💥 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.

Emma taking to the tractor and the trender (or whatever it's called, I have no idea even have a farming background, well kind of) was fabulous, go girl!

It's a tedder. Like this.

Ifti was a maths teacher who gave Freddie some tuition when Elizabeth was concerned he was falling behind at the Cathedral School. Following that link PPE provided (thanks!) I see I'd forgotten about the cricket connection. Tracy might find him a useful addition to the team, if cricket resumes this year.

I liked hearing Freddie ruminating, because he is one person I can believe has an inner narrative. I wonder if any of the pictures he's found will save LL from its financial problems. I hope so, especially if it means one in the eye for Russ.

Into the 900s at last! We may yet fill this thread up before the end of the month.

This is the third or fourth time that wonderful things have been discovered in an attic which was completely emptied twice during the past thirty or so years, once for the death-watch beetle treatment and once for the dry-rot treatment. The pictures have been thoroughly investigated, too. The editorial team needs to change the record.

I was so glad that the cellars were finally mentioned as a place where things were stored.

I'm sick to death of contrived 'nostalgia in the attic' stories from Lower Loxley. How many of their staff are furloughed? Have they started eating the rare breeds yet?

Which reminds me that it would be entertaining to hear Bert's furlough (is he still employed at LL?) monologue. He's well connected and ought to have some juicy gossip to relay.

I thought he was a volunteer tour-guide.

Bert was born in 1936, according to The Archers Encyclopaedia, so he is now in his mid-eighties.

Berts lockdown poetry... ?

Berts lockdown poetry... ?

Haven’t we suffered enough?!?

Tracy might find him a useful addition to the team, if cricket resumes this year.
Didn’t Tracy more or less throw herself at Ifti at one point?

She did. He dodged.

Remember when we were talking of Emma's eventual role as Grundy matriarch? Is this how it's going to happen? Might she wrench the menfolk out of their forelock tugging subsistence and into the 21st century through actual farming? She has a brain and ambition and an inexhaustible capacity for labour - just imagine what she could do with (all the scattered little bits of) the Grundy / Grange farm enterprise.

There's always been a missing link in the (my) idealised story of Oliver leaving Ed the farm - Ed just couldn't make a success of it so wouldn't have deserved it. But Emma might.

PPE I hope this is where they are going with it. Well done Emma for breaking out of the Grundy female mould.

I hoped that Emma was leaving the dies

Try again. I hoped that Emma was leaving the Grundies altogether and look where that got me.

I enjoyed hearing from Emma and her getting something done that Ed probably doesn’t think she’s capable of.

@Langsdestiny

Try again. I hoped that Emma was leaving the Grundies altogether and look where that got me.

I'm glad she kept her family together (including the man she does actually love despite what other people might think) on her terms. I hope she continues with the farm work, she seemed to feel a sense of accomplishment and its got to be better than working in a chicken factory.

Yes she loves him. But she wont in 20 years. Or she wont if it's supposed to be realistic.
I wish they would credit the listeners with even a tiny bit of intelligence. I hate the way they seem to have started spelling everything out. So Susan plays a song for Tracey about how she will be feeling after the quiz, we can hear its We are the champions in the background but oh no they have to have Susan saying perhaps I shouldn't have played we are the champions or whatever nonsense she uttered. We are able to work these things out. It's like colour by numbers.

Why wouldn’t Emma love Ed in 20 years? Their relationship has been tested more than most. They both have a strong work ethic and are ambitious in their own ways. I can see them becoming the Grundy first family.

Yes, Ed is Em's lobster.

On a separate note, the 🔮 is muttering about the possibility of Robin Fairbrother reappearing as Lizard has now realised she is a Woman With Wants and Needs which Ifti is clearly not going to fulfil.
Or... Russ

Because she will be ground down by living with a man who is turning into his father.

Ed isn’t Eddie. He knows there are no get rich quick shortcuts. He doesn’t want Emma to live the life Clarrie lives. No sign of him drinking in the Bull at every opportunity.

Apologies for jumping in. Please ignore me....