The dog days of summer are approaching Ambridge. Freddy’s being hounded and Brian is in the dog house - can Jenny take the ruff with the smooth?

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks to all for the dog ideas, and special mention to Ppeatfruit.

Discuss the Archers here!

Fab episode!

seeing your comments made me catch up immediately - LOVED it. Even DH stopped what he was doing to listen.

That was brilliant.

As a farmer, surely the sight of Brian in overalls isn't quite such an exotic rarity as Justin however?

I don’t get what was so good about the episode? Did Pat may be murder Olwen?

I like the help themes - well done. Especially the comedy gold of Brian charging in, buggering things up and someone else copping it.

Less pleased with automatic 'women's roster" of help for Will, and not seeing how Helen volunteering Pat without consultation is any different than Pat pushing her help on Olwyn. In this case it's Helen who knows best where help is needed. Smug cow.

I wonder if Olwen's eye is a precursor to her being beaten up while sleeping in her car/found dead.

I was delighted with Helen's hypocrisy over volunteering Pat.

As much as I'd love to set Olwyn on Will part of me hopes there is no settling into Ambridge end to her storyline as it's would be too twee and too easy.

Well done Helen for volunteering Pat. Did she volunteer Tony and Tom as well?
What is the salary of a gamekeeper?

Maybe Olwen will be found dead in her car and it’ll be found that Pat was the last person to speak to her. There’s bound to be CCTV in the street or wherever Olwen is parked.

Olwyn is the influence Will needs

Eh? I don't think anyone needs Olwyn.

I rather enjoyed Olwen shouting at Pat. She must have the hide of a rhino to think it was in any way appropriate to try to foist stuff on Olwen when she'd gone to so much trouble to give it back.

I enjoyed Olwyn's tirade too.

Will bring furnished with a rota of ladies on hand to sort childcare and dinners whenever he hasn't or can't or more realistically when Clarrie can't - makes me think again Will needs a dressing down from someone who won't hold back and can explain the "mental load" of "and woman's work" involved in housework and chidlcare - especially as it seems to have passed straight to Mia who is how old exactly?

I read a post guessing at 11 but I've only been listening for a few years now. Does anybody know?

Will and Nic started dating in 2007, when she was a single mother to Jake and Mia. So Mia is more than 11 years old but I don't know how much more. Did we decide that Jake was 14-15.

Absolutely agree about "woman's work".

Mia was born 2006 so 11/12 depending when her birthday is.

I feel even more sorry for Nic now. Her life with Will must have been awful. He doesn't even posess the ability to buy a packet of biscuits, not something that will help him in a custody case.

I can't see Will getting along with the rota at all. He wants his mum to step in to pick up whichever of the children he can't manage. He doesn't want the whole village getting involved.

What happened with Kirsty and Phillip? I was interested to see where that went but it just sort of fizzled out?

I don’t suppose it’s fizzled out - I guess we’re expected to assume they’re getting on with their lives - and will only hear from them when something significant happens.

That was ruder than I remembered!

Thanks R4 & Geoff

Definitely agree about Will & charity Stormyknight

Clarrie thinks she's doing Will favours by allowing his behaviour but as vulnerable as he is he needs to get a grip on his reality. A regular ocado, a child care rota and a meal plan. She can hold his hand through it but he needs to know what he actually has to provide.

He could always start an arrangement with Lexi where buys Jenny's endless soups and casseroles from her

Great idea Tiger !

Ahahahahahahahah!

Oh, I've been waiting for that to happen!

How long until Smugula decides she does want Alistair after all?

Hope he tells her where to go when she does.

Oh, that's hilarious! My husband came in from work just as Alistair's confession was playing. I'm afraid he (husband, not Alistair) began doing shagging motions at the revelation of the Lascivious Lavinia. I hope she kept her hunting boots on. And I hope Alistair releases his inner Don Juan (without the hellfire and syphilis, of course).

The delicious thing is that when Smugs moans to everyone about Alistair's unreasonable behaviour, they're all going to be like,

"But Shula, what did you expect?"

Chris will tell Alice, and Susan....boom! Ribaldry from Jazzer. And Jim. Oh, please, scriptwriters, do us a scene with Usha...

Shula is going to have to leave the village isn't she? Bwah, hahahahaha!!!