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.

Rob thinks that all reasonable people will agree that he's been dealt a hard deal because he doesn't think he abused Helen. He also thinks that most men would love to be him - masterful with women, father of a son, a man among men.

I don't know. Rob may believe he has nothing to be ashamed of. Obviously he's not going to get far with Helens relatives, but may want to normalise interactions with others. But also in his little chat with Jazzer there was a note of stirring discontent.

So Alice was simply Kate v2.0 last night. And where was Kate?

Yes I agree he was stirring with Jazzer.

I might be imagining this but did Kate sleep with Toby?

I think this business of tony taking his infant grandson to spend three hours with him in the company of his daughter's rapist is bizarre.

I was hoping that maybe Alice's colleagues were looking to get a farmer on their books as a product tester in some sort of paid feedback role but no, she is just a stuck-up, rich bitch. I can't believe that these farming engineers have never met an actual farmer.

There was the party where Toby threw sheep raddle in the pool. Kate and Toby did have a night there. Kate has tried to forget about it since, partly because Toby was clearly not interested in falling in love with her, though she would be unlikely to admit that's what she really wants from a man. Of course, if any man were to be that daft, she'did treat him appallingly, so actually, she and Toby would be well-suited in that respect.

Was that Alice's birthday 2 years ago EBear? Your boyfriend being your cousin's one night stand is a bit grim. I'm trying to work out exactly what level of cousin Kate & Pip are but I don't think it will add to the sum of human happiness.

Rob may believe he has nothing to be ashamed of. Obviously he's not going to get far with Helen's relatives, but may want to normalise interactions with others.

Helen was the one on trial. To the outside, impartial observer it may seem that Helen was saying whatever it took to get herself off a charge of attempted murder. Another indicator that she concocted this version of events is the fact that it took her four months to eventually come out with it.
If word gets out that the Police have contacted Helen about a potential rape trial and she doesn't take them up on it then sympathy will swing in Rob's favour.

Kate and Pip are second cousins.

Last night they rolled out the lazy stereotypes again. If alice was so keen to introduce her colleagues to an 'end user' then what about Adam?

They've clearly decided to rewrite Alice as her current portrayal doesn't fit her history. Note to ed - not mentioning or featuring a character for 6 months doesn't mean you can totally rewrite them - first Caroline, now Alice- I fear for Cathy!

A re-write of Kathy's character can only be for the better, surely.

Absolutely, Boop! Alice's behaviour was completely out of character. She has always been the normal, voice of reason where DJ's children are concerned. The SWs will have Bert dogging on Lakey Hill next!

alley don't give them ideas!!

Now there's an image I didn't need to have!!!

Another relevant blog post massively superior to mine here: www.legalvoice.org.uk/archers-domestic-violence-plot-reveals-real-harm-laspo-cuts/
Sorry to interrupt thread discussion

Now. Now I find that John Finnemore has been on R3 all week.

I'm not entirely sure my return to RL is compatible with dedicated radio listening ...

Great blog post Cecile. If only a certain former editor had had access to it (and all the others) before he set off down his chosen path.

Particularly liked what you said about the new CC law having no deterrent effect on people's behaviour. I'm still trying to understand how it will work - when even the public service adverts apparently addressing it relied on black eyes and beating.

John Finnemore on R3, you say? On listen again? I have much much housework, which is entirely fuelled by radio. Two Doors down lasted me through a declutter and proper deep clean of the sitting room, but the kitchen has taken all of Gloomsbury and The Wyndham Case.

I like Adam and find Ian a whinging bore. Adam is real to me- flawed but not OTT.

I want Charlie to arrive on a shining new Ferrari tractor and sweep Adam off his feet. They will have children and feature in Hello.

Ian can leave to cook on a cruise ship where his dubious culinary talent will be well suited. He can find true love with a millionaire guest and end his days cooking in the Swiss chalet of his new partner where stodgy and uninspiring traditional food will be appreciated. He can then inherit and set up his own restaurant.

"Your boyfriend being your cousin's one night stand is a bit grim."

God, in some small villages you'd be hard put to find anyone who hadn't slept with at least ONE of your relatives. And by Archers standard it being your second cousin and not your sister or brother is pretty good going, isn't it?

Ridiculous re: Ed being the only person to produce who actually uses tractors. Er, her dad had to be prised off his IIRC, her own brother who was there (as someone said below). Practically every one of her relatives. Leaving aside the fact that it's a bit hard to believe loads of people go into a career making agricultural machinery without having a farming background or at least a passing acquaintance with the countryside...

What was Alice like before? I have listened on and off for years but have only become obsessed in the last 2 to 3 years. I am embarassed to admit that I can't remember anything about alice s character. I vaguely remember the bit about her and Chris but the rest is blank. Had registered that lots of people on here had been complaining that she had gone silent but can't really understand why anyone missed her.

That episode was v dull & disappointing. No idea why Alice is featuring so heavily. Not at all interested in the 'sound the same' boys.

"Two Doors Down" is the one set in NI with Sally the cleaner and the woman obsessed with Maud Gonne's menstrual cycle?

I enjoyed that. Is more fun than my description makes it sound

I'm off to LA to Falco before they take it off R4Extra.

Fiderer I enjoyed "Two doors down" as well. Shame there were so few episodes. I was hoping that Sally would cop off with nice theatre bloke she gave lifts to on her moped.