🐷 Archers thread #127: Discuss the boars and sows of Ambridge here - or should that be bores and soused? You decide.

[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’d love to live opposite Joy, 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/4197199--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-6-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.)

These threads normally last around a month. When I started the last one, we were bracing ourselves for the Mystery Play, but that storyline, which had never exactly set the airwaves on fire, fizzled out and has (I hope) gone away, never to return.

@LillianGish proposed a new thread title which I'll use instead as a scene-setter for this thread. What a carry on - Nurse (Ben), Sergeant (Harrison), Camping (Kate), Jack (either one of them), Regardless (all of us for continuing to tune tune in)

What a carry on, indeed! Other storylines sputtering away:

• Alice, Chris, Martha - Have they split up, and if so where is Alice living? Will there be a christening and who will be godparents? When will the Aldridges and Carters find out about Alice's drinking? Too much to hope that Alice will get blind drunk at the christening party in full view of the entire village, I suppose. I'm still clinging to my hope that she lamps Alan after a suggestion that they pray together.

• Will Rex find a new home for his pigs? If Elizabeth weakens, will the pigs escape and disrupt the Lower Loxley life drawing event on Monday? Might they stampede, knock Ross out and devour him?

• Will Jazzer go to work for Neil? (This isn't exactly a cliffhanger. Of course he will.)

• Will Justin bury Lilian under the patio? Not a jury in the land would convict him, I feel, if they were played a recording of that appalling cackle and her gloating about the daffodil photograph.

• Will the life drawing event on Monday be a brilliantly amusing interlude, exemplifying how to write character-driven drama, with both comic and more serious moments? Answer: No, obviously. I may have to listen from behind a cushion.

There are more. I find myself struggling to care.

Oh, and one final mention - I've proposed a webchat with the Archers editor. @MayIDestroyYou's idea. You'll find it here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4231475-Webchat-idea-The-Editor-of-The-Archers-Or-another-Archers-production-team-representative

Over to you!

next not net

Strangely enough, christenings are religious occasions, and it was relevant to the current SL. Shame Shula wasn't on.

My problem with Bunter doing his Christianity 101 talks at people is that I tend to feel that religion should be between thee, thy conscience and thy God, and his brandishing of his version of God (but never Christ) For Kiddies makes me cringe rather.

I love Russ. He's so awful, I find him endearing. I am aware that I'm probably a solitary voice here ...

Baby girls wearing bows - I'm not keen. Am I remembering correctly that there's a safety issue? Susan is not a fool, so if that was pointed out to her I would assume she wouldn't attempt to get Martha into one. Maybe that has all happened off mike and she's just using a bow on her biscuit shape to indicate Martha is a girl. After all, the pink bags, crepe, baby confetti and sprinkles might not be indication enough.

I agree religion should be a personal thing AQATT , but to be fair, Alice did ask and it was a private conversation between her and Alan. We were just eavesdropping.

BOOP for Jennifer helping Susan with the biscuits and getting over her initial snobby reaction.

Alice is just trying everything isn't she? Everything except actually being honest and telling people what her problem really is so they can support her, look out for her and keep temptation out of her way. And Chris really, really wants to believe she's going to be OK this time and that their life can holidays by the sea and picnics on the beach while everyone involved in the christening is worrying about glitter on biscuits and themed picnic rugs instead of ensuring that no-one will be wetting the baby's head with anything stronger than tea.

When Brian turns up for the christening party with a crate of champagne it's all going to be a bit awkward.

At some point he is going to be mortified to discover that he has enabled her alcoholism because he didn't know it existed. And Adam is going to crow about it, I suppose: "your little girl not so perfect now, then?" or something of the sort.

Is it just me or does anyone else think it all feels a bit Sleeping Beauty at the moment with everyone buzzing round organising the christening while somewhere in the background there's a spinning wheel (probably Brian's crate of champagne AskingQuestions) lurking. I can't remember if Alan knows about Alice's drinking. Who is in on it so far - Peggy, Harrison and Fallon, Emma, Ed? Actually that's already quite a cohort though could Fallon turn out to be the spectre at the feast? It feels like the SWs are building up to a set piece - though aren't christenings usually on a Sunday in which case it might all happen off air?

