Spoilers only - EastEnders

[gaysoapfan]

The latest from Digital Spy:

Monday, October 26: "Syed's still shocked by the blackmail-style note, hiding it from Zainab. Zainab expresses her disbelief that someone spiked Tamwar's drink at the Vic. Tamwar grows tired of trying to prove his innocence."

Tuesday, October 27: "Syed asks Tamwar why he told Amira about his past. Tamwar says he's unhappy that Syed's always the golden boy."

More fodder for discussion!

[tubedout]

Pictures from Syed and Amira's wedding:

tv.sky.com/eastenders-spoilers-syed-amiras-wedding

[luvagdluvstory]

whaaaaaaaat!!!!!! nooooooo!!! poor Cristian. i was hoping he wouldn't marry Amira.

[gaysoapfan]

The latest spoilers from Digital Spy:

Thursday, October 22: "Tamwar celebrates his birthday at The Vic, much to Zainab's disappointment."

Friday, October 23: "Tamwar tries to chat up a woman in The Vic but whines that he's 'terminally single'; Lucy spikes Tamwar's drink with vodka; an inebriated Tamwar kisses Amira on the cheek and receives a slap in return; and as Syed takes a drunk Tamwar home, he finds a 'Bad Boy' note with a picture of him and Christian kissing."

[maya]

Amira's father has been casted

www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a182205/this-life-actor-tikaram-joins-enders.html

[maya]

Monday 26th October

Syed's forced to hide the 'Bad Boy' blackmail note when Zainab walks into the room. Tamwar then enters, prompting Zainab to vent about someone spiking his drink the previous night. With Tamwar at the café, Syed leaves his brother a message on his phone claiming that they need to talk. At Christian's flat, Syed hands over the 'Bad Boy' note but Christian laughs it off. Syed thinks Tamwar sent it but Christian disagrees. Lucy points Tamwar out to Syed who's looking for his brother, convinced he knows about Christian. Tamwar quickly leaves when Zainab starts moaning about her 'alcoholic son'. Later in the café, Tamwar realises that Lucy was the one who spiked his drink. At the Masala Queen unit, Syed tells Christian that he has to tell Amira about them, just as Amira enters with Tamwar. Amira says: "She already knows."

Tuesday 27th October

Standing in front of Syed at the Masala Queen unit, Amira demands that Syed be honest, before asking Christian to leave. Thinking that Amira knows the truth about him and Chrsitian, Syed starts to apologise until Amira reveals that she's talking about the fact Syed embezzled a load of money from her family. Syed admits that he was at an all-time low and before Amira heads off to work, she says that they're sharing everything. On the Square, Syed confronts Tamwar over why he told Amira about his shady past and Tamwar insists that he's fed up of his older brother being the favourite son. Syed then receives a mystery text and when he calls the number back, he looks across the street and sees Ian answer.

Later in the café, Syed receives another text message after seeing Ian fiddling with his phone. Syed confronts the café owner, but an inebriated Ian waffles on about Jane. Misreading the situation, Syed presumes by Ian's insinuation that Christian is the one sending the texts. Christian, however, turns up at the café and is confronted by Syed. Syed receives another text, though, with Christian sat right in front of him. Syed's further perplexed by the sender's identity.

Christian confides in Lucy about his dilemma, without mentioning Syed's name;

Thursday 29th October

Meanwhile, Syed and Christian discuss the mystery text messages in the café. Lucy's working in there and is fiddling with her phone, just as Syed receives another message. Lucy checks her phone again later and mutters, 'Fine, if that's how you want to play it'. She then responds and sends a message back, demanding £300. Christian, however, suggests that Syed calls the blackmailer's bluff…

Friday 30th October

Elsewhere, Syed tells Christian that he's not heard from their blackmailer but Lucy overhears their conversation; and Syed receives a text calling him a 'silly boy' and revealing that 'there's a letter in the post to mummy'.

[bdc]

26th October 2009







Copyright: BBC

[gaysoapfan]

Here's an interview with John Partridge from Digital Spy. I've included both parts, and I'm posting it here because there are all sorts of spoilers.

