The Archers: The Crook, the Vet, His Wife & Her Lodger - discussion #80

[DadDadDad]

In full acknowledgement of PseudoBadger's great achievement in providing the previous 79 threads over the past 4 years (and credit to R4 for this thread's title)...

Discuss TA (The Archers). New posters encouraged - it's not (too) cliquey here and plenty of regulars are happy to answer questions.

One rule: no spoilers (ie no mentioning future plot teasers from Radio Times listings etc) - there's a separate thread for that.

So, is Phoebe pregnant? will Anisha dob in (dobbin - geddit?) Alistair?

PS I don't presume to take on PB's role permanently - hopefully the job of starting new threads will rotate among regulars until she returns

"Does Andrew Wincott think that voice he uses for Adam sounds 'posh' because it doesn't - he just sounds as if he is soulless and dead inside"
Well, as Marcus Brigstock says about conservative politicians "they went to boarding school-they had their hearts broken as little boys"

seigas I think that it makes a lot of sense, Adam obviously doesn't want a child and Ian does, that happens in a lot relationships. It's the elephant in the room.

Do we reckon that Lil's Dec. 22nd wedding won't occur for some reason or another?

Do we reckon that Lil's Dec. 22nd wedding won't occur for some reason or another?

Don't know, don't care.
(sorry pp. I'm being rude to her, not you.)

Do we reckon that Lil's Dec. 22nd wedding won't occur for some reason or another?

Either it won't happen (decree absolute not through in time,) or she'll realise straight after that Justin's a total controlling arse.

Or he'll drop dead on the job before the wedding. It happens!

ppeat I wonder if there's something in the scenario outlined in the FT article - if Justin died without changing his will before the wedding, Miranda might have a claim on his estate - now including the Dower House...

Yes I read that article , I liked the cartoons!

I think she will marry him and things will fall apart afterwards - the old chestnut about becoming his wife and creating a vacancy. I'm not at all surprised that the child thing has reared his head again - when Lillian asked Adam what Ian really wanted it was the first thing I thought of.

I've done a massive catch-up and lob in a tangential observation about the wait for the news about Great Gables a few eps ago. The "Heart of Darkness" reference had me smiling. I'm teaching it at the moment, and yes, it's very slow and gloomy. I watched "Apocalypse Now" last night to play spot the intertextuality. God it has not travelled well over the years.

Pleased for Roy and Lexie. He's been a bit of a berk most of his life but I think this could be good for him.

Pleased Adam n'Ian are going to look at adoption, it's the correct thing to do IMO.

Yes good it's about Lexi and Rory perhaps he'll give her a job at GG and she'll stay in England, though they may have to get married to enable it.

Aren't they too old to adopt?

I think the adoption plan is weird. How many people do you know who adopted as a trial run for parenthood? Adoption is supposed to be for the child's benefit, not yours.
Don't most people, if they really feel the need, borrow a niece / nephew for a bit.

Yes, I thought that was odd too. Did they mean fostering? Lillian was talking about fostering, wasn't she? Reminding him about Oliver and Caroline?

Or was I not listening properly again have I misunderstood? Is it adoption instead of parenthood, or as a trial run.

Adoption IS parenthood, definitely not instead!

They aren't too old, Adam is 50, Ian is younger. Standard guidance is the younger of the couple needs to be no more than 40/45 years older than the child. (So they have a good chance of being fit and healthy when the child reaches adulthood).

Lillian talked about fostering as a 'trial basis of parenting' but tbh I don't think an LA would want to train up FCs with that mindset. Fostering and adoption are 2 different things, fostering is temporary, adoption is forever.

I didn't hear Weds episode, but if they are going to explore adoption I think they should ponder about a child age 3-6.

Adoption IS parenthood, definitely not instead!

I knew that I would get picked up on my terminology.

R4 That's OK. I know nothing about dairy farming, or financial trusts, or low cost homes, or kefir, but I have some knowledge of adoption as my two have been home for 10 years now!

I also liked Adam standing up to Brine to employ Johnny as cover. A satisfying episode !

I thought that the would be adopters were just going to discuss the intricacies with the adoption authorities next Tues.

I've Listen Agained. They were talking about adoption although my brain heard fostering.

If I was Ian, I'd be pee'd off. Adam went from years of a "definite no to babies" to "I'm presenting you with an fait accompli on a different tack" without consulting. He didn't ask Ian, he told him.
It's all a bit high-handed and controlling.

I am a bit behind but I thought the scene between Lillian and Adam demonstrated why Lillian gets into such a mess in her personal life. Her advice was mind blowingly awful. It's a terrible idea for Adam and Ian to adopt.

Who writes this rubbish? Surely Jennifer wouldn't say anything so crass?

Jenny reminded me of my aunt. That would be my really snobbish, patronising aunt.

Who was that woman? It wasn't JD.

That was so un-Jennifer. She is usually excellent with "staff"