Lives are on the line and tragedy perhaps a certainty in a Hollyoaks week that will undoubtedly change the village forever as a plan to rescue the missing teens goes horribly wrong.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Dillon Ray’s (Nathaniel Dass) whereabouts are the subject of much concern after they vanished without a trace last week.
Viewers know that the pair are being held captive at Fernmere with Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence), who was kidnapped by exploitation ring leader Grace Black (Tamara Wall), who is working for DI Banks (Drew Cain).
Darren and Nancy Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson and Jessica Fox) are worried sick about what’s happened to Frankie but, with some help from Kat Omari (Sonia Ibrahim), they start to piece together the puzzle.
The couple’s first port of call in locating missing Frankie is having a chat with Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey). A subsequent text is received and it confirms the location they need in their quest.
However, let’s just say that the information falls into the wrong hands when a certain police officer is trusted, which leads to DI Banks getting wind that Darren is on his way to Fernmere.
In a bid to get out of dodge before it’s too late, the corrupt detective sets in motion an operation clear out and resolves to flee with his wife and adopted daughter Tori.
Little does he know, however, that Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) – who overheard a chilling phone call between he and Grace last week – is hot on his tail, following him to the Manor House.
Will she be okay? Or will Diane end up another casualty of this horrific criminal organisation?
Darren, meanwhile, arrives at Fernmere, where Kat leads him upstairs to the location of a hidden room – and the reality of Frankie’s situation dawns on the horrified dad.
Covering up his daughter, he vows that everything will be okay and that he will get her out but the severity of the circumstances loom over them, making their chances of escape unlikely.
Darren’s not the only one who’s on a rescue mission, with Rex, Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) and Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) all determined to save their loved ones.
At Fernmere, Dillon, Vicky Grant and Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham) make one last ditch to escape as they secure their way out of the basement, crossing paths with Darren and Frankie in the process.
Their hopes of freedom are soon dashed when DI Banks cronies arrive, with a fight subsequently breaking out. Darren and Robbie enter protection mode as they fight back – and Darren’s fate is up in the air as he, Dillon, Robbie and Frankie are at the mercy of the gang.
But who will make it out alive? And is more tragedy set to strike?
Grace’s getaway
Knowing the walls are starting to collapse on the whole operation, Grace decides to get rid of any evidence that could implicate her, hoping Banks’ contacts will take over.
She even manages to convince Rex to tag along on her quest, but will her efforts prove successful? Or is it curtains for Grace? The jury is still out but Rex takes the opportunity to tell his sister that what she’s doing is wrong as she is continuing a cycle of abuse.
Will Grace listen to what Rex has got to say?
That remains to be seen but Rex will soon have some explaining to do himself, with Nancy wanting answers as she confronts Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) over his boyfriend’s actions.
Out of options, Rex is forced to spill the beans to Ste about what he’s been up to, begging his other half for forgiveness.
Tragedy for Lucas
The scales will no doubt fall from Ste’s eyes but he has more pressing matters to deal than Rex, with as Lucas’ (Oscar Curtis) brain surgery gets underway.
At the beginning of the week, the teen suffers another seizure prior to the procedure but nonetheless, doctors decides to proceed with the operation.
Later, as Ste and Leela (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) anxiously await news, heartbreak ensues as they’re told that Lucas had an unexpected bleed on the brain during the surgery.
With high drama, emotional reunions and an intense escape plan as the child exploitation story reaches a dramatic peak, It’s a week of Hollyoaks not to be missed.