* * *

John Partridge Interview
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Kris Green

Syed and Christian's clandestine relationship continues to rumble on during next week's EastEnders but with Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield) blackmailing the unassuming Masood, the pair panic that their relationship could be exposed at any time. However, only when Christian--played by 38-year-old John Partridge--rumbles Lucy's selfish scheme do the threats to expose their affair cease. How does Christian out Lucy as the underhand schemer? And does Christian really love Syed? We recently gave John a call to find out the answer to those questions and more.

Do you think Christian and Syed love each other?

"Yes, I do--I would say that, though! But yes, at this point in time I do think they fall in love with each other completely. I think Syed's lived so long compartmentalising his feelings and he's quite happy doing that but I think we've recently started to see that unravel with the massive confession that Syed made to the imam. I don't think he would ever have made that confession if he wasn't in love with Christian. It's the first time he's ever told anybody about his feelings outside the relationship and he chose to do this to his religious mentor.

"He could have carried on living the life he's been living but obviously the feelings are increasing and he doesn't know what to do with them. If that's not love, what is it? It's not lust--lust doesn't drive you to question your whole religious belief. Lust is something you can have and then wipe yourself down and walk away. This is far bigger than that."

How does the blackmail plot start to unravel next week?

"Syed's had the letter and the photographs and Christian's a bit blasé about it and says that the photograph's hardly incriminating--it's not showing them doing anything. He's been trying to pacify Syed, also he's so frightened that just when it looks like things might move on and there's a chance, the financial request from the blackmailer throws a spanner in the works. It's probably going to set Syed back emotionally so Christian's constantly trying to say, 'Don't worry about it--it's no big deal'."

What happens?

"Syed leaves £300 in a telephone box and Christian can't believe he's actually gone along and done it and that he didn't even see who [collected] the money. The blackmailer then decides he's going to write to Zainab as well to let her know. Syed manages to intercept this card, though. Masood then walks into the café with the post and Christian can't get the mail. Masood's really tired, though, falls asleep in the cafe and Christian manages to swipe the letter and give it to Syed. It doesn't mention anything, it just says, 'You're a bad, bad boy', again. Syed's definitely relieved it hasn't mentioned anything else. Christian then tells Syed that he needs to call the blackmailer but he's reluctant to. Christian sneakily manages to get Syed's telephone off him because he wants to confront the blackmailer himself.

"Christian calls this number just as Masood happens to be walking through the park and the phone is ringing in the bin, so Masood picks it up out of the bin and goes into the Vic. As they're in the pub, the phone rings again and this time it's Ian on the end who says that Lucy's been mugged."

How does Christian react to the news that Lucy's the blackmailer?

"Christian's mind is whirling. He really doesn't want to believe it's Lucy that's done this because Lucy's the only person who actually knows about Syed and Christian--what could she possibly be gaining from this? Christian goes to meet Lucy and he asks her, 'Why do you want to persecute the man I...' and stops just short of saying, 'the man I love'."

What's Lucy's reasoning?

"Lucy responds that she was doing it for Christian as she could see how unhappy he was and in her defence, I think she was initially doing it for him. I think it was done out of love but in the meantime, she thought she could make a quick £300 out of it. Christian absolutely reads her the riot act--he's disgusted with her and can't believe it.

"He goes back to Syed and says that it's been dealt with. Syed pushes and pushes him to tell him who it is--he's really ungrateful and rude about it--so Christian tells him it was Lucy. Syed leaves and puts the frighteners on her, too. On bonfire night, he goes after Lucy and lets her know in no uncertain terms that she has to keep her mouth shut..."

Apparently the big reveal's going to be huge--are you looking forward to it?

"I am so looking forward to it. It feels like Christmas Eve--all that anticipation! It's like I can't wait to wake up and open all my fabulous things! When you've worked on something and invested so much in something--we've all gotten so close in all of this as well. In some ways we can't wait for those episodes to start but we also know in some ways that it's like the end of an act of a play. It's a double-edged sword in a way. I don't want to big it up too much yet but the writing is so brilliant. Everything comes out--the blood and guts and tears and shouting. Everything you've wanted to be said will be said within these episodes, they are amazing.

