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.

Hmmm, thought so

That was MY idea!

Several weeks ago!

What on earth was all that about?

Mine too!

Fight you for it?

(I mean, a while ago. Only settled on the cause today ...)

I suggested it on December 3rd 😛 !!

< folds arms firmly and gives hard stare >

December?

Pah!

I had him deaded before ... before the house was even built. 😝😝

(Can’t actually remember when. But the latest point would have been when they moved in and Kirsty commented on the woman living alone in the house opposite. Tingle down the spine ...)

(PS Cat - if you’re searching the archives, I’ve namechanged recently. )

The 🔮 thinks Philip will live.

It says the mists are a bit swirly, though, so it can't see clearly...

Surely two far- fetched Christmas season deaths is one too many?

Nigel's was ridiculous and Philip being blown up by Christmas tree lights would be risible.

I hope that the Christmas lights don't blow up. Philip is a builder he's supposed to know about these things.

Is Philip Kirsty's Rob? - he is gradually chipping away at her sense of self. She used to be her own woman, doing a F/T job to earn her keep, doing her bit for the environment. She now has a 'hobby' job which means that she is reliant on him for money, lives in a house which took organic land out of use, buys plastic tat (the snowmen decoration for the garden) and is destroying several glaciers a day with their electricity consumption.

This is getting serious now. I mean to the point that proper letters to the BBC are needed. I mean, to the point that I May will stop listening.

Final straw is the unnecessary, pointless, crass, oh, just plain shit idea of having CMR create a "Lynda Grey" - and the whole barrage of shit that has appeared around Jim's stories. Why do the SWs not get it that we do not want or need every storyline to have a "will they, won't they", who-doesn't-know-what, cliff hanger, so-called tension building element?

EVERYDAY story of country folk - where as I know, little of note can happen for years and where the fact that the local petrol station has stopped stocking newspapers, is the topic of great discussions.

Fuming.

soooo joy and lee at christmas dinner on the farm...

do they know each other?

Doesn't Kirsty have two jobs. GG Chief Towel Folder and Birdwatch Co-ordinator?

I think Kirsty will be upduffed.

EVERYDAY story of country folk - where as I know, little of note can happen for years
Absolutely!! I am not a fan of modern drama which is mostly people doing daft and illogical things just to create a story, there's not much 'holding up a mirror to ourselves' nor 'delivering Truth through Art'.
I don't want drama, I want an everyday tale where nothing happens i.e. everything - the minutiae of life, the important details - happens. I want Slow Radio. And it would be nice if the SW knew what they were writing about, which they patently don't.
Less is more.

I had high hopes for last night's episode based on the disgruntled write-up here! On the plus side at least is wasn't poor Joy who over-decorated her house.

Do you think there might be a small fire (as the wiring was done badly in their new-build) and Philip and Kirsty will have to join the Bridge Farm crowd?

I agree with R4. I want to hear about farming (bring back Graham Harvey), I want to hear about hunting, shooting and fishing. At a push they could mention Xmas trees dropping their needles, red wine on table cloths, dog-walkers not picking up their pet poo, the Gills getting cross about muddy tractors.....

Yes - I’d forgotten that now Will has left his job we’ll be lucky to hear anything about the shoot, unless the new gamekeeper becomes closely involved with Archers/Aldridges/Grundys/Pargetters.

I miss Maurice ...

lives in a house which took organic land out of use, buys plastic tat (the snowmen decoration for the garden) and is destroying several glaciers a day with their electricity consumption

But isn't this because the Ambridge personality transplant fairy has waved her wand over Philip?

Philip is a bird watcher and rides in the hunt. I don't believe that a twitcher and a horsey person would behave like this.

I take it back. He's wetter than 3 week old lettuce in a Tupperware in the sun. Lee's posters are help up by blue tac or more likely toothpaste.

Microwave Turkey indeed!

Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed the title suggestion @SurpriseSparDay !

Does anyone remember me talking about the Ambridge Instant Relationship a while back? Can’t remember who exactly but it’s the way that within Ambridge you go for dinner or a drink and suddenly it’s implied you’re in a totally stable relationship, spending most nights together and they have been widely welcomed by your family. Oh maybe Kate and Jakob?

ANYWAY look it’s happened again with Helen. How long was it between “going for an awkward coffee” and “I love you”/“come for Christmas!”? It’s bananas.

I was thinking today how much I would like to hear the various Christmasses around Ambridge. To listen in on Robert and Lynda, to hear what’s happening with Jenny and Brian, Alastair and Jim. Just a look through the window of each rather than a drama and a reference to off-stage happenings.

If any serious harm comes to anyone as a result of Christmas decor I am done!

Microwave turkey is just another ridiculous red flag. Lee and Helen have zero chemistry and who brings a partner to Christmas with young children. Yeah it's fine now, but if they're not together next Christmas it is really unfair on the kids despite my constant desire to smite Henwee. Can we get some grown ups to Bridge Farm please?

Kirsty was so dissatisfied with her life and what she had to show for it , Phillip encouraging her to go for a dream job was wonderful but it is sad that it seems she had to chose between that and being with someone who wanted a child. The Christmas lights endless chatter does seem to telling us that she's sold herself for something less than perfect. Hopefully they'll have solar panels in by next year and she begin a local carbon offsetting programme. I do find her and Helen a bit humbug to be perfectly honest. I want good things for Kirsty, I want mediocre things (on another continent) for Helen.

I don't want drama, I want an everyday tale where nothing happens i.e. everything - the minutiae of life, the important details - happens. I want Slow Radio. And it would be nice if the SW knew what they were writing about, which they patently don't.
Less is more.

I agree with every word of that @R4.

EVERYDAY story of country folk

I'm pretty sure one thread title included the phrase 'an everyday story of cuntery folks' :o

Thanks for adding QBL to the acronym list @DadDadDad and for pointing out my poor understanding of French. I'm honoured.

Yes, SSD, I concede that you suggested that Philip might not be much longer for this world first.

But I was the first to suggest electrocution!

And, electrocution doesn't usually involve anything 'blowing up.'

It's usually very quiet, very quick, and nobody finds the body for ages!

So there 😝!!

SW1 - So, young person, I believe you said you lived in the country. Maybe you could suggest some story lines based on your family life.

Intern - I do have a copy of our local newspaper we could look at for ideas.

SW2 - lovely, let's see... Local student gets London media job, that's interesting...

Intern - that's me, its a follow up to "local school pupil moves away from home".

SW2 - "Crime Spree Thwarted by Local Police"

Intern - Somebody was letting their dog poo at the gate to the playground.

SW2 - well what about this then - "Mystery at Local Church"

Intern - someone planted daffodils at the gate.

SW2 - does nothing exciting happen?

Intern - why do you think I'm here?

Was Kirsty with Phil last year? If so, I'm a bit surprised that the lights/Christmas obsession is new to her.