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EastEnders airs Sean Slater's uplifting final scenes

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

EastEnders bid farewell to Sean Slater with a poignant episode on Monday (May 6) that brought his mental health storyline to an uplifting close.

Last Friday's episode left off on an encouraging note when Jean (Gillian Wright) convinced her suicidal son Sean (Robert Kazinsky) to forgive himself for the sins of his past and make a new start.

Unfortunately, it became evident quite quickly in Monday's instalment that returning to Walford wouldn't be the way forward for Sean. Being in the busy Slater house only seemed to drive him up the wall, so much so that he convinced the rest of the family to go out for milkshakes without him.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

"I'll stay away from the knife drawer, I promise," he sarcastically told a concerned Jean.

When a cheerful Jean returned to the house later with news that she'd found her son a flat in the Square, her face dropped when she saw her son had already packed his bags and was ready to leave Walford.

"You have done this for years, and years, and years and it hasn't worked, hasn't it?" she demanded. "All that pain. All that self-loathing. You can't laugh your way out of this.

"You need help. You need to get well. You can't do that on your own."

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

However, Sean surprised his mum by revealing he'd actually made himself an appointment to get the mental health care he needed for a fresh restart.

"I know I can't do it on my own, mum. I know I need help," he assured her. "I'm going to get it."

As they said their goodbyes, Sean told her: "I'm really glad I came back. And I'm really grateful you were there."

Although Jean worried that she'd never see her son again, Sean put her mind at ease this time by leaving his mobile number with her.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Sean also got a chance to say goodbye to young Amy Mitchell before he sped away, promising that he'd take her to Roxy's old bar in Ibiza when she turns 18.

The only person who didn't get a proper goodbye was Sean's sister Stacey (Lacey Turner), who arrived back at the house just in time to watch her brother's car race down the Square.

Is it really goodbye for Sean Slater? Kazinsky recently refused to rule out another comeback as long as the Slaters are in Walford.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

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"There's been times in my life where I thought I'd never come back, yet here I am," he said. "I have to say I've enjoyed every single second of it. I'm not sure what more there would be for Sean, but as long as Stacey and the Slaters are there, there's always a reason for Sean to return, but you don't know what's going to happen in the future.

"It's been ten years and I love this character, these people, this place, so never say never."

EastEnders continues on Tuesday (May 7) at 7.30pm on BBC One.


We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), and Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.


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