Emmerdale fans have expressed anger over the killing of Doctor Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker), arguing the soap missed an opportunity to show a rapist facing justice in court. A flashforward at the end of Tuesday's episode confirmed the evil surgeon will be murdered by an unknown assailant.
Doctor Todd's return and crimes
Doctor Todd returned to the ITV soap earlier this year as part of a storyline where she bullied resident doctor Jacob Sugden (Joe-Warren Plant). After helping Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) give birth to baby Leyla, she discovered the child is not Jacob and Sarah Sugden's (Katie Hill). She then blackmailed Charity over the secret. On Sarah's 21st birthday, Doctor Todd raped Charity. Charity reported the attack to the police and was interviewed by DS Reid (Angela Lonsdale). The detective questioned Caitlin the next day, but she claimed the sex was consensual. Due to lack of physical evidence, Caitlin was released and left the village, now working in Sheffield.
Confrontation and murder
Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) confronted Doctor Todd this week, vowing revenge after learning about the assault. He was ejected after Todd called security. Before leaving, Mack told her: "If you go near Charity again, I will bury you." Moments later, Caitlin was seen lying in a pool of blood, confirming her death.
Fan backlash: 'Why can't she be arrested?'
On the Metro Soaps Facebook page, numerous readers criticized the twist. Anne wrote: "I know it's a drama but just for once I'd like to see one of these abusers in the soaps actually get found guilty and go to prison, just to show real life victims that sometimes there is hope." Tasha added: "Be great if the Soaps started showing us what proper justice looked like – maybe to encourage real life victims to speak up." Dave echoed: "Great another villain killed off, rather than face justice. Writers seriously try a different conclusion." Kaz noted: "Disappointed just like John they don't face justice so much for encouraging people to speak out." Dot wrote: "Need to be arrested too many getting away soaps need to realise it happens in real life." Linda shared: "Why can't she just be arrested and go to prison? Why are all these characters just being killed off not very realistic!"
Pattern of killing villains
Metro Soaps Reporter Calli Kitson noted a theme: "There is, sadly, a theme with soaps that sees them kill off a villain that should face consequences through a court trial. Over the past few years, Emmerdale has fallen into this habit." Examples include Lydia Dingle's rapist Craig, Anthony Fox who abused Ruby Miligan, John Sugden who murdered Nate Robinson, and Celia Daniels. Kitson added: "I was disappointed to discover that Doctor Todd would be killed off. Emmerdale took a risk by airing a storyline that saw a woman rape another woman, and even said they would shine a light on this because of the 'little conversation surrounding female-on-female assault.'" The soap stated: "We'll explore the overwhelming feelings of isolation many survivors experience and will examine the disparity between the legal term sexual assault and the fact that many women in Charity's position feel this minimises what's happened to them."
Missed opportunity for justice
Kitson argued: "Getting the jury to believe that she was raped would've been very difficult for Charity. The physical examination came back inconclusive, Doctor Todd claimed consensual sex, and DS Reid previously told Charity the allegation would be treated as sexual assault, not rape. That being said, Emmerdale shouldn't have robbed viewers – especially those in similar situations – of the chance to see the trial unfold. The end verdict wasn't the point. The point was that Charity, like every survivor, deserved the chance to have her case heard. Seeing her stand up in court and pursue justice would have sent a powerful message to viewers that survivors have every right to report their assault and expect a fair hearing, whatever the eventual outcome. Now Doctor Todd has been killed, what hope is offered now?"
Suspects in the murder
Several characters are potential suspects: Mackenzie, Charity, Jacob, Sarah, Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter), Ross Barton (Michael Parr), Noah Dingle (Jack Downham), Ryan Stocks (James Moore), or Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy).
