Emmerdale once again left viewers sitting in front of their TVs holding their breaths, not daring to blink an eye.

This week’s episode opened with a seemingly normal scene: Kev Townsend quietly walking along the main road, hands in his pockets, head bowed as if he was thinking about something.

But just a few minutes later, it all turned out to be just the tip of a storm waiting to explode.

Kev, after days of being exposed for lying about his illness, failing to reintegrate into society, and being shunned by the villagers, finally exploded in a way no one expected.

He rushed into the middle of the square, pulled out a pocket knife hidden in his jacket and started… attacking anyone standing nearby.

The first to be injured was Matty, who tried to intervene, thinking Kev was just “threatening”. But when the blade grazed Matty’s arm, everyone realized the true extent of the danger. Nate was the second to rush in to hold Kev, but was pushed back and almost slashed in the shoulder. Rhona ran out of the cafe, trying to pull everyone inside, but Kev grabbed her collar, choking her for a few tense seconds.

The chaos unfolded in a “village-shattering” style, with people screaming, shops slamming doors, and children being dragged into houses. A few people holding chairs and trash cans ran out to stop Kev, but he was too aggressive — his eyes were bloodshot, his breathing was rapid, like someone who no longer knew the difference between friend and foe.