Viewers were alarmed and shocked by “sickening” scenes in EastEnders’ prolonged Halloween episodes.
Last night (Thursday 1 November), fans were appalled as Keegan Baker stabbed a gang member in bloody scenes not suitable for pre-watershed entertainment they complained.
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It was just months ago that Keegan was himself stabbed in horrifying scenes that led to the death of his best friend Shakil Kazemi.
But, failing to learn that knife crime is a heinous wrongdoing, Keegan attempted to get revenge on the boys who were responsible.
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BBC watchers looked on in horror as Keegan was lured into a trap by the gang who had been taunting him by text.
After being circled by the gang and repeatedly punched, a frightened Keegan used his huge knife to stab one of the gang.
He subsequently fled, dropping the knife on the ground and not daring to look behind him… Covered in the boy’s blood, he collapsed in tears at what he had done.
Heartbreakingly, the episode ended with the gang member bleeding to death on the ground as Shakil’s mother Carmel found him.
Fans were appalled, with one tweeting: “Almost as much death and blood as an episode of Game Of Thrones on tonight’s #Eastenders.”
Another said: “I get what the storyline is trying to do highlight knife crime and it’s a good thing but think that episode should have been shown later.”
https://twitter.com/traceyallen16/status/1058085872283893763
Almost as much death and blood as an episode of Game Of Thrones on tonight's #Eastenders
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) November 1, 2018
Well that was like watching nightmare on elm street 😱 #EastEnders
— Mindy❤️ Blackwell (@marinda73) November 1, 2018
Thought that they should have shown Eastenders after the watershed , but these days there is still alot of knife crime #Eastenders
— Ash Skinner (@Villaboy89) November 2, 2018
#eastenders If you're going to tackle serious issues (shock headlines for viewing figures under the guise of raising awareness) then at least do them realistically and not in such a pathetic manner. It belittles the importance! Sickening!*!
— Jan Wilkins (@janwilkins59) November 1, 2018
A third added: “Well that was like watching nightmare on elm street.”
“Thought that they should have shown Eastenders after the watershed , but these days there is still alot of knife crime,” said another.
Others, however, praised the soap for continuing to raise awareness of knife crime, and some argued that the scenes must be shown while children are watching so they see the impact.
It remains to be seen if the boy will survive.
Some fans even believe that Carmel should report Keegan to the police, after she has been campaigning tirelessly against knife crime since her son was murdered.
Do you think the stabbing scenes should have been shown later? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!