The Archers: Discussion #84. New Year and some of us are still listening even if we don't know why.

[DadDadDad]

New posters welcome - with your fresh views and burning questions.

Old posters welcome - with your jaded views and knowledgeable answers.

But new posters feel free to be jaded, and old posters feel free to ask questions!

How is the Pip storyline going to play out and do you care?

As usual, if you want to mention the advertised storylines for future episodes, there's a separate thread for that - no spoilers here, please.

Just imagine we're all sitting round a table at The Bull -->

Anyone else think Neil's illness will have something to do with the pollution? Chasing the pigs around contaminated mud? Rather a speedy development, but why else were they laying it on so thick?

Ohhh that's a worrying thought LillianGish! Neil is one of my favourite characters; I hope he recovers.

I thought it was a bit of a compare and contrast with Brian feigning or at least exaggerating illness to get out of going to Justin's. It wouldn't be a massive plot twist to recognise the existence of the flu season.

jessiemcjessie I normally just lurk on these threads but I had to break cover to let you know how much the mental image of brian hiding his head in the sand whilst shitting himself amused me

well I've just got back from my local Boots where there was a long conversation about how bad this year's flu season is & the pros & cons of antibiotics. Including a very infectious looking man spluttering all over everyone.

So I reckon it's a topical twist from the producers. There will be a flu epidemic in Ambridge and someone may die.

Not up to date with the thread but am up to date with TA.
I’m worried about Neil being given a hot lemon AND paracetamol by Susan. Hot lemon normally means a Lemsip in my house which already has paracetamol in it.

Oh look, the Egg Donation Fairy......

Adam was a complete and utter arse tonight. Who is he to call all the shots?! Nasty to Brian and then has the cheek to ask if Lexi can stay in one of the cottages! And there was too much talk of “ deposits” for my liking

I was amused when the conversation morphed from Lent to modern slavery to ... Lexi.
But, yes, far too many mentions of 'deposits'. Ugh.

Glad to be of service Trevor 😀.

As someone who has had IVF I find it a bit annoying that Adam n Ian are just assuming that egg plus sperm plus Lexi equals baby . IVF is great but the success rates are still quite low even when all the elements are in tip top condition and I think they are being more presumptuous than they should. They’d most likely get there eventually (we did, with my old eggs), but unrealistic to treat it as a forehone conclusion. But of course like Helen’s IUI it will be a slam dunk first time, just to keep the plot moving.

And while I am on the subject, the other day they were talking about the embryo “being implanted”. People get this wrong all the time. The embryo is transferred by the doctor but it has to implant itself, just like in a natural pregnancy. And this is of course one point at which it can fail. So if I hear about Lexi going for “the implantation” I will not be impressed by the SWs...

Did anyone actually say "deposit"? I only heard "donation". Which is bad enough......

Sorry yes..knew it began with a d!! But then I did have my fingers in my ears going “ la la “!

Wonder where the Alice drinking storyline is headed

police cell

After drink driving and killing off which character?!

Pip, please.

I think the prospect of being a dad has prodded Adam into challenging Brian for the top position at Home Farm.

Did anyone else notice the mention of modern slavery segueing straight into Lexi's surrogacy?
The comparison between those compelled to give up their freedom for others' benefit and some middle class white men taking advantage of a migrant workers' desire to see her children was not lost on me.

I really think Lexi's in the driving seat here, she's the one positioning the contract to enable her to see her family. I don't see her as being exploited at all.

Alice is in the frame for Matt. We now know she does indeed drink drive. And she's been all over the place recently.

Did anyone else notice the mention of modern slavery segueing straight into Lexi's surrogacy?
The comparison between those compelled to give up their freedom for others' benefit and some middle class white men taking advantage of a migrant workers' desire to see her children was not lost on me.
Yes, me too

I hope they do something with that.

Jenny was horrible about Lexie.

I would like to think the SW have picked Lexi for the surrogacy SL deliberately in order to explore the moral issues around surrogacy. The financial vulnerability of Lexi is clear which would not have been the case if for example Kate or Alice had been the surrogate. Its possible they may actually explore some of these issues but I am not holding my breath.