Metro readers and fans of BBC One soap EastEnders have expressed their thoughts on last night’s episode, which saw Joel Marshall (Max Murray) brutally attack step-mum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).

Joel has caused nothing but trouble since his arrival to Walford. The new face and his father Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) were living in Australia, but were forced to leave the country after Joel upskirted a pupil in his class.

Ross had paid her family $50,000 in exchange for their silence, and then left for England with Joel and Vicki.

Joel has exhibited misogynistic behaviour towards other residents on multiple occasions and as the months have ticked by, his actions have gotten worse.

He’s also been seen regularly watching videos from an influencer online, highlighting just how warped Joel’s views have become as a result of consuming content from the darker side of the web.

The storyline took an even darker turn yesterday, when Joel assaulted Vicki.

She’d been left alone in the house with Joel when Ross walked out to stop himself making a regretful move.

Just moments before, he’d pushed the teen against the kitchen door and went to throw a punch, utterly disgusted at the vile, misogynistic ideologies his son was spouting.

Vicki attempted to cool the situation before his return, but Joel was eager to continue his argument, calling her ‘barren’ and saying that she had failed in her duty to become a mother.

He first took his anger out on the living room wall, but things would soon escalate when the two walked in the kitchen.

Whenever Vicki spoke, Joel shook his head and refused to listen to her. What she didn’t anticipate was his extreme reaction to being told that she doesn’t think he’s a real man, nor will he ever be.

When she told him that she’s far stronger than he’ll ever be, he launched his fist towards her face, knocking her onto the floor and into a state of shock.

Joel then pulled out his phone and began to record her, as he kicked her body and she whimpered in fear, unable to move.

The scenes left audience members of the BBC One soap stunned. Amid the praise they had for stars Alex Walkinshaw, Max Murray and Alice Haig, they were all in agreement that the plot has been incredibly important to air, despite it being so difficult to watch.

On our Metro Soaps Facebook page, Nic Baum said: ‘Yes it was a hard watch, but this stuff is happening in homes all the time. There are “influencers” with horrible views on all sorts of things. She needs to report him to the police, for his own good.’

Joe SP added: ‘A very hard watch, but a crucial issue to educate viewers.’

Paul Dymond noted: ‘The story needed to be told. If you were sickened by the scenes then the story had the right impact.’

Etain Mannas also highlighted: ‘Powerful episode today. Horrible subject told in a brilliant way.’

Gerri Paula Riley reflected on the performances from the stars and said: ‘It was so hard to watch it made my belly turn probs one of the best acting I’ve seen in ee for a while.’

‘When he gets back to the house, Vicki’s not there but her phone is and things aren’t adding up,’ Alex Walkinshaw told us as he discussed what happens in the aftermath of this attack.

‘Then he gets the call to say she’s been taken to hospital.’

Ross’ first reaction is to instantly shut down those who are accusing Joel. He simply doesn’t want to believe that his son is capable of such an act, despite Vicki seeking refuge in The Vic in the immediate aftermath.

Alex explained: ‘He’s scared to pursue that train of thought. Ross doesn’t want to believe it because its so horrifying and he can’t contemplate it unless he knows for sure.

‘He wants to speak to Vicki and find out what’s what. But he is absolutely heartbroken and totally sickened.

‘The woman he loves is in hospital and the person he loves the most in the world could be responsible.

‘It’s a nightmare scenario and will have a massive impact on all of them.’

To coincide with this storyline that’s looked at incel culture and ‘The Manosphere’, cast members from the BBC One soap explored these subjects in a documentary, and met individuals impacted by toxic masculinity.

Fronted by Max Murray, alongside his co-stars Diane Parish and Ellie Dadd – who play Denise Fox and Amy Mitchell – the trio speak to experts in the field to get a better understanding of the story they have been a part of.