We love Charlie. But we want Adam and Ian to get married. What will happen in Ambridge in the pre-Christmas thread?

[PseudoBadger]

Just listened to Friday - we are 2 weeks from Christmas and David didn't even ask whether Ruth will be back by then?

Rooth as Carrie Mathison is such a fantastic image.

"Hoooly shit! I neeeeeed to be in in Islamabad! But who'll look after the cows...?"

Maybe she was just too busy shagging Ray to bother answering the phone

I think the relationship between David and his mother and daughter just seems odd because essentially they are the only three people living on the farm this year. Ruth's barely been there and "the boys" are obviously some kind of collective hallucination given they never manage to turn up to things like their own sister's graduation dinner and other family occasions. So you basically have St David and his adoring mum and adoring daughter.

I think David comes across as a nice man who likes women (not in a sleazy way). He loves his mum and daughter and even his irritating wife. Perfectly normal chap to me.

Now I realise why Rob is being so charming and helpful around David and Jennifer, even if he has no intention of actually doing anything.

Yes, he knows Stefan named him. Charlie wanted to see Stefan and Rob told him he had gone back to Poland. I think he also implied that Stefan would only speak to him, Rob, but he allegedly didn't leave any means of contact.

Charlie couldn't get any further without Stefan though I think it's strange he didn't make more effort, such as reporting it to the police and letting them find Stefan.

I agree. What did feel weird was his idolisation of Pip. Most parents who've lived with their children and worked with them (i.e. know them very well) won't be a) surprised at their child's abilities or b) overcome with awe and delegate all their decisions to them. They'll be used to working together and it will feel natural, but they'll still want the key say in the family business. I have no idea why the script writers posited this whole "replacement of Ruth with Pip" vibe on the farm, which has led to some having an icky feeling that she's a sort of alternative wife figure to her own father.

Thinking about it, David is the one who's been behaving madly out of character. Sure if your wife is away looking after her sick mother etc you don't worry her about the minutiae of the daily grind. But you REALLY don't just decide to make big farm-changing decisions about your joint business without consulting her, because think how much he'd HATE it if she did the same.

Maybe it's just me. I just find the whole set up of a grown up man's mother living with the family and taking care of them rather strange. I accept that it may be totally normal (and charming) to others. I don't know. If my MIL was living here, smothering DH in cake and cuddles I'd lose the plot.

I think for David there are 3 women in his life and they are all equally important. The bond between him and his wife is no more or less special than the other bonds with him as son and father. So when Ruth goes away the 2 others can step forward to fill the gap and it makes no difference to him.
And I imagine that the bond with Ruth is less one of married couple and more of close long-term business partners and friends.

Me too Notdead

I don't find the concept of three generations living together odd (there's a few in ambridge over the years) but do find the way Jill fills the 'cater' role a bit weird.

is it organic? wanker

I was most surprised that that turned out to be a joke. Who knew the twat had a sense of humour?

I reckon he back tracked when he realised he didn't actually know what WOULD count as organic

Knob was playing with them like a cat plays with it's prey. He looks down on the Grundys like something he trod in and purely enjoyed making them beg a little.

Then when he said yes they leave the shop thinking "ah he's not so bad really". It's win win for him every time. Grrrr!!

Absolutely. It was cruelty in the guise of humour.

Has he paid Eddie for the wood yet?

I feel quite sorry for Josh that his mother is so uninterested in his future that she buggers off indefinitely when he's making decisions about university and dealing with his UCAS application.

Re..Rob and sense of humour. I thought it was quite well scripted. Abusers are nice/funny/generous/helpful just enough of the time to cover up their twattery otherwise no one would be fooled.

I do find it unconvincing though the way everyone keeps telling H how lucky she is to have him look after her though as if her were the first father to be, as if she had never had baby before and as if pg women are incapable and made of glass.
She's not even heavily pregnant yet.

I think sering as she isn't allowed to drive she should get a bike and cycle (was she not a bit exercise mad with Henry?) That would give Knob something to mither about.

I keep wondering whether the lack of Carol means eventually Helen will have to get her kit off and someone will finally notice that she's all skin and bone and she can't eat. I've always pictured her as very thin and nervy, slightly hunched, so the stopping eating should be having a massive impact....

Didn't we hear that the usually silent Jean Harvey is to take Carol's part?

I imagine Jean Harvey will be played by whoever this years sleb star is.

I think it's Sian Phillips.

My reaction wavers between

and

La la la, I can't hear you. They are not actors, they are real people.

Either way, I couldn't give a shiny about slebs visiting Ambridge.

I accidentally caught sight of the promo shot for calendar girls (them all naked round a piano) and silently cursed soc (was at work)

I hate the way the Xmas show is now part of the r4 schedule

Hellin's inability to buy a dress presumably means that not only does she have no cash, no chequebook and no car (and a husband/abuser who simply refuses to drive her anywhere), but also no credit card - has he actually removed those from her wallet? Or is she now so terrified of him that she doesn't even dare to buy something online that she could try on and send back if not suitable?

Of course that's leaving aside the question of what they're living on, now Knob doesn't have a job with any significant earning power. He can't be dipping his hand in the till TOO obviously, and Piggoi's 'dowry' can't last forever. Especially if he's thinking of splurging on private medical care ('only the best will do for MY SON') for Knobspawn's arrival.

I honestly can't see how they'll resolve this SL overinfested, moi?