The Most Shocking Soap Storylines of Late

No one has ever accuse soap operas of being boring. Between affairs, murders, kidnappings, faked deaths, fires, explosions and the odd bit of baby swapping, our favourite soaps keep us tuning just to see what will happen next.

But sometimes soaps outdo themselves. In those cases, we get truly shocking soap storylines. Below are some of our favourite ones of late.

Michael Moon died in a murder gone wrong

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During their Halloween 2013 episode, EastEnders decided to kill off one of their most inexplicable characters in a suitably intricate way. Michael Moon and Alice Branning had plotted to kill his ex-wife Janine with poison. Little did he know, however, that Janine had her own twisted plot to frame him for assaulting her with a knife – a plot Alice was in on. That sent Michael into a rage. He began strangling Janine, and Alice stopped him by stabbing him. The police were called, and as Alice went to let them in, Janine took the chance to stab Michael once more, dealing him the death blow.

Janine initially let Alice take the blame, but before long, justice was truly dealt when Janine was eventually convicted of his murder.

Haley Cropper said goodbye

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In January 2014, Coronation Street introduced a storyline that was both heart-wrenching and controversial, opening up conversations around terminal illness and how people react to their diagnoses. More than 10 million viewers tuned in to watch Hayley Cropper – who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer – take a cocktail of prescription drugs and die in her husband Roy’s arms. The episode sparked wide-ranging reactions, from praise for how they handled her cancer with sensitivity to condemnation for potentially glorifying suicide. Whatever you think, though, it’s undeniable that the episode was both moving and shocking.

Ruby Haswell dealt with racism

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One recent Emmerdale episode, aired in February, left 15 fans so shocked that they complained to Ofcom. What could have caused this outrage? It was William’s racist remarks to Ruby. As much as fans were astounded to see such language used, Emmerdale writers insist it is just the start of a long storyline. One spokesperson said, “In subsequent episodes we see Ruby challenge William about his racism and confront him with the hurt that such language causes.” Eventually, he’ll come to understand why such language, and the attitudes behind his comments, aren’t simply banter. They are hurtful and wrong. So all’s well that ends well, right?

**Spoilers** Kate Ramsay’s birthday will be full of surprises

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Coming soon, Neighbours is going to start shaking things up. Kate’s birthday brings lots of changes. Kate’s younger sister Sophie surprises her by showing up, and her boyfriend Mark surprises her by taking her down to Lassiter’s Lake, where he proposes to her. She instantly says yes, only for a shot to ring out. The newly betrothed Kate then slumps into Brennan’s arms. This all happens just as Stephen Montague returns, bent on getting revenge on Danni Ferguson’s friends after they stopped him kidnapping her.

One thing Neighbours insiders aren’t revealing, however, is if Kate will make it. After all, Ashleigh Brewer is leaving, so this could be the way Kate is written out of the show. But we’ll just have to keep watching to find out.

 

So what do you think are the most shocking soap storylines? What turns did you just not see coming, and which twists left you gobsmacked? Let us know in the comments below.