Emmerdale's 50th anniversary celebrations got off to a wind-fuelled start as the storm looming over the Yorkshire Dales started to cause havoc for some of the village's much-loved residents. The ITV soap celebrated its five decades on air on Sunday (October 16) with a special hour-long episode kicking off a week's worth of drama.
Kim Tate appeared as mighty as ever as she lorded around the village on her horse on her wedding day to Will Taylor. However, her grand nuptials came after she overheard her husband-to-be and his ex, Harriet Finch, sharing their true feelings for one another. The pair had an emotional face-off before Kim headed to marry her man.
And there were tears at the aisle as Kim arrived in the church and confronted Will over his relationship with Harriet. But their marriage could be over before it has even begun as the episode ended on a major cliffhanger. With the wedding over and the reception ready to begin, the storm continued to worsen, and back at Home Farm, Lydia arrived and asked for help in the search for pregnant Amelia who has gone into labour alone outside the village.
READ MORE: ITV Emmerdale star Claire King teases Kim Tate's fate as she jokes she's 'been in Spain'
In a bid to help, viewers saw Kim step up to saddle with her horse ready to go looking for Amelia in the storm. She then took off on Ice to ride to the rescue in the storm. But again, she came face-to-face with Harriet who had been squashed when she plunged down a ravine followed by the quad bike she was riding in search for Amelia.
But as they looked for the teen, Kim stumbled across Harriet and as she tried to help, her horse, Ice, bolted and left Kim without a way of getting help. Then in another twist, both women ended up lying lifeless after a fork of lightning struck the quad throwing them both and Kim hitting her head on a stone, leaving viewers wondering if either of them will be able to escape the storm.
Despite the big dramatics, some Emmerdale fans were left unimpressed and flocked to social media to share their disappointment. @louisethomas386 commented: "Bit of an anti climax if I'm honest. Last week was absolutely fantastic and this a bit cringy." @twinklestartashy said: "The wind was blowing, yet trees in distance were still? As the chair was been blown down the street the hanging baskets were again still ? Just a bit OTT."
@ghosted_1983 posted: "Was expecting bit more if honest. Trailer looked good but was disappointed." @beryldavis8106 added: "Very disappointed in Emmerdale tonight with all the build up. Hope there is better to come."
But other Emmerdale fans were quick to jump to the soap's defence. @andreahughed9599 said: "I loved tonight's episode unlike some people who just love to complain all the time and it lasts all week." Jill Hughes wrote on Facebook: "There’s more to come this week. They can’t fit it all into a one hour episode." Suzanna Walshaw added: "It's not over yet! The storm is becoming worse and people die."
It comes after the episode was prefaced with a warning to viewers. Before the episode aired, the ITV announcer warned: "A special episode the celebrate 50 years of top class drama now on ITV with shocking and violent events and scenes of distress some viewers may find upsetting, it's Emmerdale."
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