{"id":40257,"date":"2023-11-22T13:19:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T12:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1931545"},"modified":"2023-11-22T15:34:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T14:34:32","slug":"eastenders-airs-disturbing-dean-manipulation-in-early-iplayer-release","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/eastenders-airs-disturbing-dean-manipulation-in-early-iplayer-release\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders airs disturbing Dean manipulation in early iPlayer release"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dean’s torment hung heavy on Linda’s shoulders. <\/p>

By Helen Daly\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 22 November 2023 at 12:19 PM<\/p>

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Warning: this article contains spoilers for EastEnders\u2019 episode, airing on 22nd November 2023. It also contains discussion of sexual assault that some may find upsetting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Events took a dreadful turn on EastEnders for Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she continued to be tormented by Dean Wicks (Matt di Angelo).<\/p>\n

While Dean recovered in hospital after being attacked by George (Colin Salmon), the Knights wondered if they wouldn\u2019t get to spend Christmas with the paternal figure.<\/p>\n

The girls couldn\u2019t come to terms with George leaving them and having to go to prison, and Linda was equally as worried for her mum\u2019s fianc\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Dean offered them a life-line \u2013 if Linda admitted she wasn\u2019t raped by Dean, he wouldn\u2019t press charges.<\/p>\n

Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) wondered if Linda should do it, just to get Dean off their backs, but Linda insisted she couldn\u2019t \u2013 what if another woman was attacked by him?<\/p>\n

George was insistent they stood up to the rapist, but it didn\u2019t work and Dean remained firm.<\/p>\n

\"Matt\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Dean Wicks (BBC)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Gina and Anna tried their hand, and went to speak to Cindy to see if she would talk some sense into Dean.<\/p>\n

Worried for her relationship with her kids, Cindy actually did get through to Dean, who eventually decided to drop it for the sake of his business.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Linda was considering the potential impact of George being sent to prison, with Ollie especially concerned at his exit.<\/p>\n

Feeling guilty at what George\u2019s attack on her behalf could mean, Linda went to see Dean, clearly having not caught up with Anna and Gina about their breakthrough with Cindy.<\/p>\n

She made a fake confession, telling Dean she had been lying the whole time, and he didn\u2019t rape her.<\/p>

The disturbing scene was punctuated by a poignant moment when Dean pressed record on his voice notes app.<\/p>\n

As Linda returned to the Queen Vic, she was broken and exhausted. Without fully telling Elaine what happened, the mother knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only words,\u201d Elaine reassured Linda, but without knowing the horrible lengths Dean had gone to earlier.<\/p>\n

Will those words prove to have huge consequences?<\/p>\n

Anyone affected by Linda\u2019s story can find support by visiting\u00a0Rape Crisis<\/a>, or calling their 24\/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n