Episode 10118 (18th October 2024)

==Plot==
Part One:
Whilst the rest of the Dingles celebrate Zak's life at his wake in The Woolpack, Sam and Belle call Cain to Wishing Well Cottage to talk as they're worried about him. Cain doesn't want to talk but Belle locks the door in a bid to force him to stay and open up. Sam grabs a bottle of whisky from Zak's secret stash and pours himself and Cain a drink. Belle wants one too but Sam is wary of her drinking on her medication so he gets her apple juice instead. The siblings raise a toast to Zak. Sam tells Cain he sees him as head of the family now but Cain doesn't feel he's capable of taking on the responsibility, revealing Moira was supposed to have her operation but she cancelled it to support him as she knew he couldn't handle today without her. Encouraged by Belle, Sam puts his arms around Cain, telling his brother he looked like he could use a hug. An unimpressed Cain orders Sam to get off him. Belle joins Cain on the sofa and tells him his stubbornness reminds her of Zak, recalling how Zak refused to give in when Joe Tate tried to demolish their house and compares it to when Cain went to prison for Kyle. Cain explains when things get real, he runs or he lashes out. He always has. A while later, Sam tells Cain that Zak wouldn't have left him in charge if he didn't think he was ready. Sam believes Zak knew he wouldn't be capable and that's why he chose Cain instead. Cain insists that's not true. Sam blames himself for Samson being in prison and believes he isn't a good dad. Sam pours himself another whisky and bemoans that he wishes he would've handled things differently like Zak would've done. Cain doesn't think it's right that they are acting as if Zak could fix anything or do no wrong, revealing Zak once almost killed him. Belle is furious Cain has brought that up on today of all days, whilst Cain is surprised Belle already knew about it. Sam is speechless.
Part Two:
Sam asks Cain why Zak attacked him. Cain explains it was around the time everyone found out he was Kyle's dad. He was out of control - all Zak did was beat half the village to it. Sam recalls the attack nearly killed Cain. Cain explains it's why Zak made him head of the family. Cain states Zak didn't always have the answers, but also didn't stop trying to find them just like he's done with Samson. He urges Sam to not go comparing himself to others when he's already the best dad he knows. Belle doesn't think another drink is a good idea so she makes them all tea and they continue talking. Cain tells Sam he was Zak's favourite son. Sam thought it was Butch. Whilst Sam makes another brew, Belle asks Cain if Zak asked about her when he went to see him in Aberdeen. Belle is cut up that she didn't see her dad and tell him the truth about her and Tom's relationship before he passed away. She believes she should've stood up for herself as that was how Zak and Lisa raised her. Cain states she did and that's why she is still here now. He tells his little sister that Zak thought she was the strongest person he'd ever met as she's come through so much in a short space of time. A while later, Belle begins humming "Hillbilly Rock, Hillbilly Roll" and she and Sam get a reluctant Cain to join in with a few lines. It's getting late, but the three are avoiding calling it a night as it would mean admitting Zak is gone. Cain states he wishes he'd have said something today as Zak deserves so much more than what he gave him. Sam suggests he says something now instead. Cain reads out the speech he prepared, explaining how Zak taught them what's moral and proper and how there's nothing more important that family. The three raise a toast to Zak. The following morning, Sam and Belle wake up on the sofa and Cain in Zak's chair. Before Cain leaves, Belle apologises to him and tells him she's really sorry for what she said earlier and she's glad he didn't leave. Cain hugs his little sister then the three siblings visit their father's grave. Sam picks up Zak's flat cap and places it on Cain's head, commenting "If the cap fits". Cain suggests to Sam and Belle that they split being head of the family as there was only one man who was capable of taking on all that responsibility. They agree. Sam is sick of saying goodbye so Cain hugs him and suggests they say morning instead. They all say morning to Zak then walk away in contemplation. 
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Cain Dingle - Jeff Hordley
*Sam Dingle - James Hooton
*Belle King - Eden Taylor-Draper
*Lydia Dingle - Karen Blick
===Guest cast===
None.
==Locations==
* The Woolpack - Entrance
* Wishing Well Cottage - Yard and downstairs rooms
* Field next to Wishing Well Cottage
==Notes==
*A montage is played as Cain reads the speech he prepared about Zak. The clips include:
**Zak pushing Cain into an armchair during an argument before revealing to Cain that he's his father - Episode 2825 (8th January 2001).
**Belle disowning Zak following his affair with Joanie Wright - Episode 7385 (30th December 2015).
**Zak preparing to go fishing with Cain and Seth - Episode 2804 (8th December 2000).
**Zak exchanging words with an irate Eric during the Dingles anniversary party - Episode 3874 (19th October 2004).
**Zak introducing Lisa to the rest of the Dingles after meeting her at a singles evening at Pollard's Wine Bar - Episode 2106 (13th August 1996).
**Zak punching Ezra Dingle at Paddy and Mandy's first wedding reception - Episode 2592 (14th October 1999).
**Zak and Butch posing as tour guides at "Bostwick Manor" to scam a coachload of American tourists - Episode 2497 (16th March 1999).
**Sam and Lydia bringing Monty home to Wishing Well Cottage - Episode 8229 (10th August 2018).
**Zak and Lisa remarrying - Episode 8486 (23rd May 2019).
**Zak dancing with Lisa and Belle at Cain and Moira's wedding reception and also congratulating the newlyweds earlier in the same episode - Episode 6871 (15th May 2014).
**Zak's first appearance in Emmerdale - Episode 1914 (20th October 1994).
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 3,815,000 viewers (18th place).
==Memorable Dialogue==
Cain Dingle: "There's not a day goes by that I don't think about what Dad said at Butch's funeral. You never forget a man grieving his son. He talked a lot about his faults, about how he was often too hard on us. Sometimes, too soft an' all. But I thought then, and I still think now, that the person he was hardest on most was himself. Cos that man, he taught us everything. Even when we didn't want to hear it. About what's right and wrong. And I don't mean the law, but I guess we've all learned that too the hard way. No, Dad always had his own code. The Dingle Code. And it's about what's proper and moral. About how to look out for your family, and you always see 'em right. Cos there's nothing more important. Be it your son or daughter, or nephew or niece, or hell, a ruddy dog even. And how you don't let a day go by without telling your partner just how much you love 'em. And I hope he knew, yeah, you know, when he went, but before an' all just how much we loved him. Every one of us."
Zak Dingle: "Thick and thin. Rough and smooth. Everything in between. In my book, that is what love is."
Cain Dingle: "I promised him that day, at Butch's funeral, that he'd never be on his own. He didn't believe me. But he never was. And neither will we be." (Cain raises a toast) "To Zak Dingle. He wasn't perfect, but he was our dad. And in my book, that's even better."
Category:Emmerdale episodes
Category:2024 episodes
Category:Two, Three and Four-hander episodes