EastEnders fans have been left wiping away their tears as Phil Mitchell’s psychosis storyline took a heartbreaking turn as he travelled back in time
EastEnders viewers have praised Steve McFadden after Phil Mitchell’s psychosis storyline took a dramatic turn.
In recent weeks, fans of the BBC One soap opera have seen Phil struggle with his mental health, isolating himself from his friends and family and acting out of character. In one episode, Phil appeared to make an attempt on his own life as he locked himself in the Arches and attempted to poison himself.
But as the storyline deepens, Phil went back in time to his teenage years and returned to the home he grew up in with his brother Grant and younger sister, Samantha. During his flashback, he was informed by dad Eric that he was extremely ill and wouldn’t survive for more than three months.
Wednesday night saw Phil’s ex-wife, Sharon Watts, cousin Billy Mitchell, Jay Brown and his ex-wife Kathy Beale go on a hunt for him after noticing that things had been off. When they arrived at his home on Albert Square, they discovered Phil had been burning childhood images, including one of his childhood home.
Phil’s psychosis storyline saw him travel back in time (Image: BBC)
However, things took a drastic turn in tonight’s episode, which saw Phil meet with his younger self again while standing on top of the roof of the local community centre, appearing disorientated as he struggled to contain his emotions. But things didn’t stop there, as the episode drew to a close, Phil was seen with his younger mum, Peggy Mitchell.
“It’s dads fault,” Phil said as he spoke about being alone. An honest Peggy told Phil that he was lonely due to “abusing” people, adding that she was “grieving” for her son. “I grieve because you ended up just like him,” she said. But she later clarified that she was saying what Phil had already believed in his head.
The storyline saw Phil contemplate an attempt on his own life (Image: BBC)
She told Phil that he still had time to “make the world a better place” before a gun was uncovered on the dining table. “By letting your kids grow up without you, in their lives,” she said while looking at the gun. “The evening I died, I saw a black bird in the tree on the Square, it sang to me – it was so beautiful,” she commented.
Phil contemplated Peggy’s comments and sat in an arm chair after loading the gun, holding it to himself before his brother Grant and friend Nigel appeared. But this was all in Phil’s head, with Nigel waking him up as Phil appeared to be confused. As Nigel woke Phil, Grant, who has been away from the soap since 2016 appeared.
In a shocking twist, Grant Mitchell returned to the soap (Image: BBC)
Fans have since taken to social media responding to the episode, with one writing: “Tonight’s #eastenders is pure cinema. Phil Mitchell’s agony, struggle and emotion is completely heartbreaking. Give Steve McFadden all the awards, and an MBE.” A second penned: “Completely blown away by tonights #EastEnders. Truly one of the greatest episodes in recent times… This line really stuck with me ‘It’s what you think i think… and I’m not here to say any different’. Heartbreaking but done in such a beautiful way.”
A third typed: “Watched todays episode.. One of the most powerful moving episodes ever watched, Steve McFadden is arguably one of the greatest actors of all time, his portrayal of mental health/psychosis is incredible.. Well done to all involved can’t wait for next week #EastEnders.”
