EastEnders introduced sinister Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) to Albert Square tonight, after he was released from prison.
But as he swaggered about and made himself at home, Suki (Balvinder Sopal) was telling Kheerat (Jaz Deol) the awful truth about who Nish killed.
The family believe that patriarch Nish was jailed for killing an intruder in the shop; but the reality is much worse.
Suki talked to Kheerat about her husband’s abusive and controlling ways, explaining that he monitored where she was, what she did and who she was with.
It became clear that this was what had shaped Suki into the hardened woman we have seen at the head of the family; one who has caused heartache with confrontations and harsh behaviour.
We have recently seen the softer and more vulnerable core to Suki, not least of all through her growing love for Eve Unwin (Heather Peace).
And though her actions are often misguided and morally wrong, there’s no denying how much she loves and wants to protect her kids.
Kheerat was upset to digest the true nature of his dad, but this was only the beginning.
Suki told him that a platonic friend she has was the victim of the murder, and a jealous and paranoid Nish had exploded with rage and violently killed him.
Suki made him promise not to tell anyone so, while Vinny and Ash welcomed Nish home, Kheerat struggled to look his dad in the face.
Nish opened his arms and Kheerat embraced him but his troubled look proved his mind was whirring over what to do now.
With Suki heading to Dubai for several weeks, Kheerat is left wrestling the truth about what his dad did, and who he truly is.
Will he tell his siblings the truth? And is he in danger from his own father?
Newcomer Navin has certainly not ruled out the prospect of his evil alter ego striking again – though it’s not just Kheerat that he will be watching closely.
‘Eve’s playing with fire,’ he warned. ‘And if Nish finds out what’s going on between her and Suki, it’s not going to be a pretty day in Walford.
‘But Eve is a strong woman, and we’ve got some scenes coming up that develop something very exciting.’
However, Kheerat is still very much in Nish’s sights.
‘Nish says to Ash that at a young age, Kheerat had to become the head of the family and a father figure for the other children,’ the former Teachers actor continued.
‘Nish readily admits Kheerat took on that responsibility which, rightfully, he cannot relinquish now his dad is out.
‘Nish reconnects with the younger ones – Ash and Vinny – because he knows he can easily win them over. He does have genuine compassion and love for them, but it’s on his terms.
‘With Kheerat, Nish probably sees a lot of himself, and knows he’s the biggest challenge. But if Nish can’t win Kheerat over, he’ll get him out of the way. If anybody stands in Nish’s way, they do not stand a chance.’
