Emmerdale fans have been waiting weeks to find out what Mackenzie Boyd’s (Lawrence Robb) fate would be, and last night they finally got answers.
In an emotional episode that has been lauded by fans, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) finally woke up and told mum Chas (Lucy Pargeter) that John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) had been holding Mack in an underground bunker.
As the police, flanked by Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), upped their search efforts, spooked John dropped Mack off at the hospital, finally bringing an end to his ordeal.
The episode, with all its twists and turns, was praised by Metro readers, who have been following the storyline, on social media.
‘Fantastic episode tonight. Well done guys. I hope Mackenzie makes a full recovery and that John gets caught,’ Sarah Kaye Brogan wrote, while Michelle Haynes and Ann Willis agreed that it was a ‘brilliant episode’.
‘It had me shouting at the tv it was brill .welcome back 2 soap land,’ Susan Kyle said.
Several more viewers admitted to crying throughout the episode, with Julie Ann confessing that the ending ‘brought her to tears’.
In emotional scenes at the end of the episode, Mack woke up to find Charity at his bedside, and the pair shared a long-awaited reunion.
‘I cried when Mack opened his eyes and said “Charity.” Then I sat and watched it again,’ Bernadette Friel admitted.
‘Absolutely brilliant by all concerned cried at the start and at the end just hope Mackenzie makes a full recovery can’t wait for tomorrow’s episode,’ Syl Jones added.
Sophia Wadey agreed, writing: ‘The one episode we’ve all been wanting and we finally got it. The ending made me cry. Now please give what the people want – Mack&Charity happily ever after with their baby.’
Metro Soaps Reporter Maisie Spackman says…
While this was an excellent episode, filled with tension, action and emotion, it unfortunately fell victim to one of my biggest pet peeves.
The nature of the soap genre means that there is a long history to draw from for almost every character, and when this is ignored or, worse, outright retconned, it leaves me disappointed and, unfortunately, that is what happened in this episode.
Following Mack’s rescue in last night’s episode, Charity held vigil at his bedside and said something that made me actually pause and say, ‘Girl, please.’
‘I can’t imagine what you went through down there, tied up like some wild animal…’
Unfortunately, Charity, you absolutely can.
Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) used almost exactly that turn of phrase to describe Charity’s ordeal at the hands of Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) in 2014, after he kidnapped her and kept her chained up in a shipping container.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that Jai has still never faced consequences or even acknowledged what he did, with both him and Charity interacting like it never happened.
I know that Charity has suffered a lot of other trauma in her life, but I just feel like this is a significant event that she’d remember.
Not only does ignoring this part of her history shatter the illusion of realism, but it’s also a wasted opportunity for a future conversation between Charity and Mack, as she supports him through his recovery. If he survives, that is…
Maybe I’m just sensitive because the Macey Madness storyline of 2014, which ultimately led to Charity’s captivity, is one of my favourite soap storylines of all time, but it just feels like too significant an event in Charity’s life to overlook.
However, some fans aren’t sure if this really is the end, with Nicola Mousley predicting: ‘I fear there’s a twist coming…’
‘I think he will die,’ Serena Fraser agreed, while Kim Burke echoed: ‘I think Mack will die.’
Of course, this is a soap, and while the story may not end in death, there is sure to be heartache along the line, given that Charity slept with Ross Barton (Michael Parr) while Mack was missing.
Not to mention the fact that she is now pregnant, and can’t be sure if the baby is a result of Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) IVF or her fling with her ex.
And Mack isn’t the only person to have fallen victim to John’s crimes, with Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) currently in prison having been framed for John and Aaron’s attempted murders.
Metro readers are keen to see John face justice, and hope that Robert will be freed in upcoming scenes.
‘Tonight was SO GOOD! I can’t wait to see everyone apologise to Robert! Please let this mean that Robron will be back on,’ Sarah Louise Whittle enthused.
‘Free Robert,’ Angela Drane declared, while Helen Markland pointed out: ‘Sooner they catch John and arrest him Robert will be freed from prison.’
Will the fans get their wish, or are there really more twists and turns to come?
