After allowing Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) to go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Samson Dingle (Sam Hall) finally came good in the end, having an attack of conscience after Lydia (Karen Blick) had a word.
And though he didn’t tell the full truth, it was enough to get Matty spared in Emmerdale.
He’s a bit slow on the old conscience uptake is our Samson, having only seen the light weeks into Matty’s prison stay and only after he suffered a shattered eye socket. But fair play to the lad, he eventually came somewhat clean and even stood up to Josh when he tried to verbally abuse Lydia.
While Josh gets away with it, Samson now faces a lengthy stint inside – and he reveals to his family he’s hellbent on pleading guilty to assuage his shame. He’s made his peace with time inside – but that could be because he’s oblivious to the true horrors of what goes on in those cells.
Sam and Lydia are convinced the case. Sam pays a visit to someone he thinks can prepare his son for the realities of life behind bars – hard nut and seasoned insider Aaron (Danny Miller). He asks him to give Samson a talking to.
But Cain (Jeff Hordley) overhears. Sam is horrified to see his plan backfire when he comes across Cain going at Samson, belting him and goading him – revenge for Matty. Then the penny drops – Cain is training him for prison with a harsh and painful lesson.
Cain reckons Samson will become the other inmates’ plaything if he goes in the way he is.
So, Samson asks a favour of the brother he turned against – help Samson fight dirty to survive.
Moira (Natalie J Robb) spots Cain helping with Samson’s training and loses it – how dare he help the lad who sat back and watched as her son fought for his life.
Moira gets involved in the ‘training’ and grabs Samson’s face, but those around her are forced to quickly intervene.
Has Moira taken things too far?
