Episode 5820

"Episode 5820" of the British television soap opera EastEnders was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 29 November 2018. The episode was directed by Laura Way and written by Anya Reiss. The plot focuses on a debate about consent among several characters, after they read about a sexual assault in the local newspaper. They are unaware that the victim is their friend and neighbour Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), who is forced to listen to their views, while the men she has accused are also present.

Reiss said the episode was conceived in a bid to "open the conversation" about consent among viewers, and for those who had been sexually assaulted. Lytton also said that the serial wanted to portray the real world discussions taking place at the time. Reiss made sure that every side of the debate was heard, and no character was seen taking a particular side. The episode is set entirely in The Queen Victoria. It opens and closes in slow-motion to two soul songs sung by Irma Thomas and Nina Simone respectively. Way was hired specifically for the episode, which differs from the normal filming schedule that sees one director hired for a four-episode block.

"Episode 5820" received an audience of 5.99 million, including streaming through BBC iPlayer. It was the lowest rated episode of EastEnders airing that week. The episode received critical acclaim from television critics and viewers, who said it had "broken new ground" and inspired "vital" discussion about consent. It was also called "ambitious", "thought-provoking" and "poignant". Many critics praised Reiss' script and Lytton's performance, with some saying that she deserved award recognition. "Episode 5820" received a nomination for Best Single Episode at the 2019 British Soap Awards.