In the ever-twisting world of Emmerdale, fans are convinced they’ve uncovered the real mastermind behind Joe Tate’s horrifying ordeal—and all eyes are on Kim Tate.

Joe Tate has been through hell lately, starting with mysterious break-ins, ominous anonymous notes, and a terrifying blackmail attempt demanding $100,000. Just when viewers thought it couldn’t get any worse, Joe was brutally assaulted by his former employee Sha and woke up paralyzed in a grim makeshift hospital. Even more disturbing? His surgeon, Dr. Crowley—the man responsible for his kidney transplant—was suddenly at the center of this unfolding nightmare.

But the story doesn’t stop there. As tensions rose and Joe’s desperation mounted, fans were stunned when Kim Tate casually introduced Crowley as her new romantic partner during a family dinner, completely unaware (or so it seemed) of his involvement in Joe’s torment. But was her ignorance just a façade?

Online fan speculation is now ablaze with theories that Kim is far from an unsuspecting victim in this twisted tale. Many believe she may have orchestrated the entire scheme from behind the scenes, aligning with Crowley to swindle Joe out of his assets and force him out of their shared business ventures. After all, Kim has always been a shrewd operator—ruthless when crossed and brilliant at playing the long game.

Viewers were quick to point out glaring holes in Kim’s story about meeting Crowley at the races. “When has Kim ever gone to the races? And with who?” one fan questioned on a Emmerdale Facebook group. “It doesn’t add up. It’s far more likely she sought him out, especially with Joe getting too close to her empire.”

Others have suggested that Kim is playing a double game—pretending to grow close to Crowley to ultimately turn the tables on both him and Joe. “She’ll let Crowley do her dirty work, drain Joe’s finances, and then dispose of them both,” one fan theorized. “Classic Kim—let the sharks circle, then clean house.”

Monday’s episode added fuel to the fire, with Joe confronting Crowley in the stables, gun in hand but unable to follow through. It’s clear Joe is unraveling, emotionally and financially. His latest attempt to outmaneuver Crowley involved proposing a solar investment deal to Kim, but whether she takes the bait—or already knows the play—is uncertain.

If fan theories prove true, then Joe is already cornered. Kim has a history of biding her time before striking. If she is indeed colluding with Crowley, then Joe may soon lose not just his wealth, but everything he’s fought to rebuild since returning to Emmerdale.

One thing is certain: Kim Tate doesn’t make empty threats. And if this is her revenge plot unfolding in real time, then Joe should start watching his back—before it’s too late.

Is Kim the puppet master behind Joe’s downfall, or is she being played herself? Fans will