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Season guide

EastEnders: Season 3

107 episodes Premiered Jan 1, 1987 Updated Sep 18, 2026

EastEnders season 3 continues the overarching saga across 107 episodes, following the everyday lives of working class residents of Albert Square, which is a traditional Victorian square of terrace houses. Created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland, the British television soap opera has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. The series is categorized as a soap, drama, and crime show. Cast members associated with

Previously on EastEnders

Season 3 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • EastEnders is a British television soap opera broadcast on BBC One starting from February 1985.
  • The series was created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland.
  • The setting of the program is Albert Square, featuring a traditional Victorian square of terrace houses.
  • The narrative focuses on the everyday lives of working class residents.

Season overview

EastEnders season 3 continues the overarching saga across 107 episodes, following the everyday lives of working class residents of Albert Square, which is a traditional Victorian square of terrace houses. Created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland, the British television soap opera has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. The series is categorized as a soap, drama, and crime show. Cast members associated with the series include Adam Woodyatt, Steve McFadden, Jane Slaughter, and Letitia. The narrative explores the experiences of individuals living in the square as part of its ongoing broadcast history on television.

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Season 3 Episodes

Episode Guide

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Season 3: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

97%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (104): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S3·E1 Mytharc

197

Jan 1, 1987

New Year's Day and Lofty is woken by Michelle typing. Michelle kicks out Ian and Wicksy, who both crashed out at the flat, and prepares to deal with her hungover husband.

S3·E2 Core

198

Jan 6, 1987

Den hears Sharon's screams and comes to her rescue. He insists on driving her over to the Estate. Over at No. 45, Pauline is waiting up for Arthur to come home.

S3·E3 Core

199

Jan 8, 1987

Sharon hears that she can have another week off work. Angie tells her that they'll have to move out from Pete and Kath's flat to a hotel and that Den'll have to pay.

S3·E4 Core

200

Jan 13, 1987

Sharon and Angie move out of Pete and Kath's flat and into a hotel. They both have important interviews today. Angie sees her solicitor, Mr Fenwick, about the divorce.

S3·E5 Core

201

Jan 15, 1987

It's Kelvin's eighteenth birthday; his parents give him an expensive designer watch and his younger sister Cassie sends him hair beads.

S3·E6 Core

202

Jan 20, 1987

It is the morning after the party. Tony suffers a fare-dodger who also adds insult to injury by throwing up in his cab. At Lofty and Michelle's flat Lofty has been banished to the

S3·E7 Core

203

Jan 22, 1987

Lofty spends the day planning a night out with his wife. He seeks advice on what to do and where to go, but gets lots of different suggestions in response.

S3·E8 Core

204

Jan 27, 1987

Kathy and Michelle are working hard to try to complete Mehmet's knitting order - aided and supported by Ian, Pete and Lofty.

S3·E9 Core

205

Jan 29, 1987

Trade at the Vic is still very bad. Den discovers Lofty's glass full of coins and insists that Lofty stops his scheme to subsidise the punters' drinks.

S3·E10 Core

206

Feb 3, 1987

It is the day after Kathy was let down by Mehmet. All she wants is her jumpers back so she can sell them, but Sue tells her they've been sold and Mehmet himself is away from work "

S3·E11 Core

207

Feb 5, 1987

S3·E12 Core

208

Feb 10, 1987

Hannah is followed home at night and again in the morning. Rezaul offers to walk her home later, angering Tony and Mehmet gets rid of Rezaul when he gives Hannah more unwanted atte

S3·E13 Core

209

Feb 12, 1987

Ali looks for witnesses to someone crashing into his cab the night before, unaware that it was Barry and Nick in Barry's friend's father's car. When Barry asks Colin for a loan to

S3·E14 Core

210

Feb 17, 1987

Pat has a black eye, which Kathy says she deserves for being "evil". Mary tells Den that Mehmet knew the deal with Kathy was a scam so Den, Pete and Tony eventually find Mehmet and

