Oh I definitely agree. I can just see it being this incredibly emotional scene (which they will no doubt pull off perfectly). I don't know, I think the first instinct for Ste will be to comfort Brendan in any way possible, but just not knowing how to do it so he just holds him and kisses him all over in some sort of attempt to stop the pain.

But then part of me thinks he might not do that, that he'll be so shocked he'll just be numbed to it and won't know what to do. Or else I can see him crying, or getting angry...I just can't even begin to imagine how Ste would react to that news.

BH

Also when the reveal happens I think Ste will cry and first and then because Cheryl won't believe it he may attack Pa-maybe just with words, possibly physically. I think when it's revealed Brendan will withdraw and possibly not let Ste even touch him and I think Ste will blame Cheryl especially for not believeing him.

It could just go so many ways, Ste may find out first and then seeing what Pa's done to Brendan blurt out at Cheryl's stupidity. I keep wondering if they would ever go there with attempted suicide if Brendan thinks noone believes him. God if that happened and Ste found him- Ok I'm just upsetting myself now so I'll stop.

It's rather fascinating isn't it? I think Cheryl's character is scrutinized a lot but it does feel like meeting Seamus has put her into perspective too. The total lack of any self confidence but brash exterior. Throwing herself at people and desperate to be loved but extremely judgmental and harsh when she wants to.

Oh I know I found it really really hard to watch at the start and then the pub stuff was really awful and then sobbing brendan just completley broke me

Both emmett and kieron were both immense tonight

Did anyone else feel creeped out and sorry for Brendan when he was talking in the pub yesterday, that even after his father had abused him, Brendan still wanted his father to be proud of him and that getting the job in the pub was him finally being noticed. It was so sad

I can imagine Ste being a complete rock for Brendan. I think he'll hold him, he'll tell him he never deserved it and none of this is his fault. I think he will do whatever Brendan wants and needs. But then I would love a scene where Ste is alone and he just breaks down, throws up and has a scene like he did in the deli

I think Stephen will believe Brendan when he tells him. I think alot will fall into place at that moment.

It is going to be heartbreaking.

OT - On a lighter note, the video is just lovely. Emmett's 'I hate Christmas' made me squee and I did enjoy PJ making fun of Doug's crying

I wonder if they will delve into that slightly? Like, how he always told her no-one was ever good enough for her (as all Dads do when you're young) but really, putting her down whilst building her confidence in the wrong way (if that makes sense)?

Considering how it's been pointed out that Brendan can't buy Declan and Padraig's love, it seems that Seamus bought Cheryl's in a way.

You can see why Emmett and Kieron are so full of praise and love for each other. The level of trust between them as actors is amazing, they're both having to dig very deep and they give each other an amazing amount to work with.

When Ste was trying to get hold of Brendan to calm him down, the look on his face was so raw, as if Kieron was completely in the moment and let himself just react to what Emmett was doing. They're so special, it's a privilege to watch them.

I think there is no possible way Ste couldn't believe him-seeing the way they've dealt with it already I think Ste will know. Even if they did I wouldn't believe it.

He may be shocked and not know what to show leading Brendan to thinking noone believes him. I do wonder whether will find it in him to say the actual words or whether a conversation will be heard or Ste figures it out from something Pa insinuates.

I think it was like, he thought if he could make him proud, then the abuse would stop. But the failure too make him proud just spurred on more abuse

That was a beautiful hug as well.

I really want a Kieron hug, he is so good at it.

It makes a lot of psychological sense, really. Same in relationship abuse. The more you're hurt, the more you want to be loved by that person.

More generally, I really enjoy how this storyline has really begun with Ste and Amy and the physical abuse, then Ste and Brendan abuse, then finally Brendan's abuse from his father. It's astonishing how well it fits together over the years. The cycle of hate and fear and abuse in all different ways from all different sources, and how everyone is suffering, how everyone - even the 'evil Brendan' as people thought him to be - has a story to tell.

God that gives me chills just thinking about it. That would be an amazing scene to have. Not only confronting child abuse through the eyes of the person that experienced it but also through the eyes of the ones who love them most.

The thing is that it goes without saying that what Brendan went through was absolutely horrific and nobody should ever have to suffer through something like that. However, from the perspective of Ste, it must be absolutely torturous to think the person you love the most in the World went through something like that. It would make you want to kill, it would make you feel physically ill...I just think Ste will want to kill Seamus.

BH

Hmmmm. I don't think that Seamus would for one moment consider that sexually abusing your own son as being a gay characteristic. It was just an act of power.

How appalling is Seamus.

I'm 100% sure Ste will believe Brendan when he finds out about the sexual abuse.

I wonder at what point Nate shows up for Cheryl. While Pa's around, I wonder?

I'd like to think so. If Fintan is still filming then he must be sticking around for a nice chunk of time so there's plenty of opportunity.

The more I think about it the more I'm beginning to get Cheryl.

And he did. And she fell for it.


Perfectly put.

I would love to see that. To see how it affects Ste when he's on his own.

Totally not sitting here sending shippy questions to Fake Brendan's ask...

Okay I am LOL

Oh, I just had an image of a scene after Ste finds out.

Ste finds out and they are both at the slum. The next day Brendan is playing with Leah whilst Ste is out and Leah asks Brendan why her Daddy was crying last night. Brendan asks what she means and she says something like, I woke up in the night and could hear him crying, do you know why?

Then Brendan asks him about it and Ste says you shouldn't have found out, I need to be strong for you

I agree with both of you. So sad. Poor Brendan

tattoed, you've put that perfectly.

Oh my god, that's amazing
I just want Ste to find out like now

This. I agree with every word - perfectly put!

Who writes the fake Brendan tweets? Is there one person behind all the fake Twitters or a big team?

Yes, definitely, Seamus wouldn't identify as gay in a million years, and he'd deny being a paedophile as well. In his head it's probably Brendan's fault (and that will be reinforced when it's confirmed to him that Brendan's gay) and the fault of any other children he's abused. We know all about his idea of what makes a man, and he's it.