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?

It crossed my mind when Justin made the initial suggestion to her. It was a very business like arrangement. He wants a mistress. I really don't like this storyline at all.

But, Lass, Lillian IS Justin's mistress. The social secretary post was 'created' to sound her out and subsequently provides cover for the time they spent together. Rather inadequate cover really, given that everyone seems to know about the affair. Lillian actually said to him, "Justin - are you asking me to be your mistress?" Have you missed some episodes Lass?

Thing is, very few people on the thread at present seem to be enjoying the current story lines, or the representation of class, age, gender, race and interfamily relationships in general. We are, on the whole, satirical about the acting and plots. So....why continue to listen? there are great swathes of radio out there that could fill the dinner prep/washing up time! I confess I'm feeling sick of myself for keeping on keeping on. It's a bit like reading those awful, repetitive AIBU threads, where you know you've heard it all before, you know you're going to hate yourself for the time expended and yet you keep doing it because it fills the void which you would otherwise have to use for something worthwhile!

I think that Lass was suggesting that Lillian is in Justin's employ more as his (paid) mistress than as his social secretary.

Thing is, very few people on the thread at present seem to be enjoying the current story line I'm enjoying it much more since SOC left - once all knots he left behind have been untied (the nonsense at Brookfield for instance) I'll be enjoying even more. Actually I listen as much to come on this thread as for TA itself - that's certainly what kept me going through the Great North Move and the throwing in the towel at Trowell of HP. Happy New Year to one and all.

I know I'm only catching up now with the minibuses to try and keep up with the thread!

It has improved since soc departed. The sl's that irritate me are either hangovers (Brookfield nonsense) or trying to repair some of the damage (Kirsty and Tom).

I think that Lass was suggesting that Lillian is in Justin's employ more as his (paid) mistress than as his social secretary

Yes and I think it is horrible that such a relationship seems to be being normalised.

Lillian actually said to him, "Justin - are you asking me to be your mistress?" Have you missed some episodes Lass?

I heard that episode and I thought it was revolting- both his asking and her response.

I'm also enjoying it more! Less of the melodrama since Alison Hindall took over. I'll be sad when her tenure comes to an end.

Also agree that the Justin/Lillian arrangement is horrible. But he's definitely the baddie (as he was when he first arrived).

I was pissed off at Jennifer as well for sympathising with Lilian over her NYE disappointment. You would think she would be more understanding of Miranda.

The Ambridge depiction of the roles of the sexes and representation of different races seem accurate to me as those applying in small English villages. There is one Indian family in our village and a few Filipinos who work as housekeepings and grooms. Women generally work but are expected to fulfil the traditional roles.

I suspect many people here would disapprove of my village. Sometimes it drives me mad, too. But Ambridge seems accurate to me:

Well my current disappointment is that Tom seems to be turning into the new knob of TA (not abusive - just a prize prat). I think if he carried on like he did last night he might be lucky to still be alive when Kirsty has the baby. And I'm really disappointed because like a pp I found the pregnancy revery scene very touching (disclaimer - have September and January dc so tend to associate Christmas with babies and BFPs!).

Also disappointed that we didn't get to hear any comeback from Tony's Brighton delay. Pip seemed entirely unimpressed on the night she had to play the goose, but assume he is back now and we've not been allowed to listen to her tearing him off a strip.

Anyway. Happy new year all!
Looking forward to ??Henry's birthday tonight.

carries on ffs

At least she is being a little suspicious. Although easily conned. But does the typical pip thing of stropping off in a PA way

And he didn't tell her about the money

Hope Henry wasn't given any toys for 3+ because he sounds way too young

Oh fgs Pipsqueak. He is lying through his teeth.

I wonder how long it will be before she realises her investment money paid for his trip to Brighton.

DadDadDad on 16th October:

"The answer to the OP (and thanks as usual, for Pseudo keeping up these threads with 70,000 posts approaching), is that this thread will easily make it until Christmas and may even make it to New Year's day - barring some earth-shattering event."

Proved right again!

I meant December, not October!

I do hope Pip's current irritation with ToeBee results in her suggesting it's about time he pays his way.

I'm wondering whether Pip will jack Toebee's sorry arse on the basis of his endless lies, or she'll carry on having invested (literally) so much she can't let herself back out.

For start, Jill is right, he is a bad 'un, though her reasoning is lacking. Ruth's reaction when all is revealed will be fun, too.

What an accomplished liar Toebee is. And how worried did he sound when Pip said she was off to Brighton..what is his secret?

I haven't heard the most recent episodes, but think Jill feels, at her age, she must do everything she can to protect her grand-daughter, so has got into an entrenched position of banging on about Toby (rather in the manner a dear friend of mine keeps telling me smoking is bad for me).

Pip has her doubts about Tobes, which is why this is so irritating to her, but she is also thinking she is a 25 year-old Adult, and therefore Knows Her Own Mind.

Pip and Ruth have got into a slightly over-compensating mode on Ruth's part, one in which nothing comes out quite right. Been there myself, both with me and DD, and DM and me!

I've decided that it's not a wife and/or child in Brighton but a wealthy older woman.

Toebee is a toyboy.

I can't imagine Rex not ever mentioning he has a niece or nephew if he had one.