Overview

• This week's episodes revisited events from years ago to explain Zoe Slater's time away and reframe her story.
• The on-screen timeline ruled out a widely discussed paternity theory involving Max Branning.
• Jake Wood says his character appears briefly now before a longer return later this year and describes a real connection with Zoe.
• Key mysteries about a long-absent child and their parentage remain unresolved on screen, with press and fan theories circulating as speculation.
• Radio Times reports Wood sees "unfinished business" between Max and Stacey Slater as her character prepares for an extended break.