Last year was incredibly low-key for Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) in EastEnders.
Though her New Years hook-up with Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota), which lead to a new romance, has proven to be the catalyst to bring her back to the forefront, fans are concerned this story is leading Penny to one place – the graveyard.
See, Penny and Vinny’s new fling has had some unforeseen consequences. Namely, an unexpected pregnancy, which may go some way to explaining the presence of a baby named Ethan in the New Years Day flash forward episode.
Ethan was in the care of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Penny’s dad and it was evident that Jack was suffering, with he and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) apparently on bad terms.
Fans think Penny will die
But how did baby Ethan come to be with his grandad, and is he the baby that Penny is currently pregnant with?
Numerous fans had theories to share after Ryan Glendenning made an incredibly bold promise.
Daisy May (@DaisyM40397) replied to Ryan’s tweet, asking: ‘Didn’t Oscar say something about a fire in the flash forward???’, to which Ryan replied: ‘Yeah, we know something happens in the Vic as the windows are boarded up, which indicates either a fire or possible siege with Nicola caught in the crossfire hence the broken ankle’.
The theory is clear, could a fire in the Vic claim the life of Penny and/or Vinny, necessitating Jack to raise little Ethan?
Natasha (@natashate1983) offered her own theory as to what could happen: ‘She’s going to die during child birth. I feel Jack was only with the baby during flashbacks not to make it obvious it was Vinny son’. Kathy (bless her), offered a much nicer alternative: ‘Maybe Jack was just babysitting? While Penny took a break?’
Tom (@tdwkent), argued that Penny dying during childbirth would be a disservice to the character and the visibility she provides: ‘I feel like killing of Penny during childbirth sends the wrong message to other disabled mothers, or soon to be ones. I’m hoping that Penny just struggles to bond with the baby, and that explains why Jack is looking after a baby in the flash forward.’
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Chloe (@chloerichx) backed up Tom’s point: ‘I’m so excited to see them explore pregnancy whilst living with a disability and being in a wheelchair! It’s sad if they are going to kill Penny off because you don’t see many actors in a wheelchair and I’m sure it’s important for many.’
What happens next to Penny and the Brannings?
Jack had clearly been through a lot in the flash forward episode and, whatever the finer details, he’s been left holding a baby and apart from his beloved Denise.
If the above theories are correct, Penny could well perish in whatever disaster caused such destruction in the Vic, after giving birth to Ethan. If Penny fell pregnant on New Years Eve, Ethan would be born around the end of September, barring any complications, meaning disaster would have to befall her between October and December.
Does this rule Denise out as one of Max’s potential brides? Surely she’d never be callous enough to watch Jack lose his daughter then undergo a whirlwind romance with his brother.
Will Penny die?
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Yes
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No
And if Penny did die, why is Ethan not with his dad, Vinny? With Vinny’s mum Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and her wife, Eve (Heather Peace) looking to adopt, surely they’d be on hand to help raise Ethan?
Unless Vinny dies too? He’s missing entirely from the flash forward episode.
You know, we’re sure this is all just grim theorising. We’re certain Jack was just giving Penny the morning off while she and Vinny caught up on some much needed sleep, before Ethan returns to his happy, loving family. Right?
Right?!
