💥 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.

[UnholyStramash]

Ah, read the last couple of posts, so Rog has not succumbed. Yes, everyone, people can leave and arrive in Scotland. Especially in an emergency/family illness situation. That Andrew Marr was here last week for his own father’s send off, apparently. The 5 miles from home thing has now been eased but illness or indeed death in the family was always regarded as an exemption. Just like going to Barnard Castle to check your eyesight. I understand (mostly from Twitter) that families have been able to visit on covid wards in some cases, wearing PPE, usually at the end of life.

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

As a matter of interest and because someone here is sure to know, how about Wales?

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

(Remembering Ed and Jazzer shearing there last week.)

[Madcats]

In my defence, I was sat in the garden with one of our cats when DH messaged to do the "Debbie alert". He liked Black Books and Episodes. I missed most of the dialogue. I enjoyed the Nigel triptychs and I hope the SWs learn what makes a good 10-15 mins of reflection.

[UnholyStramash]

I suppose going to Wales to shear sheep aka work is regarded a essential travel. Some people of course travel back and forward all the time due to living and working on either side of the border anyway.

In Scotland we’re still being advised to be mostly at home. It’s just that now people can travel more than 5 miles to see people in a non-essential way. I’m shielding so I’ve seen precisely nobody yet apart from the people I reside with. I’m feeling very sad and frustrated because I’ve not seen two of my babies for months.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Debbie sounds unsure about her future in Hungary. She mentioned the political situation.

[UnholyStramash]

Incidentally I like PPE’s suggested title for the next thread.

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

The political situation in Hungary was not favourable at the time Debbie went out there: it was not legal for non-Hungarians to own land, at that point, so I always wondered how the consortium of British citizens which employed her was able to own the farm there at all.

[UnholyStramash]

@BoreOfWhabylon, that was an interesting comment from Debbie. Initially I thought she was criticising Orban and the right wingers but that would be over-political for TA or indeed the Beeb. I assume Brexit is causing her problems over residency. I imagine that’s as far as it will go but it’s a shame she doesn’t share a father with Adam because then she could have an Irish passport. I don’t believe Tamsin G is desperate to come back to TA so I can’t see how Debbie returning to Ambridge would work.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

But she might move to Scotland. (wonder if Charlie is still there?)

[BoreOfWhabylon]

I get a feeling something is in the wind and she will want her share of family money to finance it. Not sure how the money is divvied up though, I expect @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime will know.

(The 🔮 doesn't do financial predictions)

[UnholyStramash]

Around the time Charlie moved to Perthshire I looked up fish farms in Perthshire in the yellow pages. Yep, I’m old school. There were a few round here. I expected them all to up around the Tummel (Pitlochry et environs). We’re kind of south-west of Pitlochry. I’ve not been out much lately but I’ve never spotted Charlie.

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

On 7th May, 2017, Brian got the family together for a meeting and explained his plan to split Home Farm ownership into eleven shares, of which he and Jennifer would get three each, Debbie and Adam two each, and Kate, Alice and Ruairi one each.

Debbie's two shares were contingent on her continuing to run her share of the management, which she presumably couldn't if she decided to take her money out, so at that point there is scope for a really messy legal wrangle about how much she is entitled to: two-elevenths of the value of the farm, or one-eleventh since she has resigned her position.

(I don't think she will do it, for that reason: it would be difficult to plot and write.)

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

I was so hoping Elaine might be Elaine Gill - unexpectedly a friend of Debbie's and giving her first refusal on Home Farm as they're selling up ...

But yes, have been thinking the same as Bore (in another place,) she'll be wanting her money out of the farm ...

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

It was never explained at any point whether the elevenths were of the farm's profits or its assets, either. Since it was previously being left to Adam, Debbie and Ruairi jointly, and neither Adam nor Debbie kicked up stinko about getting only two-elevenths of what had previously been shared into thirds between them when Brian pops his clogs, I think it may only be shares in the profits. So Debbie taking her money and leaving would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs from her point of view if at present she is getting a profit-share and a salary annually, and she would lose both for a one-off lump sum.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Thanks Asking I knew you'd know

[Minimammoth]

I suppose they could get a different actress for Debbie.😱

[EBearhug]

I imagine Tamsin gets rather more money for all her TV stuff than she does for TA.

I too wondered if Adam mght change his mind about seeing Roger if he remembers Charlie. Though to be fair, asking a farmer with a one year old and a week before harvest starts to do anything else is having unrealistic expectations.

[Roysnewshirt]

Adam used his monologue as an opportunity to demonstrate his suitability to play Hamlet when theatres reopen...such dreadful over-acting - particularly when he growled: ‘You can’t mess around with cherries!’

I thought Brian confiding in Xander about Siobhan was feasible. Babies and cats know everyone’s secrets...

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

@Minimammoth

I suppose they could get a different actress for Debbie.😱

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And on that note - new thread time. Bear with me for a few minutes ....

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

New thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3960829--Archers-thread-119-Has-the-Bull-reopened-Will-Ambridge-pull-through-We-ve-all-dozed-off-and-havent-a-clue-Moan-about-the-monologues-here?watched=1