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.

Surely Panettone aren't that stupid. They 'played nicely' before and look where that got them.
The judge (or whatever it was) said that Rob had to give them access one day a week and it's up to Rob to comply with the court order. They don't have to sweet talk him into it. The onus is on him to keep up the charade of Mr Innocent & Blameless Victim.

What access does Rob get to SOK? IIRC, that article didn't really say much about OH taking babies out of prison for the day.

SOSR: workplace bullying, maybe? If only Helen would open her mouth.[exasperated, let's-not-go-there emoticon]

A couple of pondering a from JennyDarling's fairy glade. Firstly, who registers the birth? Can Helen do it from prison, or as Rob is the father, can he do it? If so, her plans to call the baby John will be scuppered by discovering that Rob has popped to the registrar's the second the child took a breath and her baby is now called Robert Greg. And secondly, Helen could have SOK (Robert Jr.) for 9 months, unless he can get her declared unfit. But then how would he work and look after Henry and SOK? Please God we're not going to be stuck with more Ursula.

I am still hoping it will be a girl. Will Tom find some horror among the shop ordering, supplier, till receipts to sack Rob. Interesting they haven't realised yet that they are paying his salary. For gods sake wake up.....NOW

I know Rob will have to comply with the court's 1 day per week. I'm suggesting that Rob could now offer that they get to look after Henry for five days per week while he works in the shop. "Look, Pat, I know we've all spoken words that were a bit harsh under the strain of difficult events, but we need to set that aside for Henry's sake." Subtext: give me my job back or you'll only get that one day with Henry (and I'll probably send him to boarding school)

It was boomingmarvellous who first mentioned several threads ago that Helen would be silent for a year while Louiza was on ML.

Disappointed by Lynda siding with Rob. Doesn't she work with Kirsty at GG?

I wonder if the SWs remember Kirsty? The person who made Helen see what was happening to her etc. Kirsty seems to have taken a vow of silence now.

It's these huge gaping holes in the story telling that are frustrating me now. TA has gone from being distressing to inept.

BOOP for the "organic' lettering on Lynda's resurgam stone, was it you Sara the fairy ?

Another Delurker....

I have listened to The Archers for 23 years. I am currently abstinent.

I am genuinely angry about the way that this SL has been allowed to progress.
I am not adverse to drama, don't advocate a dusty untouchable relic, don't need TA to be 'relaxing' etc etc. Difficult, uncomfortable listening used to highlight a sensitive issue is fine with me. I was cheering the BBC for it's bravery in handling this story until a few weeks ago.

From 'the incident' onward it became clear that the script writers were not writing in sympathy with the real victims of CC. The moment Helen stabbed Rob she became an anomaly and therefore ceased to be telling an everyday tale of abused country folk. If you are not telling the everyday tales - either of grim, plodding acceptance or careful, dangerous escape - then the issues are no longer being 'highlighted in sympathy with the victims.. In fact the unrelenting message is that they will not be understood, not be heard, not be supported.

On this basis SOC has used rape on lunchtime/teatime radio purely for titillation.

Rob abused one woman. SOC is disrespecting all of us.

I agree with you Ragginis.

I felt the Archers jumped the shark with Tom and Kirsty's non-wedding, but the stabbing has finally made me turn off the radio at 7.

If SOC has done this to the Archers, what on earth is he going to do to East Enders?

Ragginis perfectly put! I suggest you email that precise wording to Feedback!

Rob abused one woman. SOC is disrespecting all of us.

"Kirsty seems to have taken a vow of silence now"

Surely as the chief prosecution witness she wouldn't be allowed to talk to anyone?

I wish she'd talk to Ian. What happened with him would show how Rob isolated Helen from her friends - and he was the one Helen used to confide in most.

Raggini yes you have it exactly. It has now turned into soap stupidity. It's become too big to deal with in 12 minutes, 6 x a week.

I don't watch Eastenders but I have given up with Horrornation Street. What normal working class street where shall business men has so many people who have served time: Snape, Fizz, Tyrone, Kevin, Steve McDonald, Tracey Barlow, Gail, Michael, David, Deirdre, etc, let alone the major accidents and butters that abound. Just can't be bothered. Have listened to the Archets since 1981 with gaps admittedly and the earlier part of this story got me back in. SOC has forgotten his listeners I think.

Surely as the chief prosecution witness she wouldn't be allowed to talk to anyone?

I don't know the legal position, Bertrand, but she has spoken to Pat and Tom. She doesn't have to describe what happened on the night which, as I understand it, is why she is a witness for prosecution. She can, presumably, counter suggestions from people that Rob wasn't the amazing hero everyone seems to think. And she, Fallon and Emma have seen Rob's behaviour towards Helen and should be able to piece together some sort of narrative. Kirsty was proactive enough to ring WA so why hasn't she mentioned Jess and /or discovered CC and its indicators?

Well said, Ragginis. I've been listening to TA for 30+ years and this is the 'soapiest' storyline yet. Wish SOC would hurry up and bugger off!

But don't you see SOC has given the Archers a storyline that will keep the misery drama going for years, court case, appeal, Henry, Robs true nature revealed drip by agonising drip. You are just so ungrateful. We must all bow down. ( tongue in cheek emoticon)

ppeatfruit how very dare you. The Ambridge fairies do not do drunken stone masonry.

Ragginis - welcome, great to have yet another delurker - I'll keep shaking the tree.

Maybe Louiza herself is a lurker and can confirm whether she is indeed on maternity leave...

Soc is not creative he is derivative. Worst thing is that he thinks he is being clever

Indeed - he thinks he is the heir to Hardy. In your fucking dreams, Darling.

If hardy were alive to day and writing radio soaps soc would be out of a job

Just came home after a few days away - listening to the Victoria Wood episodes made me laugh a lot and fondly remember the days of Phil, Sid, Jack. And then I got really sad that we have lost VW's massive talent.

Ragginis has summed up beautifully where this has gone so wrong.

I could have sworn she had a bump when she appeared on TV.

She's probably like me - two children in two years and baby bump stubbornly refused to vanish, so she chose to wear something loose that made it look like she was heavily pregnant with #3. I'm not far off that position and mine are 24 and 22 now!