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

Have just listened to today's episode, tick VG. Outstanding emoting from Jill during The Reverend Bunter's sermon. Just as well he was miked up or her quavering oohing and aahing would have been louder than him. I wondered if she'd left her Love Eggs in.
And as for Rob declaring that he's going to tell the CMS that the baby isn't his because Jess is a nutter and anyway it just can't be - I hope we get to hear that conversation with a tough, sceptical Belfast character at the other end.

"I wondered if she'd left her Love Eggs in."

Bluestocking's Love Eggs just made me quiver

I had dealings with CMS Belfast about 18 months ago on behalf of an employee. They deduct directly from wages just like student loan co does. There doesn't seem to be any wriggle room either. BL will get a notice to deduct fairly soon unless he appeals and can prove he's not the father.

Am I mistaken? (I missed the actual salmon party that Jess threw.) I seem to recall Rob telling someone around that time that he would like children but Jess couldn't/wouldn't have one. Was he lying then or has he been sure she would abort and now doesn't know how to handle it at all?

We never found out what that registered letter was about that he posted via Susan a few months back. Perhaps he had already received a notice from CMS and thought a denial would be enough.

I think Knob sounded shocked because he just can't handle his womenfolk being out of his control. In his head he didn't want it to be his baby so Jess must have been sleeping around, but deep down he knows it could well be. I wonder whether he will just quietly sort something out with CSA and pay up to avoid a paternity test, whilst telling Helen that they conceded that the baby wasn't his and went away.

Surely his mother would have been in touch with him after the baby was born? She must be aware that he has been ignoring her grandchild. But with any luck they've got something lined up with Knob's mother visiting and telling H all about how Ethan takes after his dad.

He's not been on good terms with his parents, though. It didn't go down well when Helen invited them for lunch once. And it's much easier for his life with Helen that he's NC with them.

I missed the programme that his mother was in (was it just one?)

I think he subsequently painted a picture of a neglected/abused childhood?

Did his mother's visit make it round like that?

:o :o @ Jill's Love Eggs

EBear Are you talking about the dinner that never happened? When Rob apparently invited his parents but they didn't turn up?

Did anyone believe he really had invited them? It appeared to be another evil "kill two birds" game of his. Get Helen all flustered and excited about their proposed visit - and then be able to demonstrate to Pat and Tony and Helen what a poor little lost boy he was when the parents never arrived.

Blue stocking! You are very naughty (you may have SATTC...or at least I will never be able to listen to Jill in the same way again!)

The only actual appearance of his mum afaik was when she spoke to H on the phone and was v surprised to find out he had a fiancee.
Have to say Jess has played a blinder.
MIL onside. In with the CMS. Name on birth certificate because they are still married (surprised H never asked about that). And of course he now faces paternity test, mediation and contact and maintenance agreements before he can get divorced as they now have a child under 16. All gonna take much longer.

No summer weddin for poor Hellin. So...I wonder if he will convince her, baby first, wedding later. Because this one will be his 'real' baby.

She has indeed played a blinder. Clever Jess.

Off at a slight tangent, could Helen be edgy about having a baby herself because she knows she will be weighed?

Yes mink, the divorce will need to include the baby- well spotted. And yy to the 'real' baby. Will H go for that? She has, so far, side-stepped the baby thing. That may be going too far for her with the possible ED relapse - H's only remaining area of control.

Enoch I said similar on an earlier thread. IME of EDs, she would be concerned about the changes to her body and also the impact on the baby if she isn't eating

Re SOC and listener numbers, of course having new actors who sound similar enough to confuse listeners will put the numbers up as they all listen 3 times to figure out who said what

We only have Knob's word for it about his relationship with his parents, EBear, and I don't think we are supposed to trust a word he says unles it's corroborotated. Though if Jess has told them what has been going on you would expect them at least to have wanted to hear his side.

I don't think it sounds like he has contact with his parents

It is of course possible that he had an awful childhood with controlling parents or some such and that could explain (but not excuse) his behaviour.

I don't want to defend him but I also don't like it when characters are made into panto villains who we boo every time they come on. I like the archers because the characters are all flawed to a greater or lesser extent.

I see comments have opened on the blog. One person says the highlight of the year was Jenny's kitchen! And soc said the kitchen was satirical. Um, mildly humorous and massively annoying more like.

Bet Rob is sabotaging Ambridge Organics: the double order of Mizuna was his doing not Son of John's

Thanks, BYOS! I've made my point. Probably a complete waste of time, but I feel better for getting that off my chest.

I've just noticed your Baroque name enochroot. Are you a fan of the books by any chance?

I fear the comment may be taken seriously Mimsy and now become the cornerstone of the future!!!

comments are interesting. i really hope SOC was aiming to come in with a massive bang and then settle down. If you look at all the stories that happened last year we can't possibly have similar for 2015

i would like;
roy/liz to just be dropped now - get hayley back and lets all forget it ever happened.
Please no romance for liz (neon signposted yesterday) - i'd rather we just heard her from a distance rather than the centre of the story
Bridge farm stories pootling along but no massive ott drama
Brookfield sale to fall apart asap and lets just get on with the fall out now

So was the Miami trip arranged purely to delay having to deal with the big NYE story of the kiss (which was thoroughly predictable and unpleasant)? or has it just been dropped?

I note charlie has gone quiet - is he in miami stalking?

Charlie is probably doing his six-weeks-off in panto somewhere, that's about his level of subtly.

Glad that SOC's blog is getting suitable bashing but I don't suppose They are listening. Another link in case anyone feels like adding to the ire.

There are currently 18 comments on his blog post. Comments 13, 16, 17 and 18 are missing "awaiting moderation".

It's not going well.

I'm very much a fan, nauticant.

To be fair to the BBC, I think that means they are new or newish accounts. Some of the comments awaiting moderation have appeared now and are far from moderate!

mostly comments i agree with. don't think he cares though.

i find it weird that r4 wants a younger demographic. what is wrong with middle age and upwards? are the young the only market that matter these days?