"Me and Nina have some corking scenes coming up--absolutely blood-curdling scenes and I cannot wait to play them with her. I love Nina--she's brilliant, funny, comic--but when she turns she's like an absolute lioness. I cannot wait to stand in front of her and feel the wrath of it. That's what's going to happen--she's going to explode."

Were you initially cautious about the storyline?

"Originally, if I'm honest, no I wasn't. I wasn't bothered in the slightest because it's a television programme, not real life, we're actors and I look at things from that perspective. We did have a meeting--myself and the Masoods--with Diederick [Santer] and we spoke about this storyline at length. Marc [Elliott] was pretty much of the same philosophy as me: we thought it was a brilliant story and great for us to play and we were really looking forward to it. It was only when they started talking that Marc started thinking maybe there's going to be something from this.

"When the story broke, I was on holiday in Cyprus and initially Marc and I didn't want them to announce it before it first unfolded on screen. When Christian had a gay kiss about nine months before, we received [lots of] complaints. Because of that, they thought this would be an extremely contentious issue and wanted to release the story before it happened.

"There were all these headlines about 'the most controversial and shocking story ever' and I think because of that, people were expecting this over-the-top, gratuitous, sensationalist thing. However, it's been so cleverly conceived, written and directed, everybody involved has really taken the time to see where we are in this story and see how it's grown. It's about what you haven't seen rather than what you have seen, it's drawn people in with its tenderness.

"There's no 'shocking' element to put people off. In a way, it's something you wouldn't necessarily expect from EastEnders--you would expect to have seen a bit more!

"It is a gay storyline and that's not going to be everybody's cup of tea. Not everyone's going to want to see that in their living room at 7.30pm but we didn't want that to stop us doing the story. That's why it's been done the way it has and it's gained way more popularity because people have been able to see something tender and beautiful between two men that they haven't found offensive and that hasn't put them off. I'm so proud of everybody here for being clever enough to do that and it's been a great thing for the show."

How much do you enjoy Christian and Jane's relationship?

"It's one of those relationships where I don't need to tell her every single thing or be with her all the time but if something really goes wrong, he knows Jane would be there for him and likewise he's there for her. It's like my own relationship with my sister. In actual fact, Laurie and my real-life sister share the same birthday! Both Aries, born on the same day two years apart. We're actually more like brother and sister than anybody knows! I have a great working relationship and personal relationship with Laurie--I love her to death."

What's Christian's take on Jane's baby predicament?

"To be honest, he wants her to have a baby. You could say that's Christian's selfish trait but I think if you need something for your own personal happiness you must go for that. Jane wants a baby--that's what she wants and what will make her happy. In not having one, she'll probably settle but it's going to make her incredibly unhappy and that's something Christian can't understand. He lives his life thinking if that's what you want you've got to go for it and, in some ways, screw the consequences. People make that out to be selfish but if you need something for your own happiness you have to grab the opportunity. Christian would love nothing more for her than to have a baby no matter what the cost. He would encourage her to go for it."

When's Lynda Baron coming back as Christian and Jane's mum Linda?

"God, I don't know--how fabulous is she? She couldn't be more perfect--an old showgirl hoofer! When she was here it was hilarious. Me, Laurie and Lynda singing showtunes and highkicking--it was all eyes, t*ts and teeth down this corridor. I think the thing was I don't think Lynda ever wanted to stay very long. She was quite happy to come in for a little stint and go away. I don't think it's something where she ever thought she'd be here for a long time. I'd love her to come back and give Christian a good talking to--it's when he'll need his mum. She's an absolute legend."

[gaysoapfan]

From Digital Spy:

Monday, November 2: "Syed checks his phone when Christian suggests that he return home to intercept the letter that's been sent to Zainab by the blackmailer. At that moment, Lucy walks in. Syed returns home and asks Amira if there's been any post, lying that he's waiting for a wedding catalogue. Syed then receives another text message demanding £300. Later, Syed leaves the cash in a phone box and as he does, he receives another text asking him to walk away. At Masala Queen, Christian's furious at Syed for giving in to the blackmailer's demands. They soon hug but are forced to spring apart when Amira turns up. At the phone box, Lucy takes the money but is startled by Lucas. As Lucy walks down an alley with her new phone, Jay lifts his hood and jumps her, stealing her phone in the process."

