There was about as much chance of Max Branning (Jake Wood) turning over a new leaf as there was of Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) putting his hand in his pocket but it didn’t hurt Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) any less to learn that she had been duped once again by the lothario.
The beloved EastEnders matriarch gave ex-lover Max, who she previously branded her ‘biggest mistake’, the benefit of the doubt after he showcased a whole new side to himself that was unexpectedly nurturing and kind.
Yes, Max proved to be the supportive co-parent to Annie that she never dreamed him capable of being and he also promised to be there for Ollie (Harry Farr) too, offering his pearls of wisdom amid the boy’s bullying ordeal.
Linda vowed never to go ‘there’ where Max is concerned ever again after she famously cheated on Mick (Danny Dyer) with him six years ago, unaware that her longtime love and soulmate was going through an ordeal of his own.
After Mick revealed that he’d been abused at 12 years of age, Linda apologised for straying and swiftly put an end to her sordid fling with Max, realising she had made a big error in looking twice at the former car lot salesman.
Max reverted to form, claiming that what he and Linda had was stronger than her life-long romance with childhood sweetheart Mick, urging her to dump him so they could be together.
Linda saw his true colours then and ordered him out of her life, which prompted Max to depart the Square. She feared him ever finding out that Annie was his daughter, knowing he could prove unpredictable and ruthless.
Those fears were realised last year when Max returned and took Annie without her consent, telling the little girl that he was her dad.
Despite this, Linda resolved to give him a chance to be a parent, urging him to stay in Walford when he contemplated leaving.
In the month since, Max has really upped his game, proving supportive both towards her and children Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier).
Linda was impressed by his desire to be better and started seeing him in a whole new light, especially when he came to her aid during Ollie’s bullying ordeal, proving a constant source of support.
But when Max came into some information that could have eased both Ollie and Linda’s suffering – i.e. the identity of the bully being his own grandson Louis – he decided to sit on it for fear that it would sabotage his chances of a future with Linda.
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And there he is. Max Branning was back in the room.
Unaware of his deceit and, believing he had her best interests at heart, Linda cooked Max a meal and made a move, with the former flames sharing a kiss.
But the scales fell from her eyes the following morning when she discovered that Max knew about Louis’ involvement in Ollie’s ordeal and kept it from her, seeing him once again for who he truly is.
To make the situation even worse, she learned that Max instructed Lauren not to tell her either. ‘You make me sick!’, she exclaimed to his face, storming off.
Max wasted little time in attempting a spell of damage control. Needing to know for sure if he could be trusted, Linda – who already knew the answer to the question she posed – decided to test him, asking him when he found about Louis. In particular, if it was before or after the kiss.
Unsurprisingly, he failed the test.
Has Max’s actions scuppered any shot he had with Linda? Given his history, it’s likely that they would’ve never worked longterm and Linda will certainly think twice before giving him another chance.
Having said that, we know Max will be walking down the aisle come January time following that flashforward episode, so there is technically a possibility that Linda could still be his bride.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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