This article contains spoilers for Tuesday’s episode of EastEnders, which is already available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Tuesday’s EastEnders episode delivered a surprising twist as Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) finally revealed the truth behind the mysterious online friend he had been talking to.
His revelation left his mother, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), completely stunned.
Kat and Alfie’s Growing Concerns
Since Tommy returned to his parents’ care last week, both Kat and her partner Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) had grown increasingly uneasy about his online interactions.
Their worries stemmed from Tommy’s continued conversations with an unknown individual through his gaming console.
Given Tommy’s recent struggles—having spent months in foster care with Zack Hudson (James Farrar) following his violent outburst toward Kat—his secrecy over this friendship was particularly concerning.
Despite Tommy’s insistence that his friend, known as ‘Matt,’ had been a source of support, Kat became suspicious when he avoided an invitation for Matt to visit. This only heightened her fears that Tommy was unknowingly communicating with a stranger who could pose a threat.
Kat’s Determination to Uncover the Truth
As Tuesday’s episode unfolded, Kat decided to take matters into her own hands. Determined to find out who Matt really was, she attempted to access Tommy’s console messages. However, Alfie caught her in the act and urged her to take a different approach—one that involved open communication rather than sneaking around.
Following Alfie’s advice, Kat and Alfie sat Tommy down for a serious conversation. They expressed their concerns and warned him about the dangers of talking to unknown people online. But neither of them was prepared for what Tommy had to say next.
Tommy’s Shocking Revelation
Rather than revealing that Matt was an actual person, Tommy stunned his parents by confessing that Matt was not real at all. Instead, Matt was an AI chatbot—an artificial intelligence program designed to mimic human responses and act as a virtual friend.
Tommy then explained why he had turned to AI for companionship. Having struggled with his emotions and relationships since his time in foster care, he found comfort in talking to someone who would always listen without judgment. For Tommy, Matt had provided the kind of support and understanding he desperately needed.
Kat, however, was left baffled by the concept. She struggled to understand why her son would rely on a chatbot instead of opening up to his family. Her reaction, while coming from a place of concern, would soon have unintended consequences for Tommy.
Word Gets Out
Unbeknownst to Kat and Alfie, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) had overheard their conversation about Tommy’s AI friend. She wasted no time in sharing the information with Nugget Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) and Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega), who saw an opportunity to poke fun at Tommy.
When the boys confronted Tommy about his AI companion, they taunted him, making him feel humiliated and isolated. Tommy’s reaction to the teasing remains to be seen, but given his history of emotional struggles, the fallout from this revelation could be significant.
What’s Next for Tommy?
As Tommy navigates this latest challenge, viewers will be left wondering whether he will retreat further into his AI companionship or find the courage to stand up to his bullies. Will Kat and Alfie realize the impact of their conversation being overheard, and will they be able to support Tommy in the right way?
This storyline touches on the growing reality of AI companionship and how young people may turn to technology for support in times of emotional distress. With EastEnders continuing to explore this thought-provoking issue, Tommy’s journey promises to be one of the show’s most compelling narratives in the weeks to come.
Stay tuned to EastEnders for the next chapter in Tommy’s story, airing on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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