Tom King returned to screens in tonight’s episode of Emmerdale. The character’s surprise return came as Belle began divorce proceedings – registering Tom’s surprise as he learned that Belle wanted to officially end their marriage.

And, in typical Tom style, he wasted little time in trying to spin it to his advantage. Speaking to the prison chaplain, he set about trying to manipulate Belle into visiting him behind bars.

What is Tom playing at this time?
We dropped in on Tom behind bars tonight (Credit: ITV)

Tom King made his return to Emmerdale tonight

It seemed unlikely for a while but, as the episode ended, Tom learned that he’d gotten his way – Belle would be coming to see him to discuss the terms of their divorce.

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for since I’ve been locked up… and I’m not about to waste it,” he sneered as the end credits rolled.

Tom’s back, and apparently up to his old tricks again. True, he could be a changed man – and actually wants to see Belle to apologise before acquiescing to her demands, but it’s still far too soon. Here’s why his return might be a huge mistake.
We hoped we’d seen the last of Tom (Credit: ITV)

It risks undermining Belle’s story

When we last saw Tom, a jury had sentenced him to three years in prison for his treatment of Belle. As the episode ended, the soap highlighted the stories of real-life survivors who had been through similar experiences to Belle.

With its ending – Belle finally feeling free as she attended a support group – she and those like her had finally gotten the last word. With Tom’s return, the soap risks forgetting those all-too real voices… making it all about Tom again.
What does Tom have planned for Belle? (Credit: ITV)

We have to look at his smug face again

With no disrespect to actor James Chase – who made Tom King such an enjoyably slappable screen villain – the break from seeing him scowling and looking smug all the time has been a welcome one.

All of that changed tonight as it became immediately obvious that Tom’s an unchanged man… at least as far as James’s performance goes. Within minutes, he was sneering and scowling as though he’d never left.

So much for justice

Ever since he left, we’ve been picturing Tom living his most miserable life in prison. While it’s good to see him where he deserves to be, to watching him scheming and manipulating as he’s always done undermines that sense of justice.

Who knows – Tom may very well be a changed man, as the bible and visits with the prison chaplain suggest. Either way, it would have been a more effective move to keep him behind bars, sight unseen.

It prolongs his story… again

The ballad of Tom and Belle took up most of last year’s Emmerdale, from his abusive, controlling behaviour toward Belle, to the whole cottage affair, to the long and drawn-out police investigation. The police eventually got to the bottom of the matter, but the story didn’t end there either – with Tom continuing to try and manipulate Belle from behind bars.

Viewers complained that the story had become drawn out and contrived and, as it finally ended, we were finally ready to draw a line under Tom King. In the end, we only got a couple of months’ respite.
It’s been good to see Belle smiling again (Credit: ITV)

It’s not fair on Belle

Last week’s episodes saw Belle return to work, feeling positive about her future after seeing Tom off behind bars. After over a year of pain and misery for Belle and actor Eden Taylor-Draper, she deserves a break.

Trust Tom to come slithering back into her life again. Here’s hoping she sees through his malicious games a little sooner this time.