Episode 9967 (12th April 2024)

==Plot==
Part One:
Things are tense at Smithy Cottage as Rhona fears it could be the last breakfast she has with her family in a while. Nate is still upset with Cain for seeing Caleb. Cain informs Nate that his relationship with Caleb is over - he's his son and he comes first. This means a lot to Nate and he asks if he should start calling Cain "dad" now. Kerry is struggling to sell the stolen necklace without an authenticity certificate and things are made worse when Suzy barges into Keepers Cottage and demands Kerry pay for the wedding venue by the end of the day. At Hotten Crown Court, both sides make their closing arguments. The prosecution barrister reminds the jury that in the eyes of the law, Rhona has no legal rights to Ivy. Rhona's defence hits back that Rhona has a biological and emotional connection to Ivy, and that by Gus' own admission, he stole and fraudulently used embryos that he had no right to, and as a result, he made Rhona a mother again. The prosecution states Rhona has a history of addiction and mental instability. The defence counteracts this by reminding them Gus saw fit to leave Ivy in Rhona's care for several weeks. The prosecution suggests Rhona is unaccustomed to not getting her own way and that her sense of entitlement as well as her jealously at the growing bond between Ivy and Gus prompted her to kidnap Ivy. Rhona's defence barrister states that when Gus impulsively decided to move to France, Rhona did the only thing she could to ensure her vulnerable daughter was kept safe in the hands of the only proven responsible parent. Back in the village, Manpreet frets about Ruby's complaint against her. Caleb fills Ruby in on his conversation with Cain yesterday and that he agreed Cain should put Nate first. Afterward, Ruby informs Caleb she's made an official complaint against Manpreet. The conversation progresses and Caleb tells Ruby he'll never take for granted that she gave up a warm posh house and her family to move into a dosshole with him. Ruby doesn't regret it. Everyone is called back to the courtroom for the verdict.
Part Two:
The jury have been unable to agree on a unanimous verdict so the judge tells them he'll accept a verdict if at least ten of the jurors agree then sends them off to deliberate again. Kerry approaches Eric about selling the necklace. As they wait for the verdict, Rhona asks Gus why he wanted a baby as her being sent to prison clearly means more to him that Ivy being put in care. At that moment, they are called back into court as the jury have reached a verdict. Cain and Nate have spent the day drinking beer and bonding. Nate is glad to have Cain in his corner whilst Cain smiles when Nate calls him "dad" but he's secretly sad about his relationship with brother. The foreperson of the jury announces they've found Rhona Not Guilty of kidnapping. Rhona and her loved ones are jubilant. Gus cannot believe it. Ethan asks Manpreet if everything is alright between her and Charles. Manpreet insists they're good and assures Ethan she won't hurt his dad again. Eric informs Kerry that the necklace is a fake. As they are leaving the court, Rhona approaches Gus and informs him that she's now free to fight for custody of baby Ivy and then he'll be forced to put Ivy first. Gus believes putting Ivy first means keeping her away from Rhona. Rhona tells Gus he sounds arrogant, childish, and cruel and questions what's happened to him, suggesting Lucy wouldn't recognise him anymore. She states his venom and vendetta could've landed Ivy in care and he disgusts her. Gus walks away without replying. Rhona hopes the jury siding with her means it doesn't bode well for Gus when he's in court on the embryo fraud charge tomorrow. She believes this proves Ivy needs her and vows to do whatever it takes to be her mummy.
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Mary Goskirk - Louise Jameson
*Marlon Dingle - Mark Charnock
*Leo Goskirk - Harvey Rogerson
*April Windsor - Amelia Flanagan
*Rhona Goskirk - Zoe Henry
*Cain Dingle - Jeff Hordley
*Nate Robinson - Jurell Carter
*Kerry Wyatt - Laura Norton
*Suzy Merton - Martelle Edinborough
*Amy Wyatt - Natalie Ann Jamieson
*Gus Malcolms - Alan McKenna
*Vanessa Woodfield - Michelle Hardwick
*Manpreet Sharma - Rebecca Sarker
*Charles Anderson - Kevin Mathurin
*Ethan Anderson - Emile John
*Ruby Fox-Miligan - Beth Cordingly
*Caleb Miligan - William Ash
*Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
*Chas Dingle - Lucy Pargeter
*Paddy Dingle - Dominic Brunt
===Guest cast===
*Prosecution Barrister - Robert Perkins
*Isabella - Clare Lawrence-Moody
*Court Clerk - Nandi Bhebhe
*Judge - Andrew Bridgmont
==Locations==
==Notes==
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 3,793,000 viewers (15th place).
Category:Emmerdale episodes
Category:2024 episodes