Amid his dealings with a drugs gang, he desperately tries to make up the £30,000 debt that he owes by roping Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa) into his dodgy car scam.
Elsewhere in Albert Square, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) finds himself trapped in his love triangle again, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) has concerns about grandfather Eddie's (Christopher Fairbank) presence, and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) has more worrying symptoms ahead of her blood cancer diagnosis.
Here's everything happening in the episodes of EastEnders airing between Monday, 18 and Thursday, 21 May.
1. The Mitchells unite as Mark Fowler is held hostage
Lauren heads to speak to Mark, and when he denies involvement, Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) provides a false alibi that shifts suspicion onto Max.
When Mark learns that Lauren is struggling with her finances again and could do with a cash boost to afford a nursery place for baby Jimmy, he manipulates her into the possibility of selling illegitimate vehicles. The offer is just too good to refuse.
Max is sceptical and asks brother Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) to investigate, and it's not long before his previous dodgy dealings are uncovered. But Mark has far bigger fish to fry, as the gang he owes money to deal a menacing warning and he's forced to ask Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) to help him gain access to the car lot safe.
Before taking any money, a message from Lauren leaves him guilt-ridden and he storms out towards Phil's house. His keys fall across the floor, and before he can ask Grant for help, some masked men bundle him into a car and drive off into the night.
Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) is similarly worried, and asks Phil and Grant to step in and help. Crime boss Russell Delaney (Anthony Skordi) calls and demands full payment of the debt, and matters escalate when he hears Sam in the background - the two have history.
Will they make it to the funeral in time?
He congratulates her on winning their deal, though wonders where the cars came from and warns her to be careful in future. Still left with unanswered questions, Max stumbles across Mark's keys and asks Priya what happened.
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2. Oscar Branning struggles to keep his distance from Josh Goodwin
Oscar joins girlfriend Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and her twin brother Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) at the park, and the trio soon bond while playing a childhood game.However, it soon becomes apparent that the love triangle is emerging once again, and Oscar can't deny his attraction towards Josh. Things quickly turn sour when Jasmine realises that Josh played their game with his adoptive mother Sandra Goodwin (Dawn Steele), and feeling hurt, she storms off.
Oscar tries to calm down a guilty Josh, and the lads soon share a charged moment. Despite pulling away and agreeing to keep their distance, Oscar confides in cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) about what happened and later that day, he can't contain his jealousy when Josh entertains another man in The Prince Albert.
3. Gina Knight is worried about Eddie
She's made it clear that she disapproves with her vile, racist adoptive grandfather being a part of their life, and has no idea that Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) only agreed to allow him to stay so that he would save her businesses from financial collapse.
By next week, has she discovered the truth?
4. Denise Fox struggles ahead of her blood cancer diagnosis
The character has been experiencing unexplained tiredness in recent episodes, and has been prompted by Sam to seek medical attention. She will be eventually be diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
In forthcoming scenes, while helping Sam cook for the Mitchells, Denise admits that she's unexplainably tired and brushes off the concern.
5. Clare Bates and Josh Saunders return for Nigel Bates's funeral
While tragic, long-term viewers will undoubtedly be satisfied by the on-screen reunion of Julie with her son Josh and step-daughter Clare after almost three decades. While Gemma Bissix reprised her Clare role earlier this year, this is the first time that S Club's Jon Lee has been part of the cast since 1998.
After everyone has gathered at the church, Julie and Phil share another heartfelt moment, though Sam barges in and demands time with her brother.
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