Big Farma in Little Ambridge - come and talk The Archers talk

[PseudoBadger]

New thread for the beginning of the pheasant season.

Agree about the writing of the dumping scene Jolly sometimes the SWs get things right I also think Hellin's reaction was spot on too.

So will Tom dump Kirsty again - immediately - when he finds out that she knew?

Hellin is about as independent as my 6YO

I reckon Rob followed her to her organic burrow (love that!) to ascertain the extent of the damage ie how likely is she to tell people now he's going to be bringing his pregnant wife to the village. Damage limitation essentially.

I really hope Tom doesn't dump Kirsty - I quite like her and I can't bear it when he whinges

I do hope Tom and Kirsty stay together , I think they make a lovely couple and she managed to neatly get him off the sausage empire lecture without making him look bad.

Rob has no idea just how volatile Helen can be. More fool him for dipping his wick so very close to work.

Are there many ex -BBC Archers mb users on here? I notice some nicknames and spellings that I only ever saw on there. Possibly one of the best for Helen being "the thin controller"

kiriwawa, exactly

Wow. That was the strangest, most mysterious and bizarre episode I can ever recall. The opening was like some slow, grungy indie film; I wasn't even sure that it was TA.

Maurice as a sex symbol?

And Joe on the edge of tears....

Weird and wonderful.

Wow! I agree, I thought I was actually on the wrong station tuning for the first few moments, I really couldn't work out who was talking..... Maurice is clearly being brought in to be a more central character?

I really am starting to worry about Joe and what will become of Bartelby if Joe gives up, especially after all the talk of the abattoir lorry:(

There are so many characters who have gone to ground, it is really worrying. Where are Chris and Alice? Usha? Haven't heard from Peggy for a while, or Rhys? Lilian? Adam? They are obviously all sunning themselves on beaches somewhere together waiting for the call up. Isn't Kate due a visit soon?

Who is this Maurice?
I consider myself a long term regular listener...I don't understand!

Are there other characters? Do we need anyone else - now we have Maurice?

I'm glad I wasn't the only person confused. I very nearly reached out for some radio guide to check what was going on. That long first scene. And Lynda employing feminine wiles. (Yesterday I assumed she was thinking of Jim...)

It was all so strange and beguiling.

I think I've heard Maurice once before. Telling Tom (immediately after breakup from Brenda) how his divorce turned out to be a good thing, IIRC?

Why would Lynda pounce on some sausage-maker with no thespian leanings?

Maurice works for Tom. And sometimes gives him advice on how better to manage his love life.

Where the hell would Lynda have laid eyes on him?

Last time we heard from him he was more scouse! It was just after Brenda had dumped him and there was some drama with the shrink wrap machine.

Why would we hear from Maurice and not someone else that we know and love. Hmmm.....

I've never heard Maurice speak before . I always assumed he was a grey haired older man, this fella sounded far too young . And he must be a looker if Lindypops immediately thought of him for her rugged Robin.

Umpteen years ago Maurice was running his own butcher's shop and gave evidence on Eddie's behalf in some convoluted saga about selling condemned meat at boot sales. He's always been an utterly magnificent character and I am delighted to discover he looks like Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October. I like Maurice and I like Anthea and for once I might actually enjoy the annual Christmas show story. (I also like Lynda and I adore Robert - any episode with Robert in it is a great treat.)

I must say, I did enjoy that episode!

Yes, I wasn't expecting it at all, but by the end of the epi I was grinning broadly at the thought of Maurice and Anthea in Sherwood Forest. V glad that Anthea is being fleshed out. Is she really married, or could Maurice be happily mistaken?

Sounds like Maurice does the milk round (maybe he had to step up after Harry went off to live his dream gay life in the north?)
Thats' where he would have met Anthea??

Jazzer does the milkround, Olivia. Maurice makes sausages. I expect he met Anthea in the shop and has worshipped her from afar ever since.

Pat trying to prise Helen's secret out of her was painful. Back off, you fool!

How long before Helen implodes? I want full-on stalker-ness .Followed , preferably, by a nice Ophelia-like swim in the Am.

What GypsyFloss says ^^

Tonight was utterly dreary, Pat n Tony endlessly analysing Hellin's moods...zzzz

Oh, I quite liked Tony getting near the truth but Pat veering off it.

Actually thinking about it I don't want Helen to disappear . She really is the best acted character. But I do want decent and proper repercussions from this, not gentle sweeping under the carpet and hoping the dozy listeners will forget all about it.

LondonMother, am very impressed - and am indeed - at your recall of the back story. I do dimly remember Eddie + dodgy meat + boot sales, but certainly had no remembrance of Maurice as a butcher and his defence of Eddie over that shenanigans.

As for Helen - OH DEAR!

That clinches it - the scriptwriters MUST know we're listeners. How else could you explain the bizarre public information announcement today of "if you're getting stressed with DC ask for help." I don't remember hearing much from Vicky for ages apart from the frilly dresses for Poppy so its not like this is a building storyline (hopefully). I really really hope we hear Jazzer mentioning his penis beaker in the Bull next

I reckon Jazzer has a knitted wank mitten :)

David and Ruth seem more the penis beaker sort.