Oh. Hello. I didn't know we'd invited another The Archers thread round darling. How nice to see you. Discuss Ambridge here.

[PseudoBadger]

As tribute to the best SL at the moment...

AND the source of this very thread title

I'm not certain he does want her out of the shop and that's where I think there has been a weakness in this story. He was taken by surprise when she said she was going to stop working in the shop altogether.
Maybe we've got it wrong - he has driven Tina to leave and profits into the ground because he wants Helen back in the shop and her earnings coming in just in case he has to pay maintenance? Or......she's far too content and relaxed now (and just a bit uppity) and he likes her to be tired and frazzled so he can dominate.

I'm not sure which way he jumps on the shop. I can't see a motive for his behaviour that hangs together.

Enoch I thought the same, that Rob had sabotaged Tina so Helen would go back to the shop. He has really made her feel it was her decision and she was surprised to get his approval, she thinks she has convinced him she was right all along... Its messing with my head, I can't work out what is going on. I thought Rob sounded like a different person last night (not in the NewRob sense, obviously!), so charming and not a shred of hidden malice. We haven't heard that side of him in a while.

Is he entirely sane?
We've been assuming he's the arch-villain with a whole take-over plot worked out in his head but perhaps he's more of a nut job than Helen is.
I hope I'm wrong. I don't think I could bring myself to like him!

Maybe he needs to sleep more and that happens at the weekend! I know a lot of people who get mean after bad nights and when they're hungry!!

Sane and intelligent imo.

I'm thinking that either he intends to sabotage the shop or he's too smart to jeopardise his main goal by alienating Helen over just one thing.

In the end he wants to be lord and master of the BF empire - with Helen suitably subjugated. If that's more likely to happen if she gets her way about the shop ...

Helen asked about wedding and baby plans instead of asking the important question about his divorce plans!

Morning all!

I was just coming on to say how ridiculous last night's scenes with David and Jill were - as if Jill, the matriarch of the Archer clan and linchpin of the village community wouldn't already know all that stuff about Dan and the Archer history.

But then I wondered if she'd revealed the diaries on purpose as a last-ditch attempt to manipulate David into "finding it out for himself" and deciding to stay. At least that would make a bit of sense.

I hardly think it would be news to David either though - as PPs have said, this kind of information is shared down the generations ad nauseam

Also the contrast in spending. Just before Christmas Helen was telling Pat she couldn't afford the toys at the market but a couple of weeks later Rob is gambling at the New Years Ball, with no angst when he loses and then buying a large round of drinks. In other words it's only Helen who has to watch the spending Rob can do as he pleases.

Other evidence stacked up against him?

That whole charade about his parents coming to dinner.
Bullying Jim
Shipping Kenton off to Wales
Advising Tom to buy non-organic feed and then shuffling him out to Canada without telling anyone.
Belittling Johnnie.
Buying cows for Bridge Farm without permission.
Making Helen bin a meal and then buying steaks for Adam & Ian - then doing the all-public school boys together thing to make Ian uncomfortable.
Behaviour towards Ian at the bike race.
Entire treatment of Jess.
Contempt for Kirsty.
Contempt for Emma and George.

enoch She's becoming cannier in her "negotiations" with him. Bringing up weddings and babies was like distracting a toddler with something nice.

It's not a comfortable way to live though - having to use lying and distraction to keep your partner happy.

Morning trevor I'm not so sure that the younger generations listen though do they? As you said "ad nauseum". Peep isn't listening, not really, which is realistic IMO and E.

True, Zero. She can't use the D word but he has dangled the prospect of marriage and a 'companion for poor, lonely Henry in front of her like a carrot.

I have been with my DGCs this weekend and have been infected by Disney, so can someone please awaken Helen with 'true loves kiss'......anyone? Her mum, er Henry, Bartleby.

As this thread will likely be full by end of tomorrow, has anyone thought of title suggestions for the next thread? Something to honour CUP's appearance on radio?

ppeatfruit you are spot on actually, definitely for the close family members of mine in the "younger generation". I know I was the same though

Yes me too trevor I remember wishing i'd listened to my granny's experiences as a flapper after she had SOTMC.

Just caught up - well played Rob....

...when you put it like that enoch

Part of the thread title could be "no chili please, we're British." Also considering variations on Ernie the fastest milkman in the west ;)

I think Rob's keeping Helen off balance with the shop. She's been walking on eggshells and now she'll relax a little only for him to come down hard next time. He's also letting her win a small but unimportant battle before Tom and Pat confront her and possibly cause the whole charade to unravel.

"Is that a kidney bean in your pocket, Neeyull, or are you just pleased to see me?"

Bore - Susan was acting like it was a whole tin!

Why are they both ( H&R) so. 'Oh darling don't you be over doing it now', with each other. All this pseudo caring. They seem to have a fairly light load by comparison. C'mon Charlie, sack him.

Completely missed the shades of chili episode.