Aldridges Assemble! Await the return of the prodigal daughter to Ambridge with the rest of The Archers audience

[PseudoBadger]

I can't resist alliteration

Adam comes across as whiny. Although there is a bit of trend of portraying people on the greener side as whiney and putting heart over business head.

Totally agree about Adam's whininess. It's part of the reason why I hate him.
Isn't good old solid Dave meant to be the other side of the argument? He's not putting heart over business head, he's simply doing rotation and muck-spreading like they used to in the old days. see page umptytumpt in Dan's diary

Don't get me wrong. I'm pleased Usha made an appearance. It's also great to hear Ian.

Oh my!

TT's 23? And Rex very much the elder at 28. Possibly dragging TT along in the goosey venture.

Kenton made me think of the shining

Rex has ensured Toby will not be accepted by the 'in laws'. Is he devious do you think?

Toby - 23yo - no way he had any career in the city. He is way too young for this sl. He is 2 years out of uni max so may have had one failed year.

So no money there - must be daddy's.

So the fair brothers are always in the way

They seem to be too present at the moment. Getting a bit fed up of them tbh

I assume then that Toby didn't go to university, or dropped out very early.

Elizabeth sounded so heartless about Robin's (then) pregnant wife ...

And yes, Toby does seem a little lacking in sensitivity - but perhaps that's heavy handed writing rather than intrinsic personality.

Didn't he mention Durham Gaspo?

He wouldn't have got a 'city' job without a good degree

Sounds like his history is BS

I can't remember about Durham but I'm sure you're right, Gruach.

BYOS, even now it's possible to get some sort of city job without a degree. An acquaintance of mine has a daughter who dropped out of school after AS levels a couple of years ago and got a job in an insurance broker's. It may not be a stellar job but it sounded like something that could lead somewhere.

Agree gas but

1. they went on about him being a city boy - implying IB type role
2. with a top degree from a top 5 uni you can walk into a job in the city. Other roles you need a bit of gumption and drive - which Toby seems to lack

I can see they are the brave new things to try and make the archers more accessible to young 'uns but I really wish the geese would eat them

There ain't many sensitive 23 yr old blokes are there? So that's why Toad's such a craphead.

Can anyone offer a reminder of the Elizabeth - Robin Fairbrother history?

Here lottie.

I just read Venetia Thompson's book & it talks about the floor workers (brokers?) being brassy Essex boys (no Uni degrees whatsoever). I knew a guy like that, who had moved on to get a Uni degree at least. There's so much in VT's book about being able to schmooze with clients, Toby's cavalier charm & recklessness perfect.

Yes they fall into my category b!

The 'barrow boy' traders I know, whilst they are good with people they aren't like Toby at all (their lack of poshness being part of the charm i think!). They are bloody hard workers too. Work hard, play hard and all that. Clients like to be schmoozed but they expect you to be the best at your job as well. Toby is way too lazy to have done that and ultimately would never have been there long enough to be trusted with clients.

That's what I dislike about them making a throwaway comment about him having a job in the City as it doesn't make sense unless some scandal surrounds it.

I also thought we had heard about a degree though

When is Debbie back? I wonder how many sets of feathers she will ruffle

Maybe she will offer to support Kate opening a yoga centre back in Hungary

How old is she? Brine mentioned Adam approaching 50 so is she about 45? Who is her dad? Kate and Alice are Brian's? I can't keep up.

Also, note how lizzie was clearing away Freddie's breakfast dishes. Is that because lil has to eat in the tower?

Thank you! I miss Nelson and his wine bar.

Didn't Caroline have a boyfriend called a Robin at some point too?

I just want Rob putted as a dirty culvert blocking criminal. I hate the dragging out... it's too long.
I hated the Phoebe proto shagging that made me feel ill.
I hate Ruth sobbing and moaning with her terrible accent.
Adam on his high horse, give me strength.
There's no fun anywhere. It's all so earnest.

outted not putted

Debbie's father was Roger Travers-Macy(???) though I've no idea who or what he was.

He came back briefly some years ago though & Jennifer almost had an affair with him. Or something. I seem to remember a hotel room being booked for that purpose but J bottled out.

Did he buy Debbie a BMW???

Interesting that they have a who's who for Rex but not Toby. Maybe TTs backstory is BS but not SW lack of research BS but made up cover story by Tex to hide whatever this terrible truth is.

Also the actor who plays Rex looks like a younger version of what I imagine Adam looks like.

So if Rex is 28 he was born in 1987, or late 86. So, it seems likely that Robin F's return to the marital nest and abandonment of Elizabeth, was a result of the pregnancy.

Hopefully it signals the fact that Rex is a long term character and Toby will be off soon enough.