EastEnders spoilers for Wednesday, September 16, confirm that Max Branning (Jake Wood) faces fallout from his guilt confession over Zoe Slater's (Michelle Ryan) death, while Penny (Kitty Castledine) goes into labour after revealing she plans to tell Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) he may not be the baby's father.
Max's guilt confession and Oscar's reaction
In the high-octane episode aired Monday, September 15, emotions ran high as Max made a significant admission of guilt regarding Zoe's death. Zoe sustained a head wound and died in the small hours of the morning in bed at the Vic, sending shockwaves through Albert Square. The Slater clan was consumed with grief in the aftermath.
Max, reeling from the news, confided in his son Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) that he feels guilty because he saw Zoe shortly before her death and, mistakenly presuming she was drunk, did nothing to help. The aftermath of this confession will continue in the next episode, with Max likely worried about what Oscar will do with this information and whether it will reach the Slaters.
Oscar's conversation and new romance
Oscar soon talks to Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughn) after Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) worries about his grandson bottling up his feelings about Zoe's death. As the boys discuss Zoe, old feelings resurface, and they end up kissing. The question now is whether Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) will find out and how she will react.
More emotional scenes for the Slaters are on the cards, while Gemma Hawkins (Patricia Potter) attempts to settle into the community. Her efforts to cook for the grieving family, however, do not go to plan.
Penny's birth and Vinny's 30th birthday
Elsewhere, Vinny is set to celebrate his 30th birthday, with Penny determined to make it memorable. Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) worries when she sees Penny upset and goes to support her. Penny reveals she intends to tell Vinny he might not be the baby's dad. Lauren attempts to dissuade her, but Penny is adamant it's the right thing to do. Before she can speak, her waters break.
Penny is taken to hospital while Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) and Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) attempt to sober Vinny up and get him there in time for the birth. Their efforts succeed, and Vinny arrives as Penny welcomes a baby son. Later, Penny confides in Lauren that she will keep quiet about Vinny possibly not being the father, but little do they know someone has overheard.
These scenes air Wednesday, September 16, at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
