EastEnders just staggered a nation by bringing back two huge characters – including another return from the 𝕕ead

This article contains spoilers from Wednesday’s (January 31) episode of EastEnders which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

If you thought this was your average Wednesday in EastEnders, then think again, because we have just been treated to the best episode of 2024 so far with literally no prior warning.

The episode opened and closed with two massive returns, leaving us literally shaking from beginning to end.

Poor Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is going through it at the moment, following the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) on Christmas Day.

EastEnders left us gobsmacked with the returns of Keanu Taylor and Lucas Johnson

Ever since losing her iconic necklace in his makeshift grave, Denise has been slowly spiralling, with her grip on reality loosening with each passing day.

In today’s episode, it became clear just how bad things had got when Denise suffered a horrifying nightmare, which saw Keanu bury her beneath the cafe.

Keanu’s shock appearance left Denise terrified, and she woke up screaming, only to find that husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was nowhere to be found.

In upcoming episodes, visions of Keanu will continue to haunt Denise, though they won’t just stay confined to her nightmares…

When Jack eventually showed his face, Denise questioned him on his whereabouts and grew concerned when he explained that he had been called out to investigate a possible sighting in a missing person’s case.

Though viewers know that he was actually sleeping with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Denise’s paranoia was for a different reason, as she feared it was Keanu’s case he had been investigating.

Later, she confided her fears in Stacey, who assured her that he wouldn’t have been put on the case if they thought she was connected to it.

Still battling with her conscience, Denise accompanied Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) to her church group at the community centre. While there, Pastor Clayton suggested that she unburden herself by confiding in God.

Though Denise wasn’t sure God would want to listen, Pastor Clayton urged her to seek advice from someone who had been in her position, revealing that she may be able to talk to God through them.

With this in mind, Denise decided to visit an unexpected face from the past: Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet).

Consider us gobsmacked.

For those viewers who aren’t aware, Lucas is Denise’s serial killer ex-husband, who once held her hostage in a basement and told the rest of her family she was dead. They had a funeral and everything.

He returned to our screens briefly in 2020 before being sent back to prison after being caught with drugs.

Given that Lucas is experienced in killing people and covering it up, will he be able to offer Denise the guidance she needs?