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Spoilers - RnRN accepts (and recaps) Amex so you don't have to!

192 replies

RocknRollNerd · 03/07/2013 08:22

As requested by someone on the Lillian thread herewith a recap of yesterday's Amex:

We start off a presumably swish (but not in the Jennifer sense) Montenegrin hotel one bright sunny morning. Possibly Monday or Tuesday as there are references throughout to TigerLily coming home tomorrow (ie Wednesday in Borsetshire). Tiger is up for some early morning snuggles but Lil continues to work her Princess Di being interviewed by Martin Bashir sad-face voice and rebuffs him. Excuses offered include the fact she's no longer 21 and it's early in the morning. Matt harrumphs (hopefully not a metaphor) and Lil excuses herself to the bathroom.

Some discussion a bit later on as to plans for the day, Tiger bitching and whining about Lil's mood, Lil PrincessDi-s that she's sorry, isn't really up for anything etc. They agree on shopping in town to buy souvenirs for myriad posh (ie not married in via a Blacksmith) Archers. All listeners twitch slightly in anticipation of convincing 'we're actually on location as it's Summertime in Amex' accents.

But no! We find out that Lil has bought Peggy some Pomegranate stuff (she hopes Peggy likes it, which lets face it is unlikely unless it can be used to poison Kiera, feed to the cats or bake into some scones) and Jennifer will just have to settle for 'a purse' as Lil has lost her shopping Mojo.

Tiger wheedles that he wants to buy Lil some jewellery and we finally get our Borsetshire Casting Central (TM) accent from a shopkeeper - he could be supposed to be Montenegrin, he might have been already cast when this plot was supposed to take place in Turkey or he may in fact just have learned his accent whilst watching that Doctor Who episode set on a Russian Submarine...it's really very hard to tell. Matt proves he's losing his business mojo by getting a mere 50 Euro off a 600 Euro necklace. Shopkeepervich throws in some extra irony for free about how the necklace must be bought so Matt can keep his beautiful wife

Cut to plot exposition scene set in a church just in case anyone happens to listen to Amex and not the Archers (FFS!). Lil is interrupted by a British lady (who I swear sounds like Anita Dobson when she's reminding us she's not just Aaaaaaannnnnnggggge and is a proper fox-bothering actress and everything - sadly however it isn't Celia turning all Single White Female). British Lady has a Montenegrin son-in-law and SHOCK! Horror! Montenegrin grand-children. Lil cranks up the PrincessDi-ing and explains that she lost someone very close to her who she loved, can't see how she can go on, can't talk about it etc.

Matt is cross and phoning Lil as he can't find her but gets voicemail...Lil eventually appears from the church and Matt clocks she's been crying. He suggests lunch, Lil declines and Matt strops off.

Cut back to the hotel with very little time left of the pod-cast so Matt is forced to engineer The. Big. Denoument. They bicker about why Lil is unhappy, she plays the 'I stuck by you when you were in jail card' and PD's about how it's all about Matt never about her....Matt keeps manouevering and asks her to just be honest with him....Lil tries to be dodge it but there's no escaping it, with mere seconds to go Matt drops the bombshell: he knows she was screwing his brother, he knows she was seeing Paul!

jingley jangley music and that's it until Thursday folks!

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 26/07/2013 11:19

Thanks RnR - another work of genius! - but I'm still confused who Dmitri is and where he fits in.

BoreOfWhabylon · 26/07/2013 11:30

Yay for RnRN! You must NEVER go away again!

ppeatfruit · 26/07/2013 13:48

grimma I'm wondering if Dimitri and Tatiana are undercover police esp. to set up Vitaly (the keeping Brenda away from the scene speaks volumes Poor brenda's been "had" too in more ways than one !!)

ppeatfruit · 26/07/2013 13:49

I know I should get out more but it's too hot ATM!!

RocknRollNerd · 26/07/2013 14:02

Thursday 18 July - the description on iTunes says: Matt's never gambled like this before and Brenda has a chance encounter...are we all excited?!

