I don't think Peggy is any worse than usual, she's just.......well, Peggy.
Rob wasn't known to be abusive, except by Kirsty. Even to those who disliked him, he gave every appearance of being attentive to Helen, and generous, even if it was with other people's money. He took on Henry, helped out with the family business, or so it would seem to outsiders. Helen had been acting erratically recently - yes, because of him, but again to an outsider she's been quite labile - tearful, snappy etc - people would be thinking he's been quite patient and putting up with a lot. He even got his lovely mum to come and help out! So to the rest of the village, including Peggy who's been kept out of the loop, there is no history of abuse, no provocation, no reason for Helen to do this. I think we heard her bewilderment.
I liked it that Lillian said things aren't looking good for Helen - no, they're not, and the barrister suggested as much , no real evidence of abuse so far.
Also, the whole thing about her not being allowed to see Henry, the barrister was right, people don't know she's not a danger to him at the moment, noone thought she was a danger to Rob till she turned him into sushi. "no comment" is fine for police interviews but until she starts talking to someone, nobody knows her thought processes and intentions, and thus her potential risk to herself or anyone else.
I liked this episode, for the first time in weeks, and I loved the Lynda , Eddie section!