S3·E15 Core

211

Feb 19, 1987

Simon realises that what Pat said about Naima was true and he tells Lou he no longer wants to see his mother. Pete later says he will no longer drink in the Vic while Pat is there

S3·E16 Core

212

Feb 24, 1987

Tony returns from a night's cabbing with blood on his hands. Wicksy comes home with scratches on his face and Pete seems to have disappeared. Dot then makes a gruesome discovery wh

S3·E17 Core

213

Feb 26, 1987

Pete and Simon are released by the police but Pete must come up with an alibi as to his whereabouts in regards to the recent spate of attacks on local women. Guizin and her three c

S3·E18 Core

214

Mar 3, 1987

Pete tells Pauline that everyone except for her thinks he is guilty, even Lou and Kathy. Emine and Rayif go missing but are later found by Lofty. Guizin says that Mehmet has left t

S3·E19 Core

215

Mar 5, 1987

Pat tells a WPC that she saw her attacker and the officer asks if it is someone she knows. Arthur returns to Albert Square but realises he is not ready and returns to hospital.

S3·E20 Core

216

Mar 10, 1987

Trade is down in the Vic so Lofty suggests a party and Barry suggests making it a cross-dressing party, which Den agrees to. Ian comes up with an idea to prank Pete. Simon talks to

S3·E21 Core

217

Mar 12, 1987

Carmel talks to Mary and they start to get along but Carmel assumes that Mary is going to leave Annie on her own again. Mary says she wants to be liked but just gets used so Carmel

S3·E22 Core

218

Mar 17, 1987

DS Todd questions people about the party and he finds out that Pete left early and why and later asks Pete to answer more questions at the police station because they think the sam

S3·E23 Core

219

Mar 19, 1987

Pete returns home after hours of police questioning and worries he will be charged with the attacks. Kathy says she will visit Pat and find out what she told the police. Pauline th

S3·E24 Core

220

Mar 24, 1987

Arthur visits Mary and says that prostitution is not the answer and he has worked out that everyone is on their own in the world and he will make something out of nothing.

S3·E25 Core

221

Mar 26, 1987

Pete is fed up of being constantly hounded by the police. Kathy visits Pat in hospital to get her to confirm that Pete did not attack her but Pat says she does not know so she woul

S3·E26 Core

222

Mar 31, 1987

Den and Angie each receive their decree nisi, meaning they will be divorced in 42 days. Dot finds out that Colin and Barry are a gay couple and is horrified and asks Doctor Legg to

S3·E27 Core

223

Apr 2, 1987

Dot attempts to avoid Colin and Barry. Sue tells Debbie about the lump in her breast and admits she is scared to see a doctor about it. Mark arrives following his release but soon

S3·E28 Core

224

Apr 7, 1987

Angie and Sharon move into the B&B on Albert Square. During a home visit, Arthur asks Pauline if he can sleep back in the marital bed again and Michelle gives Arthur money to pay b

S3·E29 Core

225

Apr 9, 1987

Jan has it out with Den. Barry is fined £150 for the car crash and Colin is forced to lend him the money. The past is raked up for Kathy when she receives a visitor who has shockin

S3·E30 Core

226

Apr 14, 1987

Sue is told her lump is not cancerous so she, Ali and Guizin celebrate. Simon and Sharon use Mary's flat for sex but find Annie there alone and spend the time tidying and see a let

S3·E31 Core

227

Apr 16, 1987

Mary asks Ethel to babysit for two hours. Nine hours later, Mary returns to find Michelle looking for clean clothes for Annie, who has vomited after eating chocolate all day. Miche

S3·E32 Core

228

Apr 21, 1987

Den is two months behind on his VAT payments and Angie tells him if he sells the car that she should get half. Simon books a hotel room for him and Sharon. Mary has another court l

S3·E33 Core

229

Apr 23, 1987

Mary is visited by Mr Atkinson, a court warrant officer, who orders her to pay £30 or be arrested. Dot and Ethel help and later Mary works in the café but at the end of the day, Al

