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 -->

A glass of your finest Shires for
MrsGrindah (not Alice's tipple Pee-No-Grudgio )

Alice and Kate would be eternally banished to Mandyland if I ruled the world!

Good stuff, MrsG, I think that's going to be hard to top!

Anyway, here's a question: is David cross with Elizabeth (taking the line "when Pip confided in you that she was pregnant, why didn't you tell us straightaway?" ) or cross with Pip ("how dare you tell your aunt but not tell us? )?

Definitely cross with Elizabeth. No way will this be portrayed as more than a minor 'your mother and I are hurt you didn't feel you could confide in us' to Pip the wonder child. Elizabeth, however, will get the full force of David's wrath. Already that branch (Phil & Jill's children) seem to argue more than is normal for adult siblings, throw a potential abortion into the mix and there will be major frostiness.

Great title! Anyone else really enjoy last night's episode? They're really ramming Alice's drink problem down our throats now.

They're really ramming Alice's drink problem down our throats now

Yes, surely Nic was right not to serve her if she was visibly drunk. Kenton's reaction didn't seem like that of a responsible landlord, or concerned family member.

Kenton was right - Nic didn't handle it properly.

Yes, surely Nic was right not to serve her if she was visibly drunk.

Yes, but she didn't refuse to serve her. She gave her an alcohol-free cocktail and charged her as if it had alcohol, which is not okay. (Although IME, alcohol-free cocktails aren't any cheaper than the alcoholic versions in any case.)

Ugh Kirsty does my head in.

Did anyone else find it jarring the other day when Josh referred to 'Uncle' Brian? I know some families refer to all adults of their parents' generation as uncle regardless of whether they are actually cousins etc but I can't remember the Archer children using it before. I'm sure Pip doesn't.

It annoys me too but I think its deliberate, otherwise how would the radio audience know the relationships?

It wouldn't annoy me if he were his uncle though! Jennifer and David are first cousins so Brian is the Archer children's first cousin once removed by marriage. It doesn't bother me when David calls Christine 'Auntie Christine' because she is actually his aunt.

Yes you are right! In that case I am now incandescent. How dare they confuse matters thus?

Definitely going ott with Alice’s drinking. It’s signposting I think that it’s ramped up in the last couple of months since ooh about the time of the Hunt Ball maybe?

The sudden appearance of Phil the Builder is interesting. Could he have been around when the stuff was dumped or are we in for more Shula storyline?

I said back up thread the secrets between David and Elizabeth would tear up again. I’m really hoping we don’t then have a tedious rehash of when she fell out with David over him keeping a secret over SATTC (can’t remember exactly what it was though I just know the aftermath when she found out nearly drove me to stop listening)

If they're doing an alcoholic SL, I'd prefer a realistic one, where the person wouldn't be obviously blind drunk but using alcohol as a prop to get through each day.

... Like Lilian? Her liver must be like a piece of Gruyere by now.

I find it more jarring when Archer children address their uncles and aunts by their first name, without anything in front. I know I'm probably being fuddy-duddy, but it just doesn't sound right when they're different generations.

I think it is correct that cousins children call you Aunty. Mine do.

Lillian would be a prime candidate. She could be taking two bottles into the shower. G & T.

Graham Harvey is on BBC Inside Science right now (Radio 4). From about 16.50 ish.

(D3 Count them ...)

Love the poison title.

In some cultures Aunty is a sign of respect for an older adult female, regardless of the direct family relationship.

Not in the Archers though.

In my family no-one calls anyone of an older generation Aunt or Uncle. just Christian names. but that could just be us.

I've just spotted goat's milk kefir on freecycle. Now I know nothing about kefir but surely if it's out there, being guzzled in sunny Wales, esteemed Nuffield scholar Tom Archer would know about it? They aren't trailblazing a new idea.

In my family no-one calls anyone of an older generation Aunt or Uncle. just Christian names. but that could just be us.

Same here.

Maybe we're related IRL...

I was wondering if the constant references to Neil being so ill are a bit of legerdemain so that as he recovers slowly, someone else gets the 'flu and drops off the hooks in 24 hours.

echt You are an absolute star for the use of the word “ legerdemain “ before 6am on a Friday morning!