Emmerdale’s love-power drama has never been normal, but the story line between Kev Townsend and Robert Sugden opens up to a completely different level: a relationship where love, control and fear mix like poison.

Kev appears in the village as the character “a man who died inside and found light in Robert”.

It sounds touching, but the more you watch, the more you see something dark and distorted beneath those words.

Kev does not love in the normal way.

He clings, clings, and possesses. He says things that make both the audience and Robert shudder: “If you leave me, I’d rather die.” A word or a warning? The way Kev looks at Robert makes it clear to the audience: this is not love – this is obsession.

Meanwhile, Robert is stuck. Half of his heart is still with Aaron – a painful love but also the only person who makes Robert feel truly loved and not possessed.

When Aaron suddenly reappears in the village, Robert’s eyes change. The old feelings come back to life. Kev sees it, and that’s when he starts to control more tightly: asking Robert where he went, who he met, what he texted, what time he’ll be back.

The scariest scene this week is the scene where Robert wakes up and finds Kev sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at him like a prison guard. Kev speaks slowly, evenly: “I’m always here. Even when you don’t want me to.” No background music, just breathing – and the audience at home gets goosebumps.

Aaron senses something is wrong. He asks Robert directly: “Are you happy or are you stuck?” Robert doesn’t answer. Not answering… is already an answer.

The clues suggest that Kev is hiding something bigger than love. A secret related to his past, which – if exposed – could be the reason why Kev clings to Robert so desperately. Viewers are divided: is Kev truly in love or is he just using Robert to cover up a sinister secret? And when will Robert explode?

This storyline is currently being called “the darkest storyline in Emmerdale this year”, and next week will definitely see Kev – Robert – Aaron face off.