S3·E34 Core

230

Apr 28, 1987

Kelvin studies for exams but when Ian cannot find him, he accuses him of spending the day with Tina until he finds out Tina was at home with a cold. Mary continues to struggle with

S3·E35 Core

231

Apr 30, 1987

Sharon and Simon return from their weekend away. Barry and Colin discuss new hobby ideas that will allow them to spend more time together. Den and Angie almost get back together, u

S3·E36 Core

232

May 5, 1987

Chris arrives following the accident at Mary's flat. Renovation work begins at The Dagmar. Sharon gets fed up of Angie being drunk all the time and says she cannot live with her an

S3·E37 Core

233

May 7, 1987

Arthur goes to court. Lofty talks about having a baby with Michelle. Sharon wants to move back into the Vic.

S3·E38 Core

234

May 12, 1987

Dot and Tom swap properties but Tom's belongings will not fit into the smaller flat so he insists that Dot store them in her hall! Dot refuses and blocks his path. Mary's mother, E

S3·E39 Core

235

May 14, 1987

Pete is fined £200 for assaulting a police officer. Debbie and DS Rich hold their engagement party in the Vic. Angie vows to sort her life out and stop drinking. Mehmet returns and

S3·E40 Core

236

May 19, 1987

Ethel has started collecting odd coins she finds on the floor while cleaning at the Vic. Mary is arrested and taken to the Magistrate's Court for none payment of debt. Tony decides

S3·E41 Core

237

May 21, 1987

Colin finds out Barry spent the night with another man but later apologises for his jealousy as they have an open relationship. Den and Angie's divorce is finalised. Ethel asks Tom

S3·E42 Core

238

May 26, 1987

Lou and Pauline start to plan a joint birthday party for Vicki and belated wedding reception for Michelle and Lofty.

S3·E43 Core

239

May 28, 1987

Pauline tells Michelle about agreeing to sell the meat for Den but Michelle advises against it so Pauline agrees not to do it. Michelle and Lofty then have their party and get a bi

S3·E44 Core

240

Jun 2, 1987

Walford is preparing for the general election. Ethel moves back into her old flat above the surgery as Pat moves back into the Vic. Naima isn't sure that she's done the right thing

S3·E45 Core

241

Jun 4, 1987

Magda and Sharon return from a shopping trip together. Pauline talks to Michelle about Vicki's father having rights and maybe wanting custody of her one day, but Michelle dismisses

S3·E46 Core

09/06/1987

Jun 9, 1987

Arthur tells Mary not to waste her vote in the general election. Barry eventually opens up to Colin about his health worries. Sue talks with Ali about IVF while Ali agrees to give

S3·E47 Core

243

Jun 11, 1987

Barry continues to worry as he waits for the results of his blood test. Michelle tells Pauline that she and Lofty are going to adopt Vicki. Angie breaks down upon watching the vide

S3·E48 Core

244

Jun 16, 1987

Lofty asks Den for time off work whilst he and Michelle are interviewed by Social Services over Vicki's adoption. Pat flirts with Ali and asks if he wants company - Ali says he wil

S3·E49 Core

245

Jun 18, 1987

Arthur and Tom get competitive over the London in Bloom contest. Den asks Ian to do the catering in the Vic, unaware that Magda wants Ian to work for her. Ali worries that Sue is o

S3·E50 Core

246

Jun 23, 1987

The Vic and the Dagmar are decorated with flowers for the competition and Tom finds out the judges will be visiting the next day. Mary has a letter from her mother about Annie with

S3·E51 Core

247

Jun 25, 1987

Pauline is worried about Arthur being unemployed and he realises that people will think he could have another nervous breakdown if he is unemployed again. Colin loses the key to hi

S3·E52 Core

248

Jun 30, 1987

Carmel holds a jumble sale to raise money for the health centre and Willmott-Brown donates a honey-glazed ham for a raffle. After Magda and Angie talk, Magda tells Den that she thi

S3·E53 Core

249

Jul 2, 1987

Dot and Ethel look after baby Vicki and reminisce about their own childhoods.

