Poker Face! Eastender’s Phil and Derek at Play!

Image © BBC

Phil and Derek – Who will be King?

It is doubtful that Derek’s invitation to Alfie to join in a game of poker is as innocent as it seems. But the desperate landlord is willing to do just about anything to acquire the money he needs to pay the rent for the Queen Victoria. Accepting an invite to gamble from the career criminal is probably not his best idea.

What starts as a quiet little game with Brannings Derek and Jack, Moons Alfie and Michael and Albert Square businessman Ian Beale becomes something quite different when the recently released Phil Mitchell turns up after Michael invites him to the game.

The two ‘godfathers’ of Albert Square are pitched in battle against each other in a cash only game of poker. After Phil appears brandishing a new deck of cards and his menacing expression, the only thing the other players can do is watch as the two do battle around the card table.

Alfie’s plan to win the rent money for the pub goes badly wrong as his luck at the card table disappears. ‘Friendly’ banter round the table finishes when Phil declares “I’m here to play, not talk”. And play he does!

Steve McFadden continues to dominate in his role as Phil Mitchell just as he has done for over twenty years. Recent newcomer Jamie Foreman portrays Derek Branning brilliantly – his menacing character very nearly matching that of Phil. It is fascinating to watch these two in action like stags fighting to see who gains control of the herd! I’m sure we’ll see many more interesting battles before the outcome is decided.