Thread 99 (yes, 99!): Join us for spirited discussions of The Archers and its Top Blokes, whether you're Team Elizabeth (low spirits), Team Kate (Spiritual Home) or Team Toby (spirits =gin)

[Bittermints]

Thanks due to @PseudoBadger for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads and to @DadDadDad for being our resident statistician and keeping the ball rolling when Pseudo stepped back a bit. Thanks also to all those who contributed to the thread title.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd like to be Susan's best friend or other odd unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3439443-keep-it-to-yourself-the-archers-spoilers-thread-4, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

So, to business. What a fantastic two-hander. Massive BOOP points to Alison Dowling, the scriptwriter and director (and the therapist). I had more than a small tear in my eye listening to that.

I'm another one with a vote of thanks to chemenger for all that information on the last thread about distilling. I should know some of that because I went on a tour of the whisky distillery near where my parents live but I've forgotten most of it except how delicious the end product is.

I had in mind Brend because I can remember hoping she would escape.

QuaterMiss, I hope you heard Susan waxing lyrical about having chilli as a special anniversary meal, part of a quiet night in for Neil and Susan ...

I remember Brenda and Tom living together for an interminable period. They were always moaning about having to do perfectly ordinary things like wash their clothes and remember to buy food. Love's young dream it wasn't.

Surely they could have recorded Natasha sharing her engagement news the last time she was in the studio? Felt really odd without her. Don't see why they couldn't have penny-pinched somewhere else.

I'd be delighted never to hear Natasha again.

You may have to throw out your radio for that to happen B!

My sister and her husband married really fast, like 5 months I think. They're still together nearly 20 years down the line. But then my bil is lovely and not a twat like Tom. And my sis is not annoying like Natasha.

They're going to take over the farm and piss everybody off (including me) aren't they.

I wonder who proposed and if it was Tom whether he did it because of Kirsty moving in with Phil. He seemed quite put out about that.

I think it was Tom who was the keener half in the Brenda engagement too. I think I remember a scene where Tom wanted to set a date but Brenda, through gritted teeth, said ‘Oh, let’s just enjoy being engaged’.

I’m relieved Natasha wasn’t on, I don’t think I could have cringed hard enough.

I'm not in a very good position to criticise a rapid engagement, I suppose, as we were engaged about three months after first getting together, but we did wait another 18 months to marry. Well over 35 years since the wedding, so it wasn't such a bad idea.

I remember Susan and Neil getting married. Clarrie and Eddie must have tied the knot a bit earlier, before I was listening regularly. William was named after Prince William who was born in 1982, IIRC.

Tony was worried about what it would mean for the future of the farm. He and Pat could revert to primogeniture, farm goes to eldest son, and if he's not around, to his eldest son. Then Tom and Helen could both disappear and pursue their careers a long, long way from Ambridge.

Tom is just a massive twonk. I could analyse whether it's a good idea or not but I just don't care enough about him to bother.

What first attracted you to the part-owner of a successful farm and related businesses?

Where on earth is Usha these days? Assuming Natasha (who is only marginally less annoying than Krusty and Hannah) hasn't expired on the M5, Bridge Farm needs a pre-nup pronto.

Tony was worried about what it would mean for the future of the farm. He and Pat could revert to primogeniture, farm goes to eldest son, and if he's not around, to his eldest son

That would be brilliant. I think I dislike Natasha more than Pip.

I could analyse whether it's a good idea or not but I just don't care enough about him to bother

No but I do care about Johnny and even Helen losing the farm in a vicious divorce settlement. And we will have to listen to her being patronising and condescending to the rest of the family until that happens.

Yeah, I definitely think she's after the money. I got a warning tingle when they first mentioned the new website/app, and saying that they'd own it, rather than it being part of Bridge Farm.

Rivalry between Tom and Johnny ramping up....

Can you get married that quickly in a Registry Office? Is there not the equivalent of bans?

I've looked it up: you have to have at least 28 days' notice.

They could have fixed it up a few weeks ago and only announced it now?

I thought Natasha's absence meant everyone didn't have to be as polite and tactful as they would have been in her presence.

Tom! Run man run. Head for the hills. Far from Ambridge, and never turn back.
Take Natasha by all means but FGS* leave Jonny the farm!
*
goodness

Ha, I had completely forgotten about Brenda!

Many apologies! I don't know how that happened! Completely wrong thread! I'll ask for it to be removed.

couldnt have cringed hard enough