In a devastating turn of events that no one in Walford saw coming, EastEnders delivered one of its most emotionally charged weeks in recent memory — and at the heart of it all was Sonia Fowler’s heartbreaking final chapter. As the aftermath of Martin Fowler’s sudden death shakes the square to its very foundations, viewers are left reeling from the layers of grief, betrayal, and long-buried secrets that come crashing to the surface.

Martin’s death — the result of a tragic accident during the Queen Vic explosion — was more than just a plot twist. It signaled the end of a legacy, leaving a gaping hole in the heart of Albert Square. A character that’s been present since the 1980s, Martin’s exit is felt deeply by the community and fans alike. His funeral, solemn and steeped in loss, becomes the catalyst for the emotional storm that follows — and for Sonia’s farewell.

While Martin’s exes, children, and loved ones struggle to pick up the pieces, it’s Sonia who takes center stage. Known for being the emotional rock in the extended Fowler family, she finds herself tasked with holding it all together. But even she isn’t immune to the suffocating grief and chaos that descends.

As preparations for Martin’s funeral unfold, so too does the unraveling of long-standing tensions. Stacey Slater, devastated beyond words, begins to spiral. She’s haunted by guilt and overcome with sorrow — until Sonia, in a moment that’s already being called iconic by fans, reaches out with a raw and powerful appeal. Her speech doesn’t just comfort Stacey; it breaks her wide open and gives her the courage to confront her pain. In that moment, Sonia doesn’t just support a friend — she reminds everyone watching of the deep human connection that binds these characters.

But no scene in Walford ever ends with a simple resolution. Just as Sonia and Stacey appear to rebuild a fragile sense of peace, new fractures appear. Stacey’s daughter Lily, overwhelmed by the emotional fallout and grappling with her father’s death, lashes out. In a gut-wrenching confrontation, she blames her mother for everything, igniting a new fire of conflict within the family. Sonia, once again, is caught in the middle — a stabilizing force in an environment that seems more volatile with every passing minute.

As these emotional dominos fall, the funeral also marks the return of a long-absent character: Vicki Fowler. Accompanied by her new partner Ross and his teenage son Joel, Vicki’s sudden reappearance is met with cautious curiosity. But it doesn’t take long before suspicion begins to bubble beneath the surface. Sharon, ever the protector of her family’s legacy, picks up on strange vibes from Ross — and she’s not alone.

It turns out Vicki and Ross are hiding more than a little financial strain. There’s a deep unease surrounding their arrival, and viewers are quickly pulled into a new web of intrigue. As secrets about their finances begin to surface, the cracks in their picture-perfect return grow wider. And then, the twist: Ross receives a cryptic phone call shortly after the funeral, one that hints at something far more sinister than unpaid bills.

Is Ross involved in something dangerous? Does Joel have a past that could put others in jeopardy? And why did Vicki truly come back to Walford now, of all times? These are the questions fans are left pondering as this seemingly subdued subplot threatens to explode into a full-blown scandal.

And looming over it all is a noticeable absence: Ben Mitchell. Though actor Max Bowden has stepped away from the role, the absence of Ben — who is said to be serving time overseas — casts a long shadow over the proceedings. His presence at Martin’s funeral would have been expected, and even those within the show feel the weight of that void. Max, watching from afar, has expressed his pride in the ongoing storylines and praised Steve McFadden’s recent work, but there’s no denying that Ben’s absence adds another layer of emotional weight to this already heavy arc.

As the dust settles on Sonia’s final week, one thing becomes heartbreakingly clear — she may be leaving Walford, but her impact will linger long after she’s gone. Her unwavering compassion, her ability to speak truth even in the darkest moments, and the deep relationships she fostered are not easily forgotten. In many ways, her exit marks the end of an era — but in typical EastEnders fashion, it also serves as the spark for a brand-new chapter filled with questions, danger, and emotional fallout.