S3·E54 Core

250

Jul 7, 1987

Den is furious when he discovers graffiti on the Vic. Simon and Sharon are unsure about their relationship and ask people what they think of them together. Willmott-Brown worries t

S3·E55 Core

251

Jul 9, 1987

Sue and Ali talk and he says he was never unfaithful to her, which she says was only because he is all talk. He admits he wanted company without doctors or clinics and someone who

S3·E56 Core

252

Jul 14, 1987

Ali and Sue are happy and in love again causing them to open the café late and close it early. Farrukh and Naima say they will miss each other when he goes back to Bangladesh. Den

S3·E57 Core

253

Jul 16, 1987

The fruit and veg stall trade is down, and Pete must talk to Lou if his plans for a seafood stall can come off. After Arthur's talk with Doctor Legg, he takes extra care of Lou. Th

S3·E58 Core

254

Jul 21, 1987

Angie and Sharon move into the flat above The Dagmar. Den has not been seen but Lofty finds the envelope - it is for Simon from Den with the keys to the Vic's cellar.

S3·E59 Core

255

Jul 23, 1987

Tom tries to get a confession from Arthur about sabotaging the Vic's flowers so Arthur accuses Tom of sabotaging the Dagmar's. Arthur then finds out The Dagmar has come second.

S3·E60 Core

256

Jul 28, 1987

Arthur has stepped up the rigour and regularity of his football training sessions but still has an attendance problem. Sharon tells Michelle she's off to Mallorca for a week for a

S3·E61 Core

257

Jul 30, 1987

Lofty forgets that it is Michelle's 18th birthday. Kathy tells Pete that Ian made Tina tell Naima about the missing money. Later, the punk girl enters the Vic when the door is mean

S3·E62 Core

258

Aug 4, 1987

Den arrives back from his impromptu holiday to North Africa. Pat overhears his phone call and susses the real reason behind his trip. Carmel's brother, Darren, and his son, Junior,

S3·E63 Core

259

Aug 6, 1987

The pirate radio station is still operating from the café. Mary rings up her mum wanting Annie back, but when her mum refuses Mary tries to lend money from various people in order

S3·E64 Core

260

Aug 11, 1987

Den kicks Simon out of the Vic and sacks him. Rod cleans The Dagmar for Mary. Michelle takes on the task of looking after both Martin and Vicki so that Pauline can have a break. Lo

S3·E65 Core

261

Aug 13, 1987

Michelle and Den are in a reflective mood after their encounter. Magda decides she'd like to move to Walford permanently. Den brings a lady friend to The Dagmar's disco, in full vi

S3·E66 Core

262

Aug 18, 1987

Dot has been stung by a wasp. Mary returns from Stockport. Den announces to Arthur that he is taking over as manager and coach of the Queen Vic five-a-side football team. Ian and P

S3·E67 Core

263

Aug 20, 1987

Darren is already taking advantage of Carmel and has left her with the children for the day. Her mother can't help out and she has to take time off work. At the five-a-side footbal

S3·E68 Core

264

Aug 25, 1987

Tensions rise between Colin and Barry after the football match. Wicksy is feeling sorry for himself after Den kicking him at the match, Angie tells him that they'll get him back th

S3·E69 Core

265

Aug 27, 1987

An unusual woman arrives in Walford. Colin and Barry end up in a row which leads to Colin putting down his foot about rent issues in which Barry isn't paying. Doctor Legg and Dot d

S3·E70 Core

266

Sep 1, 1987

Barry is excited about his trial at The Dagmar. Naima shows Donna the ropes at the shop and Donna lands herself another job at the Vic. Mary receives a letter from social services.

