As the Archers threads age like a fine wine, or a cheese, come and join us - it's nearly time for the Ambridge Flower and Produce show

[PseudoBadger]

Hopefully we can go back to an ordinary tale of country folk?

Spoilers are frowned upon.... There's a thread for that.

In his view he overplayed his hand as he obviously didn't expect her to want to leave and expected her to be ursula to his Bruce.

I don't want a personality change but I'd like him to have a more rounded personality. He's been made a bit too cartoon villain for my liking. We all know he's a bastard and he deserves a conviction (or more) but he is still a human being. it would be interesting to see that filled out more as his life is spiralling outside his control.

Ideally I would like him to be jailed and then disappear but I don't think the disappearing will happen!

I don't really watch EE, but I recognise that scything through an important element of the make up of the drama is a bit of a dick move.

I bet they'll try and build flats on Albert square but at the last minute there will be a dramatic flood and it won't go ahead and they'll have a party

I am liking the idea that all the loose ends and apparently dropped TA plotlines emerge in EE. Eds herd (OK, bullocks not cows iirc), any other takers?

I hope Bruce is in EE. Not that i'd see him as I have no TV and have rarely seen EE.

At the big Albert Square street party, someone can out up some bunting that fell off the back of a lorry.

I don't watch EE but say for the sake of argument the Beales are still in it - could they decide to relocate the fruit and veg stall to Newcastle? And then six months down the line one of them could find a toy fruit and veg stall in the loft and after playing with it hear the voice of a deceased Beale saying 'Stay in Walford!' and lo! they don't move after all?

Stefan is found wandering in Albert Square, mumbling about Rob, Charlie and obsessively unblocking drains.

A new family move to the square - moike, vickee and little Bethany. Moike takes on Arthur's overgrown plot

A few weeks later Hayley and Abbie turn up

They discover that Cathy has been working at the queen vic for the past two years

I agree Antiboop I don't want Knob to be a pantomime villain. Knob is understandably desperate to see his son, suddenly he is not in control of the situation - he is not in control of when or where he sees Jack and he obviously has no idea what to do with a new baby. In these situations - similarly where Knob was meeting Justin and thought he was going to withdraw the job offer - we see the pathetic man behind the monster. Rather like the curtain being pulled back in the Wizard of Oz. Tony was fantastic - calm and firm and very much in control of the situation. Interesting that Knob didn't use the name Gideon at any point.

Yes Lillian- Agree!

Just popping in to say I agree with Antiboop and Lillian. It was good to hear Rob learning on the job - as all new parents do, and feeling uncomfortable because he has no control. Typical of him I thought to read up about child development theory but not watch a video on YouTube on how to change a nappy (I assume they exist), or even ask his mother in advance.

Enjoyed Tony in that scene - much better than Pat would have been. In the parallel universe where these visits were supervised by a SW I wonder if Rob would be having Parentcraft lessons as well - as he clearly has no idea of the practicalities of a young baby and limited time to practise.

Also liked Jill not-really-winning the FF memorial trophy. I was at a ploughing match on Saturday and thought of the FnP and I was wandering around the Produce tent reading the judges' comments.

as I was wandering

I think Pip's in for a surprise - she thinks Rex will be delighted for her

I loved the ending, back to true TA territory. Toby: 'I moved the chutney!' ... Dum dee dum dee ...

Jills reaction to the incompetent fairbrother was great.

I enjoyed the jack meeting too - whether realistic or not rob having to learn from tony was good. I'm trying to think - does he ever try his domineering behaviour and control tactics with 'real men' (esp if in a 'superior' position) or is it just women, children and gay men he bullies? He defers to his father and to Justin.

"does he ever try his domineering behaviour and control tactics with 'real men' ? "

I've heard him trying it on with the entire cricket team, prosecuting counsel, judge to name but a few ...

He didn't get too far with most of those though.

He tried it on with Tony re. the trestle tables and took it out on Helen when Tony refused to give in.

Wasn't it the cottagy style chairs rather than slick modern ikea furniture?

I've never watched EE but am very much enjoying the fantasy mash up of the Archers moving to Albert Square

I like the way Rob might be set up to learning dadcraft from Tony rather than following the path set by Bruce. Tony is awesome when he takes a firm line with Rob. Though lack of social workers is shocking. Did anyone hear Jo Brand on R4 this morning, she's got a new series on C4 about social workers. I loved Getting On on BBC2 sonhave hihh hopes.

so have high hopes.

As you were.

He tried it on with Tony re. the trestle tables and took it out on Helen when Tony refused to give in.

Hm... I wonder if Rob was particularly vile to Ursula when he got back to BHC that afternoon.

My mother worked in child social work too - so I am looking forward to Damned. Getting on was like Royal family - it just gradually grew on you.

No doubt, the invisible social workers will produce a highly detailed and conclusive report on the supervised contact when the time comes, again. I cannot understand why the first contact at least was not under supervision of a family centre or at least someone with some experience. IRL, it could so easily have ended in fisticuffs.

I have been listening again. I managed half of the omnibus, and quite enjoyed it. It is a relief. I feel like someone recovering from a long term illness who needs invalid food

TBH Emma could probably deal with fisticuffs between Tony(nearly killed by Otto not so long ago) and Rob (nearly killed by Helen a few months ago). Rob may have been playing the gallery with the stick but he doesnt pose too much of a physical challenge at the moment.