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.

I bet Jakob ended up cleaning the microwave anyway!

There's no way Kate's idea of cleaning (a lick and a promise, no doubt) would satisfy Jakob's OCD standards.

He sounds exactly like me, and I would have sent Kate home as soon as the boiler was mended - relationship or no relationship!

In my head Kate is very attractive, I can believe Jakob would be very smitten with er the physical side of it all.

She might well be physically attractive, but her personality is definitely not IMO.

Her passive aggressive way of manipulating people just makes me sick.

She needs pulling up sharply - and I hope Jakob will do exactly that very soon.

If he's stupid enough to ignore her obvious personality defects because she looks hot/is fun in bed then he deserves her. I think it's more the case that he didn't initially have the measure of her but now he's wising up.

Jakob is definitely not stupid.

It's obvious to me that he has some degree of Asperger's (personal experience) so may not be able to recognise or interpret subtext or passive aggressive behaviour.

But I hope think he's onto Kate now! She's totally wrong for him IMO.

Is there anybody for whom someone with as many character defects as Kate would be right?

yes - kate herself

Nope, Asking, I can't think of anybody unpleasant enough to deserve her.

Unless you count Pip, of course

Maybe she and Kate will realise they're both gay and run away together (far, far far away) never to be heard of ever again.

One can but dream.....

Lee makes another subtle dog at his ex.

Previously they divorced because she was unreasonable; (I can't remember his exact wording), and now he can't afford a Valentine's day treat because all his money goes on child support ; (unsaid to his greedy ex )

I think he wanted to shag her and put any doubts to one side, it's not unusual.

Dig, not dog.

I wonder if there will be a hastily shoehorned-in reference to Storm Ciara this weekend?

I can imagine Susan or Emmur commenting on the similarity to Kira's name.

Or Kate with Hanney. Both thoroughly unpleasant in their own ways. Then they can run off together, somewhere far, far away. I can dream!

It is looking like Kate's going to get pregnant though, the way she's going on. She shouldn't though.

Didn't Freddie shift a load of hay for Shula a few weeks ago and explain that he'd spent a fair bit of time in the prison gym?

I might be confusing my former crims, but I am really struggling to understand why any of that 3 would want to attend a posh hotel gym.

Given that Freddie will inherit LL in a few years time, he really ought to be sent off to get some proper work experience.

why any of that 3 would want to attend a posh hotel gym.

Lee: because he wants to ingratiate himself with Helen by becoming integrated in her community. (Maybe there’s even a job opportunity brewing in a SW’s mind?)

Johnny: because he’s grieving the loss of his relationship with Bella - and presumably thinks if he gains a sixier (sic) six pack he’ll render Josh invisible to any viable passing female. (Obvs doesn’t make rl sense because he must be pretty damn fit already ...)

Freddie: craves the attention and respect of his erstwhile best friend. And is always looking for a way to make himself admired. And is probably vaguely jealous of Johnny’s new friendship with a physically powerful man.

It’s all Helen’s fault. And we already know there’ll be tears before bedtime ...

To be honest, I can't see why Johnny and Freddie wouldn't want to regularly go to a gym. Not necessarily a posh hotel gym, but it seems like that might be the only option (I take it that Freddie has no car since Lily has their shared one, so travelling to a different gym would be hard. They're both childless, single, and living somewhere with limited access to hobbies. If they didn't practise a sport (and apart from cricket in the summer and occasional nets, and karate, there doesn't seem to be any other sport available - no cycling club, no football club etc.) then what else would they do except work and sit around at home? The village offers a WI branch, bell ringing, and occasional other activities (book club, Christmas play), i.e. not much to fill you life with if you're a single 20-something. I suppose Freddie could spend more time riding, possibly joining the hunt ... but it's not surprising they're looking for something else. It only surprised me that Freddie didn't want to go every day.

Lee makes another subtle dog at his ex

Previously they divorced because she was unreasonable; (I can't remember his exact wording), and now he can't afford a Valentine's day treat because all his money goes on child support ; (unsaid to his greedy ex )

That's not remotely how it sounded to me.

Oh and BOOP BOOP Rex.

Josh deserved all of that.

True dat.

I was a bit alarmed about Jill. For several horrible moments I seriously wondered if she had been replaced. She sounded so odd.

Jill did sound very odd.

BOOP for Rex, the way Pip was telling Josh "Oh, he'll come around, just give it time." ignoring how seriously Rex was affected, was really annoying, as if it was just a storm in a teacup. So I was very glad to hear Rex standing up for himself, because he's usually far too laid back.

BOOP for Rex here, too. Why are Pip and Josh surprised that he doesn't want to be in business with Josh? Even if you have the emotional intelligence of a slug, it should not have been unexpected.

I guess for Pip and Josh Archer of Brookfield Rex is just an extra on the sidelines of their lives. I’m sure it would never occur to either of them that he’s actually central to his own life.

But oh, the irony. All the assertiveness training Rex has received from his brother - and this is where it’s led. This is why the SWs had Josh call Toby to collect him from the police station. Tobes, through Rosie, is now firmly Team Josh. Rex, not so much.

Gonna be carnage.

Jill’s voice has got very shrieky recently.

What she said was "everyone does it."

Yes exactly, she had no idea just how serious it was and was thinking in terms of a bit of dodgy VAT avoidance or poaching.

It was clear both before and after that she had no idea that Ed was disposing of dangerous chemicals and involved with violent gangs.

To be honest, I can't see why Johnny and Freddie wouldn't want to regularly go to a gym.

Yes I agree, the only odd aspect is the joining of an expensive gym. I can't see how Lee will fund his continuing membership once the gift membership expires.