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.

role as wedding planner
Potentially, this will lead to some interesting listening.

I can just hear bloody Ruth cornering the bride on arrival, vigorously administering an AI straw (those bridal thongs don't provide much, ahem, security) and the slapping the unfortunate pun'ah on her satin-upholstered rump with a hearty cry of 'G'wan girl!'.

[Ruth] slapping the unfortunate pun'ah on her satin-upholstered rump with a hearty cry of 'G'wan girl!'.

TheThreeofWeevils There have definitely been times when I've thought Ruth and Pip were chatting to each other but they have been talking to the cows.

However, I suspect this wedding business and Josh's paperwork indicate that we are about to go through a Brookfield disaster cycle like the flood or Dayveed's stalker. Ambridge does have a touch of Greek mythology about it with periods of total triumph or disaster

I suspect the mythological ‘ancient call of the land’ element will have died out with Joe.

Now we’re expected to be interested in people who are a million miles from any connection to Archers - or Grundys.

In "real life" wouldn't most locals just carry on referring to it amongst themselves as The Bull and not really be bothered?

In "real life" wouldn't most locals just carry on referring to it amongst themselves as The Bull and not really be bothered?
No. They'd think it was Stage 1 of a Dastardly Plan and wonder what was next on the horizon. Remember when Jolene said there would be a grand announcement? - speculation went into overdrive.

What with Vince Cable, B@shitAmbridge, and the stubble burning barns, you lot are putting my pelvic floor in danger.

Someone asked what’s the difference between a shed and a barn. On farms I know a barn is basically just either a big or 3 storey shed. Can anyone remember what they were doing with it before Lynda fell in love with it? I’m picturing it as less a massive beautiful barn like you’d get on a country estate (because it’s be too big for the farm) and more “biggish long shed full of crap” which can be innumerable on farms.

Love TI (The Intern) more than TA and wish TI was on daily at 7.03.

The arc of young man flirts with law breaking, is found out and shows a range of regret, guilt, defensiveness, fear and a childlike dependence on his parents, does suggest that male actors under 25 are required annually basis to demonstrate their emotional range. Otherwise why the rerun of this storyline? And a vile reaction from Ruth - to the point where I actually wonder if he is her child.

I can't bear the way the actress who plays Ruth conveys anger by speaking through clenched teeth like a bad ventriloquist - gockle of geer, anyone?

BOOP for David for acting like a loving dad when he realised how scared his son was.

I can picture my mum making it all about her if I were arrested. The difference is that Ruth is only like this with one of her children.

No comments about last nights episode?

I suppose it was a bit 'meh', wasn't it?

All that noisy panting, grunting and coughing (swimming exertion) was rather overdone aswell.

For a couple of seconds I actually thought they were having sex ! !!

Last night's episode seemed like a non episode really, as in, nothing really happened, other than they're now going to have a naming ceremony for Xander. Meh.

We need an alternative TA.

Re. last night, I could have done without the Ian and Adam grunting.

I liked Kate's wind up.

I liked Kate's wind up. Yes, she seemed like an ordinary quite nice person, not the cartoon cut-out of selfishness that she's usually portrayed as.

If all Ian and Adam were going to do was go swimming and eat cake, they should have taken Xander with them.

The little lad would have enjoyed a splashabout in the pool - and Ian would have revelled in showing off his son.

As for Adam... I can't quite put my finger on it, but he seems rather detached from the firmly established relationship between Ian and Xander.

Is it just me - or does anyone else think the same?

It slightly annoyed me that, when Kate was putting forward the wafty new age naming ceremony stuff Alastair's reaction wasn't an immediate "Don't be silly, none of that is going to happen." So it was a relief that she didn't mean it anyway.

Last night's episode sounds significant in terms of what happens next with Neil. It would be good if BL are thinking that rationalisation at the pig farm means giving Hannah the boot.

Oh yes, Neil was mentioned, wasn't he?

I do hope Toxic Hannah is soon to be no more. Her nasty haranguing makes me feel ill every time I hear it.

And what about Gav & Kel's change of plan? No one has said anything about that yet....

I think it's more likely Neil will go. The 🔮 predicted some time ago that Neil and Rex would go into the pig business together. Perhaps he will get some sort of redundancy/payoff to invest in the new business.

And what about Gav & Kel's change of plan? No one has said anything about that yet....

Phillip will come back from his evening with Gav full of plans for a double wedding on Crete. (The 🔮 got the location wrong). It won't happen though.

With all the Scottish/Burns Night content lately, I was fully expecting Philip to suggest that he and Kirsty nip up to Gretna Green, and tie the knot on the quiet.

Oh, come on! We've just had an episode broadcasted.

Where are you all?

Doesn't anybody listen at 19:03?

Well, I listened.

The 🔮 is sulking, but I think it could be a good outcome for Neil, depending on the money.

And the pigs might eat Hannah.

If he gets a pay cut and she gets a rise she'll think she's won. On the other hand he'll be free of her and working outdoors which he prefers.

And, of course, the pigs might eat Hannah.