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Discuss your favourite podcast, radio show or The Archers episode.

The Archers - It's so much more than just a soap. It's a bloody drama!

971 replies

PseudoBadger · 06/04/2016 13:37

Will it still be Sunday tonight?

OP posts:
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AugustaFinkNottle · 06/04/2016 23:40

It is a fact though that Helen as the defendant has more choice over who represents her case than does Rob

Well, yes, Beaufort, that's what several people have told you, some of us more than once. I don't understand why you're suggesting that anyone's arguing with that?

EBearhug · 06/04/2016 23:44

She wasn't even expecting to be arrested on Sunday. She seemed relieved to see Harrison and puzzled when she was taken away. She didn't even realise at that moment that she'd done anything wrong.

I think that's partly why she agreed to saying "no comment" - it meant she didn't have to think about any of it, though of course the lawyer would have advised her so she didn't incrimate herself.

Interesting to hear Bruce at last.

AugustaFinkNottle · 06/04/2016 23:44

Helen's disregard for the danger she's in is a bit irritating, but in many ways in character. Her refusal of a lawyer was in the same mould, as was her insistence that there was no reason why Henry should leave the cottage or why she shouldn't be allowed to be with him. However, it sounded as if the lawyer managed to beat some sense into her by the time of her police interview.

recyclingbag · 06/04/2016 23:51

no mention of custard

If BBC genuinely do read these threads please can you repeat it?

recyclingbag · 06/04/2016 23:57

<a class="break-all" href="//VD<a class="break-all" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002GP7Q36/ref=cmswrcpawd_Cnzbxb2QWWJNY"?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-radio-addicts-2608367-The-Archers-Its-so-much-more-than-just-a-soap-Its-a-bloody-drama" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002GP7Q36/ref=cmswrcpawd_Cnzbxb2QWWJNY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I'll stop going on about it now Blush

SmallLegsOrSmallEggs · 07/04/2016 00:05

Speaking of I must stop going on twitter. I have wasted hours on this bollocks of a storyline.

If the one line at a time thread keeps going I might give up TA altogether. Smile

Gruach · 07/04/2016 00:13

It is a fact though that Helen as the defendant has more choice over who represents her case than does Rob.

The prosecution is not representing Rob. They are representing me, and you and everyone else in this fine democracy ...

AugustaFinkNottle · 07/04/2016 00:25

One plus about the stoma bag - it'll cramp Knob's style next time he fancies a little light rape.

BoreOfWhabylon · 07/04/2016 00:25

DVD on Amazon

Isn't SOC planning to produce some sort of podcast of the whole HellRob story? Or did I dream that?

lottiegarbanzo · 07/04/2016 00:49

Hello, just dropping in to say 'FFS!' about the stabbing, for reasons everyone's given.

DP warned me not to read anything before listening to Sunday's episode. I said 'why, has she stabbed him?' as I may have done previously too - because it's a silly revenge fantasy. Not because I actually thought it was likely.

Placing a knife in the hands of someone who wants to escape you, then mocking them and winding them up is such a ridiculous thing to do that I cannot believe the episode - in the same way I couldn't believe Nigel's demise because the 'shake to the core' nonsense told us it was externally engineered, not real properly part of the plot. Like then, it is only when other characters react to the news that I'll properly believe it.

Having said that and thinking Helen suffered a sudden loss of control - or possibly something that was or could be presented as self defence - another thought.

Knowing Helen as we do, I cannot help feeling very uneasy that she feels sure she has slain a monster, so that's just fine. It strikes me that in opening her eyes to a Rob and regaining control, she has on the one hand continued to be self-doubtingly suggestible - by swallowing wholeheartedly Jess's assessment of Rob as a monster. While, on the other, re-asserting her controlling tendencies by ruthlessly banishing Rob from her and her children's lives. I felt no doubt that her 'but he can't be alive' was in the same vein as 'but I can't be pregnant', because these occurrences were not what she'd intended. He said then started to show her that he would always be a malign presence in her children's lives. She said then showed him otherwise.

