We never thought we’d feel sorry for Will. Although of course it should have been Pip! Discuss The Archers here (Titled edited by MNHQ)

[PseudoBadger]

Welcome all! I was really touched by the potential for Ed and Will to reconcile. But wonder if Will can accept Ed’s support.

As ever, no spoilers here (there’s a thread for that) - discussion permitted as soon as the pm episode is broadcast.

I think last night it had been pre-agreed because she was collecting George (if a bit early because he'd messaged her to get him early).
I did think it was well acted, and they said some of those things that people would say in the circumstances (but often are glossed over). eg. the "You're not my wife..." bit.

The finances of the Shula/Alistair thing are annoying me. He's recently had to pay out megabucks for revamping the practice, to say nothing of employing a locum while Anisha was away. They've also had the extra expenses associated with Shula being Hunt Master. It's sheer insanity for both of them to contemplate deserting their respective businesses for a couple of months. Caroline's £2K would be a drop in the ocean.

I think the most successful marriages are often the ones where each partner gives the other space occasionally to do their own thing. It's not anything like as outlandish as Shula seems to think, witness David and Rooooth.

And Shula hasn't asked Alistair what he would like.

Emma and Will were well acted yesterday. I liked how she gently pointed out that the kids probably did need to go to the funeral.

Eleanor Bron is on Front Row right now!

The finances of the Shula/Alistair thing are annoying me

Its another cludgy storyline. Considering the costs to both businesses over the last year having the pair of them take several months off is just insane. 2k won't come close to covering the costs.

When Shula wanted to be Master one of the considerations was the cost, measured in thousands (not sure how many). Alastair agreed she should go ahead and that they would find the money. That was not so very long ago.

I don't see a problem at all (in a normal, happy, child-free relationship anyway), of one party waving the other off to go on a sports holiday that is only of interest to one of them. Shula is just the worst kind of insufferable, pious martyr with her "oh I can't possibly spend the money on enjoying myself, as requested, it must go on something Good and Worthwhile" act, solely so she can bask in the glow of being so selfless. Just bloody well go somewhere hot and get pissed for a week.

That was the most boring episode ever!

Shula is just the worst kind of insufferable, pious martyr

And also a raging hypocrite

All financial/legal issues seem ill researched and or tracked. How did Helen pay the legal fees, how did The dopeys fund their crisis with just a holiday let. How come Ed n Em are so hard up when both are working. And on and on.

How did Helen pay the legal fees

Pat'n'Tony took out a loan/dug into pension fund (can't recall which but it was discussed a lot at the time)

How come Ed n Em are so hard up when both are working

Actually that is one of the most financially realistic storylines - people working long hours in insecure zero hours contracts across different jobs is increasingly common. Most families on benefits are working.

But those two aside - yes I agree, a lot of the financial storylines seem poorly researched.

The problem I have with the Grundy finances is that not one of them seems to have heard of tax credits, let alone applied for them.

GnotherGnu - I agree the Grundy's inability to claim the benefits they are entitled to is one of the big failings of the programme. If they'd not banished Bethany to Birmingham we could have also had Vicky filling in DLA forms.
I wonder if there is any chance that Pat helping out at the Homeless shelter will branch out into something more believable - like her just ranting about the "hidden homeless" and families being forced out.

Last night: The bit about some group wanting to use land near the new market will become significant. I think this will be crucial to one of Justin's schemes.

I agree about 'giving one another space ' Gnu I was expecting Shula to tell Alastair that she's be going off on her own with Caroline's inheritance. Why did she feel bound to ask him too?

I think Shula feels she and Alistair have been 'living apart together' so she wanted them to go away and do something together to rekindle the connection.
Would have been more believable if the legacy had been 50k. Enough to pay for good quality cover AND the extended holiday.

I thought Emma did well too regarding the children and the funeral.

Shula is grasping at straws.

However, I get that she is missing her friend Caroline and her son, and being MoHs isn't doing it for her either.

They seem to be setting Saint Shula up for an affair. Her attempts to reconnect, however misjudged, rebuffed. Plus Phillip as a comparison.

Yes Teen That was a well acted and written scene with Emma trying to be sensitive about not mentioning George's card and gift for her Mothers' day.

Bollocks trying to be sensitive she blurted out Mother’s Day and had to back pedal. The whole family should have been acutely aware of the potential for the day to trigger huge sadness for all Nic’s family and been much more careful not to risk any mention of it at all. But of course that would not have worked for radio drama purposes as we’d never have heard what they weren’t saying

I think Philip is behaving a bit oddly with Shula, the last scene together he was almost encouraging her to talk about her relationship difficulties with Alistair. Something felt a bit off about it.

Jessie We must have heard a different scene, she was being sensitive, George probably wouldn't have been, children just say what's going on usually.

No ppeat she said “Is it alright for George to come home early, he wants to give me m Mother's Day....err, he’s got stuff he wants to do at home”.
i.e. foot in mouth blurting out “Mother’s Day” then hoping Will hadn’t heard.

Jessie - yes and that was exactly like me meeting someone with a big nose and accidentally mentioning noses. Sorry but I didn't hear it as Emma being insensitive but just commiting foot in mouth and trying to gloss over it (it would have been far worse if she'd said it and then apologised drawing Will's attention to it).

Don’t mention the war, eh Bekabeech?

Still not buying it as properly sensitive, sorry.

so Joe has let the cat out of the bag!