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"Episode 5423"
EastEnders episode
Episode no.Episode 5423
Directed byLaurence Wilson
Written byCarey Andrews
Editing byStephen Young
Original air date12 January 2017 (2017-01-12)
Running time30 minutes
Episode chronology
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"Episode 5423" is an episode of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It was broadcast on BBC One on 12 January 2017, between 7.30pm and 8pm. It was written by Carey Andrews, directed by Laurence Wilson, and executively produced by Sean O'Connor. The episode focuses on the characters Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) and Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), and features the revelation that Michelle, a former teacher, had an affair with a 17-year-old student while living in Florida.

Plot

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The opening scene follows on from the previous episode, where Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) overhears Denise Fox (Diane Parish) telling Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) that Sharon's husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is the father of Denise's unborn child. Sharon is shocked and angered by what she has heard. Sharon calls her friend Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) and cries down the phone. They meet and go to Michelle's cousin Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) house, where Sharon tells Michelle that Phil is the father of Denise's baby, wondering how it was even physically possible when he has been so ill for so long. She calls him a "stupid bastard" and smashes a cup on the floor in anger. However, she tells Michelle that from what she heard Denise say, it does not seem as though Phil knows he is the father, but decides the relationship is now over and he has had his last chance. Sharon asks Michelle to go with her when Michelle returns to the United States, so Michelle states that she has not booked a flight back to Florida. When Sharon asks what Michelle's husband, Tim, has done, Michelle states that she reached middle age and struggled to lose weight, so Tim does not want her anymore and they have not had sex in over two years. Sharon then realises that she and Phil were not together at the time he had sex with Denise, so agrees with Michelle that he did not cheat on her.

Michelle puts herself down and simply says that Tim is not attracted to middle-aged women like herself. Michelle then says that the whole world is pulling her apart, causing Sharon to ask her who is doing that. Michelle ignores the question and says that Walford has changed since she left 20 years ago, and she should have expected it. She says that she and Sharon barely know each other any more, and she does not fit in there anymore but does not want to because it is a "dirty, grubby corner of London full of small-minded, petty people passing judgements and shagging their neighbours", to which Sharon calls her a "cow". Michelle then leaves where she sits on a bench in Albert Square and cries. Sharon follows and sits with her. Michelle tells her that she has nothing to go home for, so Sharon asks her for the truth, realising that it is something she has done. Michelle eventually admits that she fell in love, feeling it was not really adultery as Tim had already left her in his head. She explains that she had planned to ask Tim for a divorce before Christmas, but her lover's mother discovered the relationship and told the school where Michelle was working, who forced her to resign because she had broken the law, and when Tim found out, he asked Michelle for a divorce so she moved into a motel and refused to let her lover, Preston, know where she was. Sharon is disgusted to hear this, demanding to know his age. After more talking and arguing, Michelle says that she does not fit in anywhere now and could only think of one friend who would not judge her: Sharon. Sharon demands to know Preston's age; Michelle reveals he is 17. Sharon walks away and returns home. Michelle follows her, and Sharon says that she always has a home there, jokingly calling her a "cradle snatcher". They then hug and cry.

The scenes of Michelle and Sharon are interspersed by scenes of Dot Branning (June Brown) waiting for her pet cat to come home and finally going to bed when he does so.

Characters and cast

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Background

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On 24 December 2016, the character of Michelle Fowler returned to EastEnders after an absense of 21 years. The part was recast to Jenna Russell. After the episode of the character's return was broadcast, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that a "special EastEnders episode" had been planned that would focus on Michelle and her friend Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), and viewers would find out why Michelle had returned.[1] In 1 January 2017, a short trailer for EastEnders was released, showing Michelle crying on Sharon's shoulder, and Kilkelly said that "It's clear that Michelle Fowler is keeping quiet about the real reasons for her return to Walford".[2] Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said, "Since arriving back in Walford, Michelle has given very little away about what is going on in her life to her loved ones but viewers have clocked on pretty instantly to the fact that she is hiding something. We don't have long to wait before we learn more details about Michelle’s secret as an emotional episode centring on her and Sharon will air later this month [January 2017] that will see everything become clear..."[3] Rose Hill from The Sun said that the episode "could allow fans to warm to Jenna Russell, who has taken over from Susan Tully, as the new Michelle Fowler."[4] John James Anisiobi from the Daily Mirror reported that the episode would be a two-hander.[5]

Production

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Reception

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Ratings

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Official ratings from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board showed that 7,499,000 people had watched the episode on BBC One and BBC iPlayer within seven days of the original broadcast, making it the sixth most-watched programme on BBC One in the week of 9 to 15 January 2017, while 111,000 people watched the same-day repeat on W.[6]

  • 28-day ratings - BBC One and W
Michelle's secret
Swearing
General

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (24 December 2016). "EastEnders catch-up: Michelle Fowler is BACK with new actress Jenna Russell replacing Susan Tully". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  2. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (1 January 2017). "EastEnders reveals 5 new storyline spoilers after Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell's tragic deaths". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ Lindsay, Duncan (1 January 2017). "5 new EastEnders spoilers for 2017 after Ronnie and Roxy's deaths". Metro. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  4. ^ Hill, Rose (25 December 2016). "EastEnders' Michelle Fowler and Sharon Mitchell to have episode focused on them after fan outrage at new actress casting". The Sun. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  5. ^ Anisiobi, John James (25 December 2016). "Sharon Mitchell and Michelle Fowler given OWN EastEnders episode after fans slam show bosses for ruining her return". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Weekly top 10 programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
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5423 Category:2017 in British television Category:2017 television episodes Category:Adultery in television Category:Two-handers

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