EMMERDALE EPISODE REVIEW - DIANE LEAVES EMMERDALE AS GABBY'S LIFE CHANGES

This week episodes of Emmerdale have been ones I have been dreading as I love Diane Sugden and when I heard the news that Elizabeth Estensen was leaving, I was rather sad but after 22 years in the Yorkshire Dales I was her all the very best for her retirement.

I wanted to share my thoughts on her final week in the village and all the one where Diane's granddaughter, Gabby Thomas' life changes.

This week's episodes have been directed by Dave Beauchamp on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with Tim Finn directing Thursday and Friday's episodes.

Scripts this week in order from Martin Fustes, Linton Chiswick, Jane Pearson, Andrew Kirk, Sarah Bagshaw, and Karin Young.

*This week's blog just features the Gabby and Diane moments*

During Monday's episode, viewers saw the residents of the Dales continuing to process the tragedy of the previous week’s events. Diane Sugden and Bernice Blackstock entered the café sharing the news about the possibility of Victoria Barton being sent home from hospital, whilst Eric Pollard was stood at the counter where he gave Diane the good news of him being able to buy her shares in the B&B - I am really gonna miss Diane from she leaves later in the week.

In Tuesday's episode, viewers saw Gabby Thomas on the phone to her mother, Bernice talking about packing with Gabby being full of excitement that is until Kim walks in, Gabby got a little shady. Kim talk about loss leading to Gabby asking about Millie Tate - I have to say Gabby is right with what she said. Later in The Woolpack, Bernice and Chas Dingle were talking as Diane enters holding a box full of memories, this scene got me thinking about all the memories I have of Diane! The fact that Chas started to talk about a leaving party - I know you don't want one but please.

At the Hop, Bernice and Diane meet up with Gabby to talk about Diane's leaving party plans leaving her worried as Laurel Thomas happens to walk in. Gabby coming up with the idea of a meal to say goodbye was an emotional one if only Laurel knew the real reason for the meal offer. Later, as Gabby was talking to Millie telling her about talking to her mummy and daddy was a sweet scene, but Kim's harsh words to Gabby - this isn't what Gabby deserves, Kim. In the final scene, back in The Woolpack Victoria is sat there as Diane walks in - it's obvious how much Diane cares for Victoria and Victoria for Diane with Victoria's words even more bittersweet.

Wednesday's episode, us Emmerdale viewers saw Gabby at Home Farm where Kim was walking to the kitchen carrying a basket full of clothes where Gabby made a joke thinking they were for the charity shop not realising they're Jamie's. Kim then went on to tell Gabby that he is alive leading to Gabby revealing some home truths - Kim please listen to Gabby she is right you can't promise what you did, Gabby has been through it!

Laurel was so grateful to Gabby for her cooking their meal leading to a sweet step mum/ daughter moment for the characters. I love their relationship and how much they genuinely care for one another and when Laurel said she can't believe she's gonna be a mum the emotion, and realistic moment was wonderful viewing to many of us. Gabby doubting herself and her ability is something that many new mothers feel beforehand (reminds me something I said to one of my close friends recently). Laurel saying to Gabby how proud she is of her *cries* and that Ashley would be too was a scene that was needed and added this sentimental feel. The reaction from them both as Laurel gave her a present from Arthur was cute. If only you knew the real reason for the meal, Laurel.

Back at Home Farm, Gabby's cuddling the baby grow Laurel gave her all emotional as Kim starts to talk about Jamie leaving Gabby shocked by what she goes on to say, Gabby's harsh words were needed but stressing out like that really isn't what you need right now! The polices arrival wanting to talk to Kim about what happened to her former daughter-in-law, Andrea Tate - the way that Gabby looked at Kim as she was questioned speaks a thousand words as the police go on to arrest her leaving Gabby panicked as she calls Diane to tell her and leave ASAP - the drama as the credits rolled.

Thursday's first episode saw Gabby realising that there was no power at Home Farm needing to charge her phone as Lydia Dingle cleans. Oh, how I have missed seeing Lydia on screen. The panic on Gabby's face as she said her phone was dead and with her needing to talk to Diane following Kim's arrest - no doubt Gabby's worried. Diane emerges from her house and sees Gabby who tells her that she has no power on her phone leading her to tell Diane the truth, I can completely understand Gabby's panic with needing to tell her grandmother but one thing I really appreciated was Diane realising the genuine panic and telling her that they need to leave today!

Plans are also underway for Diane's leaving party which she enters to tell Bernice about their change of plans as they need to leave today, Bernice's confusion was a picture. Diane's words to Marlon Dingle about their time together over the years, I'm emotional I'll miss their scenes and teamwork. Love Zak Dingle's words too.

Back at Home Farm, Gabby's seen carrying her things about as Lydia stops her to talk about the noise, Gabby then suffers a sharp pain in her stomach. I'm excited for the scenes that are to come in the second episode.

In the final scene, Gabby lugs her suitcase ready to leave when she suddenly collapses in pain on the floor from her contractions - Poor Gabby is all alone and terrified, but I think that's a genuine reaction my friend was saying about the realistic portrayal.

