In an emotional episode that will be remembered by EastEnders fans for years to come, Sonia Fowler’s final moments in Walford delivered not one, but two shocking twists—one from her past, and one she never saw coming.

The episode opens on a deeply conflicted Sonia, played by Natalie Cassidy in her final scenes after over three decades on the show. She’s reeling from a devastating revelation: her father, Terry Cant—the man who only just reentered her life—has assaulted her sister, Bianca Jackson. The timing couldn’t be worse. Sonia had been planning to move to Bali with Terry and her two daughters, Bex and baby Julia, in a hopeful bid for a fresh start. But now, that plan hangs by a thread.

Torn between blood loyalty and the dream of finally having a father figure in her life, Sonia’s heart is in turmoil. Could Bianca be lying, or worse—overreacting? Or is Terry’s charming mask finally slipping, revealing the darkness she’s been too desperate to ignore? With no one else to trust, Sonia makes an unexpected move—she visits Tom “Rocky” Cotton, the man who once pretended to be her father, in prison.

Rocky’s return, after disappearing from the canvas in 2023, stunned viewers. Though he initially scammed Sonia by posing as her dad in a cruel con, their twisted bond blossomed into something strangely genuine. When he last left Walford, it was under disgrace—sentenced for his involvement in an insurance scam that led to Kathy Beale’s business burning down. But here, behind bars, Rocky becomes the voice Sonia didn’t know she needed.

Despite everything, Rocky offers her the honesty Terry never could. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He doesn’t pretend to be perfect. But what he does do—finally, fully—is act like the dad Sonia always deserved. His words hit home, cutting through the chaos and confusion. And in that cold, sterile prison visitation room, Sonia makes a choice: she won’t go to Bali. Not with Terry. Not with someone capable of violence.

Returning to Walford, Sonia confronts the reality she’s been avoiding. Terry’s facade has crumbled, and when he turns aggressive again, she locks him in a garage to protect herself and her daughters. It’s a chilling moment, but one that cements her resolve. There’s no future with him.

Instead, Sonia, Bex, baby Julia, and Bianca make a daring move. They take Terry’s plane tickets, his car, and even his speedboat—and leave Walford behind. Not for Bali, but for a future rooted in something real. They go to stay with Whitney Dean, Bianca’s daughter, offering hope that this fractured family might finally begin to heal—together, and on their own terms.

The final scene is nothing short of poetic. In a full-circle moment, Sonia triumphantly plays her trumpet as she departs Walford—a nod to her roots, her strength, and the character fans have grown up with. It’s a bittersweet goodbye, tinged with triumph, legacy, and the echo of EastEnders’ rich history.

Viewers flooded social media with reactions. Some wept. Some cheered. But most were united in shock and gratitude for Rocky’s return. Despite his past, fans agreed—he showed up when it mattered most. As one fan tweeted, “Even though Rocky was an imposter, he was a better father to Sonia than the real one ever was.”

The episode also paid homage to Dot Cotton, with a haunting voiceover that set the tone for a night packed with legacy and emotion. Quiet, tender moments between Yolande and Avani offered contrast to Sonia’s turbulent storyline, while Jean Slater’s long-awaited return to kindness gave longtime fans a dose of nostalgic warmth.

But make no mistake—this was Sonia’s night.

Natalie Cassidy’s swan song was equal parts defiant and delicate, reminding viewers why Sonia Fowler remains one of the soap’s most enduring and relatable heroines. As she sailed off with her daughters, leaving behind betrayal, trauma, and decades of heartache, the message was clear: sometimes, family isn’t about blood. It’s about the people who show up when no one else does—even if they’re behind bars.

So, is this truly the end of Sonia’s story? Or could a new chapter begin far away from Walford’s cobbled streets? With the return of Rocky, anything feels possible. But one thing’s certain—Walford won’t be the same without her.