User:Junipers Liege/workspace/second death

Den's second demise was a storyline in EastEnders

Synopsis
Upon learning of Den's affair with Zoe Slater, his wife Chrissie plots revenge, conniving a confrontation between him and the women he has wronged, the "Witches of Walford". However, the confrontation results in his death

Background
Detail Den's return and reason for departure (Grantham)

Witches of Walford
Press interest

Conclusion
Oberman decides to go with Medcalf

Plot summation
After his affair with Kate Mitchell, Den attempts a reconciliation with his estranged wife, Chrissie. She, however, is reticent, and in an attempt to win back her sympathies he confides in her of his plan to scam the rival Mitchell family and reclaim the Vic. She is impressed and agrees to help him, but warns that if he ever cheats on her again she will kill him. The pair proceed to blackmail the Mitchell family lawyer, Marcus Christie into creating a fake sting: Christie goes to Sam Mitchell declaring that her brother, Phil, has escaped prison and needs money to flee the country. Sam sells up the Mitchell businesses, and offers Den the Vic for a reduced price. However, when Sam returns to Christie’s office, she discovers he has absconded with all the money, leaving the Mitchells bankrupt. At the airport, Christie is met by Den and Chrissie who take the money in exchange for the material they were using to blackmail him.

On Christmas Eve, Den takes ownership of the Vic - throwing out the resident manager, Alfie Moon and his family. The Watts family then gather together for Christmas Day lunch. However, during the meal Dennis and Sharon announce their intention to leave Walford and elop. Zoe, Dennis' girlfriend, is heartbroken, and Den is furious; having returned from a 14 year exile in Spain, he wants his family around him - especially his "princess", Sharon. Den convinces Zoe to lie and say she is pregnant by Dennis, then he plays on Dennis' sensibilities about fatherhood and Sharon's (apparent) inability to bare childern. Sharon succumbs and convinces Dennis to stand by Zoe, but declares she is unable to stay in Walford and watch Dennis raise Zoe's child, and packs to leave. Thus, Den's machinations backfire on him, and desperately trying to convicen Sharon to stay lets slip that no one, not even his other daughter, Vicki, means as much to him as Sharon. This is overheard by Vicki and Chrissie; Vicki becomes distraught and decides to leave with Sharon.

Lead up to Den's death
In the new year, Zoe tries to lure Dennis into bed in order to get pregnant, but Dennis refuses. Zoe begins to panic, realising that without the pregnancy Dennis will leave her and follow Sharon. Den offers his services to solve the problem, and in desperation Zoe eventually relents. However, during one of their sessions they are discovered by Dennis; Zoe then tells Dennis the truth, and he leaves. But on his way to the train station he encounters Chrissie on her way back from the high street and he tells her what Den has been up to. Shocked, Chrissie stumbles down the main road towards the Vic; she finally enters the Vic but keeps her knowledge of what has happened to herself.

Chrissie begins to plot her revenge against Den. Knowing Den's greatest weakness is his love for Sharon, she intends to destroy him in the eyes of his daughter by him confessing to his deeds. She works to get Sam onside by offering her a job at the pub, however learns that Zoe has fallen pregnant. She is furious at the news, as Den had always resisted having children with her, whilst Den, fearing his wife's reaction should she learn of his affair, becomes concerned that Zoe may reveal what happened - but is happy at the prospect of having another child. Zoe publically declares that the child is Dennis', but knowing the truth Chrissie convinces her to have an abortion. At this time, Sam is told by her estranged husband, Any Hunter, that Den and Chrissie were behind Marcus Christie's scam and are responsible for the ruin of the Mitchell financial empire. Sam begins smashing up the Vic and attacks Chrissie. However, Chrissie throws her to the ground, but feigns concern for Sam's plight, claiming not to know that Den was behind the scam to get back the Vic. She convinces Sam to become part of her plot for revenge against Den - but Sam demands the Vic as the price for her co-operation, to which Chrissie seemingly agrees. The two then work on Zoe, who has become increasingly withdrawn. Chrissie explains that all three of them must confront Den if they are to be successful, otherwise Den will twist his way out – as he always does.

They induce Zoe to be a party to the revenge and on the 18 February, after Den has closed the Vic for the night, the three women face Den in the pub’s bar. Den admits he is guilty of all their accusations, confessing of his affair with Zoe, of how he split Dennis and Sharon apart, and of his responsibility for the Mitchell scam. However, he laughs off the confrontation, saying he does not care, and that he is surprised at Chrissie for coming up with such a toothless plan for retribution. At this moment Sharon appears from the shadows, having heard her father confess all and admit to deliberately separating her from Dennis. Chrissie had lured Sharon back from America in order to witness him being confronted by those he had wronged and admit his compliance. Den realises the magnitude of his error and pales, as Sharon storms out proclaiming that she is an orphan for her father died 14 years ago. Chrissie taunts Den about his pain, screaming that now he knows what it feels like to be her! Enraged, Den rushes at his wife and begins smashing her head against the fruit machine. In the fray, Zoe picks up a large, lead doorstop and brings it down upon Den’s head; he crumbles to the flow, apparently dead. Shocked, Chrissie orders Sam and Zoe to secure the back doors of the pub as she leans over the body of her husband. Suddenly, he grabs her leg and in surprise Chrissie grabs the doorstop and hits Den over the head, delivering a final blow. Unbeknownst to her, Sam secretly witnesses the deed, but when Zoe returns Chrissie lets her believe that she had killed Den with the first strike. The three women then pull Den’s body into the cellar and bury it where an exposed sewer main is undergoing repair.

Aftermath of Den's death
The following day, after crying in the shower, Chrissie oversees the re-concreting of the exposed sewer main where Den lies buried.

Reception
Ratings roundup - smallest drop from big ep to following comparing to Stax, Who shot phil, 25th. See source on continuing rating.