Archers thread #116: Pandemic fears, markets crash but it's BOOM 💥 time for Ambridge. 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 employ Philip Moss & Son to fix your soil pipe, 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! (New thread likely to be replacing that one very soon, in the current circumstances.)

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 thread title idea, which I tweaked, and @springydaff for the 💥 emoticon, which I hope is in the title! (Can't preview the title). Welcome, lurkers and lapsed listeners, drawn out of the shadows by the current crisis in Ambridge. In the OP of the last thread I said I didn't think we'd get to Easter on that thread. We certainly didn't!

I am very worried indeed about Lynda and concerned about Oliver too. Don't care about Gavin unless it means Kirsty is cheated out of yet another wedding. Freddie's redemption is now assured, though, surely? Roll on the return of the Lower Loxley crew.

I want the Ambridge Health Fairy to ensure she survives without being hideously disfigured and disabled! It's happened before and I hope it happens again. Hear, hear!

Weevils Sorry for my remark above. I have no doubt that in real life you would be far more heroic than me, and certainly wouldn't be ramming brick dust up anyone's nostrils.

This is not what I want from The Archers. Why do they think we want catastrophe and extreme distress? Especially after the reaction to Nigel’s death. I’ve not commented in ages though so I guess that’s what they want... engagement

Picking up on the issue of Lynda's dealings with Freddie: yes, she shouldn't have jumped to conclusions - but he is going to have to get used to the fact that his record opens the door to that, and he has no-one but himself to blame for that fact.

Wonderful acting from Robert and Jim.

I also love the relationship between Shula and Freddie.

Definite BOOP for Jim. Having worked on ITU, I think the doctor would've been somewhat less optimistic about her survival, given that it would be unlikely with full thickness burns, collapsed lung and fractured pelvis at her age.

Thanks for the new thread Gasp0de (and suitable emoji). Agree with all the comments about Jim and Robert tonight. I like Shula and Freddy’s relationship too. I think the thing about Lynda is that for all her interfering and snobbery, she has a very kind core. It’s how she’s made herself a place in Ambridge.

I can see why some posters are upset about the timing but I personally don’t mind. Perhaps it because Lynda’s collapsed lung and burns are such different conditions. There are so many potential repercussions from these events that I think this is being done much better than Nigel or Rob/Hellin. I am just so sorry for Kirsty. I thought she had got her happy ending at last (although I would prefer Roy as her husband over Phillip).

I have no doubt that in real life you would be far more heroic than me, and certainly wouldn't be ramming brick dust up anyone's nostrils

Oh goodness, MereDint, I doubt I would be heroic at all but probably (I hope) practical. But were I in a Freddie situation vis a vis Lynda. then I think a bit of standing on her windpipe might well have occurred. I'm not nice. Just pragmatic. And deeply sneaky.

But in all seriousness, and leaving aside my genuine visceral loathing of Lynda, it's a pretty shit situation with no particularly good outcomes likely. Dying under sedation would be the kindest thing for a 'real' Lynda.

I wonder if Lynda actress wants to leave and a surviving, disfigured Lynda will either not speak, or speak differently.

Last night I posted on my local PokemonGo group that I would not be available for raids as I wanted to know how Lynda and Freddie were. Apparently I am the only Archers listener :o

Sunday is community day and I expect to have the piss ripped out of me.

Dh wandered in last night and said why is The Archers trending on Twitter, they all seem really worried about someone.

I wonder if the story is designed to give the Lynda actress a break. In a way that can easily become permanent or could explain a much smaller role in future if she wanted to come back.

I am surprised they didn't take the opportunity to write Kathy out. Is it daft to hope that in the aftermath of the explosion she will speak? It will be very unrealistic if she doesn't.

Oh, what a time to lose all Wi/Fi reception.

Thanks for the new thread, Gasp0! 💥

Gosh, that was hard listening. BOOP for Robert, and Jim. Poor Lynda. But I don’t understand why they made Robert say he didn’t have anyone else. Surely, realistically, at least one of his daughters would have rushed to be with him. Leonie is only in London. (Not sure where Coriander is currently.) But he has them, and two grandsons - he’s not completely alone in the world.