Tuesday, November 3: "Stunned about having attacked Lucy, Jay stares at her as she lay motionless on the floor. Regaining consciousness, Lucy asks Jay what happened and he claims that he just found her. He helps her back to the Beales' where Ian's looking after Oscar. While Jane talks to Ian about adopting, Jay walks in with a dishevelled Lucy. Ian's furious that she's been mugged and goes to call the police, which visibly unnerves Jay. Concerned that she'll be caught out as the blackmailer, Lucy puts Ian off the idea. Ian tries to give Jay a £10 reward, but he declines and informs Ian that Lucy's attacker was after her new phone. Dr Al checks Lucy's injuries and he suggests that she go to the hospital as she could have concussion. With the phone in his pocket, Jay panics when Ian asks Lucy for the number. Jay makes a swift exit and bins the phone in the Square gardens.

Syed and Christian attempt to intercept the blackmailer's letter to Syed when Masood walks into the café with the post. Christian's shocked when he opens the letter. Christian's confused when he calls the blackmailer's phone and sees Masood with it, having retrieved Lucy's missing phone from the bin in the Square. Christian's stunned to hear that Lucy was mugged and realises that she's the blackmailer."

Thursday, November 5: "Christian confronts Lucy over the blackmailing, and Lucy protests that she was blackmailing Syed for Christian's sake. Christian blurts out the identity of the blackmailer at the bonfire celebrations, and Syed follows Lucy back to her house."

[bdc]

Monday, November 2 2009



Lucy takes the £300 she blackmailed Syed for.



Christian is angry that Syed paid the blackmailer.



Realising Syed is vulnerable he stops being angry and hugs him.

Copyright: BBC

[bdc]

Thursday, November 5 2009



Christian catches up with Lucy and confronts her in the Square implying she’s the blackmailer.

Copyright: BBC

[alisia41]

John Partridge in All About Soap says that Christian is totally besotted with Syed and will do anything to be with him. And that the reason he doesn't want Syed to give in to the blackmailer is because he's terrified of losing Syed, as he thinks he might end the relationship cos of the blackmail. He also says that the whole thing brings them closer and they realise their relationship is worth fighting for. Johnny finished by saying that Christian will always be with Syed for as long as Syed wants him

[gaysoapfan]

Just one little spoiler from Digital Spy for the week of November 9th-13th:

November 12: "In the café, Lucy puts her investigative skills to good use in a bid to discover who attacked her--she thinks it's Syed, but Jay says that she has no proof."

[gaysoapfan]

More Digital Spy spoilers:

November 9: "Christian commends Jay for 'saving Lucy' after the mugging."

November 10: "Believing that Syed attacked him, Lucy tells him that she's not frightened by his actions."

November 12: "Lucy continues to try to work out who attacked her. Christian hands Lucy some emails that were sent from Syed's address, proving he couldn't have attacked her."

[gaysoapfan]

Here's a big spoiler from Digital Spy:

November 26: "Christian tells Syed that he loves him as the pair watch Amira catch Denise's bouquet."

I figured that this had to be coming soon, after Christian said "I behave the way I do because I... care" yesterday!

[gaysoapfan]

Spoilers from Digital Spy:

Monday, November 23: "Masood's intrigued when Amira receives a letter demanding rent and another from HM Prison Service. Amira's forced to look for another flatmate. Amira tells Chelsea that she can't let her move in due to her criminal record."

Thursday, November 26: "Just as Christian tells Syed that he loves him, the pair witness an ecstatic Amira catching Denise's bouquet."

Tuesday, December 1: "Amira asks Masood if he can still afford to pay her rent. He says it's all under control, then makes a call to Janine asking for more taxi shifts."

Thursday, December 3: "Zainab overhears Masood on the phone to Janine, chasing work. She can see how tired he is and worries that his health will suffer just for the sake of a little extra money."

The November 23rd episode must be the set-up for the arrival of Amira's father.

[gaysoapfan]

From Digital Spy, spoilers about the arrival of Amira's father and the wedding preparations:

December 17: "Amira visits her father Qadim in prison to inform him of her exciting news but she doesn't get the reaction that she expected."

December 18: "Amira and Syed continue planning their wedding in earnest and think speculatively about their future. Christian looks at the happy couple longingly."

