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.

Friday's script had some really terrible writing - Ruth and Brian's conversation, especially Ruth's part. It was crow barred in to move the plot along.

Clarrie and Will's on the other hand was beautiful. It sounded natural and organic, in keeping with the characters. Will was still prickly and self- defensive but is opening up. I'm glad we seem to be dropping the suicidal game keeper storyline.

Jennifer's " what a lovely funeral" witterings were embarrassing. Well done Will for keeping quiet.

Topofthecliff no you didn't imagine it.

Good title suggestion Lillian

When ds was a baby, he was lying on the floor and his 3 year old cousin stood on him. He cried-she apologised-he kept crying. She put her hands on her hips, and said "I SAID sorry!" in exactly the tone Alice used to describe Carrie not letting her in......

Maybe that will be a #MeToo moment.

Love the title suggestion Lil’G

Great title suggestion!

I hope your son sustained no lasting damage, Bertrand. I loathe the way Alice has become so petulant. She wasn't when she was in her teens.

Says it all, Bertrand.

At this rate, Kate will take on mantel of the reasonable Aldridge daughter.

The spreadshit lady was not a native English speaker, @DadDadDad. It was very distracting because every time she said it I heard the theme tune. I have no idea what she said because I was just thinking about the Archers. I'll need to look at the training videos online now.#thearchersspoilsreallife

David Archer, sorry Tim Bentinck, quoted in the Telegraph today saying that in the past when roles were recast in TA there was an explicit instruction to try to sound like the last person in the role. When Pip and Tom were recast this didn't happen, and he thinks that was a mistake. Praises SOC in other ways, though.

Good lord, but this toxic waste story is dull. And probably Northumberland all over again - months of draaaaaaaaaaama and talking to dead people and eventually ending up exactly where we began.

I thought Shula was being very unreasonable trying to shove Alastair out of the bathroom when he was shaving so she could clean the limescale. She could have waited for 5 minutes.

Couldn’t agree more Gruach - it feels like it’s supposed to signal the fall of the House of Aldridge, but after the Northumberland debacle (never mentioned again) followed by the IBR compensation payout (paid off by Pip doing a couple of milking shifts at a neighbouring farm) I’m not holding my breath. There’s plenty of potential for drama at Home farm with Alice, Kate, Adam and Ruari without this.

Hello,
Thought I'd join you all as there is no one in real life with whom to chat All Things Archers...
For me ATM, it's the juxtaposition of Will and Alice that is so interesting.
I guess they're roughly the same age (? Have no idea) and traditionally one has been lovely and the other an arse but now their roles have switched. Will is evoking sympathy, that scene between him and Clarrie brought a lump to my throat, and when he said "I'm all floury" when she wanted to hug him made me think how he's trying his best, taking on the nurturing role, stepping up when all he probably wants to do is step away...
Then there's Alice who is spoilt and whiney and has had a privileged life and is just turning into the most selfish person. Her family's help is non-existant when it's really needed, they can't or won't see her drink problem, and Brine just offers her a job, just like that (can he unilaterally decide to do that?). No sticking it out for her. The comparison to the help Clarrie gives Will, helping him to help himself, is really stark.
Phew. Happy to have got my theory off my chest!

Chunky I agree with your theory.

Great observation Chunky.

I’m not at all liking the sound of Alan’s reaction to Shula’s news. I do hope the SWs haven’t completely lost their heads ...

What planet is Jenny on? Ruth won't spread gossip?

It'll be agricultural shadenfreude because Brookfield knows all about insurance companies not paying out.

I think JD must be on glue. What purpose can be served by fessing up to anyone, least of all Ruth. I'll bet Brine is sorry now that he ever told her.

Agree R4 - mad of Brian to have told anyone let alone be persuaded to tell Ruth - and Jennydarling endlessly trying to persuade him to tell the children is just riduculous as obviously once he does that his end is nigh (and I don't think that's what she wants at all!).

I think JD has had enough of Brian. But she also realises she's enabled him for years and that the village won't be congratulating her for role in this. My theory is that her loyalties are switching to the children so that they will protect her.

Intersting theory knight . So is she like Eleanor d’Acquitaine, abandoning the old king (Henry II) in favour of the new King? That didn’t end well for her though.

Well it's always been a bit of a trade off for her. She gets the comfortable lifestyle and the local prestige, while living with a certain amount of humiliation over his affairs. Now both social standing and wealth are at risk and it looks as if she's willing to jeopardise the wealth....

Why do people think Ruth will spread gossip?

it looks as if she's willing to jeopardise the wealth....

Brian's wealth, you mean. It would make sense to divorce Brian and talk half of what's left, before fines and penalties take the lot. That will tide her over until the inevitable happens to Peggy.

Why do people think Ruth will spread gossip?

The first two questions they ask politicians: what did you know and when did you find out.
She won't gossip, She will grass to the authorities.

I am so bored of this whole toxic waste storyline. It's being dragged out. Just have everyone find out, have it all blow up and then blow over and have done with it.

Ruth will act in Ruari's best interest so it depends how she interprets that.

Absolutely agree that the toxic waste drama will come to nothing. It's daft having storylines which (like the Brookfield move) can't reach the threatened conclusion without leaving a massive hole in the Ambridge landscape.

What was the point of the Matt hit and run if it was Nic? Could Joe have misunderstood? Was it Alice?

Alice really doesn't deserve Chris. Or rather, he doesn't deserve her personality transplant.

Shula is just unspeakable.