Matt is crosspatchy and waiting for Brenda who had apparently been waiting an hour and hardly left the hotel yesterday (yeah I can't work out who was waiting for who either) - good thing she has Ivan the Teddible for company. Matt's a bit agitated as he's got to go and pick up the cash - he wants Bren to be there to witness the deposit later on - the cash comes in a briefcase cuffed to his wrist which is apparently how they do things in Russia.

Bren is shocked at the fist full of roubles set up and unhappy she needs to be at the hotel lobby at lunchtime as this will cramp her Hermitage visiting plans. Matt points out she's not there on holiday and Brenda counters that he still hasn't paid her for her tickets yet...he has the grace not to mention cashflow problems as he hustles out to the bank.

Street noises, Matt is trying to hail a cab and a passerbyski tells him he should book a licensed cab from the hotel. Passerbyski then hails one which he tells Matt is ok. Russian words exchanged between Passerbyski and Not-at-all-an-accomplice-clearly-an-honest-law-abiding-cabbie. Passerbyski arranges for cabbie to wait; Matt tries to tip Passerbyski who declines as he's happy to help.

Bren in a cafe, joined at a table by a convienient passing plot-device. CPP-D is an architect designing hotels. Bren rattles on about how she hasn't seen much and there is so much she wants to see. She flirts that CPP-D has great English, he was educated in the South of England apparently. [CPP-D sounds like Kenton doing a Russian accent btw].

Cabbie comments on bad traffic, Matt gets a call from Shrillian to pass the time and pretends to be surprised that Bren isn't at Amside holding the fort. Shrills bitches and whines, Matt suggests she calls Bren to apologise and suggests people should be treated with respect if you want them to stick around - clearly the clunking analogy scriptwriter is back. CPP-D and Bren beetle off to see one room at the Hermitage with the promise she'll be back by 12.

Matt explains he's doing a deal and when Lil asks what he's using for money he says the offshore funds. Lil goes back to Princess Di mode as the money was for both of them. Matt clunks that he couldn't resist and Lil knows what that's like doesn't she. Matt arrives at the bank whilst Bren and CPP-D recite the Lonely Planet guide to the Hermitage for the benefit of us dear listener. Bren stumbles, CPP-D supports her and tenderly brushes a hair from her cheek.

Back in the cab - the police have pulled them over! Matt is asked for his passport...Much Russian and then a request from the Cabbie to give the policeman Euros...so far so stereotypical.

Tedious flirting between Bren and CPP-D, like the art gallery scene in Montenegro I slightly lost the will to live so no recap.

Back at the hotel, Matt is after Bren, hammering on the door. BFFV is cross and wants to hustle off to the bank. Matt leaves Bren a stroppy voicemail. Bren gets the message and apparently it's not yet 12 and she tells CPP-D she doesn't have to go anywhere - they pootle off for lunch instead - they are eating in 'The Kissing Room' which sounds frightfully unhygenic. We finally learn that CPP-D is called Dimitri but it's too late for me, I've named him!

More flirting, this time based around food comparisons - blech! CPP-D confesses he first saw Bren at BFFV's offices and had come looking for her (so not so much a chance encounter then apparently).

BFFV gives Matt a receipt for the money and tells him to keep it safe. He exhorts him to cheer up as when he returns to 'that beautiful leetle village of yours you weeel be a veery reeech man'.

Jingle, jangle, over and out!

OP posts:
RocknRollNerd · 26/07/2013 16:56

Final one for today I suspect: Tuesday 23 July. iTunes tells us: things are getting out of control for Matt whilst Brenda's in seventh heaven. ...maybe Ivan the Teddible takes batteries!

Smooching noises - Brenda and CPP-D (Dimitri) who proceeds to inform her she looks like a little girl in her sleep . It's morning somewhere unknown...there are dustsheets downstairs and an amazing staircase. Apparently it belongs to one of the senior partners at CPPD-s work and he wanted someone in the house whilst work was being done. Blah blah, naked CPP-D, amazing views, smoochies and canoodles.

Matt hammering on BFFV's door which is answered by a Russian lady who speaks no English other than 'man go out yes, check out room'.

