Just when Robert Sugden thought he could move on from the trauma of his terrifying encounter, Emmerdale throws another emotional gut-punch. Owen – the man who spiked Robert’s drink in a shocking attempt to take advantage of him – is back. And this time, his presence threatens far more than Robert’s peace of mind. In next week’s episodes, viewers will see the sinister return of Owen, setting off a chain of psychological tension and suspicion that surrounds not only Robert, but also Jon.

Owen’s reappearance is jarring. He calmly walks into the Emmerdale surgery for what appears to be a routine appointment – only to be met by Jon, the very man who exposed his assault attempt weeks earlier. Though Jon quickly recognizes the predator, Owen initially doesn’t realize who the medic is. But once the pieces fall into place, Owen’s mask of calm cracks, revealing an unease that hints at darker motives.

Robert, who happens to be nearby, catches a glimpse of Jon forcibly ejecting Owen from the clinic. It’s a moment that sends a chill down his spine. Seeing Owen again visibly rattles Robert, whose body still remembers the terror of that night. While he thanks Jon for stepping in once again, a seed of doubt begins to take root. Why was Owen there in the first place? And more importantly… why did Jon react with such force?

Robert’s gratitude is laced with unease. Despite Jon’s repeated role as protector, Robert can’t help but remain suspicious of his brother’s mental state – especially as Jon grows increasingly withdrawn. The timing couldn’t be worse. With Nate’s funeral looming, Jon is under intense emotional strain. The mounting guilt over past actions – some of which have never been fully explained – begins to weigh heavily on him.

Jon, unable to manage his spiraling anxiety, secretly reaches out once again to the mental health helpline. But instead of finding peace, he only sinks deeper into a pit of paranoia. His moral compass is spinning, and Owen’s sudden return has lit a dangerous fire under whatever Jon is hiding.

Meanwhile, Dr. Liam makes a chilling discovery. Owen’s name appears on his list of home visit patients, suggesting that the spiker has deliberately found a way to stay close to the village — and possibly to Robert and Jon. Is Owen here to finish what he started? Or is he part of something larger, something more manipulative?

Jon’s increasingly erratic behavior raises new questions: Was the initial confrontation between Jon and Owen truly a heroic act, or was it part of a much deeper game of guilt, retribution, and secrets yet to be revealed? As Liam and Robert both become tangled in this dark return, Emmerdale’s viewers are left wondering — is Owen simply a returning villain… or Jon’s next victim?