SOC reveals he's a quitter whilst Keri sews up plot holes on Twitter about the wicked wife-sitter! Discuss the Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Not long until our thread's 3 year birthday!

So is Hellin happily eating normally now? Knob seemed to think so. How does that work, then - suddenly the anorexia is cured?! And will it never be mentioned again?

That's absolutely right about Kirsty having been away and coming back. Unfortunately I can't think of anybody else who could get the same perspective to be an ally.

There have been difficult and dramatic sl's in the past and I always found them engaging, even when they made difficult listening

I just don't find this sl engaging at all and would rather not listen to it. I don't listen if the spoiler says Helrob will be on and switch off if they come on unexpectedly. The introduction of ursula just totally killed it for me.

I think I may take a break and start listen in October again

I actually feel more sick when Ursula speaks, than when Rob does.
Why would anyone put up with the BS that Ursula is an expert on cbildbirth. My dd is expecting about 2 weeks after Hellin and when she asks me anything about it I tell her things have changed a lot - which they have, and my dd is much younger than Rob though I don't actually know how old Knob is

Exactly RSBS - how is she an expert? Is she a doula? A midwife? An obstetrician? It's just ridiculous!

I think the SW have to deal with it in a responsible way. Eastenders or not, this is The Archers.

They have taken a lot of professional advice so far and, if it is truly public service broadcasting, then they will not let it be handled badly.

Therefore I do think that the midwife will be a major factor. There was a very definite scene in one of Helen's first appointments where she seemed sceptical of Rob's behaviour.

Rob and Ursula will not know that their behaviour is a 'thing' that has recognised signs so won't moderate their behaviour in front of her and will try to manipulate her.

Or is this just wishful thinking

I wonder what the MW's legal position is if the two birthing partners insist on something that endangers mother or baby during a HB.

Good god. Ursula at the birth. Really.
All the "we want" etc etc.
When will someone step in????? I am getting so sick of this.
I don't think she thinks Ursula is on her side but it looks like there is no shifting her now.

I see Arseula is also doing the Knob 'chuckle' now.

The longer this goes on, the more I see that Jess was a failed experiment for Knob. She had enough gumption to refuse to move to Ambridge for ages, and although their relationship was clearly miserable, she still had some agency. With Hellin he's determined to get it 'right', meaning she has no say in anything at all - he controls absolutely everything.

I actually snorted at the radio when Rob said that his mother was "something of an expert on childbirth". Most ridiculous sentence ever uttered on TA. Pat's evident surprise gave me some hope for the future. Let's hope Rob comes out with even more daft statements and Pat gets even more

Yes I agree NorhternLurker There have always been 'difficult' story lines on TA. You are sooo right about Pat too.

I'm wondering how Hellin (even my iPad doesn't correct the spelling now!) could tell anyone? What would she say?

"Rob appears to be a loving father but actually he isn't?" Oh but henwee adores him and she has never heard him be nasty to him except when he is overtiring her.

"He has a terrible temper and rages at me"? Well not really. A few outbursts which she quickly deflects, and anyway she deserves it as she's doing some stupid things.

"I feel constantly on edge and walk on eggshells"? Why, because he is taking all worries and cares off her shoulders, so she can rest and produce a healthy boy. He only wants the best for her.

"He's isolating me from everyone and everything"? No, he is protecting her from so called friends who upset and disturb her and allowing her a peaceful, restful environment away from work worries.

I really don't think Hellin is aware of what's happening to her, and as northern says knob does a bloody good job of ingratiating himself to the people who matter and pissing off those who don't.

How many of us have heard stories about x..... but don't really believe them as x... has always been charming and nice to us?

I still think Rob doesn't have any sort of dastardly plan, but rather that it's just about being in charge, being 'the man'. He's puffed up and pathetic and is driven by the desire a) to control all aspects of his life, and b) for everyone to think how fantastic is. I think he doesn't care one way or another whether sausages are organic or not, or whether people like the scotch eggs, what matters to him is that HE wants to be the one making the decisions - and he cannot bear being told what to do, or having to follow orders.

Tom challenges him on things but never pushes it quite far enough (RING THE CHICKEN SUPPLIER TOM!). Tony wasn't having any of it when it came to the tables in the cafe - we need more of that. Have there been other instances of people really putting their foot down with Rob?

