, given his lingering feelings for Dawn. That’s presumably why he’s not told her that it was really Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) who attacked him.After all, Joe Tate was a monster. He’s caused nothing but misery for many Emmerdale villagers.
Two of those villagers include Caleb Miligan (William Ash) and his wife Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly), who have countless scores to settle with the nefarious Lord of Home Farm. That’s why they’ve been helping Dawn and Billy to escape, even providing them with fake passports. However, their help came with a cruel condition – for maximum humiliation, Dawn needs to abandon Joe on the day of his wedding and not before.
With one death already confirmed, we all knew that this white wedding was going to get decidedly dark. The death of Jimmy King (Nick Miles) has seemingly been on the cards for a while now, ever since the return of Sadie King (Patsy Kensit) set the rumour mill ablaze. We just don’t know how or when that will happen. However, two more possible deaths have also been teased – one being Dawn herself.
Olivia first revealed that she’d be bowing out from the role back in March. Anyone who knows their soap will realise that being pregnant usually is a Get Out Of Jail Free Card for any looming stunt death. But there are no guarantees, and in tonight’s episode, Dawn finds herself at the heart of danger.
In tonight’s episode, Dawn’s escape attempt isrumbled by Joe’s butler and mentor Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough). To persuade Dawn to stay, he interrogates her version of events regarding Billy’s attack and questioned how Joe could have assaulted him if Billy was jumped from behind? When Graham tries to take her car keys to prevent her leaving, Dawn does what anyone would do – smacks Graham over the head with a shovel and tied him up in the stable.
However, his words got into her head, as we see in tonight’s episode.
Just as she’s about to leave with Billy, Dawn confronts him with Graham’s suspicions and demands the truth. Will a guilt ridden Billy confess?
Meanwhile, after Caleb revealed his evil plan out of pure spite, Joe realises he’s been betrayed by his true love. He hits the bottle hard and starts trashing the wedding venue… only for Dawn to show up at the last minute. She begs for forgiveness and asks to still marry him. Conflicted, Joe is about to answer…
… when Jimmy King’s car ploughs into the marquis. Devestation abounds. Is this the end for Jimmy?
But there’s one more brush with death on the cards, as both Dawn and Joe are trapped under the wreckage.
In the nick of time, Kim Tate (Claire King) arrives with Graham, who has escaped from the Stable. Ever the loyal butler, he starts running inside the Marquis to save Joe.
However, Jimmy’s damaged car has an electrical fault which suddenly explodes in a huge ball of fire, taking the marquis with it…
Who lives and who dies?
Regardless, there’s someone else who should be very worried right now… Billy. If Joe survives, he will want revenge against Billy for ruining his life. And if Joe does die, Graham will take that revenge for him.
One way or another, the Grim Reaper’s going to have a good week in Emmerdale.
