Emmerdale fans have been treated — or perhaps tormented — with an early release on ITVX, and what unfolds in these scenes is nothing short of harrowing.

The latest episodes plunge deeper into John Sugden’s twisted descent, confirming what many feared: Mackenzie Boyd’s time in the village may be reaching a tragic conclusion.

This early-access storyline is packed with betrayal, captivity, and shocking revelations that set the stage for one of the soap’s darkest climaxes in years. For John, Mack,

and Aaron, the stakes have never been higher, and viewers are left questioning who will survive the storm.

John’s Web of Deceit

When John Sugden returned to the village, he was already carrying the weight of unimaginable secrets. What began as a crime of passion has spiralled into a horrifying saga of lies, manipulation, and deadly intent.

The shocking truth: John shot Mackenzie with a bow and arrow before smashing a rock against him, shattering his leg. As if that brutality wasn’t enough, he drugged Mack and dragged him into a makeshift bunker carved beneath his childhood home.

Since then, Mack has been living in hell. Wounded, infected, and growing weaker by the day, his captivity is both physical and psychological. John, in a grotesque show of control, has been stealing medical supplies from the local surgery to keep Mack alive — not out of compassion, but to prolong his suffering and maintain power over him.

Aaron in the Dark

Meanwhile, Aaron has been navigating his own complicated relationship with John, still blind to the depths of his husband’s villainy. When Aaron suggested they move away permanently and confide in Charles Dingle, John immediately refused, desperate to stay close to Mack and guard his secret.

Unable to craft a convincing excuse, John temporarily left Mack alone, tossing him meagre supplies and warning he’d be on his own. Two weeks into his ordeal, Mack is frail, feverish, and terrified, crying out for help as John enjoys drinks with Aaron and Chas at the pub.

But John’s obsession with Mack is never far from the surface. Distracted and restless, he invents a lie about a roofing inspection at the cottage to rush back to his captive.

Twisted Goodbyes

In one of the most disturbing developments yet, John forces Mack to record voice notes to Charity and Moira, convincing them he has chosen to abandon his marriage and his family. Mack, desperate to cling to his truth, refuses repeatedly.

But John has an answer for everything. Using artificial intelligence, he manipulates old recordings of Mack’s voice to fabricate a cruel message: one that declares his marriage to Charity over and confirms he will never return to Emmerdale.

The message shatters Charity, leaving her devastated and confused. John, satisfied with his handiwork, begins preparing another fake note for Moira. But his plan takes a sinister turn when he stumbles upon a recording on Mack’s phone that changes everything.

The Betrayal That Breaks Him

The voice note is from Aaron. Casual, almost careless, Aaron speaks of Robert Sugden and Ryan Holly — and sleeping with Robert.

For John, it is the final straw. Until this moment, he could dismiss Mack’s earlier accusations as lies born of desperation. But hearing Aaron’s voice confessing the betrayal makes it undeniable.

Rage consumes him. John had built his fragile world on the illusion of Aaron’s loyalty, and now that foundation has been obliterated. “Can’t trust anyone,” he seethes, his fury intensifying with every passing second.

This revelation sets in motion John’s most dangerous plan yet — one that threatens to destroy not just Aaron, but Robert too.

A Deadly Game Begins

Fueled by betrayal, John drugs Aaron, determined to make him utterly dependent on him. But Aaron, regaining fragments of clarity, grows suspicious and starts piecing together the truth.

Agitated and frightened, Aaron bolts into the woods, desperate to uncover the hatch that hides Mack. His frantic search takes him deeper into the wilderness, only to find himself standing at the edge of a gorge. Behind him, John emerges from the trees, his presence suffocating.

Aaron begs for the truth, for John to reveal where Mack is. For a flicker of a moment, John appears shaken, almost ready to surrender to the police. But then, everything changes.

Robert’s Arrival

Robert arrives at the scene, desperate to save Aaron. His sudden appearance reignites John’s fury, stoking the jealousy and hatred that has been simmering beneath the surface.

In a fit of rage, John flips the script. He calls the police and frames Robert, painting him as the orchestrator of the unfolding horror.

Then, in a moment that will haunt Emmerdale forever, John seizes Aaron and, with terrifying resolve, hurls himself and his husband off the edge of the gorge.Robert’s Horror

The scene is gut-wrenching. Robert, helpless, watches as Aaron and John vanish into the abyss. His cries echo in the silence that follows, his anguish almost unbearable.

Racing to the edge, Robert stares down at the gorge below, where two lifeless bodies appear sprawled among the rocks. Trembling, he dials 999, but John’s manipulative last act — framing him — casts a shadow of doubt that could destroy him.

Robert may be the only one left to tell the truth, but whether anyone will believe him is another matter.

The Fate of Mackenzie

And yet, amid the chaos, one question remains: what about Mackenzie Boyd?

Locked away in the underground bunker, feverish and broken, Mack’s fate hangs in the balance. Will anyone uncover John’s twisted lair in time to save him? Or will Mack’s goodbye truly be final, his voice silenced by both captivity and manipulation?

Fans fear the worst. The AI-forged farewell has already convinced his loved ones he’s gone for good. Unless Aaron or Robert can expose John’s deceit, Mack may never be found alive.

A Storyline of Betrayal and Devastation

This ITVX early release has confirmed what fans long suspected: the Sugden saga is barreling toward a brutal and tragic conclusion. John’s obsession, Aaron’s betrayal, and Robert’s return have collided in a perfect storm of heartbreak and violence.

The cliffside plunge may mark the end for John, but it leaves Aaron’s fate uncertain — and Mackenzie’s goodbye all but sealed.

For viewers, it’s a gut-wrenching reminder of what Emmerdale does best: gripping, emotional storytelling that keeps audiences glued to their screens and desperately speculating about what comes next.

One thing is clear — in this game of love, lies, and vengeance, no one escapes unscathed.