🍾 Archers thread 123: Goodbye & good riddance to 2020 – to Philip too? The Archers is 70 on New Year’s Day – celebrate or vent about it 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 wish we heard more from Shula, 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.)

So! 2021 beckons. Big anniversary next Friday, 1.1.21 (and to mark that we have episodes Tuesday-Friday next week). What would we like to see happen? I may be in a minority of one, but I'd like a nice gentle character-driven episode. I don't think we'll get that, but I really, really hope they don't kill someone else off, just for the headlines.

[Title edited by MNHQ at OP'S request]

I would definitely have answered if I was Shula. Would have been so interesting to hear what he had to say. Some friend - or minister - she would be if she drops you at the first sign of trouble. He’s not even been charged yet.

But why have you[ turned down cheap quotes]? I've done the same, because I've assumed that they're cutting corners and will do a rubbish job, or will turn up all sorts of "unforeseeable problems" requiring extra payment. It's never occurred to me that they're running on modern slavery

Partly because I assumed there are shortcuts/issues with materials but if multiple staff are involved I assume they are not being paid properly since staff are a substantial part of any costs.

Alan's sermon was a a bit full-on public information, wasn't it? I think I preferred it when the Archers was the public information arm of the Min of Ag

"Laying it on with a shovel" sprang to mind. Also stellar job of Shula making it all about her whilst making it absolutely clear that it really wasn't her fault as another person who had seen a lot of Philip's work.

If Shula is going to be a priest surely she’ll have to learn not to blab about things she’s been told in confidence- Gavin’s “gambling problem” without a second thought. Usual selfish handwringing from her.

I had forgotten how much I loathe Shula. What a waste of food and oxygen she is. Apart from a bottomless well of self-regard and a totally misguided belief in her own virtue what would she bring to the priesthood? Gossip, judgement and sneering superiority?

I had forgotten how much I loathe Shula

Me too @Chemenger! Sorry, @ILoveShula! I am relieved Alastair has left her. He is a decent guy and I am surprised he hasn’t found a new partner yet. Who wouldn’t want a nice vet in their 50s? The gambling wasn’t great but he is over that and I don’t think he will go back down that path again. Life with Jazza and his Dad - while it wouldn’t be right for me - must be a blessed relief after 20 years plus of listening to Shula whining.

By the way, where on earth is @mikeuniformmike?!?

Missing you and hope you are ok. Or have you changed your name?

I know it is a serious subject, but last nights episode felt like a kids educational programme.
It has been useful in that it highlighted that not all modern day slaves are immigrants, I must admit that i was certainly ignorant about it, but they have raised the subject, handled it well, shown the shock that is natural, but are now turning it into some sort of educational lecture.
Its a bit like being smacked around the head now.

Last night's episode was literally too preachy.

Yes I could have done without Alan’s sermon as well.

Yesterday’s episode wasn’t a great ‘end of the week’ all round really, with Helen and Shula and Alan all putting in an appearance. All true to form though, just I wouldn’t mind if they all disappeared again now

And I would definitely answered the phone if I were Shula - can’t believe she didn’t.

Yes, a great characteristic for a priest, only have easy conversations with people you like. We have to assume Shula only wants a nice rural parish, with a lovely middle aged, middle class congregation, no interest in being a prison Chaplin or working in a deprived inner city.

I would have answered, but put it on speakerphone and said nothing, because I am me.

Once, I received a phone call from someone and I was so shocked that that person had called me, I just let it ring. I was quite shaken by it. I had blocked the number anyway, so couldn't answer. I didn't call back.

Would Shula suit a hat, stick, moustache and a penguin suit?

Would Shula suit a hat, stick, moustache and a penguin suit?

You mean she doesn't have them?

I had forgotten how much I loathe Shula

I waver between her and David for ghastliness depending on which of them is most audible at the time.

I could have done without the religious sermon too.

Much of the episode was what someone once notably called "a pot of message". (Brian Stableford? Theodore Sturgeon? Does anyone happen to know?)

@ILoveShula

Would Shula suit a hat, stick, moustache and a penguin suit?

Well played! I wondered why my phone had autocorrected to add a capital letter to chaplain, I didn't notice it had completely changed the role I was giving St Smugula.

Well, thank you Chemenger, I've been after a new name for a while.
I still love Shula.

Not answering the phone shows Shula is not ready for priesthood.
Cowardly and unprofessional, no matter what the context.

She is currently training to be a priest, so no she isn't ready.
would you answer a phone to a human trafficker?

Yes, if I wanted to take Holy Orders, I would. Particularly one who had not been convicted of any crime.

But I might not always answer the phone right then and there; but then if I was physically talking to someone, my phone would probably be on silent anyway. Phones have voicemail for a reason.

I did think of saying 'someone accused of'.

I'll still defend Shula. I haven't agreed with her on everything over the years. I mean , that Richard Locke business was beyond the pale. But she was tragically widowed by sound effects, she's struggled with infertility when her sister had a termination, she lost her best friend, she's supported her then husband through gambling and debt problems, and what does she get on here, nothing but criticism. Even her taste in clothing has been criticised, her misguided attempts to help the homeless, everything.

Now if Shula had posted in AIBU? about some of the things she's had to go through, the responses would have been very different.