🐴 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?

Also, Shula didn't take Richard away from Usha: she didn't take him at all. She said no. He went away, which is definitely not the same as going away with Shula

That isn't how I remember it. Shula's behaviour to Richard was not a million miles from her possessive behaviour to Alan. It certainly wasn't a case of Richard pursuing and Shula virtuously say "nay sir never" - there was a lot more than a bit of casual flirting and Shula/Alastair's relationship nearly broke down as well.

I remember Usha being encouraged to get involved in non religious aspects of church life by Alan. Was she supposed to say "no" its all Shula's? I don't recognise that image of Usha forcing Shula out in the to darkness and Shula made a lot of comments which were pretty unwelcome to Usha and bordered on thinly veiled racism.

Boop Ruth, Rex and Phoebe - all suddenly discovering a spine where Pip is concerned!

Is Pip unfamiliar with the concept of a lease? You know where you lease land for a definite period and enter into a contract? And you can't just end a lease?

Filled in a BBC survey today.Asked for more TA.

Sounds like Rosie is a chip off the old block

@PursuingProxemicExactitude

Cooo ... Has Pip actually met her match?

PPE - i think I also made the same noise as you. Very Tess of the T’uberbs... but also as much as I find Pip intensely annoying I think Rex deserves a bit of a happy ending, and this has been a long game from the start. Also imagine the brotherly duelling... and lastly, just finished watching Anthony Head in Back so hope he’s free to return to Ambridge now to add the entire Hardy-esque dramz.

ILoveShula
Filled in a BBC survey today.Asked for more TA.

Got sent that survey by email for the fifth time today. I could get bored with them.

So ... Essentially it's now the Aldridge Rewilding Project (oh, no - Aldridge/Elliot). And Rex is basically going to have to marry Phoebe - or become her unpaid lackey.

It's the Woolley Trust Rewilding Project, isn't it?

I think he doesn't understand at all how Kirsty doesn't see it his way, he doesn't understand that she feels betrayed - because he compartmentalises, he can't see that him having slaves is anything to do with her, and in any case, she should understand he was doing a good thing

I think Philip will turn on Kirsty in a heartbeat, lie about her involvement. It's been set up already by the way he turned on Jim and later on Shula the very moment things didn't go his way, the stunning venom.

Yes I thought his interactions with Shula for example were those of an abusive man. For much of it he was just holding on to his temper by the skin of his teeth, trying to cover that up so he could get what he needed.

@MissBarbary

Is Pip unfamiliar with the concept of a lease? You know where you lease land for a definite period and enter into a contract? And you can't just end a lease?

My thoughts exactly.

I got the BBC survey, too. They may regret asking me my opinions.

So ... Essentially it's now the Aldridge Rewilding Project (oh, no - Aldridge/Elliot). And Rex is basically going to have to marry Phoebe - or become her unpaid lackey.
It was always Phoebe's project. Pip was a late convert, having deserted the Brookfield bid. Cos she's loyal like that.
Don't forget that Kirsty is waiting in the wings.

Mine too.

Oh yeah - Kirsty ...

The words 'compassion' and 'fatigue' spring to mind when I examine my attitude towards her.

Sheesh, what a bitch. Rex does not deserve winding up with Pip (and bratty Rosie). I think Rex and Kirsty would be good together, perhaps that might happen when she joins Rewilding Ambridge. I would be seriously grossed out if my husband or an ex started seeing my sister but it’s apparently fair game in TA.

Kirsty doesn’t know about cows. They need farming expertise. As always it’s pretty unclear whether anyone is paid or how anyone will make any money from it.

Pip really doesn’t know she’s born, does she?

I think Rex and Kirsty would be good together, perhaps that might happen when she joins Rewilding Ambridge

Kirsty could join rewilding, Rex has limited farming experience but Brian has forgotten more about farming that Pip knows and is now part of Damara so incentivised to help both business wise and personally.

Alice was spot on with Pip and the drahma. I'd like to see Rex bump into Ruth in the village shop and ask if the new contract is ready yet and he was sorry they had issues letting the land continue with the rewilding project. I don't for one moment imagine this fiction is any more than sheer malice on Pip's part.

I really hope the LSWs don't decide that rewilding will run into trouble and make Pip the saviour. I shall stop listening for the duration!

I think Brian will save the day for the rewilders. He’s bored without the farm to run and he will become a committed convert to the concept because, despite what some people say on here, he has a heart of gold. It’s just that he keeps his hidden rather than ramming it down people’s throats like Shula. The drama will come from Feeble thinking he’s taking over even though she has no idea about anything. At the same time he will guide Rex in his new council farm and we will hear him in every episode and it will be marvellous.

part of Damara

Or rather part of BL.

I forgot to say that it’s really clear now that Pip is totally devoid of redeeming features, isn’t it. What a spiteful little harridan. Good to hear even Ruth taken aback by her malice.

Sheesh, what a bitch

Totally! Such an unprofessional way to behave. Rex behaved stupidly but Pip is simply using that as an excuse to get out of something she is now bored with.

Ruth was so right with the ‘I’m taking my ball away analogy’. Peggy certainly wouldn’t have given the money to Pheeble and Rex alone so Pip is letting the matriarch down too. Hopefully this is a way to wind up the rewilding project. We’ll have to cope with a couple of weeks of fall-out and hopefully then it can be quietly dropped. The environmental trust fund SL has never gone beyond being a distracting irritation.

I get the feeling that Stephanie is not quite ready for marriage...

I would be seriously grossed out if my husband or an ex started seeing my sister but it’s apparently fair game in TA.

I've read this sentence a hundred times ... I've tried ... I haven't been sleeping well ... Is it something obvious? I just can't unravel ... Help ...

C8H10N4O2 I'm guessing you meant Phoebe, not Alice? (But my head's clearly mashed, so I could be talking nonsense.)

and we will hear him in every episode and it will be marvellous.

Oh no! Now I’m getting cream cardigan adverts!!

Make this stop...

I'm not sure Brian has a heart of gold, but he cares enough about Phoebe that he wouldn't want to see her fail. I noticed she mentioned doing some freelance work, so presumably that's lucrative enough to keep her in the style to which Aldridge are accustomed...