Hard Times come to Ambridge; will Pip or the Ambridge Fairy save the day? Discuss The Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Enjoy!

"Well Lass, even those who are on Team Miranda must admit that she was at her most dislikeably condescending to Lillian in that scene"

Frankly I was cheering her on!

To be fair Miranda can behave how she likes to Lillian. She certainly doesn't owe her any decency or good manners.

Miranda has never believed she owes anyone decency or good manners! She has behaved like a condescending, entitled (excellent Mumsnet word there) snob throughout. You may think (and with good reason) that the script writers have been mighty lazy in creating a two-dimensional cardboard cutout in this particular character, but that is how she's been written. Project away on this particular cipher all you like, but I don't see any need to create a sympathetic and complex character when the script writers haven't bothered.

Oh, I agree she's been written a lazily two dimensional way. But she has been consistently humiliated and generally treated like shit. So she can talk to Lillian any way she likes!

Before the affair really started, Lilian redecorated the Dower House for Justin and Miranda, and Miranda was very rude about it. She did however like some vases Lilian had bought, described as Borsetshire Slipware. They were bought at a "all round the village jumble sale" thing organised by Fallon. Lilian bought a box of leftovers including the vases. The vases originally came from Albert Horobin who had got them at the fair in the 50/60s.
So it was a joke onMiranda who liked them but also both thinks they are valuable and insisted on taking them. If she was nice and more honest about it it wouldn't be funny. But it is so obvious she only insisted on having them because she thinks they are valuable.

But she has been consistently humiliated and generally treated like shit

That might have happened less if she hadn't proactively treated everyone else like shit. She has treated everyone in Ambridge like dirt from the first meeting, irrespective of who they are and including people who have tried to welcome her/offer her hospitality.

When she was snarking at Lilian's decor in the Dower House the first time I thought it was before any relationship with Justin had started (or at least before she knew anything about it)? It was just gratuitous nastiness.

She made it pretty clear to Lilian early on that she had as many affairs on the side as Justin and was quite happy to use unimportant people as disposable entertainment.

She and Justin deserve each other frankly.

Goodness. Today is the day Lilian has turned into Miranda!

And it's so odd hearing Justin giving Lilian the "job" of redecorating her own house.

Is anyone else a bit surprised at Justin riding out on an Arab? I imagine him as quite a big man.........

Kirsty is going to be Justin's PA.

Or, at least, he will offer and she will consider.

Lillian will go ballistic

I wondered if Johnny is going to end up with a crush on Kirsty and invite her to the Isle of Wight.

I was getting annoyed with David getting into a rage because Josh dares occasionally to put his business ahead of helping out at Brookfield. He has of course conveniently forgotten that the issue wouldn't arise but for his own and Pip's combined idiocy.

Yes Ceto I thought that.

Also agree David was being ridiculous and hypocritical.

I wondered the other day when Justin and Miranda were carving up the empire. Miranda commented about Lilian and how serious Justin was about her, unlike all the other bits on the side. I expected Justin to have a right-back-at-ya about Miranda's exploits but he didn't: is that because the ski instructors were figments of Justin's imagination (to justify, to Lilian, his roving eye) or because he was trying to be placatory.

I was hoping that Justin's new PA would be Anthea.

Justin's new PA is bound to irritate Lillian - whoever she is. I can't understand why Miranda was so quick to give up her horses - I thought they would be the one thing she wouldn't compromise on. I thought (back in the mists of time) she was a great horsewoman - I thought she'd really attached to them especially as she has no children.

She did however like some vases Lilian had bought, described as Borsetshire Slipware.

I thought when Miranda first came to the Dower House, when Lilian had decorated it for Justin (first time the yellow/bronze chair was mentioned,) that she was very scathing about Lilian's Borsetshire slipway collection. But I may be misremembering and can't be bothered to check Lowfield just now.

The Arab horses liveried in Ambridge we're bought by Justin with Lilian's help and Miranda was disdainful of them at the first. I got the impression she had her own horse/s in London or somewhere.

Were they bought from Latif?

I always imagine that Justin looks like Simon Williams can't think why so that's slim.
I think the penny is dropping with Lillian - Justin is now looking for his next mistress, and Miranda did warn her.
I think Miranda, like Ursula have become bitter due to being married to total bastards for 40-50 years.

Yes- but Simon Williams is tall- he'd look ridiculous on an Arab. Particularly if he's got a bit chunky with age.......

I too was glad that Josh finally made his feelings about David and Pip clear. Especially the recent bedroom swapping. David seemed completely oblivious as always. Made me feel quite sad for Josh really.

Oh god, yes, Arabs are tough as old boots (we have one!) and perfectly capable of carrying Justin for miles. But he would just look silly. And i just can't imagine him wanting to ride something little and spindly.

I might share a picture of ours one day...........

I am assuming that Aziz and Amir are pure breds.

David was really awful to Josh. I hope Josh moves out and makes a success of his business.