Sack the Sock - put a sock in it or pull your socks up - frankly we're a bit sick of it. The Archers is shit, discuss it here.

[PseudoBadger]

I have it on good authority that this is the thread that people enjoy more than the programme it's about

"I'm quite sure Rob has been responsible for anything that has gone wrong at the shop." So am I, he's a proper bugger. Remember how he started ordering a load of new cows (was it cows?!) for the farm the minute Tony was picked up by the air ambulance - and he doesn't even have a part share in that business, does he? He is clearly shameless about interfering, and covering it up under a very flimy veil of Must Protect Princess Helen so she can wash my socks and have no mates.

I'm surprised that the other women of Helen's age haven't been discussing it. Have I missed the ep where Emma says to Fallon, Helen's gone really weird lately and Rob blanks me in the street - do you reckon something bad is going on there?

Well, Rob, if you didn't want the conventionality of marriage you shouldn't have so precipitately proposed to Helen then, should you? But of course, he wanted the engagement as a shackle for her not for himself. I've forgotten if we've heard anything about the divorce proceedings - bet he's going slow on that to keep leverage over Jess and the yet-to-be-claimed baby.

Also why isn't anyone mentioning the absence of Rob's parents, I would have thought after the 'no show' meal, ostensibly with P and T, some months ago, when they were clearly never even in Ambridge, Hellin would be a tad suspicious of their involvement, especially now she knows about Jess and the bab.
It is perfectly feasible for Rob to be leading some kind of ongoing double life as some men seem to do, a life which also seems to include dodgy dealings with Teena.

trevor or my ipad has a second job!

I'm really curious as to how the HelRob storyline plays out. They've done a great job so far and I hope they don't want to rush it for a dramatic climax.
Listening to Helen last night I realised that I've missed the "doggedly independent" Helen. I want to hear more of her like this and I want it to end with her kicking Knob's manipulative arse out of Ambridge.

Oh God why does Fran sound like Helen...

Why are they only recruiting posh actors?

Kate is well annoying and doesn't understand mother daughter boundaries. Is she a bit drunk? Not someone to be supportive and help phoebe grow. But may make her think her dads not so bad in comparison (which he isn't). And please don't listen to your mum about men phoebe!!!

This Kate and Phoebe chat is good stuff. Was Kate hinting that she's done with men?

And pip is rude!

It's like saffy and Edina!!

Kate was wonderfully acted. What a shite mother she is. And yes to Saffy and Eddie!

ooooh....nitrate problems!
this is the get out starting....

And here we are. The get-out clause.

The Archers is shit is turning out to be quite prophetic if it's the slurry pit that does for the sale! Shame we can't change it to The Archers in shit

Triple BOOP for Kate! And Phoebe being firm with her.

But it's extraordinarily hard to understand some of the other casting decisions. Fran didn't sound as if she's spent even an hour outside in her entire lifetime.

Fran was another unnecessary character. Absolutely no need for listeners to go on the visit it could easily have been discussed or relayed in some other (briefer) way. Kate is great and the scenes with her and Phoebe were brilliant.

It's weird that the writing is so uneven.

There was such delicious irony in Kate's bitter complaint against her mother's perceived conventionality. Every one of Jenny's daughters has followed in her magnificently unconventional footsteps.

And then otoh we get the money pit scenario.

I wonder how Fran got the gig? Perhaps SOC bumped into her while walking along Broad St and decided she'd be perfect for the part.

Ah but there are other farms up north... as I am sure the siblings will be quick enough to point out

I asked a few threads ago whether the siblings could force a sale. I still wonder whether , if it goes tits up , Lizzie, Shula and Kenny will gang up and force the Dopeys to sell up and land up in Meadow Rise. Or in a family sized tent in the burgeoning encampment on Alan's lawn.

Josh and Pip and Ben better scurry
When we spend all the cash on the slurry,
When we spend all the cash on the slurry with the fringe on top!
Watch that fringe and see how it flutters
Give it a stir and see how it bubbles,
Watch that we don't slip through the shutters or this storyline will stop!

I didn't think David was very David tonight.

Agree the writing for phoebe and Kate was very good and I could imagine being there. Not so much with the dopeys. Which is a shame because I find the robotic milking interesting!

The bees are yellow, the slurry pit's brown
The cows are made of genuine leather
With a damn great sinkhole you can fall right down
If there's a change in the weather

Well done Lillian!

I love Oklahoma.

I don't think theu can be made to go but I do think that they will maje it clwar that given the choice between their nearest and dearest on the famly farm and the money they would take the money every time.