Mackenzie Boyd’s (Lawrence Robb) fate once again hangs in the balance in Emmerdale after he uses the syringe left for him by captor John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), who suggested he use it to end his own life.
John, as viewers know, took Mack hostage a number of weeks ago after the farmhand discovered his role in Nate Robinson’s (Jurrell Carter) demise.
A twisted game of cat and mouse ensued in the woods, with John stalking Mack with a crossbow before pulling the trigger.
Viewers feared the worst, believing fan-favourite Mackenzie to have been killed by the murderer but a subsequent scene confirmed that Mack was still alive and that he was being held in a bunker.
John tended to his victim’s wounds, with Mack pleading for the killer to let him go. John refused. Desperately fighting for his life, Mack would make an escape attempt from the bunker and make it all the way to a roadside nearby, hoping to signal down a passing car.
To his horror, the person in the car was none other than John, who looked set to claim his life. In typical Emmerdale fashion, another twist beckoned, with the ITV soap confirming Mack to still be alive.
Back in the bunker, Mackenzie listened to John as he commented on how his relationship with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) – who he’d been drugging at this stage – was supposedly better than ever. He then confirmed that they’d no longer be seeing each other, which left Mackenzie terrified.
John had no intention of killing Mack but he had reached a decision on what to do about him, and it involved letting Mack make the choice on his fate.
The medic-turned-killer handed his captive a syringe, stating that if Mackenzie wants to end the nightmare, he can inject himself.
The events which followed saw Aaron work out that John was hiding big secrets – and that Mack was in danger.
A terrifying showdown ensued on a gorge, with John taking hold of his husband and jumping from the edge, much to the horror of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), who was framed by his murderous brother for the incident.
And as for Mack? Well, he’s still alive – for now.
Upcoming scenes will see the character inject himself with the syringe left by John – and he hallucinates his beloved Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).
Meanwhile at the hospital, Aaron regains consciousness.
Chas (Lucy Pargeter), Moira (Natalie J Robb) and Charity all rush into his room, desperate for answers, with Charity in particular pressing him.And things take a turn when Cain (Jeff Hordley) is left having to tell his family that he dropped John off at the cottage. DS Jordan rushes out in the aftermath – and Charity isn’t far behind when a bunker is mentioned.
The race is on to find Mackenzie – but the question is: is it too little too late?
And either way, will killer John be caught and held to account for what he’s done? Or is Robert set to spend the rest of his life behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit?
