Emmerdale fans got an intense early release today on ITVX, revealing that John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) may have claimed yet another victim — or at least caused chaos in the woods once more. From arrows to boulders, John’s increasingly erratic behavior has fans on edge, especially as his husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) remains blissfully unaware of the full scope.

John Revisits the Woods

The episode opens with John wandering the woods, bow in hand, clearly honing his aim after the shocking attack on Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) earlier in the week. Mack’s last encounter with John saw him fleeing after discovering that John had killed Nate. Despite trying to escape, Mack was shot with an arrow and then struck with a boulder by John.

At this point, Mack’s ultimate fate is still unclear — soap drama being what it is — but John’s actions confirm a pattern of escalating violence.

A Holiday Cottage, but Tension Lingers

Away from the village, John and Aaron settled into a quiet holiday cottage to escape the Dales’ chaos. The idyll, however, is anything but peaceful. Early tension surfaces when John criticizes Aaron for still obsessing over village drama despite their agreement to take a break.

Later, Aaron notices blood on a mirror in the cottage. John claims he accidentally hit a deer and didn’t want to alarm anyone. While Aaron is initially concerned, he reassures John about his strength and capability, particularly in light of Anthony Fox’s earlier murder — a confession that John admits still haunts him.

John’s Paranoia and Need for Reassurance

John’s paranoia is on full display tonight. He confides in Aaron, seeking validation after confessing he struggles with thoughts of his past violent actions. Aaron responds by calling John the strongest man he’s ever known, and the reassurance briefly comforts him.

This dynamic illustrates the tension between John’s internal darkness and his desire for support, highlighting how close Aaron is to discovering the full truth.

Deer, Arrows, and an Increasingly Deranged Mind

Returning to the woods later in the episode, John encounters a herd of deer. He readies his bow, pulls the arrow, and this time, successfully hits a deer. While not human, this act reinforces John’s growing comfort with lethal force. With three kills now — Nate, Mack (if he’s dead), and the deer — John’s behavior is becoming increasingly deranged, leaving viewers questioning how far he will go next.

The sequence also draws a stark contrast: Aaron, who has innocently moved away from village life, remains unaware of the dangers lurking even in this supposedly safe, rural setting.

What This Means for Aaron

Aaron’s safety is hanging by a thread as John’s mental state deteriorates. The holiday meant to offer respite from the Dales is instead a pressure cooker of suppressed guilt, paranoia, and violent impulses. Fans are left wondering: how long before Aaron uncovers the truth, and what will happen when he does?

This episode lays the groundwork for future confrontations, as John’s increasingly unpredictable actions signal that the calm of the cottage is only temporary.

Takeaway

Tonight’s early ITVX release confirms that John Sugden is spiraling into darker territory. With a bow, a boulder, and a troubling history of killings, the tension between him and Aaron is only set to intensify.

For fans, the drama continues to deliver suspense, moral conflict, and psychological intrigue — keeping viewers glued to the unfolding story in the Dales.