Dot agrees to helps Ethel die - EastEnders - BBC

An emotional classic from the Square. Ethel's '85th' birthday celebrations become too much for her. Dot takes her home, Ethel wants to end her life and Dot agrees to help her. Deals with adult themes.
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Welcome to the EastEnders Channel! Following the residents of Albert Square as their lives intertwine with drama and tears. First broadcasted in 1985, EastEnders continues to be one of the UK's most watched programmes as well as the nation's favourite soap. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the storylines on the show please visit this link for more information: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/artic...
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[@rodmccall4881]

Probably one of best scenes ever in a soap opera. A credit to both ladies involved for handling it so perfectly.

[@becky6360]

Opera?

[@becky6360]

thanks for the clarification

[@marklola12]

@@SpookyElectric319 Not in the UK they are not..thats a US thing

[@ryanmaxwell613]

I always try to keep my composure during this scene but the minute she says "Help me Dot" I just start to cry, this is probably the most sad and beautiful moment in eastenders history dots love for her friend is stronger than her faith, eastenders at it's best.

[@antpoo71]

I agree. I think its up there with Pat's death. I lost interest In EE when Pam St Clement left.

[@jackbrown4130]

Same

[@kevinprior3549]

Here cos of the passing of June Brown. Both Dot and Ethal are in heaven now. RIP to both!

[@deloniusmonk4923]

How can you not watch this and shed a tear. RIP June Brown and Gretchen Franklin, thanks for all you've done. x

[@jackbrown4130]

Amen

[@jayhauntz7587]

Rest in piece June 💚💚🥹 amazing women amazing actor this one had me in tears for years

[@Pepsi7]

She was a great actress.

[@a2ilool]

one of june browns best secnes

[@RafaelMichaelJackson]

This is the official Eastenders KZbin channel and the title reads "Dot agrees to HELPS Ethel Die..."

[@Brogan_Balfour_Crescent]

...Damn 😔

[@fad2679]

Just seen the news that Barbara Windsor passed away. Have been on a classic Eastenders binge since and came across this. I never understood this scene as a child. Now as a 32 year old man this has brought tears to my eyes. The acting is just incredible. It feels so real.

[@Phoebe1104]

I know R.I.P Barbara 💔

[@Ajbgaming34]

Now june brown 😭

[@rachelphillips9438]

this still has to be the most emotional death scene in a soap ever!! so sad and sweet at the same time

[@LightLife4]

+Rachel Phillips I liked it because it dealt with a very sensitive issue and for Dot is was a question of could you put your religious beliefs aside to help a friend end their suffering and avoid a painful death.

[@luisaediting6105]

The actress who played Ethel did an amazing job! She owned every scene and I loved her so much!

[@whatamalike]

I always remember watching this with my mum over 20 years ago, still moves me to this day

[@joeyg1052]

Rest in Peace June, you're a legend. ❤️

[@ellajackson4272]

Ethel is so adorable, this scene is so cute in a sad way

[@mih8ko]

"your the best friend I ever had" quoted Ethel Skinner ✨

[@ukadventures3861]

A memorable powerful scene between Dot and Etheyl PS God bless them both and now both in heaven❤️🙏❤️

[@truffles365]

I remember bawling my eyes out when I watched this as a kid. I always thought about this scene when watching some of the other deaths on the show for some reason. I've not watched the show in years so I've recently been on a KZbin clips binge and it occurred to me to search this scene up. I'm bawling just as hard now as an adult!! Such brilliant acting and a moving storyline.

[@af-dz4sf]

I hope I'm not the only one who cried my eyes out.

[@charlieminaj2]

Abby Fennessy I cried

[@elliottgiles5529]

Abby Fennessy your definitely not

[@chantalmascoe4594]

R..I.P June Brown R.I.P Dot and Ethel

[@BNCA70]

That has to be a record for KZbin, less than 3 minutes long and I am in tears.

[@destinyuvu5658]

Bless her she seemed like a sweet old lady

[@H0n3yMonstah]

RIP June and Gretchen.

[@racheljones5135]

If I remember rightly the entire episode focused solely upon Ethel and Dot and was so moving. I was only young at the time, but I was blown away by the sensitivity and performances. Wish I could find the whole episode!

[@RedCyanPhotos]

Yes I’m looking here for the same reason today myself, after the sad passing of June Brown recently. I was hoping to find the whole episode, it’s such a shame it’s not available on here. 😞

[@lee8kinders]

@@RedCyanPhotos If you want to watch it, it is currently available on UKTV play. It was shown on the Drama channel last week. Should be available for a few weeks. Listed as series 17 episode 70. Done as a double episode showing Ethel's 85th birthday party and then her death. I always remembered it as a two hander episode but it wasn't one after all.

[@LightLife4]

I remember watching this scene, it was the first time I'd ever seen euthanasia. I think, and still think, that the scene was emotional to watch and I liked how Dot put here religious beliefs aside to help her friend end her suffering.

