The Archers - It's not about the money, money, money, think about Jill's honey, honey, honey, Justin wants to farm by satnav, forget about the prize tag.

[PseudoBadger]

Will The Dopeys have buggered off by the end of this thread?
Will Tom finally reach home, after weeks of trekking through the tundra?

Just listened to the omnibus and as another relatively recent convert can't say I agree with others about the new Tom and Pip. I think they are both MUCH better actors. The old Tom just sounded like he was reading from a script; he was dreadful. The new actors are much easier on the ear and well, better actors imho.

And I am quite enjoying the new plot lines too (sorry!). They still have the long-running stories such as Rob's gradual accretion of power and control over Hellin's life etc yet there is excitement along the way wrt who will win power struggle over the angus beef and veg boxes in Tony's absence (or possible demise)?

Also I think the moral dilemma posed by the high money over to Ruth and David is interesting and juxtaposes family/traditional values against commercial ones: an enduring theme among farming families I imagine.
(Although I do agree that the whole selling up of Brookfield thing is a bit quick/lacking in credibility.)

Bluestocking reckon Carol is brewing up a love potion for Fallon ???

I need to get a life don't I?

But Stewedcoot there's no separation between Rob's malign influence over Helen and his malign influence at Bridge Farm. It's not just about Angus beef or not - it's the entire soul and future of a dynasty.

For me the new stories are only enjoyable if one feels the production team really know what they're doing. If all the characters in Ambridge end up being acted by three acting families and one extra celebrity I'm not going to have much confidence in the plot.

Maybe if you weren't into TA before, it doesn't seem so rubbish. That's a shame.

I guess they are targeting a different type of listenership but its a risky game to play as you may need up losing more than you gain.

The blithe spirit play to me is them flogging a horse to get the most out of it. Not sure why they couldn't have just done blithe spirit independently of the archers.

More shoehorning afaic

And I don't think newtom or new pip have shown good acting skills yet. Tom at Tony's bedside didn't move me at all. Just made me think he's still an inward looking self obsessed twat

I have listened since infancy, and am "mature". I like new Pip and Tom, although Tom could do with a different voice, but that's always been a problem. I can remember getting Jenny and Christine mixed up.
I like Blithe Spirit if they do it properly - which they have been sign posting they will. Eg. Jenny's sudden interest in Ouija boards etc.

I will be very cross if Alice gives up her career though.

Maybe Pseudo yes; that's probably the case... .

Zero yes, I meant that I quite like the fact that that particular plot covers the general (the dynasty and soul) and the particular (Helinn's relationship) - sorry - I'm not expressing myself very well.

And to be fair to the producers; they are packing quite a lot in atm (even if they are rationalising the number of actors):

dairy farming economics (as ever)
environmental issues (road building; lack of affordable housing for locals)
farming injuries
quite detailed farming production issues - nicotinoids and Brussels etc
pro and anti hunting theme
problems of dependent elderly and loneliness in later life (Ruth's mother and Jill and Peggy)
potential romance (Fallon and PC Barns)

romance gone wrong (Elizabeth and Roy)
power struggles within farming conglomerates and withing farming families themselves
issue of inheritance and dc and whether they can carry on farming
light relief; Grundys and turkey pardon; is Carol a white witch?, Lynda's production of Blythe Spirit

I'm sure I've missed a few - admit I am am still not entirely sure about who everyone is exactly and how they are related.

Would it be sacrilege to say that I wouldn't be at all disappointed if they got rid of Peggy in the clear out?

"Just made me think he's still an inward looking self obsessed twat" - great acting then

Not at all Stewed, Piggoi is a poisonous old bag.

Not sure it was good acting as I'm not sure that's what they were aiming for

Someone upthread said that they feel the sw always wanted us to like Tom and Helen and I agree with that! They just don't seem to know how to write them

PseudoB that's a relief

Would it be sacrilege to say that I wouldn't be at all disappointed if they got rid of Peggy in the clear out?

Not at all. She's an irritating old bag who loves stirring and causing discord whilst at the same time being extremely dull.

I've been listening for years (although not decades) and I'm liking the storylines. Anything that is sidelining Kathy to not-even-silent character gets my vote!

Realistically Peggy will have to FOHMC before too long, her actress is older than 90 and they couldn't possibly re-voice her.

Just googling for the Blithe Spirit info came across the (hopefully) delightful news that they're doing 'Good Omens'.

As they are definitely performing blithe spirit which is about the dead and ghosts etc are we to assume tony doesn't die as that would be hugely insensitive in a small village if someone dies

No, Tony won't die - they've realised belatedly that there is a huge area between sudden death and rapid return to full health which the Ambridge Fairy has prevented them from exploring before.

What does it mean if the siblings take their share out of Brookfield?
Would the Dopeys not have enough dosh to buy the place up North?

Also, to lose one family member to a horrible farming accident may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two looks like carelessness....

Just catching up - I love the new title but pondering why "prize tag" (& not price tag?)
When the sale comes first and the truth comes second- never a more apt line. I also said just fe*k off now D&R, it's getting boring.
Waves from other thread to LillianGish (The Missing/TV)

What happens to Neil's new job?

So what news did Shula and liz hae for David?

I can't bear listening when it's a Brookfield episode as it makes me wantto throw things!!

Why are David and Rooth being so cagey about the family wanting their money?

What did they expect? That their family would continue to help bankroll a farm that they had no connection with?

I wonder if David is now having second thoughts.

Shula and Liz want their share of the cash and both have pretty much already spent it, very grasping and greedy, though Shula did at least express a slight reservation as to the buyers...but wants the cash anyway.

From the CA afterwards it appears Kenton will 'speak his mins' and presumably and predictably be the only y one to show any true leanings towards not selling.

Hated the way they said 'up North' like it was some far distant alien place

'Speak his mind' but maybe his mins as well. Come on Kenton we are relying on you to show some backbone!

toldmywrath - I just copied and pasted the title from the suggestion given, I know it should be price, but thought maybe it was something to do with prize beef cows' ear tags