When Derek Branning strolled into prison to see Phil Mitchell it seemed that we would see one of the most violent confrontations Eastenders has seen for some time. While the initial communications between the two of them did not go down very well they eventually parted after shaking hands and agreeing to work together to take on Albert Square and the surrounding area. Will Phil Mitchell and Derek Branning really join forces?

Phil Mitchell

Phil Mitchell has been heavily involved in the criminal scene in and around Albert Square for many years now and his family have a reputation which few others can match. Phil has never really worked hand-in-hand with anybody else and has preferred to keep everything within the family and focused. He has been involved in everything from murder to stolen cars, from theft to violence and everything else in between. He’s not the kind of person you would make an enemy of therefore a partnership with Derek Branning appears very shaky before it has even begun.

Derek Branning

We don’t know an awful lot about the background of Derek Branning although slowly but surely he is becoming one of the more feared and ruthless operators in the Square. He had the nerve to visit Phil in prison when he is perhaps at the lowest he has been for many years and effectively offer to look after his businesses and his family while he is inside. We know that Derek Branning is on “license” for crimes committed in the past but we’re not exactly sure what he has done and why he went to prison.

Phil and Derek

If Phil and Derek can put aside their massive egos there is no doubt that they have the potential to run the Square and the surrounding areas. They are both ruthless, violent, determined and will stop at nothing to get what they want. If as seems likely they do work together while Phil is in prison and even when he is out of prison there will certainly be sparks and fallouts between the two. But can they join together for a common cause and take on the Square and other criminals in the area?

Conclusion

It will be interesting to see how Derek Branning slots into the future planning of Eastenders because so far he’s been something of a peripheral character who has often stuck his nose into business which had nothing to do with him. However, after his visit to prison to see Phil we can now see him slotting into a particular position in Albert Square, a position which has been left dormant since Grant Mitchell left his brother to live elsewhere.

Watch the sparks fly!