There's nothing stranger for an EastEnders fan than to sit down for Lola Pearce-Brown's final episode and find that the feisty Albert Square favourite doesn't say a word throughout — and yet, it's the parting words of her family and friends that hit home just how brilliant the character was.
Since Lola was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in October last year, viewers have been emotionally preparing to say goodbye to the long-time Walford resident as we've seen her health slowly deteriorate over the last few months in scenes that prove Danielle Harold is more than deserving of a British Soap Award.
However, knowing her tragic death is coming doesn't make the heart-breaking scenes any easier to stomach — particularly thanks to the performances of the soap's veteran cast members.
Setting the scene with a darkened version of the EastEnders' opening credits, which last appeared on the show for the soap's 35th anniversary boat crash episodes, and an eerily quiet shot of the Square, the episode sees the key figures in Lola's life visit her bedside for one last goodbye while her dutiful husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) waits by her side.
While Lola is unconscious, her hospice nurse reassures Jay that she can still hear in her state — laying the groundwork for a night of moving monologues, from Honey's heartfelt message ("It has been the biggest honour being your friend") and Callum promising to take "such good care" of Lexi, to Lexi herself putting on her mum's favourite song and cuddling up to her for one last time.
Meanwhile over in the Queen Vic, residents of the Square are remembering Lola's vibrant personality over a game of darts, with Whitney (Shona McGarty) welling up as she speaks of Lola attending her 30 despite knowing that she'll never reach that milestone herself.
Although the heart-wrenching episode is fittingly sombre, there are a few moments of light relief — thanks to Sonia's new man Reiss (Jonny Freeman) — as well as celebration of Lola's life, with those in the Old Vic digging out videos of her in better times, dancing the night away in her prime.
Disappointingly, Ben isn't around to say his goodbyes and while his dad drops by, he can't quite bring himself to say goodbye to Lola, telling Kathy Beale that he'll cover the funeral costs before running away to deal with the grief in his own way. "Mitchell men," Kathy says to Jay. "I'm so glad that Lexi has you in your life, darling. You never run from anything."
Ultimately however, these farewells and fond memories lead up to Jay's last moments with his childhood sweetheart which will leave you reaching for the tissues if you haven't already. Speaking to an unconscious Lola about how they may be reincarnated in the next life, Jay figures Lola would be a fox, "wily, sassy, scrappy, sexy too", while he imagines she reckons he'd return as a rat. "That's a bit below the belt that, babe," he laughs through tears. "Still, I'd come back as a rat as long as I get to rummage through the bins with you."
While the fearless, spunky Lola has delivered some of EastEnders' most dramatic storylines over her eight years on the show, from her teenage pregnancy and her relationship with Jay, her final episode is a poignant, gut-wrenching tribute to the long-time character, with its unsettling quietness hitting home just how much life Lola brought to Walford.
And while Lola doesn't get the chance to say her own goodbyes in this last episode, the episode ends with the sun rising in Albert Square to Julia's Theme as a fox trots off into the distance — ending this important yet upsetting storyline on a hopeful note.
Read more:
-
EastEnders' most devastating deaths as tragic Lola Pearce scenes air
- EastEnders' Phil Mitchell to exit soap as actor Steve McFadden takes panto break
-
EastEnders' Lola star Danielle Harold's love life including co-star romance rumours
- EastEnders' Jay left heartbroken as nurse issues devastating Lola update
- EastEnders’ Lola star, Danielle Harold, recalls ‘disaster’ first day amid Walford exit
Source: Read Full Article
