Archers thread #113: Who’ll find some Magic Time this Christmas in Ambridge? Share the glad tidings (and bad writing) in The Archers! Election-free zone so far ...

[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 Hannah to stay around, 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 @SurpriseSparDay for the title. I haven't heard 12/12 yet so must catch up now, seeking relief from the outside world.

That's a point, where will the Aldridge clan eat Christmas lunch this year? Presumably Peggy and Kate will lunch with Brine, JD and Ruairi but the size of the house will probably mean that leaves Adam and Ian out in the cold, except, there'll be no way JD will miss the baby's first Christmas so does that give Kate and Peggy the boot? Does Auntie Cardboard get an invitation anywhere or does she get a TV tray at The Laurels?

I don't find David unpleasant, but how he speaks to and about Pip seems a bit bleurgh

I just find him smug, arrogant, judgemental and a bit of a twat. He is the grown up version of Pip but thinking back, I'm sure I remember him being similarly annoying when younger.

His attitude to Kenton and Elizabeth's advice was completely unsurprising. They have the experience and expertise, he doesn't but he knows best. I also found the idea that after all this time knowing Justin he still thought Justin was saving the abbatoir as an act of local charity.

Brian may have mellowed over the years but his business decisions were generally just as hard nosed.

I generally assume that the reason David is still in business is because Ruth manages the business side of the farm.

I suspect the Laurels lays on various Christmas events for the residents. I can't remember whether they've ever indicated that they offer meals, but if they do it will be a full Christmas meal.

I didn't understand why David and Ruth were huffing and sighing about having enough on their plates without having to deal with the Josh issue. He's an adult, it's all to do with his business, all they have to do about it is co-operate in trying to make contact with him - which they have done. If or when he makes contact, they can just tell him to talk to Harrison. It's hardly the most onerous task.

I am imagining the scene at Bridge Farm on Christmas Day ...

Pat will be all smug talking about the “waifs and strays” that they are hosting. Then serve up some awful tasteless veg casserole (she never did take on the random homeless friend’s advice on that, nor has that waif/stray been invited).
Joy will have brought along some delicious meaty dish that Tony tucks into ravenously. Joy drops Tony in it about being with her on the anniversary.
Lee is clearly meant to be somewhat uncultured, and he’d have to be really so for the philistines at Bridge Farm to look down their noses at him. He will come into his own at charades but his hopes will be slightly dashed when Helen gives him clip frames for his posters as her present.
There will be a mix up about who bought who some saucy underwear - Tony for Pat, Lee for Helen, Tom for Natasha.
Natasha will have spent thousands of pounds on a credit card for everyone’s pointless presents. Tom will sit squeaking in the corner as each lavish gift is opened.

The possibilities for a fabulously awkward passive-aggressive Christmas Day are legion.

arf.
Don't forget the high-spiritedness that Henry will inflict on everyone. He will spend most of the day trying to karate chop Lee.

Henry will be unbearable if Lee is there.

I'm looking forward to Gnasher unwrapping her lovely new cuckoo clock.....🤣

Oh, they've got to have Gnasher unwrapping her cuckoo clock, otherwise, what's the point of the scene where Pat was choosing it? Or are we just going to get Tom mentioning it to Rex or something? If that's the case, then the whole thing would be pointless.

Susan was being particularly irritating in last night's episode.

Christmas at Bridge Farm has such potential! Wouldn't it be delight if Lee confesses to hating blue cheese and/or Henry announced he is becoming a vegan.

Who's been invited to Lower Loxley?

youtwo you almost make me anticipate it with some enthusiasm!

Johnny will spend the day with the cows boring them about Bella

I didn't understand why David and Ruth were huffing and sighing about having enough on their plates without having to deal with the Josh issue

Because they have to make a bloody song and dance about everything and in David's case, assume that everything that happens is all about him and a personal insult.

Josh should bugger off like Kenton did. He will never be good enough to match up to GoldenPips.

Ahhh i’ve found you all

I had a big catch up today while i was doing my books and i was cringing my arse off as usual

1. i can’t take much more of david huffing and puffing about. I don’t get what the point of him is at the minute i really don’t

2. omg kathy lives! Silently. Probably for the best. She was another one who made existing normally and doing normal stuff sound absolutely knackering

3. i was tensing up with the Ruby bits. I feel like we’re gearing up for some awful ‘ruby is spoilt and badly trained with tragic dramatic consequences’ storyline and i can’t cope with that

4. i’m pretending the rewilding story doesn’t exist, bunch of dipshit clowns the lot of them

5. ha ha hannah, get bent

6. really enjoyed tracy ‘managing’ susan. They do sound like real sisters sometimes and that was one of them

7. i’m wondering if ruairi ‘borrowed’ the digger and did the cashpoint to get back at josh, he was proper cross with him and he’s not averse to a bit of twocking iirc

they've got to have Gnasher unwrapping her cuckoo clock, otherwise, what's the point of the scene where Pat was choosing it?I thought she was considering the cuckoo clock but didn't buy it. I could be wrong.

Yes, I think Helen talked Pat out of the clock.

Absolutely loving Tracey at the moment, especially as more Tracey means more Lynda. The dynamic between them reminds me a little of the one between Jazzer and Jim.

i’m wondering if ruairi ‘borrowed’ the digger and did the cashpoint to get back at josh,

Oh God. Don’t. Worry over Ruairi has aged me.

Fuck me, this is ridiculous!!!

And this is even more ridiculous...

Has there ever been an Ambridge death by electrocution?

🔮

Well, they've got Gnasher out of the cupboard where she's been stored for the last 5/6 months, and dusted her off. I wasn't sure if Helen did talk Pat out of buying it. I certainly got the impression that Helen kind of agreed, after Pat said she wanted to spend that much money, after not spending much on Gnasher last year.

They've got her back for a reason.

Has there ever been an Ambridge death by electrocution?

The 🔮 says there may be shocks in store...

It is also of the opinion that Kirsty is upduffed

Kirsty: the new Shula???

What's your thinking re electrocution, SSD?

Henwee's becoming quite good at sarcastic backchat, isn't he?

Philip and his ridiculous, and probably dangerous, Christmas lights ...