50 ways to leave your lover. Get on the bus Gus, give a knife to your wife, Rob. How not to write helpful storylines masterclass from The Archers.

[PseudoBadger]

Poor poor Henry

I'm guessing grace dent was at socs little soiree

he may not be dead, so he may yet face a trial himself once the police start investigating

But Rob has done nothing likely to lead to prosecution. No adult witnesses to him slapping Helen last night or telling her to kill herself. If the first slap came up in court, Helen would be forced to admit that she hit him first.

Am sure it has been mentioned but did you hear Nigel Pascoe QC on the r4 news at lunchtime. He said it would be quite possible for Helen not to even be prosecuted as no public service/interest in doing so.

Am counting down the minutes until 7pm. The reactions of everyone else will be interesting. I wonder if stshula will feel guilty for covering up Rob's violence to the huntsab? Not saying she is any way responsible of course but she did lie to the police.

What are they going to uncover during their investigation (should he turn out to be alive - which he will be)? That he's a pillar of the community and a martyr to an unstable strong-willed wife with a history of mental health problems and a stubborn personality to boot?

I've said it before but I'm saying it again - our only hope (to get the ball rolling and to uncover further wrongdoings) is a dead/alive Stefan! Then all the characters who've mysteriously forgotten their misgivings can start to vocalise them. Finally.

Suggested title for next thread.

Custardgate - The Archers curdles.

Oooh I like BoffinMum's suggestion.

That NHS response sounds like one of the speakers at the ArcherAcademics.

The title of this thread is better than the entire Rob/Helen storyline.

So who should poor, poor Henry go to; his mum, his dad, his grandparents or should he be fostered out?

The "NHS" article was a direct tweet from The Archers and introduced thus:

Felpersham social services accused of negligence: bbc.in/1TvJc0V #thearchers @jtweeterson

So I guess it was written by a BBC person - but yes - it does have an Academic Archers flavour to it.

am just listening again - until the stabbing I think the twists and turns are quite well written, how she tests out her suspicions (with the tuna) - how she nearly relents, but then he blows it by reminding her about the night 'I gave you our son' (=raped you) which seems to give her the final impetus
then, in her final call to Kirsty she says
'I had to make him stop'
'he made me choose'
which would count in her defense in court surely- as he was actually going for Henry at that point

Uncle Tom obviously!!

Obviously because then they can have a struggling lone carer sl

So is there anyone who won't be listening at 7pm tonight?

Me. Don't want to give them the satisfaction!!

List of people who like Rob:

Peggy - the Son she never had
Caroline & Oliver - happy to leave him with the hunt
Johnny - looks up to him as a mentor
Christine - saved her in the flood
Brian - feels he was a loss to Berrow
Justin - blames Charlie for Rob's departure
Susan - never a bad word to say about him
Pat - relieved and delighted that Helen's 'happy' for which she credits Rob entirely
Lynda - for participating in her panto and generally toadying to her
Jenny - confided in him about Adam/Ian (what was she thinking?)

People who don't like Rob:

Adam - only because he likes Charlie, who doesn't like Rob
Ian - because 'Rob' stole Helen from him
Kirsty - because 'Rob' stole Helen from her
Charlie - because he know's he's a bad 'un but wasn't able to prove it
Fallon - but she's a flighty girl
Emma - but she's a flighty girl
Tom - but he did accept Rob's help to flee Kirsty and has allowed him to take over Helen's role in the shop
Tony - but he counselled Pat against going to check on Helen after the scalding incident
The Grundys - because Rob makes it clear that he's better than them

The SWs have a mountain to climb to undo all the damage he's done.

I am going out to dinner, but will just listen on my mobile in the street beforehand. Nothing will stop me.

If they have some Grundy hilarity to keep us all waiting then I shall be very miffed.

Shula told Oliver about the sab incident though

I won't be listening.

(Re Grace Dent, she's been on the 'idiot' list for ages so entirely unsurprising she doesn't 'get it').

51years - so sorry for your aunt what a terrible thing to happen to your family. You must feel immense anger and frustration.

Has anyone linked to Nancy? I've just seen it (haven't even read it yet, I'm so selfless)

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/04/nancy-banks-smith-on-murder-in-the-archers-ambridge-helen-rob?CMP=fb_gu

But nothing every came of that BYOS. Likewise Jenny knows all about the culvert blocking but that hasn't stopped her from inviting him to her parties.

True - but Jenny/Oliver/David should have that lightbulb moment

Not in the public interest to prosecute?! There is a minuscule amount of evidence for the defense. Without any new evidence, she'd be convicted of something surely- murder, manslaughter, manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility?

... If he is dead dead that is...

the "i loathe tuna" clip www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03n25s3

vango I thought Rob plied Jenny with booze to get her to spill re:Adam/Ian and then she regretted it later. Jenny used to dislike Rob because she was a big fan of Jess' and so disapproved of him dumping her/taking up with Helen.

Overall, I do think some characters who seemingly like Rob may not whole heartedly like him. I mean, they may have praised some aspect of his character/job but wouldn't necessarily want him round for dinner. I also think (hope?) that, as in real life, they have formed a generally positive impressions of Rob but never thought about him much really. If/when they hear the accusations of control and abuse, they will put more thought into their perception of him and downgrade their opinion.

Btw, I wonder if the details around the stabbing have been left deliberately unclear so as to add more intrigue/debate for listeners in the coming weeks.