Emmerdale fans demand ‘joke’ domestic abuse storyline is axed before it’s properly begun
EMMERDALE fans have begged show bosses to axe a potential domestic abuse storyline before it’s even begun.
Tensions have been at an all-time high between married couple Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Moira (Natalie J. Robb) in recent scenes.
Viewers called out how the pair have been written as of late – and shared their displeasure over where it might lead.
Tom King (James Chase) subjected his wife Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) to domestic abuse over the past few months.
Taking to an online forum, a fan expressed concerns that Cain and Moira could follow the same path, penning: “What are they doing with Moira?
“Are they going to address her actions as abusive as well because some of what she’s been saying and doing to Cain feels rather poorly written as its emotional abuse.
“She went so far as to almost punch him at one point. Why are they throwing this in?”
Another added: “Having Moira being all abusive to Cain at the same time as the Tom/Belle storyline is running and not call out her actions as abuse but instead as the actions of a passionate, desperate woman/mother, is really in poor taste.
“If Emmerdale is so hell bent on being “educational” and only consist of issue based plots, then at least be consistent when it comes to the messages you’re trying to send to your audience.”
Whilst a third chimed in: “They’re treating so many important topics as a joke while simultaneously preaching about similar subjects in other stories.
“Do they completely lack logic and maturity now?”
It comes as viewers also previously raised concerns of the couple’s marriage being “on the rocks”.
Cain and Moira clashed over the situation with his nephew Samson Dingle (Sam Hall) and her son Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano).
Under pressure from bully Josh (Osian Morgan), Samson gave a false statement to the police about being stabbed by Matty, which resulted in Moira’s son doing a stint in prison.
Things didn’t improve for Cain and Moira when Samson told the truth, either.
Cain tried to prepare his nephew for being locked up by sparring with him.
Moira was horrified when she saw Cain helping Samson, feeling that it was a betrayal to her and Matty.
Cain Dingle's relationship timeline
Cain is the local hardman and has tormented and beaten his way through life during his time in Emmerdale. From kidnap to arson, Cain has done it all.
Cain has been the head of the Dingle family since 2015. Cain’s main storylines have focused on discovering his uncle Zak Dingle is his father, his relationships with his cousin Charity Dingle, discovering he is Debbie’s father, his affair and subsequent relationship with Moira Barton.
With four marriages so far, we take a look at Cain’s relationship history.
1989: 14-year-old Cain had a fling with his then 12-year-old second-cousin Charity and unbeknownst to Cain, she gave birth to their daughter, Debbie, in October 1989.
However, the child was taken away from Charity and she was kept apart from Cain who never found out about his daughter until many years later, even though Shadrach was aware of the situation.
1991: Cain had a relationship with Cara Robinson, a woman he worked in a bar with. Shadrach had a racist attitude towards her and used violence to attempt to make her stay away from Cain. Faith heard of the situation she wanted to help calm things, but was horrified when she learnt that Cara was pregnant.
As she knew Shadrach would never accept his son fathering a mixed raised baby, she coerced Cara into leaving Cain and never telling him about the existence of their son, Nate.
2002: Cain and Charity’s love was rekindled and they began an affair.
2005: Cain attempted to hurt Debbie by having a brief relationship with her friend Jasmine Thomas and ensuring that Debbie saw them together. Debbie and Sadie helped Jasmine terminate her pregnancy, knowing that Cain wanted to be a father.
2009: Charity proposed to Cain on Christmas Day and he accepted.
2010: Cain and Charity got married.
2011: Charity ended her relationship with Cain again, after he had a one-night stand with Faye Lamb and slept with Amy Wyatt. Amy fell pregnant, but told everyone she had an abortion, so Cain had an affair with Moira Barton.
Amy gave birth to Cain’s son, Kyle, in a cemetery; thinking he is dead, she panicked and left him in a phone box. Hazel Rhodes and Lisa Dingle found him, and called an ambulance. Amy admitted being his mother and Cain realised she lied about the abortion.
2012: Moira and Cain got together and on New Year’s Day 2013, and they announced their relationship by kissing in the Woolpack. Moira learned that she is pregnant, but miscarried. Despite this, their relationship got stronger and Cain moved in with Moira and Adam.
2013: Cain proposed to Moira, however before Moira can answer, Ross barged in with a gunshot wound.
2014: Moira proposed to Cain, he accepted and they got married.
2015: Cain and Moira discovered that Charity was pregnant when she was sentenced to prison and the baby, Moses Dingle, could possibly be Cain’s.
Cain visited Charity in prison and questioned if he is the father of her child. It is later revealed that Ross Barton is Moses’s father, following a one-night stand with Charity.
2016: Cain and Charity had an affair. Moira ordered a divorce. Cain and Charity decided to start a new life together in France with Debbie, but Cain admitted to a heartbroken Charity that he loved Moira and they got back together.
2017: Cain and vicar Harriet’s affair went public and turned into a relationship after Harriet was stabbed and left fighting for her life, leaving Cain realising how deep he felt for her.
Moira unexpectedly gave birth to Cain’s son Isaac Dingle, leaving his relationship with Harriet on the rocks.
2018: Cain got back together with Moira.
2019: Cain went on a long visit to Scotland to help Debbie, unknowingly giving Moira the perfect opportunity to pursue her recently started affair with Nate. Pete exposed their affair and Cain stopped Moira from seeing the kids and filed for a divorce.
2020: Cain came face-to-face with Cara for the first time since they were teenagers after she was called by Moira, who wanted to get rid of Nate.
Moira covered for Cain after he accidentally shot Nate. Cain and Moira got back together.
2021: Moira stood by Cain’s during his feud with Al Chapman and dealing with his mum’s Faith’s cancer and death.
2022 to present: Moira and Cain have clashed when it came to protecting Kyle who murdered Al, but the couple are still going strong, for now.
When Samson was arrested again at The Woolpack for assault after he stood up to Josh, Cain saw Moira smiling as his nephew was escorted out by police.
They went home and got into another explosive row, as Moira threw a glass across the room after Cain accused her of being the one who called the cops on Samson.
Will things improve for the characters or is it the end of the line?
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to watch on ITVX.