As Holby City Hospital reels from the recent chaos surrounding Carly Wilson’s death and the ensuing riot, tensions continue to ripple through the ED. In the aftermath of violence and heartbreak, personal and professional relationships are put under the microscope, and for some staff members, the truth may be more dangerous than the secrets they’ve kept.

At the centre of the turmoil is Rida Amaan, whose recent alignment with surgical consultant Russell Whitelaw has raised more than a few eyebrows. Rida initially believed she was making a difference—calling Russell out for his outdated, sexist remarks and believing he was beginning to change. But cracks begin to form in her conviction when Nicole Piper, usually Rida’s trusted ally, confronts her for defending a man who may be far more harmful than he appears. Their friendship suffers a serious blow as Nicole accuses Rida of betraying not only her own values, but also the women who’ve suffered under Russell’s so-called “old-school charm.”

Rida is left questioning her own judgment—was she manipulated by a seasoned consultant who knows how to play the game? Or is she truly witnessing a shift in an old dog learning new tricks? Her struggle to find clarity is made more complicated by her budding relationship with Sean Redmond, who has his own questionable reputation within the hospital. Although Sean has been honest with Rida about a past dating mishap that contributed to gossip around the wards, she’s still not sure whether to fully trust him. As pressure mounts, Rida is forced to choose between her personal feelings and her professional integrity.

Meanwhile, Flynn Byron is continuing to fight his own battles as Holby’s new clinical lead. With emotions still running high in the wake of the riot, Flynn pushes for greater accountability and funding reform, but his direct approach begins to isolate him from his colleagues. He’s determined to end the hospital’s reliance on charitable donations for vital equipment, but his demands put him at odds with upper management—and even Siobhan McKenzie, who has her own political balancing act to manage.

Siobhan is also dealing with her son Ben’s shocking revelation as Stevie Nash’s stalker. While Ben has been removed from the immediate picture, the emotional fallout remains. Stevie’s trauma is raw, and her trust in Siobhan is shattered. Forced to work alongside each other under immense pressure, both women struggle to remain professional, but it’s clear that their relationship may never recover. When a critical patient requires both their expertise, they must put aside their personal grievances—but the tension simmers just beneath the surface.

Elsewhere, Dylan Keogh is still coming to terms with the moral ambiguity of recent events. After being held hostage during a previous riot and now watching the fallout from Carly’s death unfold, Dylan finds himself increasingly disillusioned with the system. While he continues to deliver excellent patient care, his mental and emotional exhaustion are beginning to take their toll. A surprise visit from an old colleague brings some comfort—but also reminds Dylan of the life outside Holby he’s sacrificed for the job. As he reflects on his future, viewers are left wondering whether Dylan may be ready to make a major life change.

Amidst all the turmoil, Iain Dean and Teddy Gowan continue to serve on the frontlines, their partnership stronger than ever. However, the violence they witnessed at Carly’s vigil has left a lasting scar. Iain, especially, is struggling with guilt and frustration, questioning whether enough is being done to address the community’s concerns before they escalate into tragedy. Both paramedics are committed to doing the right thing—but how long can they carry the emotional weight of a broken system?

As the episode draws to a close, one thing is clear: trust is in short supply at Holby ED. With secrets still unspoken, friendships fractured, and the hospital’s reputation hanging by a thread, the future remains uncertain. But in true Casualty fashion, the team must find a way to pull together, even as everything threatens to pull them apart.

Next week promises more emotional revelations, strained alliances, and a shocking medical emergency that could shift the balance of power yet again.