Cain and Moira Emmerdale episode had huge impact – and could have been even more powerful
Emmerdale has once again won fans over with its first instalment of the week, but there was one way it could have been even more powerful.
Monday night’s (March 9) trip to the Dales saw Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) finally tell Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) the truth about his cancer diagnosis, and the scenes had plenty of viewers in tears.
Cain has been hiding the fact that he has prostate cancer since the beginning of February, when he received the results of his tests.
At that time, things were stressful for the whole family, as Moira had been charged with the murders of Celia Daniels and one of her trafficking victims, Anya, after their bodies were found on Moira’s land.
With Moira clearly in distress over her wrongful imprisonment, Cain decided to keep the news of his diagnosis to himself so as not to add to her worries.
However, in last night’s episode, a worrying development prompted him to confide in her.
After spotting blood in his urine, Cain rushed to see Dr Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson), who assured him that it was just a urinary tract infection that could be treated by a course of antibiotics.
The conversation then turned to Cain’s support network, as Liam encouraged him to open up to his wife.
When Cain then visited Moira in prison, he finally let her in and admitted that he had grade four prostate cancer, meaning there was a high chance it could spread without treatment.
Moira was understandably crushed by the news, but was glad Cain had chosen to lean on her for support.
Like my fellow soaps reporter Calli Kitson, I believe that the episode could have been even more powerful as a two-hander between Cain and Moira, whose performances blew fans away.
‘This was so beautifully acted by Moira and Cain, a really wonderful episode with Emmerdale best actors. I am still moved to tears,’ Metro reader Margaret wrote on Facebook, while Morag agreed: ‘It was well acted between Jeff and Natalie.’
‘Tonight shows what wonderful actors are moira and cain. They had me crying as if it was true life. That is acting at its best,’ Jean gushed, while Belle called for Jeff to win awards for his performance.
Soaps can be fast-paced and full of stunts and explosions, but sometimes, as was demonstrated in yesterday’s episode, it is the simple conversations between characters that have the biggest impact.
Like Calli, I could have watched Cain and Moira’s conversation for the full 30-minute instalment. It gave us so much more insight into both characters than when they’re stealing cars or warring with the neighbours.
While the other issues presented in the episode, from Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) and Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) relationship woes to Joe Tate’s (Ned Porteous) blackmail, were relevant to Cain’s story, they perhaps could have been included in a previous episode, allowing viewers to fully immerse ourselves in Cain and Moira’s world for the full instalment.
Of course, the episode was still fantastic, with many Metro readers being left in tears.
‘I WAS SOBBING ISTG,’ Sienna replied on TikTok, while on Facebook, Linda said: ‘Brilliant episode my favourite couple had me in tears.’
‘So emotional i couldnt stop the tears,’ Karen agreed, while Sonya wrote: ‘I was very emotional watching this not just because of what is happening but because Cain and Moira have been through so much together good and bad in their marriage that is true love.’