Also during tonight's episode, Kim is being questioned following her arrest to talk about Andrea Tate's death I know Kim didn't like Andrea but no way would she actually do this, I am even more confused leaving me with even more questions than I already had about their relationship. As her interview continues she talks about her son, Jamie's disappear confusing me even more.

Then in Thursday's second episode started with Bernice closing the boot of their car as Diane walks out of her home for one final time My god, am I emotional after watching this scene Diane is one of the first characters I remember when I first started watching Emmerdale as a little girl. I forgot that Laurel knows nothing of their plans and Victoria but they are doing it for Gabby, however, the scene between mother and daughter was a rather sweet one as they looked back a little on her memories of her time in Emmerdale with the mention of her beloved husband, Jack Sugden I sobbed even more. Back at Home Farm, Gabby's labour pains intensify with her looking even more panicked like anyone would being all alone in a power cut looking to her dad, Ashley for reassurance understandably so in a time when you would usually turn to your loved ones, this scene got me thinking about my own family.

Back at the Police Station, Kim's released following new evidence coming to life.

Moments later, Bernice arrives at Home Farm looking for her daughter who she calls for with her response being one of worry of her current situation leading to Bernice discovering the state she was in, she panics as Gabby's struggles with the pain. The way that Bernice wants to take control of the situation for her daughter was one I loved but the panic didn't help, Gabby. Bernice protecting Gabby was everything. Another thing I loved was the moment, Diane came in taking over control with a calming attitude to look after her granddaughter in her time of need. Diane and Bernice are the best support network for Gabby during this time as it allowed for us viewers to see some of the sweetest scenes with Bernice telling stories that Gabby really didn't need to hear, but I got far too emotional as it made me realise how much I love this trio of characters. Gabby was so grateful for her mothers and grandmothers support in her hour of need.

As Gabby's ready to give birth, Diane took control welcoming Gabby's newborn son safely in the world. Gabby is left feeling thrilled as they tell her how proud they are of her as Kim returns home of course she does, why am I panicking for what Kim is gonna plan, it's Kim Tate after all! I really enjoyed the next scene as it saw Gabby holding her son with Bernice and Diane protecting them both from Kim who she says she doesn't want her near her son - the parent protectiveness going into this scene was perfect! I loved witnessing the 4 generations. With Kim being determined to see Jamie's son as she is determined keep Gabby at Home Farm, Why can't Kim just respect Gabby's decision? I am annoyed! Gabby standing up to Kim, Yes Gabby! The moment that Kim started to throw her money around like that's the answer to everything, sadly for you Kim in this situation it isn't! Diane and Bernice can then be seen to help Gabby to the ambulance in pain as Diane also stood up to Kim! Kim's face in the final scene of the episode was one that I rather enjoyed as it showed her all alone as Gabby is supported by her close family circle - what a difference in families.

WOW, Rosie Bentham... What a fabulous young actress you are - one of my standouts of 2021!

To end the week, tonight's episode saw Kim all alone in Home Farm feeling sorry for herself as she receives a text from Diane. Gabby's then seen taking her son out for the first time the joking from Diane was much needed for the blissfully sweet scene allowing for viewers to see another side of Gabby. The Gabby and Diane chat was an emotional one for me personally, but Gabby's vulnerability as she left with her son was something I wasn't expecting but the realistic side deserves a lot of praise. As Laurel walks towards Bernice where she shares her joy for Gabby's exciting news which led to Kim revealing the truth about their previously planned move to Portugal with Bernice only looking out for her daughter even more so now. The moment that Laurel met Gabby's baby and told Gabby all positive things was a sweet scene as we all do this when we visit a newborn. The Ashley talk had me a little sentimental as well as full of a mix of emotions as it was so nice to hear the mention of her dad at such a special moment in her life. Gabby talks about changing her mind had me rather happy even though we all kind of guessed that was the overcome anyway. The way that Diane laughs at Bernice over the fact that she is proud of Gabby was a special moment.

Diane decides to visit Home Farm to talk about Gabby, Kim's attitude really wasn't needed, but the honesty from Kim was something I wasn't expecting as it explained a little more of the character's backstory. I really appreciated Diane and Kim's heart-to-heart as Claire King and Elizabeth Estensen work well together. Diane being full of pride is everything with Kim opening up about her regrets in life. Diane setting Kim her conditions for Gabby to stay - 20% of everything in Gabby's name is great protection showing that Diane will do anything to protect Gabby. It's not long before Diane tells Laurel, Gabby, and Bernice what she did to Kim with Gabby agreeing to Kim's terms with calling her son, Thomas which is actually a nice name. The comedy from Bernice was needed. Diane telling Kim, Gabby has accepted her terms with huge smile on her face as a car pulls up that Kim organised for her as Laurel and Bernice go to have a look in shock.

As Diane Sugden left the village for the final time in the back of a car Kim hired, Diane was full of emotion having just said the hardest goodbye to her loved ones. That wasn't before Chas and Marlon Dingle walked over to say their goodbyes I was an emotional wreck watching this scene in all honesty the memories as soon as Val was mentioned the tears rolled further. The way that Diane introduced her great grandson, Thomas to the family was a final beautiful moment. You could definitely tell that those tears were real from Elizabeth as she filmed those scenes. 

These episodes of Emmerdale aired between Monday 25th October - Friday 29th October on ITV.