[maya]

I've found this on digital spy forum:

"Eeeek! All about soap spoiler!!!Dec 3rd! ILY alert!!!!
Masood is in danger when he works too hard and Syed and Christian finally take the plunge and admit they love each other"

[gaysoapfan]

Some more Digital Spy spoilers:

December 24: "Christian takes matters into his own hands and makes dramatic plans --which, in turn, leave Syed in a state of indecision."

December 28: "During the lead up to the wedding, all eyes are on Syed and Amira. Syed proves a hit on the dance floor, while Amira's style is widely applauded."

December 31: "The day of Amira and Syed's wedding has arrived, and Masood takes issue with Zainab over an omission on the wedding checklist. His enquiries, however, lead to a shocking revelation. Elsewhere, Christian is forced into making some tough decisions."

[gaysoapfan]

Here are the detailed spoilers from Digital Spy for next week. They aren't good!

Tuesday, December 1: "Masood informs Amira that he's paid her rent up to the wedding so she can live in the flat alone. Amira accidentally drops the ripped letter and visiting order from her father in front of Masood. Masood agrees to keep quiet about the letter Amira received from her father. After a chat with Masood, Amira reconsiders her relationship with her father. Masood asks Janine for as many taxi shifts as possible."

Thursday, December 3: "As Masood heads over to the Car Lot to tell Janine that he can't work his shift, Max collars him and asks if he can take Rachel home to Tring. Taking the opportunity to earn a hefty fare, Masood accepts the job. As a tired Masood drives Rachel home, she unfastens her seatbelt to answer a call from Max. As Masood's eyes close and his hearing drops, the car suddenly swerves and Rachel is thrown across the back seat. The car eventually comes to a halt but it soon falls onto its roof, leaving an unconscious Masood slumped at the wheel and a bloodied Rachel sprawled across the back. Elsewhere, Zainab encourages Syed and Amira to postpone the wedding due to her pregnancy but Masood reassures his wife that she'll look beautiful. Masood asks Amira to take Zainab out for a girly day. Syed spends the day with Christian who reaffirms his love for Syed, before Syed reluctantly--and quietly--confesses that he feels the same. Zainab and Amira return from their shopping spree, having found Zainab the perfect outfit for the wedding--but it costs £300."

Friday, December 4: "Masood hobbles around the house on crutches following his car crash and Zainab worries that he could be taken to court for reckless driving. Masood, however, has a lot more on his mind--the condition of Rachel, the possibility that he'll lose his driving licence, Archie's car being written off and paying Amira's rent. The police question Masood about the road traffic accident and as Masood recounts his version of events, Amira interrupts to 'remind him' of the child in the road that he swerved to avoid. Masood realises that Amira's fed him a line and with that, Masood continues the tale, explaining that there was a youth swerving in the road with no helmet or lights. Uncomfortable with the lie, Masood goes on to agree with Amira that if he hadn't have moved the car as quickly as he did, the teen on the moped would be dead. As the police leave, they inform Masood that without the moped driver, there's nothing more they can do about the accident. With the police out of the house, Amira's forced to defend her lie, claiming that she doesn't want to see another father sent to prison. Later, Max receives an update from the hospital regarding Rachel's condition--her spleen has haemorrhaged and she's been rushed in for emergency surgery. At the Masoods, Zainab comforts her husband but he's devastated by the recent turn of events. Elsewhere, Syed tells Christian that he felt forced into saying 'I love you' the previous day and his father's accident is his punishment. Syed tells a frustrated Christian that it's over between them because he's a 'good Muslim.'"

Christian and Syed won't be on the following week.

[gaysoapfan]

Digital Spy Spoilers:

Monday, December 14: "Masood struggles with the family finances."

Tuesday, December 15: "Zainab's unhappy to discover that she's the oldest mother-to-be at the antenatal classes. She doesn't hold back, though, as before they leave, Zainab makes sure that they know some truths about child birth. Back on the Square, Amira informs Masood that she's cancelled the white horse Syed intended to turn up to the wedding on. After further discussion, Masood's financial woes are finally revealed. Zainab shows some compassion toward her husband, while Amira resolves to visit her father in prison and ask for help with the wedding fund."

