We're on a road through Ambridge, come on inside. Archers chat here

[PseudoBadger]

Have you had your free venison burger?

I thought there was a whole lot of stuff today with rob where he seemed to be turning Henry against his mother, or at least using Henry to make little digs at her. "Mummy was late at the office because she made a silly mistake... Mummy doesn't have enough time to look after us" etc

I agree. He could be using Henry to control Helen.

I didn't hear perfect dad, I heard controlling and controlled dad. Tonight really made me think that he is playing a role.

I also think he is heading towards to telling Helen that she should give up the shop and I wonder if getting her pregnant will also be on the cards. There's lots of "darling" stuff from them and each time I wait for him to say something cutting to bring her down and leave her a bit confused at to what she's done wrong.

I'm sure Rob said "someone made a silly mistake" so was careful not to blame Helen in front of her child.

Blimey, I'm starting to sound like Rob's defender! Honestly, I don't think he's a nice person.

Yes I think you're right on the wording. But Helen obviously knew who he meant

I does make me think that being an abusive twat really seems like hard work. I mean, you have to put the effort into being like that. I am sure it comes more naturally to some of course

I didn't hear perfect Dad, I heard all very creepy Henry manipulation.

He definitely did say "someone" - I particularly noticed it. Nice not to say it was her in front of Henry, but he still called her mistake "silly" (and not in a "it was just a silly mistake, forget about it" kind of way) and basically said that it was her own fault she had to stay late. All veiled behind niceties of course.

Blimey Zero considering that you hadn't heard yesterday's you got it bang on (though it was Charlie saying to Adam how powerful the Archers are). Another interesting theme there.

www.gopetition.com/petitions/say-no-to-route-b-to-save-brookfield.html

I don't think this link works, I have no idea how to do them. You get the idea though!

I think in a week or so, Henry will start saying "oh, mummy, I wish you didn't have to go to work" and Rob will say "Well, darling, I'll support you whatever you choose".

Then there's be a problem with Henry- he'll bite someone or tell fibs or something, and Helen will think it's all her fault. Rob will happen to have a friend or ex colleague or something who just happens to be looking for a job and can take over the shop. But he/she will be in the "letting Bridge Farm stop being organic" camp. Rob's long game is to take over Bridge Farm.

Charlie is definitely on a mission to bring down the dynasty of the Archers. He keeps a lot of secrets I feel.

Yes Hakluyt I agree with your scenario.

...took perfect care of Henry and was really understanding of Helen's problems.

Or in other words "turned Henry against his mother and denigrated the time and energy Helen puts into her equally important, relatively successful, self built business...."

Zero - I feel like you and others are interpreting everything Rob does through the lens that sees him only in manipulating and undermining Helen.

He collected Henry, played cricket with him, fed him, read him a story - all perfectly lovely and sensible things to do, and it's common isn't it that young children will then express a preference for the parent who is the novelty or has done something fun - and children aren't diplomatic in expressing the preference. Rob didn't complain about having to do those things, and tried to persuade Henry that Mummy wasn't "abandoning" him and could take over the bedtime story.

Is it possible that with work not being very happy for Rob at the moment, that he genuinely values trying to create a family life, and wants to make it work, albeit with a rather set view of how it should work?

twojumpingbeans, you've made me a very happy woman because at last I have found the limit to my sad obsession with The Archers - I haven't signed it! Phew.

Neither have I! Perhaps we're not as over infested as we thought... Made me chuckle though.

DadDad Last night he was a 'good' dad. But there have been other times where he stopped Hell from going to Henry who was crying in bed after being sent to bed early because they were having friends round.

I do feel that Rob is 'play acting' ! I do also see the irony in that remark I know what you mean AllMimsy

Having caught up I thought it was interesting to learn a little more about what drives Charlie. It's all about the agricultural tech for him - so hardly surprising that he had no thought for the dead calf.

On the BBC blog he is listed as "in a relationship". I am longing to see what they'll do with this information.

Although, if he's being built up as the Ian-replacement it may be that the Archers win him over to their side rather than that he continues to try to bring them down. I thought the SWs/Adam made rather heavy weather of Charlie's interest in Adams personal progress - it's not that hard to fathom....

I haven't caught up. But it's highly likely that after Knob tucked Henry in and read him a story, that he then removed the bunk bed ladder....

But don't you remember when Soosan was banged up and the 'Free The Ambridge One' campaign led to questions being asked in the HOC?

That was re petition, btw.

Now, re the Cast list pics - check out Patrick! Krusty is a fool, a fool I tell you, if she doesn't let him console her!

Depends on whether Jess was wearing it I suppose. If the ring was a family heirloom from Knob's aside of the family he might have demanded it back. Wildly speculating here

Thank goodness you are seeing through the Rob act. Of course getting Henry on side and making Hellin feel guilty is all part of controlling her. Make mummy feel bad about neglecting Henry and soooo grateful to Knob she falls even more under his control. The openly guilt tripping comes later and will be his leverage.

Phew! Game on!

Legally knob can't demand his engagement ring back. It is a contract to marry and he broke the contract . But I'd bet Jess is so glad to get rid of him she gave it back!

Just marking place.

Feeling curiously disinterested with the past couple of weeks' storylines. Rob, Charlie, Saintly Dan, the road ... It's all a bit pantomime villain. Then the 'silly women' storylines: Jenny's kitchen, Lil's knitting. And why was the single wicket competition on the same day as Open Farm Sunday ? You'd check that when setting the date surely ?! I was disappointed they didn't make more of the single wicket. It's usually a good chance to get people to interact and gossip.

Moan moan moan. Sorry!