The Archers #110: Game(keeping)'s up for Will. Game on for Lillian & Vince, Tracy & Oliver? Game over for Joe? Stay ahead of the game with all things Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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 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!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Thanks to LillianGish for the title idea. Very tempted to go with MrsGrindah's suggestion of It’s all a bit crap and boring at the moment but let's be positive, maybe things will look up in the coming days ... Also very taken with Lexi's Midnight Runners - Burpers, maybe? - from Madcats.

Not at all happy about Lily not going to university. Yet another bright Ambridge woman not fulfilling her potential. Why do they do this?

I must have blinked (or whatever the aural equivalent of blinking is) when Lily was talking about not going to Manchester. That's another major storyline abandoned halfway through and then returned to months later to be dismissed in a couple of sentences.

To be fair, my recollection is that it was quite a long discussion.

My comment about Tom was because Tom Graham was an established cast member with a distinctive voice, but he was 'replaced' when NewTony came onboard.

The Lily/CallmeRuss Manchester debacle is every bit as annoying as the Phoebe degree nonsense. There was a huge song and dance about her going to Manchester with Russ which we all reluctantly engaged in even though it seemed that there would be any number of opportunities in RL for someone to talk her out of it and for it not to happen, eventually she and CMR came back whereupon he was installed at LL with no questions asked. It looked as if Freddie might ask a few when he got out of prison, but then the focus of the story switched and LL fell into the Netherworld inhabited by Kathy, Usha, the Gills at Home Farm et al. The storyline which seemed to be building up to something just disappeared. Now radio contact has been restored at LL it feels as though the drama has disappeared - Lily's staying in Ambridge, CMR is now an accepted part of the LL furniture - yes she's explained why she's staying to sell kitchens and help at LL, but it all feels like a bit of a damp squid (!) It's almost as if the SWs couldn't be bothered to follow through. Same with Phoebe at Oxford (and with her aunt (yes that is right isn't it?) Bethany - whisked off to Birmingham because the SWs couldn't be bothered to write any actual storylines for her after the drama of her birth). It's SO frustrating - listening eagerly to every episode, following every twist and turn and then finding the story just goes nowhere. I'm very close to throwing in the towel (at Trowell - maybe I'll drive up there and listen to my final episode in the car park).

I've been wondering what purpose "Joy" serves in the current Ambridge malarkey.

She's spoken at the Parish Council, won some prizes at the Flower & Produce. She "out-grandmothers" Jenny (who appeared to forget that Phoebe finally has an Oxford degree and ought to be looking for a job). I quite expect Joy to volunteer to put on the Ambridge panto or express an interest in becoming a lay preacher.

The only other alternative is far too gruesome - surely Joy must be about the same age as Philip..... Quick; somebody put some bromide in their tea!

I don't think anybody needs "save the date" for a "Kirsty and Philip" wedding.

Bethany is Phoebe's half-aunt. Ruairi is Phoebe's half-uncle. Only Alice and Brenda are full aunts to Phoebe.

Madcats
I wondered if Joy was to be this generation's Lynda Snell - newcomer, busybody, blasting in and driving people crazy.

I love Lynda Snell but she wasn't all that popular with the community when she arrived if I remember correctly.

Borsetshire Police is just Harrison and he can't be expected to do everything.

Didn't he have a couple of policeman mates turn up at his stag do when he arrested Freddie?

He did. Good job it's only a small county.

poor Ruaridh (sp?)

Blimey.

RIP Joe

At last!

Oh- that was nicely done!

Good episode on all levels. Elizabeth and R. Then the Grundys and Joe. RIP.

yes- I'm afraid I just thought 'at last'...a shame really, they could have made a better job of it

Should have guessed ... it's a Thursday.

That was a good episode. Apart from Joe dying, but it had to happen. RIP Edward Kelsey.

I thought Eddies response was odd.A bit too matter of fact

I thought Eddie's response was good, once I'd got over what I first felt was poetic contrivance by the SWs about "slipping away".

Excellent episode.

An excellent episode all round - it is still possible.

Aww RIP Joe

well, Eddie can hardly have been surprised

Beautifully written and acted by all concerned.

I thought Eddies response was odd.A bit too matter of fact

I thought it was perfect.

I thought it was well done, too.

RIP Joe Grundy.