I don't think Helen is at rock bottom, or even close to it; she's numb and miserable and suffocating but most of all she's confused - Rob has made her doubt herself at every juncture and she doesn't trust her own judgment any more - but she's telling herself it's hormones and "this pregnancy".

We heard her saying how good it was to laugh with Tom, and with Kirsty, and she was really excited about the day out with Henry - so on some level she's aware and wrestling with it all. And Kirsty's gone and spelt it out in big capital letters for her. But before she can admit it to anyone else, she needs to admit it to herself - and she can't yet because of all the gaslighting.

I did think she did sound a bit feistier yesterday, trying to defend Henry, though she sort of tailed off by the end of it. I'd be really interested to know if Rob being unkind and unfair to Henry might make something snap in Helen; how far does he have to go to make her realise she needs to protect him?

Ursula is insidous, ingratiating herself with Helen but obviously still of the opinion that Henry was "misbehaving" and it all needs to be nipped in the bud. Horrible to listen to. Can't bear her, think it's an awful plot device (though was interested to read somewhere on this thread, I think, that this sort of mil situation maybe uncommon but does exist), and cannot believe that Pat and Tony would be so accepting of Ursula's birth expertise AND wanting to be at the birth.

P&T think the decision is Hellins though? And they think Ursilla the Hun is wonderful and taking care of Hellin so that makes them happier. They are terrified of upsetting Hellin after the threat to never see their GS again. I think it is believable if you look at it through the eyes of the manipulated and don't see the whole picture. No one else saw the threat to Henry and Ian isn't going to spill the beans to Adam or anyone else as it opens a can of worms for him.

We are the only all seeing eye

Ursilla the Hun

I did find the bed wetting quite sad, as Henry is only 5, it's not an issue at 5!
It would be so good if someone just suggested taking him to the GP - maybe this is where Dr Locke comes in, isn't he in the cottage next door? Makes a comment about the washing and it comes out.

I'm really annoyed that Tom said on air he was going to ring the usual chicken supplier and we've heard nothing since. Are we supposed to think he did and Rob's story stacked up? If he hasn't done it yet, why delay instead of striking while iron was hot? Why would they bother wasting time on a line of dialogue that was just a dead end? Oh, I know: Shit editing.

I thought Dr Locke lived next door to silent Cathy and Jamie.

I'm waiting* for Kirsty to chat to Ian and casually mention Helen and it all start to unravel.

*Or rather I'm waiting for a Rob and Ursula-Free episode that I can listen to and hear something good for a change

Surely when Knob claimed his mother was an expert on childbirth, the natural thing to do would be to say something like "Oh, was she a midwife or a doctor?" Especially when this so-called expert is advising Helen to do something that goes against all other medical advice and has no access to her medical records?

When can we actually hear a conversation between H and a MW?!

I noticed another reference to a new supplier from Rob as well who he met through the hunt - presumably non-organic and totally not what Bridge Farm will want.

Just popping on to say thank you to northernlucker for her excellent posts

OK - I've decided I'm going to be the new editor.

Pregnant MW Ursula would you mind waiting outside ?

Ursilla But I am Helens birthing partner

Pregnant MW ODFOD

Door slams

Pregnant MW How is work going ?

Hellin I'm can't work or drive I'm too tired

Pregnant MW Hang on let me just check something

Sounds of papers rustling

Pregnant MW Now I've checked, its definitely 2016, not 1956, so tell me how is everything at home ?

CRASH
the penny drops

dumtedum . . . . .

I decided to make the MW pregnant so Hellin can see how ridiculous she is being

I am also wondering how someone in full blown eating disorder mode is apparently eating. She's either eating and throwing it all back up later (though this is quite hard to do when someone is around all the time, like Ursula, but not impossible), or managing to hide food in a napkin and get rid of it or laxatives - if in fact they still exist. SOmewhat out of date, thankfully, on strategies to get rid of food. It is possible if you're being monitored to "eat" but I feel Helen is too cowed by Rob to outright refuse.

I am amazed that Pat is so apparently easily reassured after Helen's previous history, because you don't get over an ED just like that. I wonder if there's an element of phew, thank goodness someone else is bearing that particular burden and I am off the hook.