EastEnders - 25/12/2009

The Mitchells have all taken shelter in different houses around the Square. Peggy leaves Dot’s house and arrives at Shirley’s flat and sees a drunk Phil and Shirley kissing. Enraged, she tells Phil how ashamed of him she is, he should have dealt with Archie when she asked him to. Phil tries to sober up announcing to Shirley that he is going to kill Archie. Roxy and Amy have spent the night at Jack’s, and Archie turns up with a sack full of Christmas presents for Amy. Jack is angry at Archie’s presence and heads off to visit Ronnie. Archie requests Roxy comes over to the Vic later. Afterwards, Archie visits Ronnie in hospital and an enraged Ronnie is unable to make eye contact with him. Jack arrives and forces Archie out. Jack tries to support Ronnie while she paces the hospital ward in a frenzied state. Ronnie declares she wants Archie dead. Later, Jack returns to the hospital ward with a doctor to find Ronnie has disappeared. At Pat’s house, the Jackson children are keen to open their presents and Bianca eventually relents. Janine calls round asking what time the family will be at the Vic for Christmas lunch. When Ricky states they will actually be having dinner at Pat’s, Janine is furious telling Ricky that she will not forgive him. As she leaves, Janine sees Ryan who announces he has quit his job at the Vic. The Jackson family enjoy their Christmas day with an unusual Christmas dinner, it swiftly develops into a food fight! Bianca tells Ricky that he does not have to move out before blurting out a confession of her love and proposes marriage. But they are soon interrupted… Abi lays the table for herself and Max to eat the Christmas dinner she has prepared. Their home is empty of possessions and people. After finishing their meal, Max and Abi hear the doorbell ring. Expectantly Abi answers the front door hoping to see her mother. It is, however, not Tanya but Bradley, Stacey, Mo, Jean, Charlie, Jim and Dot. After visiting the Branning’s residence, Mo encourages the family to go to the Vic for a drink. Stacey and Charlie refuse in light of recent events and Stacey strides off home. After the humiliation of the family visiting his empty and sad home, Max secretly takes Abi’s phone and calls Tanya. What will he say to her? Archie and Janine are upstairs in the Vic. Janine’s dream has come true – she’s in the Vic. The couple discuss Janine’s childhood at the Vic and Archie appeals to Janine not to worry about the lunch, he’ll sort something. Archie hands Janine an envelope. In reference to her golden childhood memory, Archie has organised a treasure hunt and an excited Janine enthusiastically goes in search of the next clue. Janine continues the treasure hunt with Archie watching. Soon after, she finds the final envelope under the Queen Vic bust on the bar. Opening her prize, Janine discovers it is not what she hoped for. Archie pulls out a suitcase as he tells Janine that he’s been using her and he throws her out. Peggy burns with rage at what Archie has done to her family. Ronnie strides purposefully back into Walford. Janine sits broken on the pavement staring up at the Vic with a murderous look in her eyes… Angry for Ronnie, Jack visits Archie and declares he will not be messed around as he furiously pushes Archie up against the bar. Jack threatens Archie, telling him never to go near Ronnie again. Archie encounters Ronnie behind the bar, staring at him. Archie is unapologetic about his misdemeanours and talks of his cruel childhood. Ronnie’s reaction is detached and she tells him she would be pleased if he died. Archie marches Ronnie out making a cruel remark about Ronnie’s treatment of Danielle. Jack and Roxy attempt to calm Ronnie. In an angry state, Jack leaves the flat and Roxy exits the room to attend to Amy. On her return, she realises Ronnie has disappeared. Earlier, Janine has picked herself up from the pavement and headed to Pat’s house. They have no time or sympathy for her, and as the family leave to go the carol concert, Ryan remains behind to talk with her. Janine plots her revenge on Archie leaving Ryan to walk away is in disbelief. After her proposal was interrupted, an upset Bianca believes she has had her last chance with Ricky. When Ricky later joins the family in the square will he give Bianca the answer she is hoping for? Phil fumbles around at Shirley’s flat, trying to get properly dressed. Phil collects a crow bar from the Arches and makes his way to the Vic. Peggy visits Archie and gives him an ultimatum. Archie offers Peggy back the divorce papers in return for spending one more night with him. Disgusted, Peggy leaves the Vic. It’s not turning out to be the best Christmas for Archie. He lies on the floor of the Vic after being knocked to the floor by one of his enemies. He then hears a noise but as looks up he receives a fatal blow to the head…