Emmerdale has never shied away from leaving fans on the edge of their seats, and the saga of John Sugden has proven to be one of the soap’s darkest and most unsettling storylines in years.

Just when it seemed the villain had finally slipped away for good, boarding a lorry bound for Rotterdam and vanishing into the shadows, the soap left behind more questions than answers.

With so many loose ends dangling, viewers are beginning to wonder—have we really seen the last of John Sugden? Or is his chilling return already being set up?

Let’s dive into the seven major unresolved threads that strongly suggest Emmerdale is far from finished with its most manipulative medic.

1. Mackenzie Boyd – The Captive’s Revenge

If anyone deserves vengeance against John Sugden, it’s Mackenzie Boyd. Fans still remember the harrowing days he spent imprisoned in that claustrophobic bunker, tortured by John’s psychological games. Although Mack was eventually freed, the trauma lingers, etched into every uneasy glance and restless night.

Mackenzie’s story arc now seems incomplete. After all, this is the man who first suspected John long before others caught on. Doesn’t he deserve a final reckoning—a moment to confront his tormentor and reclaim his power? The thought of Mack turning hunter instead of prey adds fuel to speculation that John’s story is not over.

2. Aaron Dingle – The Betrayed Husband

Perhaps no one suffered more at John’s hands than Aaron Dingle. Once deeply in love, Aaron was blindsided when the man he married turned out to be a master manipulator. The betrayal was gut-wrenching: months of emotional abuse, deception, and ultimately, violence.

Yes, Aaron confronted John in those final tense moments near the gorge, but it wasn’t the cathartic takedown fans craved. Forced to “play nice” in hopes of coaxing out a confession, Aaron never got the chance to unleash his fury or tell John exactly what he truly thought of him.

Danny Miller, who plays Aaron, has delivered powerhouse performances throughout this storyline. To deny him—and the audience—that climactic emotional showdown feels like unfinished business. Could John’s return provide the stage for Aaron’s ultimate revenge?

3. Cain Dingle’s Rage – Justice Denied

Cain Dingle is a man defined by his code of loyalty and vengeance. And yet, in one of the most shocking turns, John Sugden managed to escape justice for his role in Nate’s tragedy.

If any other Dingle had been killed, can you imagine Cain allowing the perpetrator to walk free? The fact that John slipped through Cain’s fingers, leaving Nate’s death unresolved, feels both cruel and anticlimactic. Fans have been yearning for “Cain in rampage mode,” that ferocious force of nature who stops at nothing to protect his family.

And what about Tracy, who trusted John as her counselor, only to be betrayed? Both she and Cain are due their reckoning. Until they confront John face-to-face, this chapter cannot be closed.

4. The Slurry Leak – A Forgotten Scandal

One of the biggest mysteries left dangling is the catastrophic slurry leak at Butler’s Farm. This wasn’t just a minor storyline—it poisoned young Harry, Victoria’s son, strained Moira’s finances to the breaking point, and nearly cost her the farm.

The fact that John’s involvement in this criminal damage has barely been addressed on screen is baffling. If his sabotage were exposed, Moira could potentially have her fines revoked, reclaiming stability for her livelihood. Instead, the story has been left to rot, unresolved and unsatisfying.

Fans expected at least a fiery confrontation between Moira and John—if not a full-on Glasgow kiss to punctuate her fury. That we never saw it only strengthens the suspicion that the writers are saving it for later… perhaps when John resurfaces.

5. Aiden – The Forgotten Victim

How could anyone forget Aiden, John’s ex-lover whose life was destroyed by his jealousy? Insecure and controlling, John injected Aiden under the guise of saving him, an act that tragically backfired. Aiden slipped into a coma that lasted three years, briefly waking just before John and Aaron’s wedding—only to relapse after another shocking incident.

As far as we know, Aiden remains in a coma. But wouldn’t his recovery make for an electrifying twist? Imagine Aaron finding solace and understanding in Aiden, one of John’s earliest victims. Their shared pain could forge a new bond, while Aiden himself could return to confront John, reclaiming the life that was stolen from him.

This dangling thread practically begs to be tied up, and John’s reappearance would provide the perfect opportunity.

6. Ella – The Perfect Scapegoat

Ella, Liam’s ex-girlfriend and former surgery receptionist, was one of John’s most convenient scapegoats. With her troubled past and fragile mental health, she was the ideal candidate for John to pin his schemes on, painting himself as the hero when Chas began to doubt him.

Though she was mentioned briefly during John’s twisted monologues to Mack, her storyline feels far from over. Does anyone in the village truly know the extent of John’s lies about her? Has her friend Mandy ever fought for Ella’s exoneration?

Fans can’t help but think the soap has left the door open for Ella to return, reclaim her voice, and expose John once and for all.

7. Robert Sugden – The Brotherly Rivalry Unfinished

John’s jealousy toward his brother Robert was the driving force behind much of his villainy. From exploiting Robert’s PTSD to gaslighting him at his lowest points, John’s cruelty knew no bounds.

Though Robert eventually triumphed in exposing his brother, it feels like a hollow victory. He never truly saw John brought to justice, nor did he get the satisfaction of knowing how deeply John’s obsession shaped their lives.

If John were to return, the emotional fallout between the brothers could provide one of the most compelling arcs in Emmerdale history. Imagine Robert watching John lose everything—Aaron, Victoria, and his freedom—finally forced to face the consequences of his toxic envy.

Why John Sugden’s Return Feels Inevitable

Soap villains rarely vanish without a trace. Unlike others who face prison or death, John managed to escape both fates. His departure in the back of that lorry was less an ending and more a pause—a chance for the writers to reignite the drama at the perfect moment.

With so many unresolved storylines, from Aiden’s coma to Cain’s thirst for justice, the door remains wide open for John’s reappearance. And if he does return, it won’t just be for one final act of manipulation. It will be a reckoning, a showdown that ties up every frayed thread of his twisted legacy.

Final Thoughts

John Sugden may be gone for now, but his shadow still looms large over the Dales. Mackenzie’s trauma, Aaron’s heartbreak, Cain’s fury, Moira’s financial ruin, Aiden’s tragedy, Ella’s scapegoating, and Robert’s unresolved rivalry all point to unfinished business.

When—rather than if—John returns, Emmerdale will have the chance to deliver some of the most explosive confrontations the soap has ever seen. His downfall isn’t complete until every victim has their moment, every injustice is avenged, and every truth is exposed.

For fans, that means one thing: keep watching. The storm of John Sugden’s return may be closer than anyone dares to imagine.