More amazing house flirting with echoey sound effects so it's a BIG HOUSE! Splashing sounds of Bren in a bath or possibly pool. Tedious supposedly romantic discussions of life...

Matt demanding someone at an office gets BFFV on the phone, the man can't do that so Matt shouts he wants the architect - that's also not possible as there are 24 architects. Man sighs and says he will get Mr Kitroff's assistant (maybe Flunkski is making a return?).

Bren and CPP-D continue canoodling - WE. GET. IT, she's over Tom and sampling Kielbassa instead - enough already.

Flunkski can't be found, Matt isn't going anywhere he needs to speak to him NOW and is getting ranty. Man at desk says ominously 'you're in reasonable shape but middle aged' and Matt is Man-handled out of the office.

Canoodle canoodle

More man-handling

Bren waltzes round the ballroom at the mysterious house and is invited to stay there with CPP-D - he's offering sight seeing, champagne and dancing. She agrees.

Matt back at the hotel, his key card isn't working for his room. A receptionist informs him he's been checked out; the bill is paid and luggage is in the store-room. The bill was paid by Kitroff Holdings over the phone. Good thing Bren has got herself other lodgings as her luggage is there too. Matt decides to pay for his own room and stay a bit longer as he has no-one canoodling him. His first credit card doesn't work and the second one is taking a while......it's also not valid. Matt growls that he needs to make a phone call.

Canoodle canoodle, Bren is sitting on CPP-D's knee whilst he plays piano to an implausibly high standard. She covers his eyes and he can do it blind! He is apparently the most gorgeous man she's ever met.

Matt rings Lils who purrs she thought he might call...she's stopped his cards! Pusscats back! She suggests he can use his offshore money, he's doing a private deal with his money so he's not getting Lillian/Amsides cash. Matt growls Lil's got to get his cards reactivated, she sarcastically suggests she doesn't have to and hangs up. Matt rants don't go, oh god Lillian and the dial tone leads us into the jinglejangles.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 26/07/2013 17:16

Another couple of brilliant instalments! Thanks

kathrynharriet · 26/07/2013 17:30

Fantastic! Thank you for this!

heronsfly · 26/07/2013 21:14

Thank you, that was great. Flowers
must admit I've stopped listening to Amex, your reviews are much more interesting

HerbertGistcool · 26/07/2013 21:22

Thanks RnRN. Good to see Lillian back on form

RocknRollNerd · 27/07/2013 12:57

RnRN in up to date shocker!

iTunes teaser: Matt wakes up very uncomfortably and Brenda wakes up in a dream...yes this weeks episode potentially from the top infants class 'and then I woke up and it was all a dream and I was still an underpaid, over-qualified minion with horizons no broader than Felpersham'.

Matt mockneying and sounding rough with someone Russian - oy, I'm alright, nah nah, lemme go etc.

Orchestral sounds...smooching and canoodling Dimitri claiming its a lovely way to wake up. We'll assume his clock radio is tuned to Classic FM and not that they fell asleep in the orchestral pit at the Opera.

Matt hurls abuse at a Russian plod [sic] - he's had enough of Russia and wishes he'd never gone there. The Russians don't speak English but clearly understand it and are not impressed at this sleight. Sirens in the background.

CPP-Dimitri tells Brenda she's making a mistake, she's planning on calling Matt as she feels she'd better check in with him. CPP-D would rather stay in bed. Bren has multiple messages from AngryMatt explaining no Vitaly, no hotel, no credit cards and he's got nowhere to sleep. Bren calls him and gets voicemail. She frets, CPP-D suggests she has a shower and then they go to the hotel.

Whilst Bren showers, CPP-D makes a call - it's to Tatiana! Lots of Russian but Matt's name comes up and Crawford something...

Clanking (chains? keys? red hot pokers?) Matt's in custody and demanding to speak to a lawyer and the Embassy. Plodskis are having nothing of it and try to put him in a cell so Matt slings BFFV's name in thus proving he can be thick anywhere in the world...Sound of punching and Plodskis chuckle and amble off.

