The Archers: Discussion #84. New Year and some of us are still listening even if we don't know why.

[DadDadDad]

New posters welcome - with your fresh views and burning questions.

Old posters welcome - with your jaded views and knowledgeable answers.

But new posters feel free to be jaded, and old posters feel free to ask questions!

How is the Pip storyline going to play out and do you care?

As usual, if you want to mention the advertised storylines for future episodes, there's a separate thread for that - no spoilers here, please.

Just imagine we're all sitting round a table at The Bull -->

[ppeatfruit]

Hello Dad I was just asking in quavery voice where the new thread was !!! thank you for this one

[TheAntiBoop]

Thanks DDD

Nothing to add at the moment just marking place!

[RubyLennoxExists]

Thank you DDD

[Fink]

Thanks DDD.

I don't know what Pip's playing at. Jolene has told her quite openly that half the village knows and that if she doesn't tell her parents soon they will find out through someone else ... and still she sitting around wondering about how best to phrase it?!

Surely the only thing in Pip's favour (as regards timing) at the moment is the fact that her parents never talk go into the village or talk to anyone else (thanks to their on-site geriatric skivvy who probably does all the shopping and other tasks which necessitate leaving Brookfield land) except Brian. Even Ruth's BFF Usha seems to have been dropped.

[BashStreetKid]

Surely something will get through to the Dopeys today, ready for the Friday cliffhanger?

[Imbroglio]

I reckon tonight's the night....

[ppeatfruit]

Unless the SWs are feeling frisky and want to keep us hanging on till Sunday so will completely change the subject to Freddie getting arrested or Brian and family being stalked or something!

[Vango]

'Family man' Brian's going to come a cropper when Ruairi's parentage is revealed. That reporter sounded like he was setting him up during the interview last week. I know everyone in Ambridge knows but there's embarrassment to come, I'm sure of it.

Thanks DDD!

[ppeatfruit]

Yes both JD and Brian are so naive!

[Aethelthryth]

May I join?

Listener since 1984

Recently saw David Troughton in "Titus Andronicus". A bit worried for Bridge Farm.

Enjoyed Nolithando telling her mother the truth.

Looking forward to Jill's reaction to the FairArcher pregnancy

[birdsdestiny]

Hello aethelthryth, I have never really understood Jills reaction to the FB , it seemed like a storyline that was parachuted in and quite out of character .

[Peartree17]

Thanks DDD for new thread. Re. the 'slap on the wrist because he was middle class and about to go to university': as I tell my sons and their friends, that little slap on the wrist (by which I guess you mean a caution?) creates a criminal record. Can't work in law, accountancy, medicine, with children, the police, great swathes of the civil service. Can't get a US or Canada visa, Australia closes its doors to you for at least 10 years, as does NZ. Your lifetime earnings, I read on a Release report, are estimated to fall by around 20%. You may think it ludicrous to criminalise young people and reduce their life opportunities for the sake of a few Es. I happen to think so, but those are the facts as we face them. I like Freddy, and hope he doesn't become criminalised at the start of his life. It would be good if Elizabeth/Kenton/some other trusted adult found out what he was up to and laid out the consequences. It would also be good if his mother started allowing him some say in his own life - everything that is happening at the moment demonstrates that she can't control him, whatever her delusions on that point, so she should start being a better mother and listening to what her son is telling her!

Anyway, haven't been listening for a few days, so looking forward to B&J's imminent embarrassment - unkind, I know, but well...

[DadDadDad]

Aethel - welcome, anyone can join! 1984, that's impressive.

Is Titus Andronicus the one that involves lots of gruesome deaths and a spot of cannibalism? If Tom Archer were served in a pie, would it qualify as organic meat?

[Imbroglio]

Or Ed.

[ppeatfruit]

I think it's a case of peer pressure and wanting to be in with the 'cool' boys with Freddie, he really isn't sharpest knife in the drawer for an 18 year old, he was jealous that Noli was talking to Ellis wasn't he?

[Terrylene]

Hi - just popping in to say that I am in occasional listening mode at the moment, but finding it less irritating than usual, (except for Freddy).

I am enjoying Kate failing to connect with another daughter.

[Peartree17]

Yeah, ppeat, I think so too. Poor Freddy - a lot of weight on his shoulders and his mum not very smart about her son. Bit dim, always behind his sister, but expected to inherit and take over the business (without anyone helping him understand it). Being the person in demand as the supplier of pills is a bit of status - he thinks. I do hope someone helps him come to his senses! Noluthanda seems to be handing out home truths and insights at present, good for her. Ian and Adam, oh dear, oh dear.

[MrsBodger]

I’m another long term listener and lurker.

I can forgive them almost anything for the joy of the Brian storyline and Susan’s kefir.

BUT THAT SAID. Another unplanned pregnancy story? With the unbelievably irritating Pip? And what is this nonsense about Ian wanting to ask Lexi to be a surrogate? And does Adam have to be so monotonously moany?

I think the sws are collectively broody.

[RubyLennoxExists]

Re. the 'slap on the wrist because he was middle class and about to go to university': as I tell my sons and their friends, that little slap on the wrist (by which I guess you mean a caution?) creates a criminal record.
Absolutely, Peartree, but I was struck on reading the news article that he was being treated relatively leniently because of his background, and I expect it would be the same for Freddy, who has the bonus of being heir to the Pargetter estate.

[Vango]

Poor Freddy - a lot of weight on his shoulders and his mum not very smart about her son. Bit dim, always behind his sister, but expected to inherit and take over the business (without anyone helping him understand it).

I can't agree with any of this! What weight has he got on his shoulders? Other than the same school exams that most kids take? Elizabeth changed his school, got him a tutor and is generally doing all the things that a parent does to try to help. He doesn't even need to worry about finding a job if he doesn't want to.

Elizabeth treats them both the same too - they just react differently to her, as my own do to me. And as a single mum with no help, and the estate to run, I don't think she's doing a bad job. She never whinges, never really moans. And doesn't seem to get any practical support from her family. I like Freddie a lot but he's an absolute brat when it comes to his mother (who would show him the ropes of the business if he showed the slightest interest I bet).

[TheAntiBoop]

Have we heard that he's expected to take in the business and house?

[ppeatfruit]

I agree with peartree actually ( though she may have her tongue in her cheek slightly ) . Lizzie isn't quite up to dealing with her wayward son , there are other ways to being so confrontational. Hiding his passport indeed!

[Imbroglio]

Nolithandu has changed her tune re school. She didn't want to go at all when she first came over.