[@reaper6526]

This scene is heartbreaking so sad and well acted 😢 x

[@elliotbutler9691]

This scene gets me every time

[@ronanocarroll]

I cried for half n hour after this was aired. Cried for a minute there too. So so sad

[@kevinprior3549]

Dot was left in an impossible position. God bless Ethal

[@danpanting3826]

This makes me cry

[@Chippaponi]

Rest in peace Gretchen Franklin. :(

[@dcworld1076]

dot and ethel are now reunited

[@_davidlittle_]

This happened on the day I was born. Really emotional stuff.

[@dominicaaaaa5547]

would only have been 9 when this was shown but remember it still now- such a beautiful scene i think

[@gloldnn]

This still makes me cry in 2015😭😭

[@nicolem540]

Makes me cry in 2016 😭😭😭

[@harrygratin6204]

+Nicole Mullen makes me cry in 2017 😭😭

[@CRUMPETface14]

Made me cry in 2018

[@saffron.r]

Makes me cry in 2019😭😭😭

[@beyonceknowles9381]

Makes me cry in 2020😭😭😭

[@andrewturvill7145]

Rip June. Go be with Ethal now Dot 🥰

[@eddiecampion2410]

This is tearing me up its so sad.

[@calumarter]

Dot and ethel are together in heaven now

[@danthechatterboxman]

Such a beautiful yet heart breaking scene

[@elliottgiles5529]

"Your the best friend I ever had " my iPad is drowning in tears why does she have to die on her birthday 😩😭

[@dhtelevision]

Elliott Giles You mean your iPad is getting drop marks all over

[@charlesblake2280]

Well she didn't say she'd always lied about her birthday and her age. But still it's a beautiful scene!

[@danny_long_legs]

She died on the month she was born

[@philbecker4676]

You're *

[@RedCyanPhotos]

My gran died on her 79th birthday in 2000, yet nobody at the hospital or the registry office (getting the death certificate) seemed to notice when we were giving her date of birth and then marking the date of death, we had to say to everyone it’s her birthday, or it was her birthday and then they were like oh yeah. I never got that, how do you not notice that someone has reeled off the same date but with a different end year?! I’m just glad that my grandma had seen lots of people and had a nice time before she died, just sadly she never made her actual party.

[@mischiefloverlol]

"You know who you are?" "You're the best friend I ever had" Heart breaking!

[@stephenm6100]

dot’s a great a friend.. her best pal, rip ethel

[@SouvenirDin24]

Two absolute #Legends in the soap world. God Bless you both. We miss you and little Willy x

[@maikeliRAIWALUI]

now dot and Ethel are both together in heaven now R.I.P June Brown and Gretchen Franklin

[@Idk-td8qd]

It’s sad that Ethel’s gone in real life :(

[@rlough1980]

Can't believe this was 12 years ago. One of the best scenes ever broadcast in a soap.

[@jackbrown4130]

I agree

[@therock19]

how can noone shed a tear here. So so upsetting.

[@RadagonTheRed]

I’m not an Eastenders fan but that scene brought tears even to my eyes.

[@xplaybwoix]

alot of actors in older age give supreme performances and imo this is the bet acting on any scene in enders..It is so unbelivably natural and raw..the camera angles, timing of sentences, pauses..mannerisms, the whole mood is unbelivable..Obv their friendship on n off screen, the script, mayb life imatating art..but esp gretchins acting...her face was literally breaking with sorrow and fear...best acting scene in whole on enders...nothing culd beat it thats for sure

[@herablanche7256]

Aw this bought tears to my eyes💔💔💔

[@jamiegrifter]

Brilliant! seems wrong to say that about such a sad scene. Loved Eastenders back then when it was more about friendships and family. Two brilliant actresses! RIP Gretchen x

[@nialltouhey43]

This makes me cry every time

[@AICabal]

Oh the days when EE actually had likeable characters and pretty good quality actors.

[@MooshiMeu]

Cried my eyes out its so sad :(

[@MissManxy]

My favorite scene from my favorite soap. It makes me cry every time too, because Dot loves her enough to help Ethel, even though she thinks it's wrong.

[@denisesiddon7241]

Gotta love ethel bless her

[@kevinprior3549]

Ethel was the granny everybody wanted. Her and Lou are back together

[@2oldladies]

I never wanted Ethel to die, but this seems so lovely :'(

[@Rebecca_Bailey]

I remember studying this in religious education, we were talking about assisted suicide and it’s impact

[@JacobMercer-tg9sj]

This is my favorite niece Ethel skinner from the TV show EastEnders who I love very much 💗💗💖💖💖💖💖💖.

[@joestewart-paul3260]

Loved Ethel 💔

[@domo3552]

RIP June.. God bless you x 🙏

[@ggman3000]

Very powerful scene

[@Alex-Bland]

Just a magnificent scene, unforgettable to me as a kid. RIP to both superb actresses.

