Category: Episode Recaps

Emmerdale tonight saw news reach Belle and Jimmy that Tom King had been rushed to hospital after trying to take his own life.

Also, Kim Tate invited Dawn and her family to move back into Home Farm – but neither Billy or Will were enthused about this prospect.

Here’s everything that happened in Emmerdale tonight, Monday December 16.

Belle and Jimmy felt guilty in Emmerdale tonight

After a code red was declared in the prison, Belle and Jimmy King received phone calls to inform them that Tom had been rushed to hospital.

Belle and Sam met Jimmy and Amelia in the café. Belle wasn’t aware of the full story, so Jimmy informed her that Tom had tried to kill himself.

Then came a pity party as Jimmy and Amelia started to feel guilty over how they had treated Tom. “‘I hope you rot,’ that’s the last thing I said to him,” Jimmy said, while Amelia said: “All that hate and I call myself a Christian.”

Sam was having none of it though, and reminded them what Tom had done. He insisted that this changed nothing. Amelia continued to defend Tom, asking: “But how low must he have felt to want to end his life?”

Belle also felt guilty, believing she should have seen it coming as Tom had done it before. Belle said she thought it had been an act before. In a weird parallel universe, Sam appeared to be the only one with a brain and told Belle that Tom was just messing with her head again.

Amelia jumped in to say: “He could have died, Sam. No one is that sick.” That’s what you think, Amelia…

Later, Sam told Charity about the situation and said: “Could have throttled Jimmy and Amelia. I’m meant to be the thick one, but even I could see what he’s doing.” 

Charity told Belle not to let Tom get inside her head again, but it seemed like it might be too late for that…

Tom continued to be manipulative

In hospital, the doctor told Tom there will be no permanent damage and shared that a psychological assessment had been arranged.

Tom was angry when told that his next of kin had been informed. He acted embarrassed as he said: “Great, now everyone knows what I have done.” But once he was alone, he laughed. Perhaps a psychological assessment isn’t such a bad idea…

Later on, Tom’s solicitor pal Ollie asked Tom, “So this was your other way out?” Tom responded: “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Ollie pointed out that Tom’s knowledge of anatomy might have come in useful here. Tom said: “Well maybe if I was a dog or a rat.” If the cap fits, Tom.

Ollie told Tom he will be assessed and a psychologist will decide if he is fit to stand trial. This was music to Tom’s ears, who realised that the trial might not go ahead if he is a suicide risk. Ollie was sure that had been Tom’s plan all along. “What are you suggesting Ollie? That I did all this to somehow manipulate the system?,” asked Tom. Well, yes.

But Tom’s plan was a bit more complex than that. As Belle was shown sitting alone and looking contemplative, Tom’s voice was heard saying: “Of course, there is a chance that something like this might make Belle reconsider her actions. It would be hard for her to testify. Repeating all the vicious lies, knowing how far it’s pushed me. Something like this, it could really put things into perspective.”

Kim asked Dawn to move back in

Will told Kim that the renewal should just be about the two of them. “Do we even need guests?,” he said. Erm, well, yes, probably.

At the hospital, Dawn told Kim that Ewan was doing well and should be home for Christmas. This news made Kim have second thoughts about the vow renewal on Christmas Day. “Christmas is a time for children, we’ll cancel,” she told Dawn.

Dawn was having none of it though and said they needed the vow renewal to bring them back together and “bond us as a family.” So much for no guests.

Kim also suggested that Dawn, Billy and the kids move back to Home Farm. However, while Dawn was pleased, this news went down like a lead balloon with Billy, who said Home Farm was cursed. He probably has a point to be fair.

Will was also horrified when Kim casually dropped the news to him. Will this disrupt his plan to bring Kim down?

Aidan Moore popped up again

John arranged for he and Aaron to take a camping trip – but Aaron couldn’t have been less enthusiastic if he tried. To be fair to him, it is the middle of winter.

But when he realised how important it was to John, he agreed to go along. However, while in the forest, Aaron revealed to John that the only time he had ever done anything like that was with Gordon – his father, who abused him.

John apologised and said they could pack up and go home, but Aaron decided to stay. After Aaron went to the van to get some beers, John pulled out the infamous dog tag chain, with the name Aidan Moore on. John stroked the name, while looking deep in thought.

John had previously shared that Aidan had been his best mate who died while they were serving together in Afghanistan. But is John still hiding something?

Elsewhere in Emmerdale tonight

Eric was short with Jimmy in the shop. The exchange was witnessed by Kerry, who told Eric he wasn’t really angry with Jimmy. “You’re angry with yourself,” she said. “When in fact, the only thing that you should be angry with is that scuzzy crypto con.” Eric wasted no time in chucking her out.

Later, Kerry tried to make amends with Eric. Upon seeing the mess at Eric’s place, she offered to clean for him. In a sexist moment, Eric revealed that Brenda had previously done all of the ‘women’s work.’ Nice.

Read more: A guide to the Tate family: A full family tree

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX. 

Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3. 

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