Archers thread #115: Johnny's in the gym, Josh is in a jam, Rex is riled, Kate's with child - discuss The Archers here

[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 to share a camomile tea with Kate, 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 @LillianGish for the excellent Bert Fry tribute title!

I don't think this thread will get us to Easter, but we should be well into Lent before we need a new title. I wonder if St Stephen's will have a new oh-so-interesting Lent initiative this year. When did we last hear from Alan?

Hmmmm.... Gavin and Emmur, eh...?

You know, that could actually work

Hope they decide to relocate to Wales, though

that could actually work

But ... Gavin is nasty. We know that. (Poor Ed has only ever been bewildered.) Emma deserves so much better.

Emma is perfectly capable of standing up to Gavin - she's nasty, too

Mmm ... She can be, if sorely provoked. But Gavin’s an actual bully (who, like all bullies, runs away snivelling of someone stands up to them).

That's exactly what I meant, SSD!

I don't want Emma to be Gavin's rebound mistake.

Regarding Johnny, I don't think he's going to start using/abusing steroids.

No. I predict a storyline involving body image issues (dysmorphia) and an eating disorder, which he will conceal and fiercely deny.

The excessive gym activity will just make him very ill, a lot quicker.

He's never had much self confidence, poor lad, and the bad experience with Bella was just the final straw.

PseudoBadger here - thank you all for your recaps!

Jakob was odd. He was his earlier robotic self with Robert (and that was before he was finagled into giving free advice). Then he spoke quite differently when taking about Kate. Some consistency please, SWs.

Also Freddie was given a terrible identifying line: I've already eaten Aunty Shula. She was right next to him. It's a problem introducing a character, but this was very clumsy, not at all the way people who know each other speak.

No wonder he wasn't hungry, if he had already eaten Auntie Shula!

Think there should have been a comma in there somewhere, echt!!

It seemed very unlikely that Robert would have tried to get unpaid veterinary advice. Did Yakult actually advise? Without examining the llama? Does he only treat horses then?

Lynda initiating pair bonding (rather than "magic time" urgh) was rather nice. Though I seem to find myself jealous of Lynda

I hate the Freddie/Auntie Shula cosy chats and audibly groaned as soon as she predictably started wittering on about St Stephen’s. Can the pair of them not bugger off together for the big gap year adventure they both so desperately wanted?

Where are we going with Jonnh? The bad reaction to rejection by girlfriend, throwing himself into a distraction, all near Valentine's Day ... it's too reminiscent of John.

... They wouldn’t.

Lee ... has admitted to being very hard up. Where will this lead?

Oh, of course! He always mentions rent. Helen will insist he moves in with her. Either to Bridge Farm or some cosy love nest with room for his daughters. Then he’ll miraculously have plenty of money left over for ‘that new Italian place in Borchester’.

It’s too reminiscent of John - but instead of being crushed by a vintage tractor, Johnny will be trapped by a heavy weight in the gym (already foreshadowed by Freddie’s experience and which would go at least someway towards explaining that ridiculous scene).
Also, is it just me or was St Smugula’s delivery even more plodding than usual last night?

I don’t think little miss sanctimonious will be having to make many donations in the “pay for praise” scheme. Unless “what a lovely cosy cardigan, such a lovely shade of ecru” counts. I don’t like Shula, in case anyone was wondering.

“Oh! how lovely @HelloYouTwo”

I also think Kate isn’t pregnant and has probably just decided she is as her period is late. She’s only about 40 though isn’t she?

Why are Ambridge women SURROUNDED AS THEY ARE WITH FARM ANIMALS WHOSE CYCLES THEY INTIMATELY UNDERSTAND so very very very stupid about their own bodies? It’s really annoying.

Johnnie bought the drugs from Lee.

Jill rarely drops in at Bridge Farm. She's busy making flapjacks at home in the Brookfield kitchen.

Did Freddie eat the cream ecru cardigan too?

Hello - joining the throng, tempted over from a reference to Dadadad’s activities here on a higher ed category.
Practical question - is there any where else one can get the summaries when the catch up site doesn’t bother to post them, as seems to happen quite a lot? Annoyingly the one from 7th where Kate tells Alice her rather ludicrous news is missing, for example.

Thanks for those updates - I was an avid listener but got out of the way of it so good to catch up. One question...

Is Tom married and to whom?

I caught the end last night and immediately thought Kate was going to be pregnant.

Annoyingly the one from 7th where Kate tells Alice her rather ludicrous news is missing, for example.

Hello Michaelahpurple I’m a comparative newbie here too in relation to the longevity of these threads. Cutbacks at the BBC have put an end to the weekly blog which I used to like and the more detailed plot summaries. I sometimes listen to Dum Tee Dum podcast which has good catch ups and discussions.

dumteedum.com/

I love this forum and often read the discussion of what’s happened before I’ve heard the episode. I know that would be heresy to some

I know that would be heresy to some
I have no problem with how others enjoy TA as long as they don't put spoilers on this thread. Each to their own.

Is Tom married and to whom?

He is!

BBC info here. + Photo!

Just checking in, thanks Gasp0de.

as long as they don't put spoilers on this thread.

No risk of that R4. Thread intro explains etiquette very well!