[@jamesmasters4255]

I am in tears every time

[@Cleobaddiedawlz]

God I love dot💕

[@hkhan6809]

RIPDot and ethal

[@JCKREAL1]

Poor Ethel 😭❤️💙💜

[@thogdad1]

Heartbreaking & brilliant TV

[@jackbrown4130]

I just can’t help it, I’m in tears

[@JacobMercer-tg9sj]

And we all lived happily ever after.

[@Minittwastaken]

The fact they were able to take such a heavy subject and be respectful at the same time, June Brown and Gretchen Franklin acted this scene beautifully, RIP to them both.

[@morganphiltrem3330]

this is the saddest story in eastenders ever

[@TheIkaraCult]

When we watched Dot go through the same thing with Jim this was the scene we remembered.

[@Harris665]

I’m watching the old episodes were dot and Ethel were prime time television

[@abbieroseholden4174]

Now this quality acting can't believe over 20 years ago gone ever so fast. Dot and Ethel lovely friendship. Hopefully they are reunited again ❤❤❤

[@Livythespoon]

aww i cried shes so nice

[@MrEmily124]

This scene and titanic literally started my emotional trauma as a child 😅 I have never cried harder at a scene than this when I was 8.

[@MrProbeNWatch]

Very interesting this comes on my timeline given the news yesterday. RIP June Brown, an icon amongst British television

[@davidjeffreys9063]

This was when soaps had good story lines, good proper memorable characters. Back in the 1980s i used to watch this. When you see it nowadays, bleedin awful with too much yeah, yeah, yeah in every sentence. Last time i saw it that Phil Mitchell was still in it huffin and puffin

[@jasminebains112]

Im crying

[@paulg5548]

I remember watching this as a kid and being really emotionally affected by it. Even though at the time I wasn't really sure why. Watching it now as an adult it still gets me emotional

[@shezziesbaby]

What made this sadder, was the long, long, loooong history between Dot & Ethel

[@bendarling5573]

I'm on the right, but I think it's incredibly cruel for someone to be subjected to what could be many years of a situation where they're constantly in agony, constantly feeling unimaginably ill, unable to accomplish anything useful, never going to get better, taking an emotional (and possibly financial) toll on themselves and their loved ones, and utterly helpless and physically unable to do anything to end or even alleviate it. No-one, surely, should have to go through that if it's avoidable. There must be extensive safeguards, to prevent abuse, mistaken prognoses, etc, but I think the option should be there. Apart from anything, if you know the option won't be there, you are faced with a terrible dilemma if told that you will probably, but not definitely, end up imprisoned in the above situation. Do you end it while still physically able, despite the fact that you might get better? Or do you do nothing and risk being trapped in hell on Earth for years and years, day after day after day, gradually withering away and utterly powerless? Surely that is a decision that no-one should have to make. I know it's a difficult subject, and I understand why compassionate and decent people will often disagree with me, but on balance, I think a careful change is needed. There is no perfect solution here; it's about finding the least bad one, and balancing the sanctity of life with the need to avoid extensive, long-term, horrendous and unnecessary suffering where practical.

[@annieprettymuchrocks]

makes me cry everytime :'(

[@thedemon2380]

RIP Ethel 😢😔☹️😇

[@georgenoyb7661]

Love Dot & Ethel. A great friendship.

[@TheDarrenguyuk]

ethel was most loveslest of all time we miss u xx

[@kaashee]

Simply beautiful :,(

[@gaynorpatterson2915]

Such a beautiful ending for Ethel…She was such a wonderful actor and she stole all the scenes she was in. I’m glad she had her last episode with Dot. Love them both ❤

[@matthewa.morgan6214]

Rest in peace Gretchen & June EastEnders 1985 - ♥️♥️

[@peterpersonalstylist]

Honorary Bafta should go to June and Gretchen. Can we make this happen?

[@redroxi]

Awwh, I always cry watching this.

[@Yourismouter]

whats that song playing? its soo beautiful and fitting.

[@pennyfrancis9288]

Omg I cried the first time and I'm crying now in 2019

[@zafirah123]

i almost cried SOO SAD!!! wat a heart breaking scene

[@pkeyte]

oh my god!! This makes me cry so much!!

[@corrinabowbow]

Made me cry

[@xplaybwoix]

I would like to know how ill Gretchen was at this point. I have found out that she was 90 when she did this scene!..But I wonder how much pain she was truely in or if it was just immense acting. We won't know how many takes were done, but from these scene's you certainly feel she was in control of her actions and knew her lines ( unless she was reading them). I hope she was fitter than her character to confirm how amazing this acting is.You dont even think they are actressess.So natural

[@thatsgorg]

This is heart breaking. x

[@jamesmitchell8922]

The episode ended without the Eastenders tune.

[@kevinprior3549]

Love the music at the end