Emotional and harrowing scenes are set to air in Hollyoaks as Dodger Savage (played by Danny Mac) finally reveals the truth about his rape ordeal to his family and friends.
A Trauma Revealed
Viewers will recall that Dodger was raped by gangster Griff during an undercover operation in Liverpool last October. His colleague, Donny Clark (Louis Emerick), who had been raped by Sully (Harry French) moments before, was forced to watch the attack. The devastating event left Dodger deeply traumatised, and while he reported the crime to the police, he faced further anguish from colleagues who made horrible comments in the aftermath.
In upcoming episodes, the pressure builds as Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter), who has reunited with her ex Dodger, senses he is hiding something and begins to question him, feeling him pull away. Meanwhile, a tense exchange with Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) sees Warren mock Dodger for not being a 'man's man' after Dodger snaps at him over fixing a robot. This barb leaves Dodger rattled.
Family Tensions and Fallout
Feeling the immense weight of his trauma, Dodger eventually breaks down and reveals to everyone present that he was raped. This confession sends shockwaves through his circle and creates immediate rifts. Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) gives Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerin) the cold shoulder upon learning that Cleo already knew about Dodger's ordeal but said nothing.
In a private moment, Dodger confides in Theresa, explaining that it will take time for him to be intimate with her again. Theresa reassures him she is willing to wait and plans to spend the day with him. However, the atmosphere remains strained when Theresa discovers Cleo's prior knowledge. Warren also confronts Dodger about his intentions with Theresa, to which Dodger insists his feelings are genuine.
Other Drama in the Village
Elsewhere in the episode, the McQueen house becomes overcrowded as Tinhead and Liberty arrive to watch a boxing match, leading to Tinhead and Warren's shared history coming to light. Cleo agrees to move into the Blake household, but tensions are high following Dodger's revelation.
In a separate storyline, Sienna returns home to find baby Joseph having a seizure. At the hospital, Misbah and Gemma fear Cleo may have harmed the baby while suffering from a postpartum psychosis episode. Newcomer Jenson watches Warren assure Mercedes she is strong as she leaves for rehab, where she meets Brookside's Nikki Shadwick. Jenson later heads to The Loft on a mission to find Tinhead and demand his money back, threatening to tell Warren everything if he doesn't comply.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, with TV episodes airing at 7pm on E4.
