It was by far the best episode of the year for me - I knew that DBH would pull out all the stops and he did - in spectacular fashion.

When actors are actually given some decent material they often rise to the occasion and the lad has been playing a blinder ever since SOC took control of the storyline (you remember him - the worst EP of all time according to many on here).

For anyone who has been in a similar position to Lee it was an astonishing performance and the script was spot on.

Incredibly powerful stuff.

'Real' men my arse (King Weeble take note)!

Oh and Sally Rogers should be signed up immediately - she is simply perfect for Walford.

As for the Max and Philth scene it was a real cracker - Jake Wood is a superb actor.

Perhaps Max really means it - he could either be a broken man with the self harming or perhaps the pain gives him the emotional drive and focus to seek true vengeance.

We shall see.

Ten out of ten for me and not an explosion, murder or car crash to be seen anywhere.

Outstanding post. I agree.

Thanks mate.

That was a good episode. Well done all at EE.

I second that, well said Phil.

I'll third it

I'm loving EE at the moment. They have a cracking cast with some amazing actors in there. Looking forward to 2017

I've just watched the episode and it was absolutely superb.

I was in tears watching Lee. To those who say he can't act well sorry but that's totally wrong. He was absolutely superb.

I also adored the max /Phil scenes. Jake wood is a superb actor and I'm loving Max's return although Martin is really annoying me

Yes but Martin is still far sexier than Max. So it's a win, win for Martin then.

I think Martin is far better looking than Max but weirdly Max is far sexier than Martin

Plus the connection Max and Stacey have (or used to have) is both emotional and sexual and that never fully goes away imo. So even though I believe Stacey loves Martin and thinks she sees Max as "family" I think Martin is right to be wary. But he should be honest about his fears rather than going on about poor Ian and Jane and what they have been through.

On Max I am in a difficult position, detest the character, love the actor. I would absolutely obliterate the character can't abide him.

Why there is no EastEnders tonight? It's always been on on NYE?

Agree.

Wonderful acting, great storyline, poignant episode, EE has always tackled issues like this very very well. Quite topical as over the holidays, people do get depressed. I see the Archers family abuse storyline increased referrals, and this portrayal should do the same.

Any bullying, workplace or outside or cyberspace bullying has profound effects on people, it's easy for the bullies not to see the end result and unhappiness they cause.

Financial worries are also very relevant at this time of year when people tend to overspend.

Typically a lot of people are out tonight at NYE parties so it's on NYD.

It was fantastic. As someone who has depression and tried suicide before I felt it was done perfectly. I was crying. I knew exactly what he was gonna write on that note as he wrote it. The car park lady was excellent and the twist with her son was perfect. Now maybe more people will ask for help and more people will be understanding of this issue.

Yes, I remember - back in the days when I still went out for NYE - delaying the whole night out so I could watch Tiff die. And then it was all my fault when we couldn't get a seat all night

It was your seat I nicked that night

Just caught the episode.

Truly stunning.

EE has been getting better and better over December and that topped it. Pure character-driven drama. The show has real substance and depth again. Sure, storylines seem to take a little longer to get somewhere (unlike the 50 storylines in a month we had under DTC - I'm not hater of his by the way) but the show feels better for it.

Can wait for NYD episode.

Watched on catch up today.

Exceptional episode, great acting from Danny-Boy, his scene at the end with Whitney was so touching. It had a It's-A-Wonderful-Life-esque feel about it in that Lee remembered all the good things about his life. I wonder how his exit will play out now.

Loved the scenes with Max, he's playing the forgiveness card but can't help feeling there's something darker around the corner, I thought he was going to kiss Phil at one point but crisis averted

Amazing episode.

It was a blinding episode, by far the best since SOC took over, with some incredible performances from Danny-boy Hatchard, Jake Wood, Sally Rogers and Rita Simons.

As someone who has suffered from depression and contemplated suicide in the past, this storyline has really hit home for me. I have a couple of friends who are also going through something very similar as well right now so it's all very fresh for me. I thought DBH and Rogers played a blinder and when she looked at that picture frame of her late son at the end, it broke my heart!

I think the scenes between Jake Wood and Rita Simons were really interesting to watch, two lost souls who are often unfairly being written off (funnily by the same person at the moment) and blamed for things beyond their control. Later the scene between Max and Phil was perfect with the shocker at the end really turning the characters on it's head - this is potentially not the Max we know.

And then Glenda and Danny popped up again! Yay. Always loved Glynis Barber and Glenda.

The only issue I had was more shaky cam. I can't understand why SOC keeps using what appears to be handheld cameras! It makes me feel sick.

Well Lee has'nt actually asked for help has he ? Personally I thought it was very contrived that there just happened to be a "guardian angel" there who was able to talk him around who had issues with her son too (who probably killed himself).

Will anything change for Lee the next morning ? Will he learn from this confess everything to Whitney and his family ? No of course he wont. More lying, more deciept, more getting himself into even more debt.

As I have said for anyone who suffers from clinical depression (and sadly I count myself amongst them) it was a truly incredible episode.

From the age, area and city I am from I understand perfectly Lee's confusion about what it is to be a man. Big confession that - because all of this 'real man' bollocks is a huge part of the culture I grew up in.

Sorry folks TMI.

Lee thought suicide was his only option, it is the depth of despair and a cry for help. I think the poster means that people seeing it and who are reaching the point might ask for help before letting things get that bad. i am sure we will see Lee actually ask for help in the coming episodes

This is quite a personal post for me as I have sat on the edge just like Lee was. I contemplated taking my own life not knowing where to turn and suffering my dependance to alcohol. I was pulled away by Police officers who feared that I would jump into the river but after watching this stunning episode it made me feel so lucky and cried with Lee and along with Karen who had lost her son to suicide. Just amazing acting and felt like must watch TV. EastEnders is the soap to beat when it delivers this quality. I'm so excited for tomorrow and for the future of the show. It feels so fresh.

Great post.

Depression often leads blokes to self-medicate with alcohol - and that can cause far greater health problems in the long run than the illness itself.

Roll on tomorrow.

SOC is doing a really wonderful job so far.

I always watch on catch-up (I work nights, so my sleep scheduled is completely off kilter) but this episode was one of the first in a very long time that had me feeling a little disappointed that the next one wasn't already available.

Karen made a phenomenal addition to the show, and I'm disappointed that she probably won't be back. I would LOVE for Lee to have a friend outside of his family, for him to have someone he could bond with...

I'm not always impressed with Danny-Boy's acting, but last night, he blew me away. He really did. Last night, I really found myself rooting for Lee, praying he gets through this. Sadly, it's not likely. I think - once Mick finds out about his involvement in the robbery - that'll end up pushing Lee over the edge. Regardless of Mick's reaction.

I loved Lee's overarching narrative of the whole episode. And it helped with Karen's replies; when you're stuck in the same situation as Lee, trying to rationalise with yourself is nigh on impossible. But hearing someone else reason with you - it doesn't always work, but it can, and when it does, it's like an entire weight has been lifted.

I still can't work Max out. He would have jumped at the chance for revenge, once upon a time. That said, him smothering Phil would have been OOC. He's much more likely to go for the mind games, or finding a way to cost Phil everything he has. I don't want reformed Max. I want nitty, gritty, 'I'm gunna screw your life up' Max - and I want it to be glorious.

Are they edging towards giving Shrimpy a bigger part, then? Because if so - good. Although could someone call him and tell him the 00's emo scene want their hair-do back, please?