💥 Archers thread #118: Back in time for The Archers - catch up with the catch up until the scriptwriters catch up! 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 Philip Moss is in line for Employer of the Year, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: OK, there aren't likely to be many for the foreseeable future, but when we do have some, 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.)

Thanks to @LillianGish for the title! This thread starts at a very odd time for The Archers, longest-running soap opera in the world. No new episodes expected till late May , and when we do get them they're not going to sound like normal, as the actors are recording separately at home and the BBC is attempting to cobble it all together. Tough times for the sound effects team!

The BBC is filling the gap by repeating key episodes from the last 20 years. Some of us here will have heard them before, but not all, by any means, so if you want background on what you hear this is the place to ask.

Over to you! I must try to catch up with the repeats at some point today.

I hardly ever listen to radio 4 live so haven't heard the trailer.
I enjoyed the flower and produce show,

I haven't heard the trailer.

Sabrina Thwaite is a silent. I think she does yoga and pilates, and wears 'athleisure'. She is probably well groomed in a high maintenance sort of way.

The trailer is on Sounds, so I've just heard it too. David and Josh in compare and contrast soliloquys. Not what I was looking forward to. We could be in for months of this.

The Hunt Ball episode last night was dire. I listen to TA in spite of episodes and plot twists like this, not because of them. With 70 years of episodes to choose from, why that one?

Indeed, Gasp0. I'm trying not to hold this curious mish-mash of archive episodes against them - but it's made absolutely no sense. Yesterday's would have been completely impenetrable to anyone unfamiliar with the ongoing story - and it's impossible to understand why they didn't broadcast their selection in chronological order with some linking from the continuity announcer. (Or, better, with Tom Forrest mark 2 - maybe Tracy - providing a brief linking commentary before each episode.) Still, I guess they were as discombobulated and confused as the rest of us, and might have done things differently with a year to prepare.

Who would ever think running off to South America with Matt Crawford was a good idea?!?

To a relatively new listener it is inconceivable that he could be seen as anything more than a ghastly caricature but did he have redeeming features in days gone by?

Intern - Hello, can I just remind you all to mute your microphones? SW3, all we can hear is your cat, mum says that until you get her to the vet this is going to happen regularly.
SW1 - good morning everyone. A special thanks is due to the young person for trawling through Mummynet to find all the episodes they’ve mentioned as memorable. That should stop them complaining about our choice.
Intern- I did suggest broadcasting them in chronological order...
SW1- we are. We’re broadcasting them in the order you found them. Isn’t that what you meant?

To a relatively new listener it is inconceivable that he could be seen as anything more than a ghastly caricature but did he have redeeming features in days gone by?
I don't know if redeeming features is the phrase but he was a fairly three-dimensional character, played by a good actor.

I must be easily amused. I've found it quite surprising how much they can pack into 13 minutes if they feel like it. Obviously, we don't want every episode to be epic but some of these old ones packed a punch. There was so much going on last night (although it was too much for exhausted Adam ).

I wonder if they've chosen archive episodes that remind us of the history of Chris and Alice's relationship, and Brian's affair with Siobhan, deliberately, because there are storylines planned for which they will be relevant? I suspect Alice could well be furloughed and/or made redundant in lockdown, and presumably the Ruairi inheritance issue has to boil up at some point.

it's impossible to understand why they didn't broadcast their selection in chronological order I was thinking the same thing. We could have had a selection of Brian's philanderings for example. Otherwise set pieces like the flower and produce show work much better as a snapshot out of context. I am enjoying listening to old episode however - I'd love it if they could go farther back.

Oo @JudyCoolibar that's an interesting thought, yes!

Haven't RTFT, but have we discussed the sad issue of whether any characters might succumb to coronavirus, ie die? Or do we think the editors have shied away from hard-hitting issues? Obviously The Laurels could be a major storyline, for example. Although only through monologues....

Aunty Cardboard is now easily disposable if a token death is called for and has conveniently moved to the Laurels.

We have speculated in earlier threads, StawberryJam.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if poor Christine succumbed - I would think it a disgraceful way to sack such a long-standing character if it were done off-stage. She deserves full wailing and community gathering, as we had for Joe or Phil.

Ollie could be finished off by Covid, with his will leaving Grange Farm to the Ed and GG to Tracy. That would shake things up a bit.

And Brava to Chemenger and The Intern!

Ed, not the Ed, obvs.

And Brava to Chemenger and The Intern!

Yes! Forgot to add that.

I fear they will have to grasp the nettle of Grey Gables closing down or being sold: Oliver was gloomy enough about its prospects after the kitchen explosion, surely lockdown will be the final nail in the coffin.

Interesting situation with Phil and Gavin's workforce. I suspect they won't want to keep feeding them with little or no income coming in - might they be forced by sheer destitution into blowing the whistle?

Listened to cabin pressure over breakfast with the kids. It was fab.

Oh Chemenger, the poor intern! I fear that is all too horribly realistic.

I wonder if they've chosen archive episodes that remind us of the history of Chris and Alice's relationship, and Brian's affair with Siobhan, deliberately

There's a thought JudyCoolibar. I think there were some hints in Sean O'Connor's day about Ruari. There were a lot of episodes about setting up the trust and Ruth representing Ruari so I think this is a strong possibility.

It would have worked well to have better links between episodes. I have enjoyed the repeats but a newer listener would need to do quite a bit of delving on The Archers website or various books/blogs etc.

Also agree that Grey Gables and The Laurels could be important in the next few months - both can be fitted easily into topical storylines. Not heard the trailer yet.

I've posted before about the choice of the historical episodes likely to be connected with what is to come.

Brava! indeed. I

So it's going to feature monologues? Bang goes what little suspension of disbelief I have left. I would prefer them to use phone calls. The point of TA is to feel like you are overhearing what people are saying in Ambridge.

I'll still listen though, obviously

Obviously!

Looking at next week's Radio Times, I think there will be phone calls.

Good. I will grudgingly accept the monologues then.

We often get one-sided phone calls. Also the tail end of conversations where you hear X saying goodbye to Y and Z, and then X has a scene with A and B. All meant to make us think there is a cast of hundreds!

Maybe this won't be so very different, a desperate addict writes.

I felt for Peggy in last night's repeat. Not easy listening. Good for Ian.