This week in Emmerdale, the Dales are about to witness the big play of Mack Boyd – a handsome, well-known man in the area who is secretly using his power.

Mack is not simply looking at the two prominent characters Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden, but wants to arrange for them to “get back together” – or at least create a new alliance between them, with Mack in the middle.

But don’t think it’s an act of charity or love – Mack is signing a power contract.

Aaron – still stuck in the past, heartbroken, trust broken – when Mack mentions reconnecting with Robert, Aaron is unsure whether he is being helped or exploited.

The leaked footage shows Mack meeting Aaron in a private, dimly lit setting, Mack speaking calmly but with a look that says otherwise: “We can start again… but you have to come with me.” Aaron looks at Mack skeptically – is this a promise or a trap?

Robert – who left Aaron, hurt and hurt others – now reappears in the village, with a skeptical look. When Mack brings Robert back as “half ally – half target”, the relationship between the three is pushed to the brink. Mack wants power: if Robert returns to Aaron, Mack’s power base is expanded. If Aaron accepts – Mack will have a tool to control Robert. If Robert resists – Mack has already made some moves to suppress.

So this article focuses on Mack and his strategy: from bringing up Aaron’s past, playing on Robert’s scars, to making an offer that is hard to refuse. Mack is not just an outsider – he is the one pulling the strings. Both Aaron and Robert are in a situation of “invited – but not sure what the invitation is”.