🐴 Archers thread 124: And they're off! Pip on a high horse, Kirsty champing at the bit to find the lost ‘horses’, Alice on the wagon (or is she riding for a fall?). 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 Shula would make a brilliant vicar, 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.)

Thanks to @PoulePouletteEternellement for the equine theme to the new thread title. I wanted to work in Rex being a dark horse and lots of others too, but (you may feel fortunately) there's a character limit for the title.

I wonder if this thread will see us through to the end of February. The last one filled up in under a month, which was like old times. All depends on what delights are in store for us in the coming weeks, I suppose. I'm hoping that Gavin has spilled the beans on Victoria, she's also arrested, and the lads are found. Having said that, I'm not confident that in the real world they would get the support and care they need to turn their lives around and get proper jobs. It was good to hear on the last thread from @Trickyboy, who has professional experience of investigating this vile crime. Any comments on how things turn out in the long run for those rescued?

I don't think Neil would be so daft to talk to the journalist like that. Doesn't ring true to me.

The virus hasn't reached Ambridge because not many go in and out of the parish.

There is a risk now because Lillian and Tony went to Underwoods, and Rebekah visited Lynda and went in the shops, and Gnasher and Cursedy went to speak to the homeless.

I would think Emma at her chicken factory, if she's still working there, is by far the biggest risk.

@ChinesedragonTeapot I agree that it didn't ring true that Neil would speak to her either after the experience of the grilling with the police. I was expecting him to get home and give Susan a right roasting however, Susan argued how this could make people more aware. I think I can just see that Neil could be persuaded that he could raise awareness so that others don't fall into the same trap.

@Taswama

I would think Emma at her chicken factory, if she's still working there, is by far the biggest risk.

Very good point. Do we know if she is?

I think I can just see that Neil could be persuaded that he could raise awareness so that others don't fall into the same trap.
Poor Neil. He said that he felt awful because Philip was so friendly and helpful and plausible; Neil fell for the deceit hook, line and sinker.
As he explained after speaking to the friendly, helpful and plausible journo. You know that it won't end well.

The scriptwriters, I mean the Echo staff, don't seem to understand that they can't print an article asserting that various projects have been built by slave labour provided by Moss when Moss hasn't been found guilty.

Dis anyone else hear the fluttering of Ambridge Fairy wings over that episode?

Neeyull will be leaving Berrow and setting up FairCart Pigs with Rex before too much longer.

Did.

Alice was such an extreme alcoholic, hallucinations from stopping is massive. To have disappeared for a detox for two weeks (not rehab just detox even though I think she might have referred to it as such) just isn't that believable to me. I suppose it is possible with the motivation of wanting to stay healthy for the baby but I don't buy it.

On an entirely trivial note, I though Alice's accent was far less posh than usual.

Neil to cover Alice’s maternity leave - and her position permanently when she’s home trying to nurse her poor, pickled child?

I gotta say it: if I knew there was an article about me in the local paper I'd read it before telling everyone I knew about it, and if it was unpleasant about me I'd get ready some rebuttals for what it said. How stupid is Susan?

Oh dear, alice and chris sounded way too happy. That means a tragic event is about to happen.

Interesting how much a First Family baby is worth in Ambridge. Didn't Peggy write Kirsty a cheque for £2k? And now £2.5k for Alice from Brian.

He was naughty to say Adam is no fun ...

(What £ did Xander get from proud grandparents? I only recall expenses going in the opposite direction, to Lexi.)

Brian is very egalitarian in his favouritism. He adores Debbie, finds it difficult to even like Adam, is immensely irritated by Kate, and completely soppy about Alice - clearly blood doesn't get one ahead in his world. Unless you're Ruairi, perhaps.

BOOP for the glimpse of Aldridge family dynamics.

Oh dear, alice and chris sounded way too happy. That means a tragic event is about to happen.

Especially with all the stuff about Alice worrying about him working alone, not eating etc.

I said Brian would be furious. Neil is a twit, and Susan is just devoid of common sense.

The scriptwriters, I mean the Echo staff, don't seem to understand that they can't print an article asserting that various projects have been built by slave labour provided by Moss when Moss hasn't been found guilty. This. I also agree that while Susan might have been flattered into spilling the beans, Neil would not so it's doubly unrealistic.

It's all looking rather good for Philip isn't it?

When he comes to trial anyone who has read the Echo article, or heard of it, can't be on the jury.

And Kirsty is doing her utmost to contact and potentially foul up evidence from the "horses."

Neeyull will be leaving Berrow and setting up FairCart Pigs with Rex before too much longer.

Oh I hope so BoreofWhabylon. Has the 🔮 made an official prediction?

I thought the Alice and Chris scene was really quite sweet. Don’t usually get that warmth in their relationship - I thought it felt genuine and lovely.

Poor Neil :( I worry how he’ll react if he ends up subject of a pile on.

Did she have bad morning sickness? Or was it alcohol withdrawal? Perhaps the bad news coming is a complication with the birth or the child being born with birth defects. I really hope not :(

Good to know that the worst thing you have to worry about when you’re a pregnant alcoholic is how to pay your detox bills.

@Dulcinae, anywhere else in the UK, yes. Not in Ambridge, though. The forcefield has strange powers.

I thought that too, @Roysnewshirt, I would have been interested to see her battling with the occasions when drinking is the norm eg zoom cocktails, Sunday lunch, Tony's birthday. As someone who had just struggled through dry January successfully (but failed at diet January), I was thinking quite obsessively about calories, substitutes etc, but Alice has blithely got through Christmas, New Year, Friday after work etc without a twinge?