Rumours have been swirling for weeks that Mark Fowler Jr.’s return to Walford is closely linked to the show’s biggest mystery arcs, but the real story may be unfolding elsewhere. While viewers debate flash-forwards and hidden clues, EastEnders appears to be quietly shifting its focus back to one of its most iconic power bases: the Mitchell family. And as chaos erupts across Albert Square, that shift couldn’t come at a more explosive time.

EastEnders has always worked best when it remembers what lies at its heart: family. From the earliest days of the Fowlers and Beales to later dynasties like the Panesars, Knights, and Slaters, the soap has thrived when it explores families as tightly bound units, not just individuals chasing disconnected drama. Recent years have seen the Slaters and Brannings dominate major moments, particularly with high-profile returns and festive storylines. But long-time fans know there was a period when Walford unmistakably belonged to the Mitchells.

Think back to their golden era. Peggy Mitchell ruling the Queen Vic with an iron fist, Phil radiating danger with just a look, Roxy injecting chaos wherever she went, and Ronnie silencing entire rooms with her grief-soaked intensity. Even villains like Archie carved out a place in soap history because of how deeply they were woven into the family’s fabric. That sense of unity and menace has been sorely missed. With Peggy, Ronnie, and Roxy gone, Grant absent, and Ben locked away, the Mitchells have felt scattered, almost diluted. Phil remains the last true anchor, but even his storylines have felt restrained.

Now, Mark Fowler Jr.’s reappearance offers a rare opportunity. As Grant’s son, his Mitchell bloodline has been repeatedly emphasized, yet his initial involvement has oddly aligned him more closely with the Brannings. His presence during Max’s arrest raised eyebrows, particularly as questions linger over what really happened. But if EastEnders plays this right, Mark could become the spark that draws the Mitchells back together, potentially steering them toward reclaiming their historic territory behind the bar at the Queen Vic. With other families still grappling with internal conflict, the door is wide open for the Mitchells to rise again as Walford’s dominant force.

While that slow-burn power shift simmers, danger is erupting on multiple fronts. One of the most unsettling threads involves Beia, a newcomer who is quickly proving she may be far more reckless than she appears. Still finding her footing in Albert Square, Beia’s arrival initially seemed harmless, even sympathetic. Her complicated history with Linda Carter emerged during a reunion of Linda’s old school friends, exposing unresolved wounds from their teenage years. Attempting to make amends, Linda offered Beia a room at her newly opened boutique hotel after Beia was thrown out of her flat—a gesture that instantly caused friction with Linda’s mother, Elaine Peacock.

Despite the rocky start, Beia began integrating into Walford life. Her bravery in stepping in to protect Honey Mitchell from a group of aggressive youths outside the Minute Mart earned her respect and landed her a job at the Panesar shop. Yet as Beia grows closer to Honey, suspicions are mounting about her true motives. Next week’s episodes reveal just how dangerous that loyalty could become.

During Beia’s first proper shift, Honey shows her the ropes, only for Vinny Panesar to arrive and speak down to Honey in a way that immediately rattles Beia. Things worsen when Honey injures her back at work and Suki Panesar shows little concern. Outraged, Beia urges Honey to consider legal action, planting a seed that soon spirals out of control. Over drinks later, the two women jokingly fantasize about dragging Suki through the courts—until a drunken Honey accidentally lets slip a devastating secret: Suki once tried to kiss her. Information known to only a handful of people is now in Beia’s hands.

That revelation changes everything. Determined to protect Honey, Beia becomes fixated on taking Suki down, blind to just how ruthless and calculating Suki can be. With Suki’s unpredictable nature, Beia may have unknowingly placed herself in grave danger, setting the stage for a confrontation that could have serious consequences.

Meanwhile, the darkest storyline of all is hurtling toward its climax as Jasmine Fisher’s reign of terror nears its end. Since arriving in Walford, Jasmine has left devastation in her wake. Obsessed with Cindy Beale and emotionally tormenting her estranged mother Zoe Slater, Jasmine has already crossed unforgivable lines. The truth is far worse than most residents realize: Jasmine murdered her biological father, Anthony Trueman, and has allowed Zoe to carry the blame for her crimes.

While she has convinced Kat Slater that she is cooperating with the police, Jasmine is secretly plotting her escape from the Square with her boyfriend, Oscar Branning. Time is running out, and her manipulation is becoming increasingly desperate. In a chilling move, Jasmine targets Patrick Trueman, exploiting his grief and trust in an attempt to secure the money she needs to disappear. However, her plan hits a snag when Oscar refuses to accept the cash Patrick offers, sensing something deeply wrong.

Elsewhere, Max Branning begins to close in on the truth. He uncovers proof that Jasmine never gave a statement to the police, exposing yet another lie. Confronting her, Max tries to frighten her away from Oscar, but whether his warning will be enough remains unclear. Despite Max’s objections, some residents see his interference as hypocritical given his own chaotic romantic history—especially considering his complicated past with Zoe.

As tensions escalate, whispers spread across Albert Square. Many believe Jasmine brings nothing but destruction, and her claims of trying to help her mother only heighten suspicion. The walls begin to close in when Oscar accidentally lets slip details of Jasmine’s escape plan. The question now is whether Jasmine realizes her secret is out—and whether she can act before it’s too late.

All signs point toward a dramatic reckoning. With mounting evidence, fractured alliances, and Jasmine’s lies unravelling, the net finally tightens around her. In a shocking twist, Jasmine is arrested in connection with Anthony’s death, sending shockwaves through Walford. Her carefully constructed façade collapses, leaving Zoe, Kat, and Oscar reeling as the full scale of her betrayal comes into focus.

As EastEnders barrels toward these explosive episodes, the show feels charged with renewed purpose. Between the possible resurgence of the Mitchells, Beia’s dangerous crusade against Suki, and Jasmine’s inevitable downfall, Walford is once again a place where loyalty is tested, secrets destroy lives, and no one is truly safe. If this is the beginning of a return to family-driven power struggles and high-stakes drama, then EastEnders may be reclaiming the intensity that made it unmissable in the first place.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, with episodes available on BBC iPlayer from 6:00 a.m. ahead of broadcast.