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

[AugustaFinkNottle]

I agree about the suitcase helping her. It shows her intention was to escape, not to kill.

[Slowtrain2dawn]

In RL abusive men don't just "go away" They stalk, they harrass, they lie, cajole, threaten, promise to change and then use the family court to further abuse and traumatise the woman and children. Basically they'll go to any lengths to try to maintain power.
Script writers don't want to portray this, too long winded, so they go for the quick and dramatic ending, that's why so many soaps resort to a climatic murder as a pp said.
I thought TA might be different, sadly not. Knob might not be dead but they've gone for a short cut to end the storyline.

[SmallLegsOrSmallEggs]

Suitcase could have been packed after stabbing. Evidence of fleeing the crime (although forensics might prove it was packed before)

But K is witness to her intent to leave.

[DadDadDad]

The party's moved to Pseudo's new thread, by the way.

[WannaBe]

"Still wouldn't have expected him to collapse unconscious within seconds with those injuries though" haven't listened to the episode yet, but I would imagine that it's possible that rob may have passed out initially perhaps from shock/blood loss/drop in pressure etc and then slipped into further unconsciousness? Rather than having just fallen unconscious iyswim.

The thing is, I don't think that Helen was in the right having stabbed him. While one might be able to argue that she should be able to claim temporary insanity or some such,it couldn't, IMO, be argued that she felt her life was at risk. Not downplaying emotional abuse here at all, but in physical terms we're talking a slap vs a stabbing. There is no comparison really.

And this is where the archers has again failed IMO. This doesn't set a positive scene for women leaving abusive relationships, if I were on a jury where an individual had been abused emotionally and had then stabbed their partner in the middle of a row, I would probably have to find them guilty.

[KingscoteStaff]

Is it good or bad if the cottage (and all evidence) burns down due to incinerating pie?

[Vango]

Elendon I think what I was trying to say (re. bewildered Pat) is that she's the one who's had the biggest volte face where Rob's concerned and has been totally blindsided in a way that the other's haven't. Yes, her whole family is equally to blame for not spotting such a drastic change in her personality of late. Tom too, given that he had a recent opportunity when she burst into tears at dinner and he followed her outside. Although I'm not really blaming anyone. It could happen to any of us. Just saying, brace for a lot of Pat!

[BoffinMum]

"They stalk, they harrass, they lie, cajole, threaten, promise to change and then use the family court to further abuse and traumatise the woman and children".

I just had a bolt of insight. ExP's father was dead before we met but I know he was an alcoholic with major issues, and also did the family court thing to ExP and his mother, which traumatised ExP for life (it was awful and the kind of thing that would not be allowed these days, can't say more or else we will be outed). That must have influenced the way ExP behaved towards women. Controlling and frequently abusive. You would think he would be nice, seeing how his mother suffered, though. But perhaps people get stuck in a cycle.

Anyway, as you were.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

We're on the new thread Boffin

Re: cycles - it would be interesting to find out what Bruce is like. Also Miles.

[SmallLegsOrSmallEggs]

I know we are on new thread but wannabe I agree. Unless more details emerge (as did in Tony / Otto incident) I don't think she had enough reason to stab him repeatedly.

[trufflehunterthebadger]

Can Helen be charged with anything or does Rob make that decision when he recovers

"pressing charges" is a fallacy. you dont decide, as a victim of crime, whether the offender will be charged. The police & CPS make that decision although the ultimate decision is down to cps.

while a victim's feelings are considered we can and very often do proceed regardless of victim feelings. lots of dv victims are summoned to appear in court rather than just attending of their own free will.

[PinotEgregio]

Is it good or bad if the cottage (and all evidence) burns down due to incinerating pie?

My ideal scenario before hearing last night was that

a) Rob was dead
and
b) the cottage burned to the ground before any emergency services got there.

Then Helen could have said he died nobly trying to save Henry's rabbit, or something.

[DadDadDad]

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Statman here. I'm going to assume this thread is done, and not count this post or any after it towards the running total.

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But don't let that stop you filling the remaining slots with whatever you fancy...

[trevortrevorslatterfry]

Wow . I thought that was really excellently (is that a word) acted and put together. Very upsetting - I can't imagine how it would affect anyone who'd been through anything similar so to those people.

[Gruach]

trevor - and anyone else - WE ARE ON THE NEW THREAD!

Click Pseudo's link above.

[trevortrevorslatterfry]

Oop I shall come over to the new thread now !

[BoudiccaAD60]

Guess you have to be an avid listener... Though on an unexpectedly long journey last Sunday listening to the omnibus, I could get hooked.

Anyway, are fictional plots meant to be 'helpful?'

[DadDadDad]

You've posted where no-one is reading. Come and find the latest Archers thread. (Click on Radio Addicts at the top of the page and it should be fairly obvious).

New contributors always welcome!