Eastenders - why are the Mitchells losing the Vic?

[mrmellors]

OK so apologies, I only watch Eastenders twice a year or so! But I watched a bit today - and basically got that Phil was in debt to Ian - but how did that happen?? I'm assuming that something happened between Ian and Janine and that's why he was blackmailed into assigning the debt to Archie - and how come Billy doesn't live with his wife and children any more? Last thing I saw he'd stolen the charity money, was that why they left?

If any kind sould would explain, it will make Christmas Day at my mum and dad's easier to bear (always have to watch at their house).

I don't watch it much either, but it's on at work occassionally. From what I gather they are in debt to Ian because they borrowed bail money from him to bail Sam out of jail. Who then did a runner, because Archie (who is masterminding the whole debacle with Janine) told her that she would spend a long time in jail if she didn't, so they lost the money.

I'm not entirely sure what Archie is hoping to achieve from the whole thing.

Honey left Billy because he lied to her about the night whodymacallhim was murdered.

Ah OK, I saw Sam was back (but now gone). So they've lost the Vic because Sam was involved in killing Den in the Vic (?), but then I read in a mag that Archie is going to get the same treatment in the Vic this Christmas in a whodunnit special? And I'm still unsure how Janine is back considering she murdered Barry. Interesting!

Don't think Janine was ever convicted of murdering Barry....think she served time for pushing someone else down the stairs (a crime of which she was actually innocent!).

Think Phil had borrowed bail money from some dodgy beefcake, Sam did a runner (egged on by Archie) therefore bail money lost. Ian lent to Phil. Janine/Archie then blackmailed Ian into handing over the debt to Archie, cos Ian slept with Janine, Janine recorded the dirty deed and now Jane is back on the scene.

Don't know why Archie was got engaged to Janine though, is that just to piss Peggy off even more?