EastEnders fans will see Patrick Trueman’s grief take a turn next week, as he continues to use an AI avatar of his late son Anthony Trueman to help him mourn. As a result, the Fox-Trueman family grow concerned about Patrick, as he becomes steadily more reliant on the likeness to cope with his loss.
But as Patrick uses the computerised version of his son to ease his pain, can his loved ones persuade him that it’s not helping him to move on?
“Patrick has been drowning in grief since Christmas, and for the first time, he’s found a coping method that works,” notes our EastEnders informant.
“Saying that, the AI avatar of Anthony that Denzel Danes created has its dangers, including Patrick using it to pretend that Anthony is still here. That can’t be healthy!”
Disapproving from the beginning, Patrick’s wife Yolande Truman makes it clear to Kim Fox that she’s worried about Patrick using the AI as a crutch for his grief. Kim tries to get through to Patrick to make him see the risks, but her intervention fails, forcing her to desperately confide in her ex-fiancé Howie Danes about Patrick’s behaviour.
Heartbroken by Kim’s despondent demeanour, Howie takes it upon himself to visit Patrick and try to help him open up.
“Patrick and Howie’s relationship has been fraught ever since Howie was exposed for pocketing Patrick’s stolen cash,” our source reminds us.
“But let’s not forget that he was once like a son to Patrick. Although he and Kim are no longer together, Howie hates to see her so upset, and believes he can make Patrick understand that sometimes the past is better off left in the past.”
During their chat, Patrick advises Howie that he shouldn’t waste another day without Kim, and should try to win her back – so Howie plans a big surprise for her at The Albert.
In a coy attempt to get Kim there, Patrick invites her and her sister Denise for a midday drink, leaving them feeling hopeful that he’s decided to take a break from the AI. However, when they arrive at the boozer, Howie emerges with a parade of glamorous drag queens and romantically serenades Kim.
“Howie is still in love with Kim and decides that life is too short not to be with her,” divulges our informant. “He pulls out all the stops for her, but fans will have to wait and see whether it’ll be enough to win Kim round.”
Will Kim take pleading Howie back after his big gesture? And will the chat with Patrick be enough to convince the mourning father to put down the AI and focus on his living family?