S3·E71 Core

267

Sep 3, 1987

It's Kelvin's last day in Walford and Sharon, Barry and Ian are busy arranging a surprise party for him that evening. Everyone is excited about the Lady Mayoress coming to town and

S3·E72 Core

268

Sep 8, 1987

The Vic ladies' darts team sets off for the Isle of Dogs for the big match. Ali, meanwhile, is fixing up a poker game for the men later that day. News reaches Mary that social serv

S3·E73 Core

269

Sep 10, 1987

Pat and Frank catch up on old times. Pauline and Derek get to know each other. Ethel, Dot and the rest of the team go on a river trip. Tina's parents, aghast at her living situatio

S3·E74 Core

270

Sep 15, 1987

Naima moves into the Fowler's. Doctor Legg decides to take up jogging. Ethel is excited to hear of Willmott-Brown's upcoming Mardi-Gras party at The Dagmar. Carmel tells Mary that

S3·E75 Core

271

Sep 17, 1987

Rod and Carmel persuade Mary to allow her parents to inspect her flat. Darren hires Rod to paint the surgery for him, and then disappears. The launderette gets robbed while Dot is

S3·E76 Core

272

Sep 22, 1987

Michelle finds out from Doctor Legg that she isn't pregnant, and dreads telling Lofty. She spends the whole day talking it through with Kathy, Naima, Den and Magda before eventuall

S3·E77 Core

273

Sep 24, 1987

Lofty is still thinking about Michelle's ultimatum. Sue tells Arthur and Angie that she and Ali are thinking of moving away from the grime and stress of Albert Square, inspired by

S3·E78 Core

274

Sep 29, 1987

Guizin returns to help Ali out at the café. Ali tells her that Sue has gone to stay with her father, but later, Sue phones the café and Guizin learns that Ali doesn't know where Su

S3·E79 Core

275

Oct 1, 1987

Den crosses paths with Wicksy while walking Roly in the Square gardens, and makes amends following the scrap over Magda and Wicky's sacking. Pete and Donna chat in the Vic but Donn

S3·E80 Core

276

Oct 6, 1987

Angie sneaks out of the Vic in the early morning, having spent the night with Den. Doctor Singh is still trying to track down Darren to finish painting the surgery. Pete has a go a

S3·E81 Core

277

Oct 8, 1987

Doctor Legg reassures Pauline that Lou will be okay. Angie and Den appear to be getting on well again. Guizin asks Barry to cover a shift on the radios at Ozcabs. Rod is offered a

S3·E82 Core

278

Oct 13, 1987

Colin gets increasingly frustrated at Barry's messiness in the flat, and eventually goes on cleaning strike. Mary cleans her flat from top to bottom and anxiously awaits her mum an

S3·E83 Core

279

Oct 15, 1987

Lou braces herself for a meeting with Uncle. Colin asks Barry to get Kathy to visit him at their flat. Mary resists her parents sweet talk, wanting to know when she can have Annie

S3·E84 Core

280

Oct 20, 1987

Martin Hunter returns to the Square to make his TV documentary. Arthur has a surprise for Pauline. Sharon seeks solace in a church, alone, where she catches the eye of a young cura

S3·E85 Core

281

Oct 22, 1987

Colin receives a letter from his friend Ginny in New York telling him a friend of a friend has died of AIDS. It's Sharon's 18th birthday. Doctor Legg instructs Ethel that she is to

S3·E86 Core

282

Oct 27, 1987

Colin finishes his portfolio and goes off to present his work. Naima is excited when she receives a letter announcing an imminent visit by her cousin Farrukh. Ethel reads Dot and T

S3·E87 Core

283

Oct 29, 1987

Barry's exercise bike has arrived, but Colin's too wrapped up in the brewery design job to take much notice. Barry and Donna arrange to meet that evening. Lofty has an argument abo

S3·E88 Core

284

Nov 3, 1987

The Cotton family is settling down to life together under one roof. Nick and Charlie eye each other suspiciously. Nick talks to Darren about hiring someone to get Charlie out of th

S3·E89 Core

285

Nov 5, 1987

Junior tries to buy fireworks off Naima but she refuses to give him any. Sue accuses Naima of selling fireworks to underage children again but she denies selling anything illegally

S3·E90 Core

286

Nov 10, 1987

A graffiti artist is running wild all around Walford, and Junior gets the blame. Meanwhile, nearly the whole of Albert Square has got food poisoning from Ian's dodgy smoked salmon.