And why was he on his own until Jim turned up? Granted, Tracy and Roy would have had their hands full at GG, but Emma was on the spot. And Alan should certainly have found his way to the hospital ASAP.

Also - Where Is Gavin?

jim & robert I want to give both a big hug. that was so well done!
I really hope lynda pulls through, she is one of the few overall well written characters.

ime there are 2 types of dr, the one who mainly talks about the dark (the risks of a bad out come) and the light (even an unlikely chance is a chance)

That doctor sounded straight out of a 1950s drama, all clipped delivery and somehow very dated sounding.

Delurking to say, much as I agree that gloomy storylines are not what’s wanted in current circs, all credit to the SWs for plotting an arc that has allowed Jim to show such wonderful emotional intelligence, and that his doing so seems entirely credible now

Fantastic acting from Jim and Robert. I do hope that neither of them plan to retire any time soon. If we are to believe the doom merchants, Borchester General is going to be rammed full of Coronavirus sufferers in a matter of days/weeks.

If the hotel is going to be out of action for 6 months Kirsty, Kathy, Roy, Tracey, Roman, Freddie and Hugh are going to have a lot of time on their hands (and not much income). I hope we don't have to listen to Ian fretting about designing a new kitchen.

I agree @SurpriseSparDay that Robert isn't entirely alone. And,yes,where was Alan?

I didn't find Jim saying 'But she's going to be alright?' at all convincing. He's too pragmatic to say that; it wasn't even his place to ask! I would have believed Robert saying it in his desperation.

Otherwise,I'm glad she's still alive but fear for her future. Especially if they're going to drag it out bit by agonising bit

It feels like only 5 minutes since we were in hospital with Nic. I can’t take much of that sort of thing so hope Lynda makes a speedy ( miraculous?) recovery. I do want to hear about GG, the builders and life at LL now the adorable Freddie has returned... is Lizzie’s licence safe, I wonder ?

This is not what I want from The Archers. Why do they think we want catastrophe and extreme distress? Especially after the reaction to Nigel’s death.

I'm beginning to think that The Archers isn't real.

I like the Freddie and Aunty Shula interactions too.

Why do they think we want catastrophe and extreme distress?

We don't, but if there were never any catastrophe, it would be unrealistic. Bad things do happen in life. But it needs to be infrequent, though - I don't want it to go all Eastenders.

There has been an awful lot of this sort of life and death drama though. It isn't getting a bit Eastenders, it is like it.

In the nine years since Nigel died but particularly in the last four or five, we've had Hel'n Rob, Adam nearly drowning in the flood, Matt's crazy adventures including hit and run, Nic's death, now an exploding sewer / gas main at GG.

I've almost blanked the Matt episode from my mind, as it was so absurd, likewise poor pulic-information-broadcast Nic. Even so, after Nigel and Rob, I already feel we've spent a lot of time on death, drama and mortal peril.

That's over 9 years. If it were EE, that would have just happened in 9 months.

Can’t believe the scriptwriters have done that to Lyndy...heartbreaking

It just seems so pointlessly cruel. To inflict life changing injuries and possibly disfigurement (facial burns ... why?) on an elderly woman, I can't see what it adds to the script.

... if there were never any catastrophe, it would be unrealistic. Bad things do happen in life

But most people get through an entire lifetime without being caught up in an explosion - or knowing anyone who has. If the SW had wanted to show an elderly married couple overcoming adversity through their resilience and devotion, they could, for example, have given Lynda bowel or ovarian cancer. Yes, I know it would have been horrid, but it would have been more realistic and fulfilled their public information remit.

Likewise, Nic could have survived sepsis. People do. It would have been more interesting IMHO to watch Nic recover and as a result of her illness become emotionally stronger and stand up to boorish Will rather than us witnessing his life implode.

Admittedly I don't watch Eastenders

It just feels a bit much to me, compared to normal life. Yes bad things and suprising things happen but the number of young widows and widowers in Ambridge over the years seems unusual. Likewise the number of people who've been to prison.

Agree with everything you’ve said, LaureBerthaud. And you’ve put it so much better than I could!