Inside Soap UK 45 - 2017

How do you feel when soaps break the rules? Those times when your favourite show tells a story in a different way from normal… Emmerdale at the moment is making use of flashbacks – and not only to the day that Emma was killed, as part of that ongoing mystery. This week we’re treated to a look at the early life of Cain and Faith Dingle. As Jeff Hordley tells us on p6, the episode really gives us an insight into why Cain’s relationship with his mum is as fraught as it is. The recent Hollyoaks episodes dedicated to the teens self-harming showed us several scenes twice – once from the view of the adults and then from the view of the teens – and the show often plays around…

“Cain can see that Moira’s not dealing with things…” Cain is desperate to reach out to Moira this week, as she battles to cope with their baby son Isaac. While she prepares for her little boy’s christening, Moira’s distress is more obvious than ever – and despite her insistence that she doesn’t want anything from her ex, Cain can’t handle just doing nothing. Will he be able to rescue her from the desperate situation she finds herself in? “Cain can see that Moira’s not dealing with things,” sighs Jeff Hordley, who plays him. “He’ll always be concerned for her, so he’s been keeping an eye on her. Having a new baby has been a shock to both of them, and Cain needs to deal with it. But as he still…

There’s no denying Moira is wrong to wreck Adam and Victoria’s all-important adoption meeting, but is she right to suggest they should parent her son? There’s a certain amount of logic to the idea – Adam is Isaac’s blood relative after all. And broody Victoria has been hands-on with him since he was born. But in the long term, how will Moira deal with her boy being brought up by someone else on her own doorstep? The long-term consequences of whether Isaac should know who his biological parents are should be considered, too – which brings us back to Cain, who also has a say in the very delicate matter! Perhaps the family should first concentrate on getting to the bottom of why Moira doesn’t want to raise her son…

Cain and Faith return to Cain’s childhood days in fascinating flashback scenes this week, after she tricks him into going back to the home in which he grew up. As Emmerdale viewers know well, Cain has always been a very angry man – but when we’re taken back in time through the history of his troubled relationship with his mum, will the reasons for his fury be revealed? We quizzed Jeff Hordley (Cain) and Sally Dexter (Faith) to find out… So where exactly does Faith take Cain? Sally Back to the house he grew up in – it’s absolutely fascinating! The house where we filmed was in a good state to start with, and the team had to work hard to get it down to the level we believe the…

Mick reveals to his loyal customers the fate of the Vic this week – and just as he hopes, Walford’s community spirit kicks in and the punters vow to save their pub. But will scheming Fi defeat the assembled locals, and finish her mission to get the Carters out of the Vic? Fi is in the pub when Mick makes the announcement that the cost of repairs to the pub is too high for them to pay. It’s a sad moment as he admits that the only choice the Carter clan have is to hand back the Vic to its freeholders, Grafton Hill. That’s when customers and friends of the family take action. “Mick has played it just right – he knew his regulars would be in up in arms…

Honey comes up with the idea of doing a safari-themed supper to raise money for the Vic. But with strong-minded women such as Michelle, Carmel and Kim getting involved, tensions soon run high. After Karen strong-arms Honey into giving her some cash, claiming she can make pudding for the big event, Honey reluctantly hands it over. But as the night gets under way, will it all go to plan? And as the next day dawns, why is Kim feeling so ill?…