S3·E91 Core

287

Nov 12, 1987

Lou talks to Pete about him and Pauline inheriting the stall when she's gone. Pete tells Pauline they should just sell it and split the proceeds, but Pauline says they're not selli

S3·E92 Core

288

Nov 17, 1987

Mary is worried because today is the day the health visitor, social worker, and Doctor Legg are going to discuss her case. Naima's cousin Farrukh returns, and they both agree to cl

S3·E93 Core

289

Nov 19, 1987

Ian is mugged in a dark alley and has his wallet stolen. At the same time, someone throws a brick through Ali and Sue's window. Ian starts thinking about getting a knife for protec

S3·E94 Core

290

Nov 24, 1987

Angie and Willmott-Brown go out, leaving Mary to look after the Dagmar until they return. Once they have gone, Rod arrives and tells Mary that the social services will be visiting

S3·E95 Core

291

Nov 26, 1987

Willmott-Brown is praised by several residents for assaulting the burglar. Barry continues to search for sponsors for the charity night at the Vic. Charlie continues to wind up Nic

S3·E96 Core

292

Dec 1, 1987

Mary refuses to leave Annie's side now that she has her back. Dot avoids Colin, blaming him for her arrest. Den asks Sharon to spend Christmas with him.

S3·E97 Core

293

Dec 3, 1987

Darren puts the tapes he has received into envelopes. Dot is adamant Charlie will not get a penny out of her as she is saving for Christmas, but she ends up giving him £15. Colin h

S3·E98 Core

294

Dec 8, 1987

Darren receives another package from a friend. Sue hounds Ali to talk to Alan about his disrespect towards them. Pauline searches for an old photo for Lou, who is attending a talk

S3·E99 Core

295

Dec 10, 1987

Darren takes another parcel into Carmel's flat and hides it behind her sofa. Magda asks Simon to help her bag a contract with a big firm in the city. Angie phones Pat and invites h

S3·E100 Core

296

Dec 15, 1987

It's court day for Dot and Charlie. Dot is fined £90 and Charlie is fined £50. Angie is dreading Christmas, meanwhile the police continue their investigation into Colin's burglary.

S3·E101 Core

297

Dec 17, 1987

Charlie and Dot's faces are on the front page of the newspapers and Dot is upset about it. Pat reassures Simon there are no hard feelings for him choosing Magda over her. Barry rem

S3·E102 Core

298

Dec 22, 1987

Simon staggers home with a Christmas tree as a surprise for Magda. Christmas preparations are in full swing for the Beales and Fowlers. Ethel gets a rush of excitement for Christma

S3·E103 Core

299

Dec 24, 1987

Mary starts a new job at the launderette following Dot being sacked after the paper published news of her recent court appearance. Darren is chastised by Carmel for his wheeling an

S3·E104 Core

300

Dec 25, 1987

Mark makes a surprise visit to see his family on Christmas Day. Mary spends the day in the hospital with Annie who has been under observation following the car crash. The Fowlers s

S3·E105 Core

301

Dec 29, 1987

Sharon is very nervous - she is due to meet Duncan and his mother for lunch and then plans to formally introduce Duncan to Angie and Den during the evening. Angie has had enough of

S3·E106 Mytharc

302

Dec 31, 1987

Angie has been missing for a couple of days since she stormed out of the Dagmar, leaving Wicksy in charge, who employs some temporary help. The Vic is getting ready to expect a lot

S3·E107 Mytharc

303

Dec 31, 1987

Angie puts a proposition to Den that she'll return to the Vic as a business partner, and they will split the profits 50/50. Doctor Singh tells Doctor Legg that he'll be leaving to