No more walking on eggshells for Helen! Heading for an eggsplosive Easter weekend in The Archers - will Helen Archer be resurrected by the end of this thread?

[PseudoBadger]

Helen knows she's not cracking up - Knob is an eggomaniac.

Are we eggshausted with this storyline?

My hope is that they will show how a woman can be helped, and bring it to a positive outcome for Helen and the baby.
I would rather there be a 'this is what can be done' and how to get help, outcome rather than an East Enders drama. This has been the general wish on this thread I thought, for long term Archers listeners.
Personally I am missing listening, as I find it too angst making.

....Imagine him saying "There's a good girl" when he's out walking the dog and the lab runs back to him. Chilling. Does the dog get shivers down her spine?

I think it was naughty of the midwife to discuss Helen's conversation with Rob.

And sadly none of the professionals involved seem to be picking up on Helen's situation.

And god, Pat. I am a parent who sees my children's faults but I would really hope in years to come that I would never be as disloyal as she has been. Although I guess it perhaps shows how difficult Helen has been over the years.

Personally I don't want to listen to years of this storyline - we've already had over 2 years of it.

I wonder if anyone on here as read 'the gift of fear' a book much referenced on mn. Has some interesting views on women in this type of situation.

I knew Pat when she was campaigning. As an ex CND member myself. Why be so clannish? This is a public forum, I have listened to TAs for decades.

Quite Pseudo - Pat was 'the feminist' in the archers - she was strong and managed to have 3 small children whilst running a business. How she became the woman she is now - well it just doesn't ring true. I wonder what the actress who plays the part thinks when she delivers the lines. Especially as we know that continuity isn't greatly valued anymore by the scriptwriting team.

This is the fiftieth 'Archers' thread and, until now, the threads have been remarkable for their lack of goadiness and argument.

Posters are united by their love/hate relationship with the programme and its characters.

It would be a shame if that came to an end.

And what Gruach said:

Either way, I am entirely free to express my dissatisfaction with a fictional character in a fictional radio show.

But Mini, you can still take advantage of our Klaxon, as long as you listen in the afternoon, not on Sundays. The Belgian chocolate Easter egg storyline is gripping.

I'm pregnant at the moment and have been surprised at how dismissively my MW/GPs bring up the issue of abuse (my understanding is that it is now compulsory to speak with pregnant women about abuse). It's like they have assumed (without knowing anything about my situation) that I am definitely not exposed to any domestic abuse so they ask me about it very apologetically and almost "sorry we have to ask this now but it's a box ticking thing" style. As a psychologist who works with abused women and children, I'm always really tempted to give them some impromptu training!

Indeed Bore. As Oprah would say 'we're allowed our feelings'

EDIT: by "them", I mean my MW and GP

I want Rob to be murdered! A terrible accident with a scotch egg would be my preference.

I did predict knob would either hit Hellin to bring her back in line or turn on the charm . Wish he'd just hit her and it would all have been over and he'd be banged up!

I also said that once Hellin realised she was being gaslighted she would return to rationality, which she has, but with the smarm offensive she will quickly be put off balance again . Which is the plan.

My ex said to me if you ever leave me I will turn on the charm and you will come running back. Sadly it does bloody work

The HB thing was ursillas idea so I think it goes to show that knob does look to her as the font of all wisdom. The BS idea too was her. I don't think she was like knob really, and I more think she was the product of an era where the traditional shit marriage meant you learned to manipulate to stop being bullies into insanity. My ex MIL was good at knowing what side her bread was buttered.

So Elendon you don't agree that we are merely peeved that a character is behaving so so so out of character? Even if it is in some way supposed to illustrate complete hoodwinking by Rob and/or respect for Helen's choices, why are we not hearing Pat (or anyone) talking behind Rob's back?

Plimsolls I don't think anyone really thought that you wanted to give abused women and children some training!

I would love to hear an "alternative edit" that depicts the experience that different characters have had with Rob. So, all the interactions Rob has had with people he wants to charm in one story, all the interactions with people he wants to dominate in another, then with people he is dismissive of... Etc etc. Would be really interesting to see all the different "sides" to
him and possibly show why opinions in the village vary so much.

sticker thanks! Just making sure lest I sound rude!

Sarf But it has to be by one of the Button twins or another silent character, so Helen can return to form again and we can start moaning about her obsession with Borchester Blue.

Our local farm shop is now selling a Scotch egg made of a pickled egg with the sausagement coated in crushed crisps. It's called the Old Skool Egg. Now that could be responsible for a lot of damage.

Why should Pat, who has lost a son, and nearly her daughter due to pre eclampsia, be always on the alert, especially when her own daughter is seemingly independent and as feisty as she was? I don't see it as being out of character at all.

My worries about the script, apart from a brief episode with Tom, is why more men can't see the change in Helen.

Why does it always have to be the burden upon women to look out for them?

Ask the SWs?!

It is really frustrating and disappointing that Adam and Ian don't feature with Helen. I understood Ian's reaction as being driven by humiliation and "shooting the messenger" style anger, but i think it's unrealistic that he's cut off the friendship and no more has been said. You'd think Adam would question her sudden disappearance (from their lives/friendship).

Seriously, tweet Keri. He loves a good script addendum.

Plimsolls I completely agree. This happened to both me and my friend, pregnant at the same time. She's a social worker and I was a teacher. The midwife asked the question in an attitude of complete 'of course this doesn't apply to people like you' and had already ticked no before I'd even had the chance to reply. I'm not sure what I would have said at the time if I'd been given the chance to reflect on it, but the message was very clearly: middle class + no visible bruising = no abuse.

And it's not being merely peeved. Why are there posts suggesting that Pat needs a cricket bat to the head?

I can't remember way back to CND but I do remember her fighting to keep the farm going and viable as organic and she was very strong and feisty then, but she does sound as though she has been sent to the Stepford factory for Robotics to sound so fawning to knob.

Mind you hellin is super annoying at times with her smug, supercilious, know it all, I am right attitude don't like her muchness so if strong handsome knob is taking her off her hands maybe she would fawn over him?

Because the men are all off on their other voice over jobs/ theatre productions etc! Justin, Brian, Eddie, Joe & Ed are the only men making an appearance at the moment. Blame the cut in BBC budgets for the sparse male representation. Ian and Adam haven't been seen since their Valentine's Day lunch disappointment and Tom, Tony & Jazzer seem to have moved to another part of Borsetshire with their pig pens.