Has Ryan set himself up for a shock demise?
As Christmas approaches, so does EastEnders’ massive holiday plot, a murder mystery centered on a man’s body found on the floor of The Queen Vic.
Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott) is a leading candidate for the character who might pass away at the end of the year. We’ve been exploring all the possibilities.
He unexpectedly visited Walford earlier this year, and the timing of his visit was definitely intriguing. Ryan, then, is he the murder victim? Continue reading as we examine each hint.
Timing of his comeback
Ryan made a brief but eventful return to Albert Square just before EastEnders gathered a group of wronged women, including Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
By the time that flash-forward aired, the timing of this and Ryan’s despicable behavior, which Lily (Lillia Turner), the daughter he shares with Stacey, witnessed, only increased our suspicions that Ryan might have been the murder victim.
The murderous remark from Stacey
When Ryan insisted on having Lily over for Christmas despite Lily finding his attitude offensive, Stacey was overheard saying that she’d “love to throttle” him during the same episode that featured the flash-forward.
In order for Lily to remain in Walford, Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace) scheduled her wedding to Phil (Steve McFadden) for December 25.
Ryan might get in touch again now that the wedding is scheduled to take place and demand that Lily be picked up. Seeing Stacey follow through on her earlier remark, could their argument become physical?
Blood on Stacey’s hands
The possibility that the blood on Stace’s hands during the flashback could connect her to her stalker Theo Hawthorne (William Ellis) has already been taken into account. But given recent events, is it possible that Theo won’t be gone by Christmas?
Since Stacey and the other members of “The Six” have been toasting that men should “get what they deserve,” we can see Ryan fitting the bill if he decides to turn on Stacey once more. Alternatively, the blood may be a hint that Stacey is connected to a different character.
Whitney’s New Year exit
Shona McGarty, the show’s star, will undoubtedly leave EastEnders the following year, but what if Whit’s departure coincides with her big brother Ryan’s potential demise? She was not pleased to see some of his vile behavior in February, but she is still in contact with him, according to what we know.
However, RadioTimes.com has speculated that there might be a seventh woman at the crime scene, and Whit might be there as well. If so, Whit might get into a fight because she has seen too many evil men in her time.
But even if she’s not there, the prospect of Ryan being killed might still contribute to her departure because it would be one unpleasant memory she wouldn’t want to carry around.
Suit of armour
We’ve been thinking a lot about the suit of armor Stacey is wearing in the flash-forward because it suggests a potential savior for a distressed Stace.
This makes Stacey the focus of the narrative, which is yet another indication that Ryan might be the one to be found dead at Christmas instead of Theo, who might be the more likely candidate.
It would be quite a twist, but believable, to see Ryan make another explosive cameo, with fatal repercussions, after being absent for several months.
