In an emotional whirlwind that left viewers absolutely stunned, EastEnders fans witnessed what many are calling one of Lacey Turner’s most compelling performances to date. As Stacey Slater continues to reel from the emotional devastation caused by Martin Fowler’s death earlier this year, the BBC One soap aired a heart-wrenching episode that truly showcased Lacey’s raw acting talent—and the audience couldn’t look away.

The episode follows Stacey, who has become a shadow of her former self since Martin’s passing in February. Paralyzed by grief, she’s barely stepped foot outside her bedroom, leaving Gene and her teenage daughter Lily to manage the Slater household. The weight of her sorrow is palpable, and it’s clear that Stacey is on the edge of breaking. But everything comes to a head when Freddy, completely unaware of what he was about to trigger, takes Stacey’s coat to the launderette. Hidden in the coat’s pocket? Stacey’s phone—filled with precious photos and deeply personal voicemails from Martin.

As soon as Stacey realizes the phone is gone, she bolts out of the house in a panic. Her sudden outburst alarms Cat and Lily, who rush after her, only to find Stacey spiraling at the launderette, desperate to recover her memories of Martin before they’re lost forever. The moment is tense, electric, and emotionally charged—Stacey’s pain practically radiates from the screen.

Concerned for her wellbeing, Cat and Lily begin to suspect that Stacey might be slipping into a bipolar episode. Their fears intensify when Alfie finds out that Stacey has been sending voice notes to Martin’s old number, almost as if she believes he might still be able to hear them. But in a moment of striking clarity, Stacey assures them she knows the truth—Martin is gone, and she is not in denial. She’s grieving, yes, and she’s aware that her mental health is on shaky ground, but she remains lucid enough to recognize the warning signs of a potential relapse.

It was a harrowing, beautifully performed sequence, and fans wasted no time in flooding social media with praise for Lacey Turner’s masterful portrayal. One fan wrote on X, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Lacey Turner is an incredible actress. So many hard-hitting storylines and she smashes it every time. A powerhouse. Give her those awards already!” Another viewer echoed this, saying, “There are not enough words to describe how incredible Lacey Turner is. She hits all the right notes every single time. Always faultless. We are so lucky to have her.” The sentiment was unanimous: Lacey’s work in this episode wasn’t just good—it was unforgettable.

But the emotional journey didn’t end there. Later in the episode, tensions between Stacey and Lily reached a boiling point. In a moment of heated confrontation, Lily confessed that she needed to get away for a while—to escape the emotional toll of the last few months. Her decision to stay with her biological father, Ryan, was difficult, but necessary for her own healing.

This decision served as a wake-up call for Stacey, who realized she too needed space and time to mend the fractures in her own heart. In a touching final sequence, Stacey—along with Arthur and Hope—quietly packed away photographs of Martin, sealing them in a shoebox filled with memories and tears. The family then left to spend time with Lynn Slater, hopeful that a change of scenery might help them begin to heal. Though Martin is no longer physically present, Stacey made it clear: his spirit will always remain with them.

It was an emotionally charged, deeply intimate episode that reminded fans exactly why EastEnders continues to resonate so strongly after all these years. At the center of it all was Lacey Turner, delivering a performance so real, so heartbreaking, that it silenced even the harshest critics. Her portrayal of Stacey’s grief—layered with guilt, confusion, and flickers of hope—felt less like acting and more like witnessing someone truly living through a storm of emotions.

This latest storyline has undoubtedly pushed Stacey Slater to her limits, but it’s also given Lacey Turner a platform to demonstrate why she’s one of the finest actors the soap has ever seen. Whether she’s breaking down in the launderette or reassuring her family that she’s still fighting to hold it together, Lacey captures every nuance of Stacey’s pain with remarkable precision.

Fans are already calling for Lacey to be recognized in upcoming awards ceremonies, and many believe that this performance should be the one that finally cements her legacy as one of the true greats in British television drama.

As EastEnders continues to explore the aftermath of Martin’s death and the impact it has on Stacey and her family, one thing is clear: Lacey Turner has once again proven she’s the emotional heartbeat of Albert Square. And if this episode is any indication, her journey is far from over.