That makes her both mad and bad. Not to she wasn't also very sad, snapped and lost it which, in a somewhat parallel worlds way, I think was the case.

glowfrog · 07/04/2016 02:50

Interesting thoughts, Lottie, but I would argue that equally her reactions are more a case of denial than anything else. With the pregnancy, it was denial of what had happened. With the stabbing it was denial/disbelief because the minute she'd done it, she regretted it and the enormity of what she'd done must have hit her instantly - so while she kept saying "I did it to protect Henry" there must have been an internal conflict because part of her would still have been under Rob's influence and not able to cope with the idea that she had disobeyed him to such an extent.

She is being frustrating to us right now but I have to say her behaviour post-stabbing strikes me as fair enough. She's traumatised by what's happened. I think she'll start snapping out if it when made to realise she needs to think about her options when it comes to Henry.

I guess I fundamentally disagree with the idea that Rob ISN'T a monster. As this is radio drama Grin and not real life, I feel entitled to feel he had it coming. As I wrote before, if you try to drive someone mad, don't be surprised if they do something crazy. ESPECIALLY IF YOU OUT A KNIFE IN THEIR HAND.

glowfrog · 07/04/2016 02:51

Argh. Put, not out. Outrage balloon popped with ironic typo pin.

GypsyFl0ss · 07/04/2016 05:27

SmallLegs me and DD loved your SW back room insights Grin

MrsCampbellBlack · 07/04/2016 06:30

As someone else said I reckon the evidence is going to mount up against Helen over the next several months and then there will be a dramatic break-through/surprise witness in court.

Helen will be in the clear and go back to making cheese and being a 'worry' to Pat.

I also think Peggy will finally change her mind about Rob when she finds out he has gone through her £10k so quickly.

GigotdAgneau · 07/04/2016 07:07

Nothing to add to the discussion. Just wanted to state again how much I hate how this story line is being played out.
Wot EsmesBees said, with bells on. And am reiterating that I have stopped listening, after some 50 years of "The Archers" having been playing in the background, and sometimes foreground, of my life. I agree with what Vango (I think it was) said earlier - that those of us who object strongly to the sensationalist turn this plot has taken should turn off in droves to manifest our outrage.

Stickerrocks · 07/04/2016 07:08

Peggy will probably assume that Helen wasted the £10k indulging Henry with toy rabbits.

Toooldtobearsed · 07/04/2016 07:19

Vango spot on.

Actually I am starting to think that poor Rob is just a well meaning, hard working, wonderfully supportive husband. Helen is an unhinged harpy.

Poor Rob.

It will probably all be revealed that Helen has been putting Henry in hot baths, regularly attacking Rob, is anorexic and takes copious amounts of drugs supplied by Jezza. Tom, is deliberately trying to sabotage the shop in order to start his own sausage emporium and saintly Rob clocked that and has been working hard to keep the shop going. Jess is a jealous ex who sleeps around and does not know who the father of her son is and poor Ursuka and Bruce are warm, loving parents [sticky out tongue ]

Gherkinsmummy · 07/04/2016 07:22

I can just imagine Rob in the witness stand giving that annoying mirthless laugh.

If he did get prosecuted for coercive control, Brursula seem to have plenty of money. They were going to pay for Henry's schooling, which would be what, at least £20k a year at primary, with boarding?

Gherkinsmummy · 07/04/2016 07:30

£8k a term at our local prep school, not including extras, uniform etc.

BertrandRussell · 07/04/2016 07:52

So what evidence could possibly emerge that would negate the fact that she stabbed an unarmed man three times?

Travelledtheworld · 07/04/2016 07:52

Recyclingbag I sadly missed that series. Might buy the DVD. Thanks for that.

EnglishFern · 07/04/2016 07:54

Why would Robs parents, no relation to Henry, pay for Henry's schooling? Seems a bit nuts.

redshoeblueshoe · 07/04/2016 07:55

Unless the scar on his arm is from when he gave Jessie the knife . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Imbroglio · 07/04/2016 07:58

I can understand rob wanting henry gone but I agree it seems unlikely U&B would offer to pay for it.

Gherkinsmummy · 07/04/2016 08:01

It does indeed seem nuts. But they did.