The wedding day of Joe Tate and Dawn Taylor in Emmerdale takes a dramatic turn as Joe discovers the full extent of his bride's betrayal. Dawn, who has been secretly planning to flee to Spain with Billy Fletcher and the children, is caught in the act of packing her belongings. The revelation comes just as Joe prepares to walk down the aisle, leaving viewers to wonder if he will seek revenge.
Dawn's Secret Escape Plan Unravels
Dawn has been desperate to leave Joe ever since she learned he was responsible for leaving Billy for dead, although he was later cleared of the charge. She has spent days at the hospital by Billy's bedside, plotting their escape. Joe, seemingly oblivious, has been focused on the wedding, even dismissing Gabby Thomas's earlier warnings about Dawn and Billy's closeness. Caleb Miligan's revelation that the pair shared a kiss briefly dampened Joe's mood, but a quick conversation with his fiancée reassured him.
As the wedding day arrives, Joe appears nervous, more so than a man who knows of the betrayal. He seeks reassurance from Graham Foster, who becomes suspicious and sets off to investigate Dawn's activities. Meanwhile, Caleb hands Billy a wad of cash to start his new life with Dawn and the kids in Spain.
The Bomb Drops at the Woolpack
At the Woolpack, Joe gives a toast to 'happy endings', which irritates Caleb. Ruby holds Caleb back from revealing the escape plan, insisting he wait until the wedding itself. However, when Joe rescinds Caleb's invitation to the wedding, Caleb can no longer contain himself and drops the bombshell: Dawn has already left.
Actor Ned Porteous, who plays Joe, hints that Joe may be more aware of the situation than he lets on. 'Do we even know that Joe is privy to what's going on?' Ned shares. 'That's the main part of it. Is he planning some horrible revenge story which is going to take over? Is he completely clueless to what's going on?'
Joe's Potential Revenge
Revenge is a core part of Joe's character, and Dawn has always known she is playing with fire. Ned reveals that Joe's one soft spot is his family. 'It's family. It's the things that he holds really dear,' he says. 'And if you were to take that from a man who is outwardly volatile and dangerous as is, unable to regulate his emotions, if you were to take the final thing tethering him to a life of moral good, what could that man then be capable of?'
This teaser suggests Joe will lose his mind over the betrayal and take action in a very Joe Tate-like manner. While Joe dislikes getting his hands dirty, he may enlist Graham to do his bidding. Graham discovers Dawn packing suitcases and preparing to leave, raising the question of how far he will go to stop her.
