When John Sugden first walked into Emmerdale, he was mysterious, polite, and seemingly harmless. A former Army medic with a tragic past? The perfect recipe for sympathy. But soap fans know better — and it didn’t take long for the cracks to show. Underneath his quiet charm lies a psychological disorder that’s now teetering on full-blown sociopathy.

It started with Nate Robinson. Viewers were shocked to learn that John had unintentionally killed him during a botched rescue. But what really disturbed fans was the realization that this wasn’t just an accident — it was part of a pattern. A hero complex so intense, John started creating emergencies so he could be the one to fix them.

Now, he’s set his twisted sights on two beloved characters: Eric Pollard, a Dales icon battling Parkinson’s and personal loss, and Cain Dingle, a hardened man still reeling from grief. John’s plan is horrifying in its cold precision: exploit vulnerability, stage a dramatic “rescue,” and bask in the praise. But with Cain collapsing under the weight of grief — and whisky — John doesn’t just watch; he orchestrates.

Even more chilling is John’s smirk. That subtle sign of pleasure as Cain crumbles shows this isn’t about compassion. It’s about control. About being seen. And about the dark satisfaction of playing god with people’s lives.

The return of Robert Sugden could be John’s tipping point. Viewers saw him calling a helpline, desperate for advice, only to receive encouragement to “be the hero” — unknowingly validating his worst impulses. This isn’t redemption. It’s reinforcement.

And while Eric survived the night, fans are already predicting that the next time might be different. “Eric and Cain in one night? John is evil,” one viewer wrote. Another said, “He needs finding out NOW!” And they’re right. Because Emmerdale has seen its fair share of villains, but few have worn the mask of virtue so convincingly.

John Sugden isn’t just playing with lives. He’s rewriting reality. One staged rescue at a time.