Could Summer Spellman be the one who finally realises what’s really going on between Todd and Theo?

Viewers have watched the relationship between Todd Grimshaw and Theo Silverton grow increasingly uncomfortable in recent weeks, with Theo’s controlling behaviour becoming harder to ignore. And now, it looks like someone close to Todd might be starting to piece things together.

Summer Spellman has been spending more time with the couple lately, even joining them as Theo’s birthday celebrations roll around. But what should be a normal milestone quickly turns into a disaster for Todd, and it could be the moment that raises Summer’s suspicions.

Theo’s birthday is approaching, but Todd is already struggling before the celebrations even begin. After asking Theo for money to buy him a present, his day quickly spirals. A run of bad luck sees his shoes break, his lunch spilt all over his shirt, and his phone smashed.

Still determined to get something for Theo, Todd ends up pawning a pair of cufflinks to scrape together some cash.

Meanwhile, Summer is around the pair more than ever, and she starts noticing how things don’t quite add up. At one point, she even jokes that she’d hate to be Todd’s fiancée, pointing out that he still hasn’t managed to buy Theo a present yet.

Behind the scenes, things are far darker than they appear. Actor James Cartwright, who plays Theo, has explained that the character’s behaviour is becoming increasingly calculated.

At a birthday lunch with Todd, Gary and Maria, Theo deliberately sets Todd up for embarrassment.

‘Theo is controlling Todd’s money at this point, so he knows he’s got no money, and he’s being really manipulative.’ James explained.

According to the actor, Theo knowingly puts Todd in an impossible situation by telling everyone at the table, ‘Come on, order what you want, don’t worry, Todd will get it,’ despite being fully aware Todd can’t actually pay.

When Todd’s card inevitably declines, Theo swoops in to play the hero.

‘Oh, what are you like, ey? You can’t manage your money. Here, I’ll get it, don’t worry.’

But the gesture isn’t kindness, it’s control.

James revealed the moment is carefully staged to make Todd look incapable while positioning Theo as the one who saves the day.

‘It’s all carefully orchestrated at this point… he’s actively trying to narrow Todd’s circle of friends and his opportunities for pleasure that don’t involve Theo. He’s trying to make him completely dependent.’

And the manipulation doesn’t stop once they leave the restaurant.

Back at home, the situation escalates into something far more disturbing as Theo lashes out at Todd.

‘It’s like any violence; you become conditioned to it. It takes on a life of its own and becomes more extreme every time it goes unchallenged. Violence is an awful, awful thing; in a relationship, it’s just unthinkable. And it becomes another tool of control for Theo.’

James added that Theo uses his physical presence to dominate Todd during the confrontation.

‘Theo’s this larger, bigger muscular scaffolder; and to impose his physicality on him is a tool that he’s now using. It’s something that he’s using to his advantage to make sure he gets what he wants.’

With Summer spending more time around them, Theo’s behaviour could soon become impossible to hide. The character has already shown jealousy over Todd’s close bond with her, and has repeatedly tried to pull Todd away from the people who care about him.

That growing tension could be the key to the truth coming out.

If Summer starts noticing the signs, the humiliation, the isolation and the constant pressure Todd is under, she may well be the one who finally calls Theo out.

And if that happens, Theo’s carefully constructed control could start to unravel very quickly.