EastEnders takes a chilling turn as the unsettling dynamic between Joel Marshall and Tommy Moon intensifies, revealing just how dangerous Joel’s influence may be—not just to Tommy, but to other young characters in Walford. What began as an innocent friendship quickly turns into something far more sinister as Joel’s manipulative behavior begins to corrupt Tommy, with troubling consequences for those around them.

In recent episodes, viewers have seen Joel and Tommy form an unexpected bond. While it may have initially seemed like a positive connection, cracks began to appear when Joel shockingly confided in Tommy that he had secretly filmed himself during an intimate encounter with Avani Nandra-Hart. Tommy, understandably disturbed, is caught between disbelief and confusion, unsure how to respond to such a confession from someone he thought was a friend.

The disturbing revelations don’t end there. In the upcoming episode airing June 5, Joel’s behavior becomes even more alarming. He begins targeting Avani in a cruel campaign of humiliation, using their personal history as ammunition to demean and shame her publicly. His actions escalate, and Tommy, increasingly drawn into Joel’s toxic worldview, starts to show signs of being manipulated and emotionally affected. Despite these serious developments, Tommy’s family remains completely in the dark, unaware that Joel’s grip on him is tightening.

The following week brings further complications. Vicki, who is dating Joel’s father Ross, starts to get wind of Joel’s growing unpopularity among his peers. When she speaks with Amy, the truth emerges: Joel not only recorded his intimate encounter with Avani without her consent, but he also spread cruel rumors that have led to Avani receiving waves of abuse and online harassment from others. Amy, clearly concerned, shares these troubling details with Vicki.

Alarmed, Vicki decides to tell Ross what she has learned. They agree that Joel, lacking strong guidance, could benefit from better male role models. Ironically, they begin to see Tommy as a potentially positive influence on Joel—completely unaware that it is Joel who is corrupting Tommy, not the other way around.

Their misplaced optimism grows when Joel appears to bond with Tommy while helping him prepare a heartfelt speech for Kat and Alfie’s wedding. Vicki and Ross see this as a promising sign—perhaps, they think, Joel is turning a corner. Hopeful and reassured, they allow Joel to invite Tommy over to his house after the wedding, seeing it as a harmless extension of their budding friendship.

But the darkness lurking beneath Joel’s facade resurfaces once again. At his house, Joel exposes Tommy to disturbing content, including a video promoting misogynistic and hateful views about women. This moment marks a major turning point in Tommy’s moral journey. Already emotionally vulnerable due to his own family issues, Tommy now finds himself under pressure to accept, normalize, or even replicate Joel’s harmful attitudes.

Viewers are left wondering—will Tommy be strong enough to resist Joel’s influence? Or is he already too deep in the web of manipulation and secrecy? With Joel’s behavior continuing to escalate, and Tommy increasingly isolated, the danger becomes very real.

Meanwhile, the adults remain dangerously unaware of the extent of the threat. Vicki and Ross remain focused on Joel’s wellbeing, still hoping Tommy might be a positive force in his life. But this illusion is about to come crashing down as Joel’s true nature becomes harder to hide.

The question looming over the square is this: When will someone realize that Joel is a danger—not only to himself but to those around him? And can Tommy find a way back to his values before it’s too late?

A Walford insider hinted at the unsettling direction the storyline is heading:
“Vicki and Ross are hopeful that Tommy will be a good influence on Joel. But they don’t realize it’s the opposite. Joel is dragging Tommy into his toxic world. And soon, it might be too late to pull him back.”

This storyline is set to explore deep and troubling themes around consent, manipulation, toxic masculinity, and the psychological vulnerability of young minds. As the truth starts to surface, fans can expect emotional confrontations, explosive fallout, and a community forced to reckon with the damage one troubled teen can cause.

Will Tommy’s parents discover what’s really going on before he’s too far gone? And will Joel finally face consequences for his dangerous behavior? The next episodes promise high drama, emotional tension, and a powerful message about the importance of intervention before it’s too late.