Thursday, December 17: "Amira visits her father Quadim in prison where she apologises for not turning up sooner. Qadim tells Amira that he has money stored for her future, but she breaks the news to him that she's back with Syed. Qadim's furious about Amira's wedding plans, claims that she's attention-seeking and refuses to give his blessing for her wedding."

Friday, December 18: "Syed and Amira give Masood and Zainab the money from Qadim's safety deposit box. Christian struggles to cope during the wedding rehearsals."

[maya]

DIGITAL SPY FULL SPOILERS 21st-1st January!!!!!!!!

21st - ane confides in Christian about her husband's stupidity. Christian unwitting reveals that he's met someone and has been having a relationship with them for a number of months. Later in the Square, Jane spots Christian staring up at Syed's bedroom window and she suddenly realises that Syed is the man that her brother's in love with.

22nd - Christian reveals all about his affair with Syed, Christian gives Jane details about his affair with Syed and Jane, in return, lists the possible consequences of his actions. Christian tells Jane that Syed ended their affair a couple of weeks ago; Jane tells Christian that she can't support him when he reveals that he's bought tickets to Barcelona for himself and Syed!!

24th - Christian asks Syed to meet him at 6pm as he has two one-way tickets to Barcelona; Christian says goodbye to Jane as he heads for the taxi; Heather asks Shirley to be George's godmother but she declines; Later, Christian's eyes light up when Syed appears to be joining him on his trip but Amira turns up, too!


28th - Syed and Amira discuss the wedding but Amira realises that her husband-to-be is missing Christian, Lucy tells Syed that Christian's in Barcelona and has no intention of returning.


29th - SO MUCH MASOODS AND CHRISTIANS IN FFIN BARCELONA?
While Zainab's worried about the impending Mehndi, Syed's at the Masala Queen unit talking to a furious Lucy about his relationship with Christian. Jane wanders in and informs Lucy that although the situation is far from perfect, they need to keep it quiet in order to maintain peace with the Masoods. Later, Amira informs Syed that her father's lawyer has found a loophole in the law, meaning that he's to be released in time for their wedding. Syed's pleased that Qadim can attend the ceremony, but Amira confesses that he didn't give the wedding his blessing and will probably want his money back. the Masood house is packed with guests in striking outfits. Bushra turns up with her daughters and cousin Afia. Soon after, a procession forms and everyone follows the drummers to the club house. Masood greets the guests and when Amira arrives, Tamwar takes her arm and walks past all the guests to the stage. Jane approaches to feed Amira and Syed metai and before she does, Amira asks Jane where Christian is and she reveals that he's in Barcelona. Masood introduces the dancers to their friends and family and it's not long before Syed joins in. Amira's immensely proud of her future husband's moves on the dancefloor. Afterwards, Syed suggests a dance-off between the men and women and despite laughing at Tamwar's footwork, Zulekha writes her mobile number on his hand. With the congregation in high spirits, Syed and Amira are stunned when the music cuts and Qadim appears…
omfg

31st - OMFG
Following Qadim's surprise appearance at the Mehndi the previous day, Syed's determined to face him alone and prove that he's a worthy husband for his daughter. With Zainab and Masood listening on the stairs, Qadim expresses his thoughts that Syed's an inappropriate match for Amira and when Syed confesses that he and Amira took the money from his safety deposit box, Qadim's worst fears are confirmed. At that moment, Amira barges in and claims that it was her idea to take the cash, not Syed's. Wanting to put the situation right, Syed offers to pay the money back. Amira and Syed, however, are shocked when Qadim agrees and asks for it to be returned by the following day.

