Archers thread #114: Bull banished, Bali beaches beckon, bickering bullshitters burgeon

[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 Gavin 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 for all thread title suggestions! I've gone with a B theme which with a bit of luck will seem odd and irrelevant by the end of this thread. Here's hoping, anyway.

Haven't caught up with tonight's episode yet, so off to do that shortly.

Resuming my lurking position.

Goodness, two days in succession with Helen giving someone sensible advice. What's come over her?

I'm not completely up to date but I don't understand why Kirsty never discusses her feelings about having children with anyone, and why Helen doesn't bring it up, or indeed her mum. It's pretty odd.

I recall her and Philip having a discussion but I only remember Phillip's reasons for not wanting kids. I can't remember what Kirsty said. Presumably something fairly positive to prompt Philip to be so robust back?

I think it's pretty unrealistic to have been pregnant, wanted that child, miscarried, mourned and then neatly file all that away. Especially as it's such a pale, passionless relationship. Why give up potential parenthood for that? Or rather, why is it so easy to give up motherhood for Philip?

Goodness, two days in succession with Helen giving someone sensible advice. What's come over her? I had exactly the same thought and was coming on here to post, but you beat me to it

There is definitely someone on the writing team who is homesick for the North East. Shieldfield, Prudhoe and now Housesteads.
I dont often give praise but the decision to put Jim, Jazzer and Alistair together in a house was a stroke of genius. I know J and A have been a bit smothering of Jim but I love hearing the three of them together, it really works. I suppose it helps that they can all act.

I like the Lloyds and Jazzer too. They seem to rub together well despite the three being quite different.

I love them too. The reason it works so well is because we know their characters - which manage to be well defined without being caricatures - so you can put them in almost any situation and what is entertaining is seeing how they all react in relation to one another. They don’t need a massive dramatic event to be fascinating - the entertainment comes from their characters and the combination thereof. SW please take note.

I meant to say that the same can be said for Trolley or Susan and Jenny (now united through marriage). It also explains why plots work less well when a character change is required to force them through and why characters with less well defined personalities (or personalities which flip flop around according to plot requirements) are so much less compelling.

I have a funny feeling that Kirsty is pregnant but keeping it quiet because of her previous miscarriage. This is just based on what she's choosing to eat and drink, not anything more substantial.

I think it was clever writing that Jim bottled the funeral ... and the surprise that there were lots of people there who clearly were fond of his abuser.

I expect that is quite realistic.

Oh I thought it was just showing kirsty was a vegetarian.

Argh.

So David and a Ruth were going to leave Ambridge but didn’t.
Heatherpet was going to live at Brookfield but didn’t.
Jill was going to have to live at LL permanently but didn’t.
Pip was going to work abroad but didn’t.
Pip was going to have an abortion but didn’t.
Lexi was (never) going to steal Xander but didn’t.
Lynda wasn’t going to put on a play but did.
Kirsty was going to get married but didn’t
x 2
Tom was going to get married but didn’t x2
Leonard and Jill were going to get engaged but ...
The Bull is going to be renamed but ...
Jim was going to the funeral and didn’t...
Richard Locke was going to be someone’s partner but disappeared
Carol was going to provide lols with Jill but disappeared ...

What else?!

I do feel TA is so much better when things DO happen. I long for the days of Brian and Siobhan, Shula and Richard, Lizzie and Nigel. Sigh.

Another BOOP for the funeral non attendance/lads holiday. It was MUCH BETTER for Jim to make the sensible decision to say “sod that” to watching a loving send off of his abuser. I think it’s incredibly sweet how Alastair and Jazzer have taken rare time off to support and spend time with him. It’s lovely. I hope they enjoy Housesteads which I can’t spell.

Do we have an answer yet to “why is Phoebe unemployed”? Is it normal in any circle to send your kid off to university then welcome them back for the best part of a year without encouraging them to seek any kind of employment? My parents would have been incandescent!!

Oh I thought it was just showing kirsty was a vegetarian.

No, thete have been a few mentions of Kirsty eating meat (goose at Christmas, some meat dish in the pub,) and every time, I think, I am sure she used to be vegetarian, if not vegan, but obviously she isn't.

She might be pregnant, though.

On the subject of didn'ts -

Brian and Jenny were only supposed to be lodging where they are temporarily and then moving on, but didn't.

I suspect the answer to my question about Helen suddenly being sensible is that it's a Keri week. Either he likes her as a character or just decided to put an end to a couple of the more stupid SLs.

No, it's because now she's in lurve she's all level-headed and stable. TASWAMA or summat

I am worried about Jim. He keeps saying he's tired. They were his last words last night.
I also really like the three pals together thing. Jazzer is really shown in a good light rather than a cartoon drunk.

Poor Jim. He just wanted to satisfy himself that the guy was dead. And instead saw loads of people who he has to assume turned out because they loved him (rather than coming for the same reason as Jim).

BOOP seems too frivolous for tonight's episode.

And the programme has ended twice on Jim being sick/tired. It's odd.
Also why is Lee being portrayed as not fitting in - are they trying to show class differences or intellectual disparity. It's got so bad I am starting to like Lee in sympathy.

Oh I think I need to catch up quickly.

Yes, poor Jim is tired a lot.

I can see exactly why Lee wouldn't fit in - he's a townie.

I hope Jim isn't ill. He and Al and Jaz are such good actors.
I've heard the Jazzer actor on another programme and he seems really nice.

Could someone tell Alistair that I am free and single, please.