One Flue Over The Shepherd's Hut - Discuss The Archers Here

[PseudoBadger]

I do hope Lynda has a carbon monoxide monitor in there...

I thought Rob sounded really nice and kind to Henry and you can't blame Ursula for being annoyed. The only thing I can't understand is ages ago when Ursula said Shula had a weird name and it is just a shortening of her own name. I bet blood and custard was horrible to clean up and Helen was bonkers to cook that tuna pasta.

Well, presumably he will stay close by so that he can have access to the baby when it's born? If Helen is found guilty then Rob would presumably be given custody of the baby once she's sentenced?

I thought we were meant to conclude Pat was suicidal Mini, given her history of depression.

Bridge Farm far from safe or stable environment for traumatised child or in fact anyone.

Judging by the latest comments I'm very glad I'm not listening atm!

I have finally caught up with TA AND this thread - it's taken many, many hours over the last week or so and the poor DCs are feeling ignored...such is my dedication. But I listened in real time tonight and now I'm all cross and deflated. Wettest. Parents. Ever.

I turned it off half-way. What are Pat and Tony on?

I would have expected them to have at least phoned someone to check and for advice, since Helen is not allowed to see Rob. And you would have expected someone from Child Protection to be at least going through some forms and ticking boxes to be sure of Henry's safety? He is doomed with them

Wettest. Parents. Ever

So true. Need drowning in their own drips.

Maybe it will turn out that Henry can't be used as a witness as a result of him having been allowed to see Wob…. In other words, they weren't allowed to take him, but didn't realise that and no one had spelled it out (probably because when it all happened no one envisaged a time when Wob would be well enough to be being visited).

Pat 'n Tone were pretty feeble, but what they REALLY mustn't allow is that witch Ursula to be alone with Henry…..

It's quite sad that no one is really fighting Helens corner

Other than Anna - a total stranger

And mental health services must be terrible as they seem to be treating her inconsistently

Die Patbot die! If this wouldn't awaken her feminist tiger mother nothing will!

I've just started listening again, but after tonight's edition I think I need to come to terms with reality. This is going to go on for a very long time and I just can't listen.

Rob's voice, Pat and Tony being completely useless. Gah......

Thanks for the new thread Pseudo

Surely a social worker would step in if their are allegations of spousal abuse and disallow contact for either parent until the facts are established?

There haven't been any official allegations, have there? Apart from Kirsty saying that Helen told her so, which really wouldn't carry any weight - particularly given that actually Helen told her very little.

What we need is Jess. Surely she hasn't disappeared into a black hole?

SOC has jumped so many sharks he could open a Sea World.

Pat was one of the characters I liked. Tonight she sounded just like Helen BC* when she was saying sorry to Rob. Her and Tony are useless.

*BC Before Custardy

I'm not surprised Helen doesn't want her parents visiting. She must have felt utterly betrayed when she found out they'd told the police about her MH history, and now they take her child to see her abuser, after everything Kirsty has told them?

Tom punching Jazzer wasn't exactly a smart move either. Helen has fuck all chance of a decent defence if this is the sort of judgement the Bridge Farm posse are displaying. It is absolutely ludicrous.

Gobsmacked and flabbergasted. There is no way any one would take Henwee to see Rob.

(Henwee really is a most irritating child)

What does jumping sharks mean?

I have a 5yo. Clearly the sw don't and never have done. In fact he's so badly written I can't help wondering if they were ever five year olds themselves.

I think Pat sounding like Helen apologizing to Rob was deliberate; to show how she and all the others have been groomed too.

Also, Rob was so contemptuous of Ursula!

Ok so I have listened to something broadcast on R4 just after 7 pm for two nights now. Twaddle

BYOS there is a wiki page on jumping the shark.

Hmm. If Henry did stab Rob can someone, Jezzer perhaps as an act of retribution against Tom, please show Henry where to find the knife drawer at Bridge Farm. Or even the gun cupboard.

I can't see that Henry would be prevented from seeing Rob, given Helen's silence about what has been happening. After all, if a husband had done this to his wife I don't think we would assume that the wife would be banned from seeing her children. I suspect this will be used as the reason why Helen finally opens her mouth and tells someone the whole gory truth.

Yes Pat and Tone are useless. But it's all too believable I'm afraid. Never underestimate the power of doing the right thing and being seen to be fair, amongst people like that. Plus they are disorientated and scared and desperately trying to do the right thing by everyone - however misguidedly - and don't forget we know far more about what went on than they do.

Some random ninja thoughts into the ether:

Not all abused women have the good fortune to have tiger mothers. Coming from a family that was privately highly dysfunctional, but publically just the opposite, this latest episode rings true for me.

I loathed Helen but now I do feel sorry for her.

Continue to be interested in the lets switch off now it's all too awful brigade - I cannot bear watching any violence or police/crime drama on tv. People begged me to watch happy valley for a number of reasons, but I simply couldn't, having given it a try. It was unbelievable and I didn't think remotely well acted although I know this is a minority view. Have enough of it in other spheres of my life.

Yet I find this archers storyline ( and I've been listening since about 1985) has been done on the whole, rather well, with the hellrob scenes very well done , and have found it gripping and realistic enough, within its own limitations.