Emmerdale spoilers: Charles seals devastated Ethan’s fate in hit and run ordeal
He feels there’s no other option
Ethan Anderson’s (Emile John) decision to drink drive in Emmerdale will destroy his life in more ways than one. It’s left Nicky Milligan (Lewis Cope) in a bad way in hospital, but when Ethan does what any son would do and turns to his dad for support, it backfires spectacularly.
Following the accident, Ethan did a runner and left Moira (Natalie J Robb) to find Nicky and raise the alarm.
Nicky is now in hospital clinging to life, with Caleb (Will Ash) and Ruby (Beth Cordlingly) wracked with stress and holding vigil by his bedside. Meanwhile, Ethan’s oblivious family leave him a wreck by praising him on his new job.
His guilt grows as Ruby vows to get revenge on whoever put Nicky in that hospital bed. Charles (Kevin Mathurin) notices something is off and takes Ethan to the church to offload, where he fully confesses.
He feels there’s no other option
Not at all what Charles was expecting to hear, but there’s a bigger shocker to come – Ethan asks him to be his alibi.
Charles is left agog at the suggestion, especially as for him, the dog collar comes first. Charles secretly makes a devastating decision – he confesses Ethan’s crime to the police on his behalf.
Speaking of Charles’ agony over his decision, Kevin Mathurin explained to Metro.co.uk:
‘There’s always that battle between Charles the vicar and Charles the man and father. He wants to do right by his son, obviously, but righteously, to do the right thing is own up and face the consequences.’
Not long after, Ethan is horrified to find himself being arrested, realising his own father dobbed him in.
What’s worse is that Ruby witnesses his arrest and knows what it means. Charles has sealed the fate of his only son in more ways than one – whether or not the police throw the book at him, Ruby will make damn sure she gets him.
What will happen to Ethan now?
As Kevin speculates the village will ‘turn against’ them both, he teases that Ethan has some big consequences to face: ‘That’s the cards that he’s dealt. He knew he was drinking and the accident has happened so therefore that’s the consequences he has to face.’
