Anthony Fox has just been written off in Emmerdale as part of a murder plot – and it looks like Aaron killed him. But, here’s why we think it was the wrong decision.
Last night’s scenes (Thursday, January 23) saw Aaron attack Anthony in the Depot. John then later returned to the site of the crime scene and confirmed that Anthony was dead.
But, as Ruby’s abuser’s life ends, we’re not so happy with the decision to kill him off.
Anthony Fox’s murder in Emmerdale
Stumbling around the Dales after suffering a blow to the head by Laurel and after having legged it from Caleb (who was threatening him with a gun), Anthony ended up in the Depot.
He was then cornered by Aaron – who was definitely not a friendly face. Aaron knew what Anthony had done to Ruby, being reminded of what his own evil father Gordon did to him when he was younger.
Aaron never felt as though justice had been served after Gordon ended his own life in prison. He then vowed to let Anthony live so that he could go to prison instead of getting the easy way out. And, like Aaron, we would’ve liked to see Anthony end up behind bars too.
But, fair enough, Aaron’s anger got the better of him when Anthony had the nerve to say that both he and Ruby ‘asked’ for their abuse. What an evil thing to say.
Aaron then punched and punched Anthony until he was bleeding out and had lost a tooth. He then scarpered and told John that he might’ve killed Anthony.
John and Aaron then teamed up (our new fave criminal double act) and realised that Anthony was dead. John then wrapped his body up and shoved him in the van, cleaning everything so that nothing would be traced back to Aaron. The things John does for love…
Opinion: Emmerdale shouldn’t have killed of Anthony
Whilst we really wanted to see Ruby’s abusive father Anthony be punished for his horrendous and absolutely sickening treatment of his daughter, we didn’t want it to end this way.
In soap, there seems to be a troubling pattern of abusers meeting their death instead of going through the justice system and ending up in prison. And, it leaves us feeling a tad too uncomfortable.
Knowing that Anthony was finally paying for his crimes behind bars would’ve given Ruby some sense of justice, knowing that he was going to die inside. But instead, Anthony’s dead. And, he died in the Depot.
The thing is… Anthony had almost accepted his death. He had terminal cancer and was going to die really soon anyway. This means that death wouldn’t be a punishment for what he did. It made no difference, other than the fact that he was robbed of a few extra months at best.
But, watching him spend his last few months in prison, and pay to some extent for what he made poor Ruby go through would’ve been the best way to end his story. And, it would’ve portrayed a much greater message, giving victims hope that justice will prevail in the end rather them or their loved ones having to sadly take matters into their own hands.
Near the end of last year, we saw Tom King get sentenced for his abuse of Belle. Ruby deserved similar justice. Sadly, she was robbed of this chance. And, it just doesn’t sit right with us.
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