Is that a ferret in your (Gr)undies or are you just pleased to see me? Discuss The Archers vermin (so many possibilities!) here.

[PseudoBadger]

I'm not sure that ferrets cannot through a thumb sized hole - rats can, and mice can fit through a pen sized hole. But I know the SWs will have researched such a statement carefully

I think that's less a result of the personality they actually want to portray than because the SWs are completely useless on this point. One regime disappears Kate to SA and adds children for verisimilitude - the next regime is utterly terrified of the consequences and attempts to dump the whole lot. They really need more bravery.

Perhaps they've decided to keep her SA children in reserve for another time (like Rich Johnny) but it will be completely incredible if they're not integrated into the annual rhythm of Ambridge life from now onwards. It's not as if there's no ready made home for them.

Another thumbs up for Home Life at the Aldridges. It was hilarious when Kate was showing off her arty lamp and JD just waltzed in and asked what on earth that monstrosity was.

But hold on zero, one minute everyone's saying "too many new characters, what's wrong with the old ones". Next minute we want Kate's kids to suddenly start frolicking round the village green.

Seems the scriptwriters can't do right for doing wrong eh?

The programme is going through a state of flux at the moment. It has to change or it will utterly stultify. I for one am enjoying some of the changes. Admittedly not all but I refuse to be steadfastly negative about it

I don't think Kate's pre-existing children count as new characters, or even improbably-returned old ones.

Ruth yes! One can easily imagine Kate as Linda in 20 years - if she could only learn a little kindness.

BitOut It isn't so much that I want new characters as that they've omitted to show Kate prostrate with grief over the (hopefully temporary) loss of her children. She would surely be missing them madly. And talking about them all the time. Now, I can imagine those scenes for myself but not having them within the 13 minutes unbalances our perception of her character.

Fairbrethren hot on the heels of DocDelish is extremely poor organization. There's no need for them all to tumble in at once.

Zero nail on the head re Kate, I was trying to think how to put it succinctly but you have said it much better than I could.

I am quite interested in the "Fairbrethren" and their "celebration poultry"...maybe one of them will in the fullness of time help Helen to recover after Rob finally gets his comeuppance. And the other one can marry Kirsty.

I don't think Kate is prostrate with grief about her separation from her other kids, she's just too self-centred. However, what I would have expected is that she would have been using the separation as a source of self-pitying attention-seeking.

You mean like last night?

Yes, though I thought that was more about disillusionment with marriage rather than beating her (supposedly) deprived maternal breast.

Oh no - I'm sure I see where the Jess story is going ...

So what's your big idea Zero, now my faking the letter idea has been torn to shreds.

She's going to End It All, isn't she?

"I don't feel very well Rob...."

Yep

Rob and Helen will be well suited when they've both driven someone beyond misery.

Too much to hope that Jess was recording that call.

Urgh ... Ditsy fgs? And 'Mrs rob titchener' - what century does he inhabit? As the ca said after 'don't do it Helen!'

Well, quite Zero. I totally despise Hellin, ever since she was so vile to Hayley after John died.

So, if it happens like that, I'm guessing it will be Helen who wants the poor parentless child rather than Mr Rob Titchener.

No doubt Henry will be undergoing a change of surname soon too?

What did Helen do to Hayley?

Ok what happened? Did we have an attack of the wooden one?

After John died, Hayley stepped in to help a very young Tom keep John's pig enterprise going and was also tremendous support to P&T.

Hellin was away at the time (college or something). She returned a few months later and told Hayley that she wasn't a member of the family and her services were no longer required.

Is SOC channelling Tess of the D'Urbervilles a tiny bit?
Jess wandering somewhere like Salisbury Plain about to do herself in.

Dan perhaps goes by in his little tank and saves her, makes Ethan part of the family.

Excellent plotline Enoch

God, the gloating was awful!!!!!!