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

[PseudoBadger]

Enjoy!

Thanks for the shiny new thread Pseudo. Harrison's team selection is going to get slated by Will certain elements 'cos of the 8 wicket thrashing.

Thank you for the new thread @Pseudo.

Thanks for the new thread, Pseudo.

Someone mentioned Helen and Rob at the end of the last thread. So here's a question:

For all its horror, does anyone miss the Titchener storyline? Or is it a fading nightmare that you can barely believe dominated TA?

Fading nightmare. 100%. Although it did give me the subject matter for me to go to Academic Archers, which is the exact opposite of a fading nightmare!

I'm glad the Titchener storyline is at an end. Although I do wish, at some point, there could be a non-angsty return to its enduring impact - e.g. how Helen is working through the relationship and its impact on Henry. But I suspect a non-cringe-inducing way of doing that is beyond the current crop of writers.

As for Alice's switch of career focus: a relative of mine qualified in engineering, and took a technical job, which she truly hated. Made the switch to marketing and loved it. While Alice's career is not exactly a well-developed storyline, it is possible for a perfectly well-functioning and qualified young woman to decide that the world of engineering is not for her. I don't see it as misogyny to write this development for Alice, it's just not a particularly well-fleshed out character or storyline.

Thanks Pseudo!

Three most annoying voices in Ambridge (Alice, Pip and Henwee) in one hideous swooping wail. Damn right ... When is Henry ever going to sound his age? Tbf I don't mind Alice otherwise, but combined with Pip ...

I was a bit worried at the mention of Rob last night. They definitely seem to want to keep him in play ...

The Titchener story was not handled well. At the time, there was too much time spent on it and it unbalanced the rest of TA - Custardgate in particular. Then, after all that domination, it was tied up too quickly and too neatly.
I would have preferred for Rob to have hung around Borsetshire, being an occasional thorn in the side of Bridge Farm for years. TW was too good an actor to lose!

For all its horror, does anyone miss the Titchener storyline? Or is it a fading nightmare that you can barely believe dominated TA?

It started out well, and I think they did the slow, insidious ramping up of abuse well. But then it all went mad on stab night and turned out to be all about SOC's ego. I'm not missing it.

Having said that, if it's never ever referred to again, that will also be wrong. There should be some repurcussions when, at some point in the future, Helen meets a new man. She's got a pretty poor track record when it comes to choosing mentally sound, supportive men, and deep down, I think she still wants Prince Charming and Happy Ever After, which blinds her to their flaws, because she so wants it to work out.

And then Henry - if he's totally back to being completely well-adjusted with all the minimal counselling and so on... I know he's got a lot of family around, but I think there's good scope for him to be in a school bullying storyline or similar, (as the bulky, having learnt from a master,) at some point down the line.

Also, I assume Rob can't stay in Minnesota forever.

Sorry, I should also have said that I think it is frankly shameful that the fall-out of the marriage and her stay in prison is having on Helen, who was well into a relapse of her anorexia and general MH issues last time we heard from her. These things don't just clear up spontaneously, especially in the current climate.

Agree that no thought was put into it as a long term sl - just short term sensationalism.

And Henry's voice is just getting silly now!!

I'm sure Rob will be back at some point, he's too good a character to lose. I seem to remember the actor saying he hoped he'd be back, so he's obviously open to it - unless he's taken off into a stellar career by then. Maybe when Bruce hops off the twig? With his blood pressure, surely it can't be long till that happens.

I'm sure we're also going to have loads of sibling rivalry between Henry and Jack, and I fear they'll write in Jack inheriting elements of his father's character.

Back to the horrible parenting of Ruth. Whilst pip is being contrite etc she's still a bloody idiot. So annoying.

And yes. Road accident clearly being signposted.

Giving up her grave and favour cottage is now the sacrifice of the century. Give me strength!!

Giving up her grace and favour cottage is now sacrifice of the century. Give me strength!!

The Rob and Helen storyline started off excellently, a really realistic portrayal of the small, subtle ways abuse can start and become normal. The stir fry/steak incident, the unsuitable dress, little things that don't seem much at the time, but cumulatively, are horrific. It's just a shame they went down the stabbing route at the end.

On another topic, martyr Pip might be the most annoying incarnation yet. Sleeping on a sofabed, imagine the horror!

I wouldn't be surprised if the pope calls up and offers her a sainthood soon. All these terrible sacrifices she's making

What is wrong with the sw? Can they not see it?

Well a life insurance payout could resolve Brookfield financial woes

Having listened to 3 weeks' worth of the film on Sunday, the speed in which Ruth has done a volte face from hugely disappointed to really proud is quite something. But then Pip is the golden child.

Having said that, I'm irritated by the fact that no one is pointing out that David didn't bother checking the IBR status and livestock do get out - this isn't the first time it's happened.

I wish Jill has insisted she'd pay the Grundys' wages - I think it's completely shit that D&R can just drop them like that. I also hadn't really noticed how appalling it was that Pip went to tell Eddie until Jill pointed it out (once again, all about her, not about the person who is going to be out of work)

I certainly don't miss the Rob storyline. I hated it at the time, especially once the abuse started ratcheting up, and it was the only period of my adult life when I genuinely couldn't listen. I would turn it off and keep switching back on and off until I didn't hear his voice. It was horrendous. Made me lose all sense of perspective on the fiction-reality stakes.

I miss the actor. He was light years ahead of many of them.

People saying Alice is annoying, I think she's a bloody saint to put up with Pip. Can you imagine having a friend like that. Every single topic of conversation is brought back to her "we have a family meeting later" "we've been having a lot of family meetings recently SIGH" "I'm a bit tired" "I never get a lie in SIGH".

Ah here you are

Your user name just made me chuckle JeSuis Er nothing much to say other than that I want to slap all the Archer women and find David the only sympathetic character. This makes me angry!!