Tamwar has a date with Zulekha and claims that he's going to Ricky and Bianca's engagement party. Zainab's not happy about the idea but after some convincing by Masood, they agree he can go, so long as Syed goes as well. Christian returns to Walford and goes to Ricky and Bianca's engagement party to spy on Syed. Amira hurries through the Square in the hope of seeing in the New Year with Syed but as Syed turns to leave the kitchen, Christian's blocking his path. As midnight strikes, Christian and Syed share a kiss, before Christian pleads with Syed to be true to himself and come clean with Amira. With that, Amira walks in and Christian looks on as the 'happy couple' embrace. Seeing Christian's turmoil, Lucy drags Christian away. Jane joins them as everyone sings 'Auld Lang Syne' outside and despite her insistence that Christian leave Syed alone, Christian threatens that there will be no wedding tomorrow…

Elsewhere, Syed thinks that his little brother has been stood up on his date; Tamwar's shocked when Afia turns up instead of Zulekha;

1st - The final preparations for Syed and Amira's wedding are well under way and as Syed stares out of the window in his wedding attire, he spots Christian. A flustered Zainab walks into the room and exclaims that the horse has arrived early but she's taken aback when she sees her son in his outfit. Syed hands his mother a gold necklace. Over at the Beales', Christian is dressed for the wedding and tells Jane that he's prepared to hurt Syed because of his cowardly actions. Syed reads a text message and leaves, Qadim waits for Amira's arrival with the money but when he sees her dressed for the wedding, he asks if he could walk her into the ceremony. Syed, meets Christian in the café, where Syed insists that he has to go through with the ceremony. Zainab sees an emotional Christian leave the café and asks Syed what's wrong with him, before jumping to the conclusion that Christian propositioned her son. As Zainab heads to the Beales' to confront Christian, Syed's forced to stop her. Syed's on the horse parading around the Square, before the procession to the club house begins behind the drummers. The locals look on and as the procession reaches Bridge Street, Masood thanks the crowd for their support. Syed stares at Christian from afar, which doesn't go unnoticed by Zainab. With everyone else en route to the ceremony, Zainab stays behind to confront Christian over harassing Syed. Christian tries to remain calm but when Zainab calls him sick, Christian stuns Zainab to the core when he reveals that he and Syed have been seeing each other.


Zainab's in utter shock following Christian's bombshell revelation. Christian explains that he and Syed have been seeing each other behind everyone's backs for months and as he recounts how their relationship began, Christian states that Syed is gay. With that, Zainab slaps him. At the wedding venue, meanwhile, everyone's waiting for Zainab. When Amira kisses Tamar on the cheel, Afia looks on in jealousy. Still on the horse, Syed receives a call from Christian who admits that he's told Zainab everything. Syed's horrified by Christian's actions and as Syed sees his mother arrive, Christian sets off for the ceremony.

Inside, Zainab confronts Syed about Christian's claims and demands to know if he's lying. As Zainab continues to insult Christian, Syed snaps and furiously shouts at her. As Syed's stare meets his mothers, Syed admits that he's gay and that he's in love with Christian. Syed suggests that they delay the wedding, but Zainab's not convinced that it's the right thing to do. She goes on to state that Syed should have tried harder with Amira. Devastated by his mother's attitude towards him, Syed pleads with Zainab to understand and help his predicament. Zainab, however, can barely look her son in the eyes.

Later, in the ceremony hall, Syed sits with imam Ali as Qadim enters with Amira. Christian then enters the reception hall and a waiter ushers him upstairs to where the wedding's being held…

[gaysoapfan]

Are the dates for these episodes right, maya? The scheduling on Digital Spy is really confusing, but it looks to me as though the stuff about Zainab confronting Christian seems to extend over two days, and Zainab confronts Syed on the second day. Digital Spy usually posts in four episode/one week units. That would make for the following schedule:

December 28: Qadim arrives

December 29: Christian returns and confronts Syed

December 31: Zainab confronts Christian

January 1: Zainab continues arguing with Christian and confronts Syed

Even more confusing is that fact that there are three days of spoilers between Christian's departure on the 24th and Qadim's arrival, including the one that you've assigned to the 28th. Are they airing Eastenders on the weekend, too? That would work: there would be two days for the aftermath of Archie's murder, and then the spoiler that you've assigned to the 28th would go on the 27th. But do they ever air Eastenders over a holiday weekend like that?

I'm really confused!

Also: there are tons of spoiler photos on Digital spy for these episodes, but I haven't been able to figure out how to post them here. Could someone help with that?

[maya]

gaysoapfan I answered you on the spoiler discussion thread

[sheepiefarm]

here's a link to the preview pics
www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/i212758/syed.html

because they're BBC copyright - couldn't post the images direct