💥 Archers thread #117: Welcome to the only C19-free area in the world! 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 think Phoebe is a genius, 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/3853783--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-5-Cant-wait-for-7-02pm-Join-us-here, 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.)

I put the BOOM! emoticon in the title as I thought it could transition into a vague likeness of a virus if we're still going by early May, when we expect some wild contortions from the production team to get Ambridge back in synch with the rest of the world. I think I would have preferred them to ignore it altogether but I suppose they couldn't.

Another lurker & occasional poster here. Can someone please tell me when Kirsty & Phil’s engagement/secret wedding is set for? Is it before Coronavirus reaches Ambridge?

Doesn't it seem a heck of a long time since Thursday?

You wouldn't think just one extra day without an episode would make such difference

Imagine how it's going to feel if they pull the Thursday edition too 😢

They plan to broadcast episodes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from the start of May onwards.

This article contains spoilers, so don't open it if you don't want to see them!

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2GNKGkF5VfvSSVwJlkdgXXf/making-the-archers-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

But... Isn't that what they're already doing, AQATT?

They are broadcasting on Sundays as well at present, fivce days a week instead of four.

Four days on, three days off. That's a bit bad. I think I'd prefer shorter episodes. I suppose I could always miss a day, and thereafter listen exclusively on iPlayer, stopping part way through so I could spread the 4 episodes over the week.

Total interlude but does anyone know who plays Gavin Moss (a google hasnt helped and I think I've heard him somewhere else and would like confirmation)

Gavin Moss: Gareth Pierce, according to the BBC cast list. He has been in a few other things.

Thank you, he's not in an advert I thought he was - argument settled.

Boop for Leonie.

Tonight’s episode with the lengthy police interview reminded me of a police drama when the thuggish but committed police sergeant interviews the person the audience knows did the crime but the audience doesn’t know till later that the polis already suspected/had evidence against the perp and were basically just trying to trap the perp by letting him tell more and lies, in effect dig himself a big hole to fall into. Anyone else? But of course Harrison Burns isn’t thuggish or particularly clever though he could be descrambler committed, I s’pose.

Harrison was definitely being generous with the rope!

I almost felt sorry for Philip.

I did feel sorry for Robert. Poor man is living through such anguish. Even with all the support being offered he's clearly deeply traumatised. He needs a chat with Elizabeth about counselling.

Four days on, three days off.
I wonder if it will change the nature of the programme. Instead of being "everyday" it could mutate into a series of little "wrapped up in a week" dramas although within overarching, main storylines.

It's bound to change the nature of the programme, but my impression from what's been released about the next few weeks is that the main problem is that actors are recording their own segments at home so interaction between characters is likely to be very limited indeed. I'm expecting lots of monologues and phone conversations. We expect slightly odd sound quality on a phone conversation, but when characters are supposed to be face to face they have to sound as if they're standing next to each other, not hundreds of miles apart edited together. Sound effects will be a problem too.

I'm expecting lots of monologues and phone conversations.

Yes - this is why I was musing on who in Ambridge lives alone. It would surely make more sense to use those characters to reflect lockdown via monologues, rather than the great majority who would realistically be conversing with their family.

Although ... Kirsty on the phone to Helen (if the revelations come soon) should be good.

Ha! Thought of another one - Russ on the phone to some yr 12 or 13 girl seeking (art) career advice ...

Wouldn't the police have interviewed Blake? Who will have said that Philp is his uncle?
Unholy, Harrison as the Ambridge Columbo!!??

I'm expecting lots of face to face conversations between Brian and Shula

Indeed!

But what could they possibly have to talk about?

Bore

And what address has Blake given?

I'm quite looking forward to the new scripts.

Brine will, through a series of improbable events, end up in quarantine with Smugula. With hilarious consequences.

It's true Shula has masses of empty space. Half a dozen people could probably self isolate at the stables without bumping into each other.

And maybe Dan might come home ...

Thinking further - Robin FairPop had a heart attack a while ago, didn't he. So perhaps his less favourite, more dutiful son might feel he should spend lockdown with him? Rex is so well connected in Ambridge now, they could spin a good few phone conversations out of him.

Im delaying listening to Thursday's episode so the gap isn't too long.
Doesn't Philip have a middle name?
As a welshman Philip is probably his middle name and his first name is David.

Phiip sounded very surprised when Harrison said he'd finished. Not sure that was a good move by Philip Good move by Harrison, though - Philip certainly felt the need to say more.

Lynda has told Robert in no uncertain terms she wishes to be treated like an adult and involved in decisions. Why on earth hasn't he been discussing with her which room she wants to be in, where she wants the bed to be, how she wants the room arranged. Even if the Japanese screen is light, she's not in any condition to be closing and opening it at will.

Feel sad about it because Robert is going to get told off again, and he's so well-meaning.