Spoiler for the movie “EastEnders 10/9/2025 Part 2 Full Episode HD”

In this gripping and emotionally charged installment of EastEnders, tensions reach a boiling point as secrets unravel, relationships implode, and darkness looms over Walford once again. The episode delivers a mix of psychological drama, social commentary, and heart-wrenching heartbreak, focusing primarily on Joel Marshall’s disturbing descent and the devastating split of beloved couple Ben and Callum.

The story begins with Joel Marshall taking center stage once more, his toxic behavior spiraling beyond repair. After a tense few weeks filled with confrontations, Joel appears to have set his sights on a new target — a Walford teenager who dares to challenge him. Earlier in the week, Amy Mitchell had called him an “incel,” a remark that seemed to wound his fragile ego deeply. Ever since, Joel’s demeanor has grown more hostile, and fans sense danger brewing.

The episode opens with Vicki Fowler enduring yet another difficult day as she becomes the focus of Joel’s sexist insults. Although Joel has been skipping classes, Vicki’s partner, Ross, insists that Joel was given the day off to attend his mother’s wedding. But as loyal viewers already know, that explanation is just another layer of Joel’s manipulation. His relationship with his mother, Cleo, has long been fractured — he’s even hurled cruel names at her, showing nothing but disdain for her personal choices. While everyone assumes he’s heartbroken about her remarriage, Joel’s reality is much darker.

Instead of attending the wedding, Joel spends the day drinking at the Vic with his only remaining friend, Tommy Moon, stealing alcohol and gaming lazily on the couch. When Vicki returns home and orders him to clean up the mess he’s made, he unleashes a barrage of misogynistic comments, mocking her for believing that housework isn’t “a woman’s job.” The confrontation escalates, pushing Vicki to storm out in frustration.

Left to his own devices, Joel wanders to the local park — a place that’s slowly become his emotional battleground. Here, away from prying eyes, he sinks deeper into the online world of hateful influencers and extremist content. The more he listens, the more distorted his worldview becomes. That’s when he crosses paths with Amy Mitchell, Avani Nandra-Hart, and Nugget Gulati. Their brief encounter quickly turns uncomfortable when Amy taunts him again, calling him an incel and questioning why he’s always alone. Her remark hits a nerve, and the chilling look on Joel’s face makes it clear — she might be his next target.

This isn’t the first time tension has sparked between Amy and Joel. Earlier in the year, Joel had attempted to charm Amy, showering her with attention. Initially, she was flattered, but the illusion shattered when she saw how cruelly he treated her best friend, Avani. The situation took a horrifying turn when Joel secretly filmed an intimate moment between himself and Avani, leading to her unexpected pregnancy. His reaction afterward — condemning her for considering an abortion — exposed the true extent of his manipulative and abusive mindset. The fallout left Joel isolated, with nearly all the Walford teens cutting ties with him except Tommy, whose loyalty remains dangerously misplaced.

Meanwhile, EastEnders takes a bold step beyond fiction with a special documentary exploring Joel’s storyline. Actor Max, who portrays Joel, appears alongside Diane Parish (Denise) and Ellie Dadd (Amy) in a BBC iPlayer and BBC Three special. The program delves into the real-world dangers of toxic masculinity and the growing influence of the online “manosphere.” Viewers will see the cast meet experts, including Professor Harriet Over of the University of York, survivors who share personal stories, and poet Sam Brown, whose viral work on misogyny inspired discussion nationwide. Together, they shed light on the alarming parallels between Joel’s fictional behavior and the real societal issues facing young men today.

Back in Walford, however, the tension continues to escalate. Vicki finds herself in an impossible situation as Joel’s aggression worsens. Her relationship with Ross begins to crumble under the strain of Joel’s manipulative tactics and volatile outbursts. When a shocking school incident orchestrated by Joel and Tommy sends shockwaves through the community, the parents — Vicki, Ross, Kat, and Alfie — are forced to confront the disturbing truth about their sons. But the confrontation spirals out of control. In a heart-stopping moment at Number 43, Joel snaps completely, physically attacking Vicki in an act of sheer rage. It’s a violent climax that leaves viewers shaken and questioning what’s next for the Fowler family.

As one storyline descends into chaos, another delivers heartbreak of a different kind. Fans are left devastated when Ben Mitchell and Callum Highway — affectionately known as “Balum” — officially call it quits. The once-unbreakable couple, whose love survived years of tragedy and turmoil, finally reach their breaking point.

Their love story had been one of the show’s most complex. Ben and Callum’s romance began as a forbidden affair while Callum was still engaged to Whitney Dean. When Whitney realized Callum’s true feelings, she left him at the altar, encouraging him to live his truth. From that moment, Ben and Callum seemed destined to be together — even as their lives often clashed, with Callum’s police career conflicting with Ben’s criminal past. Their wedding in 2021 felt like a hard-won victory for love, but happiness in Walford is fleeting.

Ben’s mental health deteriorated after a brutal homophobic attack, compounded by trauma from his first love Paul Coker’s murder. Later, Ben was assaulted again, unable to share his pain with Callum, leading to their first separation. They reconciled eventually, but tragedy struck when Lola Pierce, mother of Ben’s daughter Lexi, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Desperate to save her, Ben flew to the U.S. for treatment, committing fraud to pay for it — only for Lola to die anyway. Ben’s arrest and extradition to the U.S. marked his emotional and physical departure from Callum’s life.

Off-screen, actor Max Bowden confirmed his exit, explaining he needed time to recover after 600 episodes. On-screen, Callum promised to wait — but time and loneliness took their toll. During Ben’s absence, Callum found unexpected comfort in Johnny Carter. What began as friendship soon deepened into something more, despite fierce disapproval from Phil Mitchell, who even tried to throttle Johnny over the affair.

When Ben unexpectedly returns to Walford just in time for Callum’s father’s funeral, he’s stunned to discover how much has changed. At first, he innocently thanks Johnny for supporting Callum, unaware of the truth. But when Callum confesses that he’s moved on — and that it’s with Johnny — Ben’s world collapses. A confrontation at the Queen Vic explodes into heartbreak as Ben demands answers, and Callum admits that he loves Johnny. Devastated, Ben asks for a divorce, officially ending Balum.

Fans are shattered. Social media erupts with messages begging the show’s producers not to make the breakup permanent. “They’re the best gay couple on TV!” pleads one fan, while others insist the writers have destroyed one of Walford’s few stable love stories.

As the credits roll, Walford feels heavier than ever — a place burdened by fractured families, toxic influence, and broken hearts. Joel’s violence sets up a dangerous new arc, while Ben and Callum’s shattered bond leaves a void that fans aren’t ready to accept.

EastEnders continues to prove why it remains one of television’s most emotionally charged dramas — unafraid to tackle real issues, expose uncomfortable truths, and leave audiences gasping for what’s coming next.

Runtime: 7:30 p.m., BBC One — airing also on BBC iPlayer.
Themes: Toxic masculinity, domestic violence, heartbreak, and redemption.
Warning: Viewers may find some scenes distressing.