Thread #106: Jim’s in a jam, Peggy’s made a pickle and Lexi is blooming - sounds like the entries are lining up for this year’s flower and produce show, but who will be on the organising committee?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads and @DadDadDad for being our resident statistician and keeping the ball rolling when Pseudo stepped back a bit.

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Thanks to LillianGish for the title of this thread.

Holding episode tonight, I thought - not much progress on any current storyline. I was a touch surprised Natasha wasn't offended by the postnup idea but I suspect she's biding her time.

Shula used to get right on my nerves. She has gone up in my estimation since the divorce, am trying to work out why exactly.

I'm still at her some of the time, eg with the art project, but I think the divorce and its ramifications (including Jim having a go at her for hypocrisy before) has made her face up to her shortcomings, being more honest with herself. So, in the last week when she wouldn't give up on trying to help between Jim and Alistair, she was able to take Jim's criticism of her on the chin, and not let that deflect the conversation into being about her.

“ I hate the way she is portrayed shopping beyond her means for their new home.“

Yes, me too. It’s so out of character too. She just wouldn’t spend all that money on a coffee table.

Alasdair and Jazzer rang true to me- they are both in shock and not really thinking properly about what Jim needs. They’re unconsciously trying to make things normal again. It’s too soon for them to have processed that there has to be a new normal. Perfectly understandable.

With the chemicals now stored in the barn I fear Ed is about to be discovered. It also felt significant that Emma came by just at that moment as if to remind us all of the threats against her. She so fixated on her upcycled coffee table she can’t think of anything else. I am a bit surprised she’s prepared to spend a day’s wages plus several extra shifts at the chicken factory (or whatever she said it would take) on something she knows probably cost nothing to start with. I know Fallon’s giving her a discount, but surely if she’s really strapped for cash she’d be upcycling stuff herself, not paying “I saw you coming” prices. All in all it feels as the story is about to reach its inevitable conclusion with doom piling on doom for the Grundys as Joe’s death moves inexorably nearer.

Meaned will move in. A few happy months will pass during which emmur will rack up debt. Then Ed gets banged up and cue emmur losing the house ...

Go to Harrison, Ed. Dob Tim in and get off on a lighter or suspended sentence while you can.

But there was a discussion between Emma and Nasher about using credit to furnish her new house. Emma was not at all sure and was persuaded by her. I understand Emm's excitement.

The coffee table being made by crafts people who do those things have to be paid properly for their time and skill. Shame we are brainwashed to think everything should cost nothing, hence unfair wages. and crap being shipped in from China and Indonesia etc.

I am a bit surprised she’s prepared to spend a day’s wages plus several extra shifts at the chicken factory

Yes spendy Emmur story is really annoying me. Emma has always been careful and whilst the plannign and excitement is normal and even tagging some new things for the house the splashing out on credit or spending best part of week's wages on a coffee table just doesn't fit. And the LSWs trying to pin the blame on Gnasher is even more annoying.

Its a really sloppy story line. Ed being a tit and succumbing to temptation for easy money is sadly credible.

Maybe the neighbour was in his late teens, about 10 years older that Jim, if Jim's 80 that would make the neighbour around 90.
Joe will die at Willow Farm before they move, that would be so appropriate, he never wanted to leave. They must kill him off fairly soon.

The coffee table being made by crafts people who do those things have to be paid properly for their time and skill. Shame we are brainwashed to think everything should cost nothing, hence unfair wages. and crap being shipped in from China and Indonesia etc.
Yes, but if you can't afford it you can't afford it. She should be having a go at upcycling herself, it's what I did and what my daughter did when she set up home for herself.

Yes or go to a charity shop (she has no time )

The coffee table being made by crafts people - upcycling, for me, means finding something in a skip/charity shop/ house clearance then titivating it with polish/paint effects whatever (see C4’s French Collections) in the hope of selling it for an eye-watering mark up. Emma has worked with Fallon on upcycling, she must know how she makes her money surely she would realise that that the mark up is quite literally money for old rope and find her own pieces to upcycle (starting with Joe’s recliner). Fair enough for upcyclers to make money, but not from people like Emmur who are supposed to be counting the pennies.

But Emma helps Fallon with the upcycling so she knows how much it costs and could do it herself. Actually- I can’t believe Emma isn’t giving her the table as a housewarming present....

Help. I have been listening for a few weeks with my 5 year old wittering in my ear and I just can't seem to work out how Natasha is back and its all rosy with Tom and Bridge Farm. Relationship fairy?
The last bit with Jim was utterly gripping, really glad he had something to do that isn't the old Professor Yaffle shtick

I just can't seem to work out how Natasha is back and it's all rosy with Tom and Bridge Farm.
Us neither.
Tom is so scared that she will scarper again that he will not raise the issue.

Tom is in that large river in Egypt (as I mentioned upthread).

Grange Farm LadyRannaldini!

You’ll give Joe a heart attack!

Agree about the Emma storyline - as was said upthread it makes “uncomfortable” listening.

I’m worried for Ed. He’s been on the straight and narrow for a long time now and I don’t like to think that there are those Will who would jump on this as a sign that he’s still a wrong’un.

Go to Harrison, Ed. Dob Tim in and get off on a lighter or suspended sentence while you can But Tim has done quite a number on him regarding the people they're allegedly working for, with explicit threats of violence against himself and his family, so I can see why he'd be too scared to do that.

I agree that Emma suddenly going mad on credit is contrary to her character up til now, but I suppose it could be understandable given her long-standing yearning for a lovely home of their own and her desire for it to be as perfect as she has always dreamed. She has got form for being reckless when she really wants something (getting together with Ed).

Tbh I hadn't thought of her spending as a class thing as someone mentioned upthread. Isn't Gnasher buying fancy clothes etc on credit even more irresponsible?

can't seem to work out how Natasha is back and it's all rosy with Tom Because Gnasher is a completely manipulative narcissist and there a ton more mileage to be gotten out of that particular storyline!

ErrolTheDragon Thank you, yes, I could only frame it as her being somehow less priggish.

Aha. Thank you all. I;ve been listening again, and again, and kept thinking I must have missed a minibus somewhere (though i seem to have heard the episode where Jill was reminiscing about accidentally putting salt in the custard about 100 times)

Oh, Alistair, do stop it!

He sounds exactly like Willyum used to do, when trying to coax Mia into a better mood, by offering a treat to 'make everything alright'.

Just listen to your Dad, and let him be!

Swannykazoo Can't think what inspired your username

IIRC, Tom and Gnasher getting back together was all done and dusted in one episode and never mentioned by them since. Tom had a business meeting about their joint venture which he thought Gnasher wouldn't come to but she did. Afterwards the two of them went for a drink and she told him that suddenly becoming Mrs Archer of Ambridge was too much pressure and had stifled her, so she had had to get away and figure out what she really wanted. She said she had decided she really does love Tom and wants to make it work, and he was so happy to have her back he accepted it all without demur.

I think Serena knows Nicole isn't Fred's, it was her that suggested using Nick as a 'sperm donor'.

she not her.

wrong thread - should have been on the Handmaid's tale.