Brenda is greeted by a receptionist at the hotel who assumes she is there to collect her luggage. CPP-D asks some questions in Russian, they're told Matt has also been checked out 'a communication problem' and didn't stay there last night. Bren goes to get her case and CPP-D takes a phone call - Tatiana again, Matt's name mentioned but feck knows what they're saying. CPP-D says nyet at one point and then puts on his sunshine voice as Bren comes back. Bren realises something is up and they go to sit down.

CPP-D has news about Matt, CPP-D has a friend who is 'good at this sort of thing' and the good news is they know where Matt is but he's been arrested and he's in prison due to kicking up a fuss when he was taken to the station. He's in prison on the other side of town, it's a pretty awful prison and Matt's friends know he's there and they are organising his release. CPP-D suggests they leave it to these friends and go home.

Matt shouts questions about how long he'll be there, is someone from the Embassy coming. Tatiana appears thereby shocking the Crawfords off Tiger. Tatiana apologises for the unpleasantness he's experiencing in her country and she has papers for his release. All his stuff (including shoe laces) is in an envelope including the bank receipt! He signs and they go out to a waiting car.

Matt recounts his escapade - he got upset with a policeman after the cards were stopped and BFFV disappeared. Tatiana asks if he gave BFFV money and then changes the plan - they're off to see someone who will know exactly where BFFV is. Matt realises this is all just too odd and asks exactly who Tatiana is and why she got him out. Tatiana doesn't answer she's on the phone in Russian.

CPP-D hangs up a phone call and tells Bren Matt is out. Bren comments the friend must be very well connected and they hustle off on a motorbike to see Matt.

A touching reunion takes place at a location unknown, but it does have a huge drinks cabinet apparently, Matt thinks he's met CPP-D before; CPP-D excuses himself so Matt and Bren can catch up.

Vladdy arrives! Matt has no idea who he is - he introduces himself as MD of Kitroff Holdings and Chairman. Vitaly was also arrested and is also 'sadly in prison as we speak'.

Jingle jangle huh?!

OP posts:
trincomalee · 28/07/2013 19:56

Thanks for the updates, RnR. Do you know how many more of the current batch you're going to have to sit through on our behalf are planned?

CuttedUpPear · 30/07/2013 00:10

Thanks...bloody mystifying

OliviaIsOffTheGinMumsnet · 30/07/2013 17:08

There can't be that many - think theres 8/10 to a series iirc

TeaandCake · 30/07/2013 22:49

Thanks for this thread! So much better than AMEX first hand!

PseudoBadger · 30/07/2013 22:51

Why has no one explained to the incredibly sophisticated Dimitri and Tatiana HOW RUDE it is to speak in your own language in front of a guest....

GrendelsMum · 01/08/2013 16:59

TBF, Dimitri does say to Tatiana 'we should speak English' (in Russian) at one point and then they switch language. The rest of the time they're probably plotting sinister things that my Russian isn't up to date enough to understand.

I'm not sure the Russian plods were actually plods - I didn't get everything they were saying but the hustling Matt off sounded a bit speedy and well organised.

PseudoBadger · 01/08/2013 17:05

Well after today's episode I'm back to being suspicious. Poor Brenda.

Somethingyesterday · 01/08/2013 17:17

Yeah - it's not looking good. Are the pseudo siblings the uber-villains?

But Matt has his mojo back... All will be well with the world.

PseudoBadger · 01/08/2013 17:25

I predict that Matt will turn up to confront his fraudster and it will be.... Dimitri. Or is that too ridiculous?

GrendelsMum · 01/08/2013 17:37

And what is the mystery of the diamond in the box in the drawer in Dmitri's borrowed flat?

GrendelsMum · 01/08/2013 17:38

Still, at least she's had a lot of great sex.

PseudoBadger · 01/08/2013 17:45

And she's learnt to play chopsticks

GrendelsMum · 01/08/2013 17:51

And tried on a mink coat.

PseudoBadger · 01/08/2013 17:52

Was it wild mink? No it was livid.....

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