Come in to The Archers thread - we've redecorated! Take a seat in that distinctive yellow chair and discuss events in Ambridge.

[PseudoBadger]

New thread for tonight's episode.

Do you like the decor then? My 'personal' assistant did it.

According to my mother, I responded to TA theme tune in the womb. I never stood a chance

I think Siobhan had skin cancer. It started on her back whilst she was living abroad ? Germany. I thought the whole affair and its fallout was very well written and acted.

I think you're right Gypsy.

There was a very melodramatic thing about her being alone and therefore not able to see the cancer growing on her back I seem to recall.

Just read the guardian article. What a twonk he is. And as for guardian waffling on about Knob adopting Henwee. Arghh, got your bleeding facts straight!

Actually, thinking back to those happy times, I'm surprised Elizabeth hasn't, over the years, shown more interest in Ruairi - given how friendly she was with his mother. Perhaps she'll only remember that when Ruairi is old enough to play a full part in TA.

They were very friendly, yes, but it caused a great falling out between Elizabeth and Debbie. Not that that would be an issue now that Tamsin Grieg's so busy with all her other work Debbie's so immersed in her Hungarian enterprises.

This isn't a spoiler as I haven't a clue what it's about, but Keri Davies has tweeted This Friday evening, I am unexpectedly writing a scene which has to be written but which will probably never be heard on air. Brexit-related? I suppose they have to be prepared for both possible outcomes.

It is simply untrue that Rob legally adopeted Henry. He didn't. He gained Parental Responsibility which is not the same. Careless journalism and crap sub-editing. Oh well, it is the Grauniad. I didn't trip over too many typos

Gypsy not so melodramatic really about Siobhan not seeing a malignant mole on her back due to being single. I am fair and Celtic like her and remember being warned by a doctor when in my mid thirties that I absolutely HAD to make sure someone checked my back for changes in the sin on a regular basis- did I have anyone who could help me? At the time I was terminally single and live hundreds of miles from my widowed Mum. It really upset me that I had to ask a good female friend to do it for me. I had two removed as a precaution during that period and another since I met DH and he took over duties.

Grr at SOC.
Debate about bedrooms was BHC not BField.
And as for well of we killed Helen the story would be over. How about not killing or almost killing either of them for a novel soap sl?

That iswhy CC is a crime because sometimes no violence is involved or required.

I think I'm going to win today's award for being slow of brain.

My DD was off to see a play this afternoon with an adult friend, but friend was ill so I was parachuted in at the last minute - got to theatre with five minutes to spare.

Half an hour in, I realise that the lead actor's voice is very familiar - oh, yes, it's David Troughton, and now I come to think about it didn't someone mention this play on this very thread?

Yes, the play was Goodnight, Mr Tom, and er, I seem to have got something in my eye...

He's wasted playing Tony (and Mr Tom is a far more insightful character)

It would probably have taken me more than half an hour, TBH!

I have just read this in the Guardian interview with SOC:

he reveals that he’s already cueing up a “titanic struggle” when Brian’s illegitimate 13-year-old son, Ruairi, comes of age. “Brian always wanted a son, he doesn’t want his wife’s lovechild, who happens to be gay

OMG, I am psychically linked to SOC

I think making Brian's problem with Adam the fact he's gay would be totally out of character. Brian has been very accepting of it and he has always encouraged Adam. Sure there may be a struggle but that would be predictable and rather dull.

Better to have a story of a farm being split up.

And how old is Brian? Is he really going to be around long enough to see ruari as a working man who has proved himself?

He's a little over seventy and, given his healthy lifestyle he really ought to live till at least Joe's age. Ruairi could hope to have his dad around until he is in his early to mid thirties one would hope.

Obviously I'm not an actuary ...

I'd rather they left the farm inheritance issue to pip and josh tbh (and obv Helen and Johnny - I don't think Tom would object)

Parachuting in ruari of the unusually strong Irish accent would be extremely irritating

Nice try, gruach.

We actuaries don't really forecast the life expectancy of individuals. Anyway, Archer characters are subject to the forces of dramatic expediency rather than regular statically patterns of mortality.

I'd give Brian twenty years (although maybe we'd be better investigating the health of the actor who plays him)

*statistical

I think making Brian's problem with Adam the fact he's gay would be totally out of character. Brian has been very accepting of it and he has always encouraged Adam

I think the issue will be less Adam being gay itself, and more that this makes him less likely to have kids. If Ian & Adam planned to adopt/have a surrogate, they would probably have done so by now not counting Henwee of course. So Adam has the double handicap (in Brian's eyes) of not possessing Brian DNA and not having an heir.

Brian wouldn't see Adams child as an heir though - Kate, Alice and ruari can provide those.

Brian has enough children and step children to not really worry about heirs - more about all of them getting something and it not all descending into a fight

I think it would be more realistic if he left money to Alice and Kate and then leaves a third share in the farm to ruari, Debbie and Adam.

Debbie won't come back unless Tamsin sees a big drop in demand.

Brian has already had conversations with Adam about being the future if he farm. He would probably be on strong ground to challenge the will. Oooh another boring caught case for soc to wank over

The problem with SOC is he doesn't seem to realise he is leaving so he can't say what direction things are going long term.
Yes some plot lines are nicely setup but he's not going to be there. And as for fans being sad he's going... Well the only reason we're it having a countdown is because we don't know.

Yes, that was my thought, mummy time - how can SOC say he's cueing up anything when he's off in a few weeks? He can plan all he likes but if his successor doesn't like his plans that will be the end of them.

If I were interviewing, my first question would be "If you were editor, what would you do about Toby and Rex?" Anyone who didn't come up with an answer which roughly equated to "Get rid of them as quickly as possible" would go no further with the interview.

Adam.is a partner in the farm now isn't he?

The Home Farm inheritance was dealt with (perhaps not irreversibly) a while after Ruiridh arrived. Brian wanted to keep options open so R could inherit (jointly?) if he became interested in farming. Jenny was very steely indeed, cashing in her 'I've just taken in your illegitimate child and not thrown you out, the balance of power in this relationship has changed forever' power at its peak, in favour of her children.

She made it quite clear that it was not acceptable for Debbie and Adam to be treated as employees, or to have to wait 25 years for a child to grow up, before decisions could be taken on splitting the farm. D and A were certainly made partners in the business, of some sort, at that point. Though, I'm not sure how Brian left the will.

But Adam's position changed recently didn't it? When he agreed to a profit share