Thefts, arson and abuse: The Archers - it's an everyday story of cuntery, folks.

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks to Lancelottie for the title

I thought that was done very well. Will it work though?

Oh, how I enjoyed that. Terrific conversation and beautifully scripted - loved it.

Oh that was good!

Done really well and very believable. I liked the way that Helen had convinced herself the thing she needed to know from Jess was about whether Rob had been faithful. I think it rings true that she would open with that, rather than "I think Rob is abusive towards me, was he abusive towards you?" And I'm so relieved that there's forward progress and Helen and Jess ended up having an open conversation.

That bit with Ruth was bloody weird though.

But I'm going away tomorrow, and I'll miss it!!!

But Free Jess tried to talk to H before.

I'm not surprised that she would go if H reached out.

I think it will work. I hope Helen loves Henry so much that she won't let Rob destroy him. Also she now knows it isn't her - it is him.

The fact Helen has identified that he has started on Henry will be the catalyst. Her feeble 'but he's my husband' was half hearted.

It will be hard for Helen to get out. But at least she knows Pat and Tony will always take her in.

Yes, hooting Froof was even more annoying than usual - expect that's why the SWs put those bits in

The end needed an extra bit "he will crush you... And what's more, he'll crush Henry too".

I think Jess loathes Rob so much that she would delight at sticking the knife in. They were naturally wary of each other to start with, but Jess must have known what Helen wanted or she wouldn't have bothered coming up from Birmingham. She pities Helen for being with him, rather than hating her for stealing him. I loved her comments on waking up with Ethan and looking forward to the day and Helen contrasting it with her own situation. Helen defended him initially, but finally shut up, listened, then opened up about the effect on Henry. Brilliant.

Really good episode - at last the Rob/Hell story May have a resolution.

I think it's credible Jess would meet Helen. It was very astute of Kirsty to push her into doing it, & Jess would want to help a fellow Knob victim

The big worry is that knob has convinced patbot that Helen is mentally ill - I can imagine her thinking 'my husband is abusive' is just a symptom and persuading her to stay with him...

It's all going to kick off now isn't it?

The end game is in sight.

"He's started on Henry"

H won't allow anymore from Rob. The end is nigh I hope

Kirsty will set Patbot straight.

Possibly via the medium of Tom.

Beans, Kirsty also knows what Rob is really like. I'm sure if Pat hears from Kirsty too, she will stop being so blinded by Rob.

I cannot wait for the moment Pat confronts Rob. She's going to be sooooo angry.

Possibly via the medium of Tom.

Sorry, x posted

Pat bot will come out of her trance one way or another. I like the idea of Kirsty being the one to do that rather than Helen

Jess is a terrible actress though. Do we assume Patbot didn't ask Helen anything personal on this outing.

Think the Ruth bit was to show a contrast with a happy(er) couple.

Kirsty can convince Tom of the truth. Tom will do anything for Helen once he knows what's going on. There is no way that Patbot would side with Rob over Tom over family matters, even if she does over the shop, and Tony is already sceptical after the shop fittings incident. Pat won't want to believe the truth, so she's bound to get traumatised, but her over-riding urge will be to look after Henry. Kirsty can spell out the facts once Helen gives her the go ahead. My biggest fear is that Helen won't make a final break, giving in to his pleas that he has changed after SOK arrives.

Who has the tenancy of BHC? Helen, Rob or both of them? I would love it if Helen could physically throw him out & change the locks, rather than having to run home.

Knob has done a good job of convincing pat and tony that Hellin is mentally ill but now that Hellin can see the wood for the trees, she will behave more rationally. It was only knob messiing with her head that made her act so disturbed. Now she knows it's him all along she can talk to pat properly. If pat is still sceptical she can just give her Jess phone number.

As predicted once he started on henwee out in the open that was hellins line, and he crossed it with the rabbit. And she can tell pat what he did with her egg. Making the child throw his own toy away was beyond evil

I wonder if Helen will call the police? I'm still on convinced that Knob will do a runner and find some other poor unsuspecting victim.

Wow what an episode! I half expected that I would be in tears before the end of it but it went completely different to how I thought it would.