Ambridge is in the doldrums. When will Pip pop? Does anybody even care? And Anisha’s off, leaving Rex in the (pig) trough? Discuss the Archers here.

[PseudoBadger]

Sorry about the title, nothing particularly inspiring in the storylines currently

No spoilers please, there’s a thread for that.

Unless... Rex dies and PipnTobes rub along together.... tediously... forever

I've got a better solution to the triangle. It's Pip who dies. The two FairBro together raise the next Heir of Brookfield, much to the disgust of Jill & David.

I think Brighton will re emerge soon.......

I was just thinking the same Bertrand. I am sure with his fathers connections the artisan gin could take off, and so will Tobes.

Thread titles anyone?

The future of Brookfield is Rosie as dark clouds gather above the House of Aldridge - are moves afoot or will it be Northumberland all over again?

Hello, you two. Shunton are 60 and Frilly await their exam results.

The mamas and the papas...

What was all that about?

Weird Hannah exchange that Neil doesn’t even mention to Susan afterwards?

🤔

Just because I read this thread doesn't mean I actually listen to The Archers

Just listened. That Hannah thing was seriously wierd. Why on earth would she behave like that?

Yes it was weird but I was really pleased to hear a woman order a pint for once!

I think we are supposed to think Hannah had some sort of crush on Neil, masterful pig wrestler that he is, and was dismayed to find he had feet of clay? Was really bizarre.

Weird Hannah reaction.

Almost as weird as Freddy tearing up over a horse I'd never heard mentioned in relation to him or Lily, or them even ever riding.

echt Topper featured a lot after Nigel’s death ( and was also mentioned a lot when Nigel was alive). IIRC there was a disagreement over whether Freddy was able to handle him.

Could it be that Hannah is after an affordable house and is pissed off that her chances will be harmed if Emma is allowed to jump the queue?

isn't the point of splitting up that they can pursue other avenues?

I think this probably means Shula thinks she's allowed to, after a suitably respectable time, and if there's anyone available, but Alistair must not actually move on.

Each time I hear Neil & Hannah at work I think he’s undermining himself as manager of the unit, he stresses how good she is with the paperwork & does some part of animal husbandry well. Is he going to decide he doesn’t like being less involved with pigs so when his relationship with Justin blows up over affordable housing he wants to return to his pigs? What happens to Rex then?

I keep wondering if Neil is eventually going to suggest he and Hannah swap jobs, much to Susan’s chagrin as he becomes a deputy supervised by a young woman! But since this thing last night I am not so sure.
She does want an affordable house, Emma said they’d been talking about it at the fete.

Is Hannah going to try to blackmail Neil or something?

BoreOfWhabylon thanks for a laugh.
£5 each way please, whatever the odds.

Blackmail seems a bit dark arts for straightforward-mine's-a-pint-please Hannah, though? I would have thought she'd follow through on her threat to complain about, I dunno, misuse of public office, make the Parish Council untenable for both Neil and Emma and then Justin might ask Neil to move on because of 'difficult public perceptions' or something. To whom would Hannah complain, btw?

Ah, I accept your better memory, Jessie,

Hannah story was hinted at in previous episode when she was talking about having a whole house to herself in America while in Ambridge she was forced to take a room with Tom and Johnny. I do think that as Parish Council chair Neil would be more likely to go through official channels to protest about the drop in the number of affordable homes rather than lobbying Lilian on behalf of his daughter (which is exactly what was doing at Susan's behest however he tries to dress it up). I like this storyline because I think it reflects real life - where someone like Hannah with a fairly good job can't afford to buy a house - contrasted with all the silver-spoon children of landowners given a house to live in on mummy and daddy's farm. Hannah has no family connections to pull strings which is probably why she objects to Neil doing so for Ed and Emma.