Max had an affair with his son’s wife Stacey Slater in the late 2000s.
Max and Zoe were together at the beginning of the year (Image: BBC)
EastEnders fans have pointed out a major “plot hole” in Max Branning after the twist that he was having an affair with Zoe Slater.
Jake Wood returned to the show for the first time since 2022 in a stunning conclusion to Wednesday night’s (September 3) episode.
Max was seen sitting in a room drinking a glass of whiskey as he called Zoe, only for his mother Kat Slater to catch him and warn him to stay away.
Thursday night’s (September 4) episode of the BBC soap picked up immediately from that moment, with Zoe continuing to be treated in hospital after being shot by Max’s brother Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati.
Most of the episode was set in a flashback to earlier in the year, with Max spotting Zoe in a pub drinking with her friends.
Noticing Zoe suffering from a bartender for money, Max paid her tab and the two quickly bonded over their past hardships in life.
Max revealed his ex-wife Tanya was looking after grandson Abi Branning, bringing up his late daughter Abi and son Bradley, who died after falling from a Walford building in separate incidents.
Max was warned by Kat Slater to stay away (Image: BBC)
Later in the episode, it was revealed that Max and Zoe slept together that night, with the latter wondering what those in Walford would think of their union.
Zoe admitted to Max that she hired a private investigator to track down her son, which viewers learned about in the previous episode. While Zoe was struggling for money, Max offered to pay the £5,000 she needed to get information.
Gifting Zoe a necklace, Max accompanied Zoe to an investigator named Dolan’s Flat. Dolan didn’t give much information, with Zoe hitting him with a lamp after he tried to assault her.
Back in the present, Max touched Zoe after she woke up in the hospital bed, warning her that he doesn’t like being told what to do and is returning to Walford.
One moment that frustrated fans in X was when Stacey rang Max’s phone, not recognizing his voice despite their years of shared history.
@Diane_pb63 said: “#EastEnders Stacey must of recognised Max voice.” @incogjuna added: “I just keep thinking I wouldn’t have recognised Max back on the phone #EastEnders.”
@Olivia121994_ wrote: “Sorry, there’s no way Stacey doesn’t recognise Max’s voice! #EastEnders.” @Freyabrianna posted: “@BBCEASTENDERS When Zoe called Max his name was clearly stated in the messages. Why didn’t Kat and Stacey realise this??? #EastEnders.”
@karldenniss commented: “Today’s #EastEnders is brilliant once again but are we seriously supposed to believe Stacey wouldn’t recognise Max’s voice.” @Eeshaa___ noted: “Stacey is about to smack TF when she realises Max and Zoe are dating.”
For those who don’t remember Stacey and Max had two major affairs, first when Stacey was with her son Bradley and the second when she married Martin Fowler.
