Emmerdale has had a bad run of villains over the last few years – but Meena Jutla has changed all that.
She brilliant, funny, completely psychotic and we absolutely love her.
Actress Paige Sandhu, who plays Meena has revealed this is the “beginning of the end”, though she did tease “more drama to come” during a This Morning appearance earlier this week.
It seems likely, then, that her end is imminent, especially as she is now in police custody.
However, we’re not sure it’s time for Meena to leave just yet…
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The Kim Tate problem
The problem for Emmerdale is that they have always had their iconic character looming over the show in Kim Tate.
Nothing could ever match her because she was legendary and all who came after her were compared to her.
And none of them stood up to her.
But now she’s back and has been humanised and updated and so she’s a different kind of villain.
She’s the vampire in the castle who needs to keep the villagers safe so she can feed off them.
And that creates a vacuum for a new villain – and we have been given Meena.
Now, she’s not that original (killer nurse Emma Barton says hello) but she is exactly what Emmerdale needs now.
She’s focused, unpredictable, utterly unhinged and phenomenal to watch.
From one minute to the next you don’t know whether she’s going to casually leave her brother-in-law to die in a car accident, or shove a teenage girl over a bridge to her doom.
Where other recent Dales’ serial killers have been a bit wet (Lachlan White, cough) Meena definitely isn’t.
She kills because she can – and when she needs to.
Emmerdale’s Meena Jutla’s motives are questionable
There’s no messing around with dull financial motives. If she wants you dead, she’ll kill you.
If you’re a threat to her, she will kill you.
While those before her have all been killers of convenience, Meena enjoys the killing – and it shows on screen.
And can anyone imagine Meena backing down to the likes of spoiled rich baby Lachlan if he tried to kill her?
She’d finish him off while painting her nails.
Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to Emmerdale this year?
It’s not time for Meena to leave
Is it really time for Meena to go? Surely there’s still some kills left on her list?
We know this week has been a bit far-fetched, as she kidnapped Billy and Dawn, knocked out Harriet, locked up Lucas and tormented Liam.
We appreciate she may have gone a teensy bit too far now.
But!
But, what is Emmerdale without her? Show us a more interesting story and we’ll pipe down, but, honestly, what – or who – is going to fill the gap when she goes?
She’s got everyone talking – love her or hate her, we’re all fascinated by her.
Can Meena get away with murder?
Even we’re pretty convinced by Meena’s act under police questioning – and we know what she’s done!
The Emmerdale police force really are stupid enough to buy it: they arrested Liam in a heartbeat on her word alone.
As Meena tries to outwit the cops with her answers and if she refuses to give a confession, could she seriously get away with it? It’s looking more and more likely!
There’s not a huge amount of concrete evidence at this point. It’s a lot of he said and she said. Unless the trinket box is found, Meena might walk free.
And how great would it be to see her trying to settle back into village life? And convince everyone she’s the innocent party?
Think of the showdowns, the arguments, and the potential for so many more storylines.
Sure, she can’t go on forever and ever, but just a little bit longer. Please?
Want more spoilers from Emmerdale? Entertainment Daily has a dedicated Emmerdale spoilers section for you to get your fix before the latest episodes air.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
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