More Ross and Robert, less John and Chas - this week's Emmerdale review

Moira and Celia can stay too
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

Amidst the doom and gloom of John Sugden maybe or maybe not killing Mackenzie Boyd, there have been some shining lights in Emmerdale this week – mainly Ross Barton and Robert Sugden’s sheep escapades and Moira and Celia teaming up. It’s fair to say it’s been much needed.

There have been moments of pure joy and hilarity as well as the usual serial killer antics. So what have we loved? And what has not quite hit the mark for us?

Ross holds hid red spade (Credit: ITV)
Ross holds hid red spade (Credit: ITV)

Things we loved in Emmerdale this week

Let’s start on a positive, shall we? There were some scenes of pure brilliance on screen this week. Yes, we are talking about Ross Barton and his red spade.

The Sugdens and Bartons face off at Butlers
It was war between the Bartons and Sugdens (Credit: ITV)

Robert and Ross

Who knew all Emmerdale needed to bring it out of its doom-filled ditch was Ross Barton rounding up some sheep? He said it perfectly himself: “Who needs a border collie when you’ve got a Ross Barton?” Well, quite.

We don’t now why he was running around with a little toy red spade all episode, but it was everything. It made us chuckle and boy do we need that right now.

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Read all the latest spoilers

Tracy edges closer to catching Nate's killer after making a shock discovery Sep 1 - 5

Tracy edges closer to catching Nate's killer after making a shock discovery

1 day ago
John continues to unravel as April is mugged at knifepoint Mon, September 1

John continues to unravel as April is mugged at knifepoint

1 day ago
The end for John Sugden, an exit for Victoria and missing Bear's return Upcoming

The end for John Sugden, an exit for Victoria and missing Bear's return

1 day ago
Aaron makes a shocking discovery and confronts John over his lies Fri, August 29

Aaron makes a shocking discovery and confronts John over his lies

2 days ago
John drugs Aaron to keep him under his control Sep 1 - 5

John drugs Aaron to keep him under his control

2 days ago
Moira confronts Dylan and John has another secret Thu, August 28

Moira confronts Dylan and John has another secret

3 days ago

It also seemed to make Robert Sugden laugh. Their rivallry soon turned into having a pint together. And it saw Robert laugh. Actually, properly belly laugh. We love it. This is a brilliant new friendship and it was great to see Emmerdale get back to its farming roots while still having fun with it.

Celia and Moira were clear with Joe (Credit: ITV)
Celia and Moira were clear with Joe (Credit: ITV)

Moira and Celia’s partnership

Another duo that needs protecting: Moira and Celia. While some fans think Celia is still playing Moira, we don’t want to believe it.

What we want is a true female friendship standing the test of time. They took on Joe Tate and reigned supreme and the only thing that could make this even better is if Kim Tate actually got on their side and they became three queens together.

Emmerdale has already ruined Moira and Ruby’s friendship by having the latter sleep with Cain. Please learn your lesson this time and keep these women on one team.

Mack is alive (Credit: ITV)

Mack is alive (Credit: ITV)

Mack not being dead

Well, of course we all suspected it, but it was good to have it confirmed that Mackenzie Boyd is not dead after all. Whether he will eventually end up dead thanks to John is anyone’s guess, but for now he is alive.

And what that means is he is alive enough to reveal the truth about John and it must be coming soon.

Anything that brings us a step closer to the end of John is a win for us.

Things we didn’t love in Emmerdale this week

Of course, although there were some great bits, there was also some things we could have done without in Emmerdale this week…

Ray manipulates Dylan in Emmerdale
Give this one a rest, please (Credit: ITV)

Ray, and the drugs

We’re bored of this one. We really, really want Ray to go away (no offence to Joe Absolom, who is brilliant) and leave Dylan alone.

Chas being a judgemental harridion

And on the subject of Dylan, what the hell was up with Chas Dingle? She really went to town on Dylan calling him all sorts of things and making Paddy throw him out on the streets again. She even threatened to stop Paddy seeing Eve.

The flippin’ cheek of her, honestly! Her son, Aaron, has been in more trouble than we’ve had hot dinners. He’s been in prison, he’s been involved in a murder cover-up and let’s not forget he’s also had a drug problem.

And is Chas whiter than white, er, no, we don’t have enough space to list all her wrongdoings.

So where exactly does she get off giving Dylan, a lad trying to turn his life around, such a hard time?

Moira points a pitchfork at Dylan in Emmerdale

Dylan was at Moira’s mercy (Credit: ITV)

Moira’s lacklustre revenge

We were promised fire, what we got was barely a spark. Moira was all-out to teach Dylan a lesson. She lured him up the barn, locked him in and threatened him with a pitchfork.

Then April and Marlon arrived, stopped her and she went: ‘Okay then’.

If ever there was a wasted opportunity for a gift from Glasgow, this was it.

John Sugden still stalking around in Emmerdale this week

There’s not really much else we can say on this. He’s still there. He’s still getting away with it and it needs to stop. Now.

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns