EastEnders fans were incredulous last night when they spotted several major plot holes in the dramatic showdown between newlyweds Mel Owen and Ray Kelly.
Their sham marriage came to an ugly head during a violent fight in the forest, but not before Ray had managed to escape police in scenes viewers called “unrealistic”, “useless” and unintentionally “hilarious”.
And that was just the start of their complaints about the episode, which aired on Thursday (3 January).
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The first of a two-parter saw Ray escape two police officers after he was arrested for bigamy after his wedding to Mel.
Conman Ray was handcuffed in the back of the police car, but pleaded with them to pull over.
The criminal then feigned a heart attack in order to get the officers to pull over and get out.
Catching them off-guard, Ray seized his moment, threatening to attack one police officer with pepper spray.
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Viewers squirmed at the apparent lack of realism, as Ray then locked the two officers into the back of their car before returning to Walford and kidnapping Mel’s son, Hunter.
Many soap fans called out what they believed to be huge flaws in the plot, like why didn’t the female officer, who was standing above him, threaten to use her own pepper spray?
And how did he manage to tie up both of the PCs with nothing to attack them with but pepper spray? They did have truncheons, after all!
And why didn’t the rest of the police force come looking for Ray?
One fan blasted: “Ray locked police in their car in the daylight and arrived home in the dark. Surely police would have looked for the 2 officers by now? Think Mel got back in daylight and the police station couldn’t have been that far away. #eastenders.”
Another said: “Again – Not realistic! The police would be swarming the square for Ray, and not one police car or officer is about! I cannot suspend my disbelieve on this #EastEnders.”
Others called Walford police “rubbish”, while many more wondered why on earth nobody called them when things took a dark turn.
#EastEnders never fails to amaze Ray assaults 2 officers who called for urgent ambulance assistace, makes it back to the square, ties up Hunter, gets him in the back of the car without 1 single person noticing or police presence on the Square!? I know its only a soap but come on
— Half Man Half Amazin (@MrBazza90) January 3, 2019
Police haven't told anyone that Ray has escaped? #eastenders
— EastEnders Weekly Podcast (@eastendersweek) January 3, 2019
#eastenders ffs Ray and Stuart both avoiding jail!! Walford police are pretty rubbish lol
— lyndilula (@lyndilula) January 3, 2019
Again – Not realistic! The police would be swarming the square for Ray, and not one police car or officer is about! I cannot suspend my disbelieve on this 😒 #EastEnders
— Ciaran 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇮🇪 (@CiaranUT) January 3, 2019
Ray locked police in their car in the daylight and arrived home in the dark. Surely police would have looked for the 2 officers by now? Think Mel got back in daylight and the police station couldn't have been that far away. #eastenders
— Katie (@Katie26281) January 3, 2019
Award winning cops in Walford!! #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/4jOvXFW8UY
— Pádraig McCann (@Padraig_McCann) January 3, 2019
@bbceastenders #EastEnders so, who had the shovel in their car? Was Ray hitting the car with a feather duster? Would you really decide to shallow grave someone when you can call the police? Why wasn’t the aborted 999 call followed up? Has that mad woman Kate Oates taken over now?
— ManaboutLDN (@consumersupremo) January 3, 2019
That was so comedic and such a let down… so many questions. Why didn't the police try and find Ray after he locked their officers in the car? Why didn't they check the house? Why didn't Ray use the shovel to smash the window glass on her car? Just so ridiculous… #eastenders
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) January 3, 2019
That was so comedic it was unreal… the ringtone/speaker playing from miles away, the way they just had a little reminiscent chat, zombie ray popping up, the brawl Ray had with the police, the fact that Mel didn't keep the gun pointed at him… So silly. #eastenders
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) January 3, 2019
“EastEnders never fails to amaze Ray assaults 2 officers who called for urgent ambulance assistace, makes it back to the square, ties up Hunter, gets him in the back of the car without 1 single person noticing or police presence on the Square!? I know its only a soap but come on,” said another.
“Ridiculous” and “ludicrous” cried some fans, and that was even before Ray was run over, buried and ‘came back from the dead’.
Droves of viewers were highly critical that EastEnders scriptwriters had used the same plot twist three times in less than a fortnight and wondered why “no one in Walford thinks to check a pulse”.
Every marriage has its ups and downs. #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/HFUrAfDpth
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) January 3, 2019
On Christmas Day, Alfie Moon was accidentally pushed down some stairs, thought dead, but wasn’t and did a runner.
On New Year’s Day, Mel was strangled by Ray, thought dead, but woke up and arrived at her own wedding looking rather marvellous despite her near-death experience!
The violent scenes between Ray, Mel and Hunter eventually ended – we think? – with Hunter shooting Ray dead. Or did he?
Did you enjoy the showdown between Mel and Ray? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!