ITV Share By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025 By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025 It might be far-fetched and unbelievable, but this is finally the moment I hoped for in the John Sugden story - OPINION Yep, you heard me, the more John Sugden the better Aaron Dingle Features John Sugden John's Secret Life Share By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025 By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025 Things in the world of John Sugden have really gone quite wrong in Emmerdale this week. The drama has been high stakes – and I’ve loved it! There have been complaints aplenty that it is dragging on too long and has become boring and silly. And while those things may be true, we have finally reached the part I’ve been waiting for: when it gets really OTT. John has a secret underground bunker – why not? (Credit: ITV) John Sugden and his underground bunker in Emmerdale It all started when we saw Mackenzie was being help prisoner in an underground bunker. Yes, John has an underground bunker – because of course he does, why wouldn’t he?! It had definitely started to get a bit far-fetched before that, the bow and arrow in particular. Who has a bow and arrow just in their van?! But the bunker reveal was the moment that it really went all-out. John’s now spent this week playing with Mack’s life, trying to save him while also making it clear he’s never going to let him go. John’s confusion over how he could play the hero in this situation has been clear, but he has continued to insist he’s a good guy, hence why he’s keeping Mack alive. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers John then proved his skills go above and beyond saving lives (as if that isn’t enough) he is, in fact, an AI whizz. A master of technology if you will. He was able to use the extremely good wifi in his underground bunker to fake a voice note to Charity from Mack saying he was never coming back. Afterwards, John heard a voice note from Aaron telling Mack he had slept with Robert. His world falling apart, John drugged Aaron to keep him under his control. But when Aaron accidentally ingested more than he should, he had a seizure – just as Mack also made his escape. Forced to choose whether to save Aaron or keep Mack under lock and key, John chose the former. Although as Mack later crawled onto the road and flagged down a car, it turned out to be John driving and this time he had an axe rather than a bow and arrow. Your bad, Mack. Are we bored or do we love it? (Credit: ITV) Viewers start to complain All of this has sparked comments from viewers that they’ve had enough. “It’s getting more annoying by the minute,” raged one on Facebook. “Talk about stringing a storyline out,” added another. “It’s gone on too long now everyone is really fed up with this storyline, please finish it now,” agreed a third. And yes, while all of this is true, we have reached the crescendo and the more out there is gets, the better as far as I am concerned. Meena was a mega villain and we loved her (Credit: ITV) John Sugden is becoming just like Meena Jutla in Emmerdale – and I love it! With a storyline like this, as with serial killer Meena’s reign of terror a few years ago, Emmerdale has to nail its colours to the mast so to speak. They have to say: ‘this is one we’re going to run with’. The action this week shows that’s exactly what they are doing with John Sugden. Emmerdale has proved time and time again they can do serious, issue-based storylines. Look at the power of Ruby’s rape by her father and Belle’s domestic abuse by husband, Tom King. April’s homelessness and Marlon’s stroke are others that have struck a chord in recent years. But what Emmerdale can also do – and do so well – is the over the top drama. There’s no issue here, there’s just a man with a very bizarre need to hurt people so he can be the hero. And, just like Meena before him, now Emmerdale has run with it, they need to take it as far as they possibly can. So I have loved this week as it got crazier and crazier. Bring on next week’s clifftop plunge, have them survive against all odds, give Mack another life alongside the 999 he’s already had and send John totally crazy. Give him one last hurrah and then bring him back for more in a several year’s time. Soap is as much about escapism as it is real life and I think this is exactly that. There’s enough going on in real life to feel miserable about, so let’s have a bit of entertainment from the soaps as well as issues. So for now, I say, bring on John Sugden, the more the better! Let’s get crazy and enjoy the downfall. Just make sure it doesn’t go on too much longer, eh, Emmerdale? Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025 By Carena Crawford Sep 4 2025
