Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in Joe Grundy's hat. Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Ho ho ho! Will this thread last until Christmas?

Any or all of Roooth, David, Josh (and even Ben, if he's not in the cupboard, or too busy eating cereal) can attempt to cook the Christmas dinner, for all I care. They all seem equally incompetent, and all equally happy to leave every bit of the cooking to Jill on a day-to-day basis.

I'm no fan of Cinder-Jill, I have to say, but I do get mightily irked by the way they take her skivvying services so much for granted.

Why do we, or so many of us, reckon it's Rooth's job to make xmas dinner.?

I'm assuming Ruth for two reasons Puppet.

Jill likes to do it, wants to do it and can do it. If Ruth decides there's no place for Jill at Brookfield on Christmas Day then she can take up the slack. David's never claimed to be much of a cook either.

Secondly, Ruth has recently bizarrely been competing with Jill on the cooking front and making her family choose (all that nonsense with the mince pies!). Surely she'd be glad to feed them all for once.

In my defence, my DH comes home from work every day and makes dinner, from scratch, for the two of us. I feed the children before that but he's a much better cook than me!

anyone else soooooo excited about the panto costumes? I fear a big reveal rivaling last years costume shrinkage...

I don't get a view of what Ruth thinks of Jill. I think it's just the way the script is written and acted. It's true she doesn't sound grateful but nor does she sound ungrateful. Till now anyway!

It would be great if the script had the BFers all working together and giving Jill a day off on Sunday. I know it won't be happening. It would be just as much drama but of a different kind. Not hauding ma breath, to quote Jazzer.

Re-potential incest SL at Bridge Farm I have seen no evidence that Johnny sees Helen 'that' way. And they are of different generations, H nearly 40, mid-30s anyway; J is late teens. But we do have the word of that naice chap Rob that Helen is stunning to look at.

Too lazy to look this up, but is Sunday morning the usual 'film' it being baby Jesus's birthday an all that?

There is nothing better in the world than a full house at Home Farm.

Agreed with Gumpendorf on the 'other' thread but well done Alison Hindall for doing such a wonderful job as interim Ed. So lovely to hear from long lost characters.

Ingrate!

Never mind Hayley ....

That episode was BOOPtastic.

Fabulous wasn't it? And having a really fab actor there seemed to make them all raise their game - Kate and Adam especially

I thought it was lovely and very reminiscent of real family life, with lots of little sub-groups. And great to hear Brian not listening. And Jenny telling everyone off.
I've really enjoyed the reality recently, even if we gripe.

I'm not a Debbie fan but that episode was a breath of fresh air

The temp ed has done a good job of trying to pull it back to character driven. The Jill pip sl being the only stinker atm. And potentially a Kirsty pregnancy and getting back with Tom

That episode should have probably been called the Aldridges. Except Phoebe's a Tucker, Adam is Macy. Not sure if Alice is Aldridge or Carter. Nor what Kate's surname is.

It was a great compare and contrast to Brookfield. JD is a fabulous cook and fusses round her children without being martyrish like Jill (or infantalising, like Pat). Kate strops off in a huff ... but Feebs and JD go to talk to her and find out what is troubling her. Brine, Adam. Debbie and Alice manage to disagree without it being the end of the world.
They all sounded so natural around each other whereas Dave, Shula and Lizzie always seem overly polite to each other.

Alice Carter, Kate Madikane.

It was a lovely episode. I'm quite fond of JD and Brine , I suspect because they are very familiar - they are very like the parents of lots of my friends

I think JD does infantilise a bit - look at all that stuff about bringing everyone's achievements out for Debbie to admire.

Just caught up on 3 episodes and the corresponding posts. Whew. Random observations: Neil has a nice singing voice, but has reminded me its many years since I heard carol singers, not even garbled 'we wish you a merry christmas' hmph.

Echo JD 'Its Debbie!'

Re badge for you lucky conference goers, may I respectfully suggest that the design is ready and waiting for enlargement:

And wasn't it nice to have a proper ensemble piece. None of that 'two actors (and sound effects) trying evoke a roomful of party-people, talking about X,Y,Z who aren't in the budget have just nipped off to top up the drinks'.

I've started a thread on the conference over here.

TheMD, I had that thought earlier too. Sorry, I've already forgotten how to get the bull sign, and I am going to bed now.

Is that it?

I thought JD was an arse last night. Running in the kitchen after Kate, its no wonder all the adults are so immature when they are constantly treated like 7 year olds.
As for Pip maybe someone should tell her even Prince Harry isn't allowed to rock up with his GF on Christmas Day

I agree redshoe. Kate is totally irresponsible re. her children, spends money (usually Brian's) like water, has never had a proper job s far as I remember and generally behaves like a teenager. JD is going to look a bit of an arse when Kate doesn't deliver on the costumes. I look forwards to Linda's scorn.

Jenny indeed a PITA, good to hear a 'normal' family gathering, healthy discussions over land I thought. ( know nowt about farming )

Poor Rauri didn't get a word in edgewise.

JD is going to look a bit of an arse when Kate doesn't deliver on the costumes.

It's full house at Home Farm. Everyone will pitch in and help.
When I say 'everyone', I probably mean the womenfolk.
Like all Lynda's pantomime's it will all come together at the last moment.

Didnt JD praise Rauri's art? Surely he'd like to learn some textiles skills.