Alan knows; the day after the hospital blessing stuff he went on and on and on and on Caring Deeply about Chris until he had nagged Chris into telling him all about it.

ambridgereporter.org.uk/synopses/2021.html
11th March
"Alan asks Chris how Martha is, and how Chris is himself. Chris just wants to get back to the hospital, and then he starts to get angry. Alan tells him that it's fine to be emotional, and wonders whether he and Alice are having trouble in their relationship, but says they should do better once Martha's home. He then starts to probe for more information from Chris.
...
"Meanwhile Chris is telling Alan all about Alice's alcoholism. He believes that she is now no longer drinking, but he can't bear the idea that Martha may have been damaged. He thought once Martha was here that would be it and they could put it all behind them; now though, he doesn't know. Alan says he ought to tell Susan and Neil. Chris says he doesn't need them, he doesn't need support; it's just that he's scared that if there is something wrong with Martha, he's going to blame Alice. He has been wanting to agree, to say 'yes, it is your fault' when Alice blames herself. When he thinks what she might have done to Martha, he's afraid he might be starting to hate her."

@KateWinceyette

I love Russ. He's so awful, I find him endearing. I am aware that I'm probably a solitary voice here ...

Oh me too.

@LillianGish

Is it just me or does anyone else think it all feels a bit Sleeping Beauty at the moment with everyone buzzing round organising the christening while somewhere in the background there's a spinning wheel (probably Brian's crate of champagne AskingQuestions) lurking. I can't remember if Alan knows about Alice's drinking. Who is in on it so far - Peggy, Harrison and Fallon, Emma, Ed? Actually that's already quite a cohort though could Fallon turn out to be the spectre at the feast? It feels like the SWs are building up to a set piece - though aren't christenings usually on a Sunday in which case it might all happen off air?

Does Ed know?

Fallon, Harrison and Alan know but only Fallon and Harrison know about the lay-by incident. Peggy and Emma know but not the full details.

Emma was the first person to tell Chris that Alice was an alcoholic and he refused to believe her. Ed has seen Alice very drunk at work - I was just assuming Emma and Ed would have discussed (I can't imagine they wouldn't have done).

When Brian turns up for the christening party with a crate of champagne it's all going to be a bit awkward

Since it appears Brian & JD are footing the bill for the event, he is entitled to provide whatever he sees fit in the way of drinks for their guests.

At some point he is going to be mortified to discover that he has enabled her alcoholism because he didn't know it existed

No reason why he should. He hasn't been buying the booze for her all this time, after all. How was he to know? Chris supposedly was oblivious, and it was happening under his nose.
And no, I don't see that Alice is under any obligation whatsoever to crawl round confessing to all and sundry to ensure their 'support '. I do wonder a bit whether those so keen on this course of action are motivated by concern for her welfare or a desire to see her humiliated.

Jennifer helping Susan with the biscuits and getting over her initial snobby reaction

The biscuits, like the bow, sound tacky beyond belief and if it were in me to sympathise with JD, I would. But it isn't, so I don't. That does not make me 'snobby'. Snobbish, certainly

I also love to hate Russ.

I'd just like to give the actress who plays Alice recognition (but not enough to Google her name!) for her excellent acting recently. She's changed her way of speaking slightly, a little more rushed therefore giving the air of being on edge and manic but also guilty and stressed.

Hollie Chapman

I quite like to hate CMR. I don't find him endearing. I like Lily, but love Freddie.

I love Lizzie too.

Brian wasn't quite himself.

Poor Mere. I think ILoveRuairiToo

Ah. I predicted it was Ruairi last week. Poor Mia indeed. I didn't realise she was only 15!

I can't believe Brian would have been quite so rude!

Wasn't Ben studying Geography and Politics until last week?

How come the word petrochemicals is so unfamiliar to him?

I totally agree that they sound tacky @theThreeofWeevils , but Jenny did seem to realise that Susan needed to feel she was playing some part in her granddaughter's christening.

@Tulipomania

I can't believe Brian would have been quite so rude!

Brian wouldn't and never has been in such circumstances, but the new editor seems hell-bent on presenting him as a complete arse and a failed has-been.

And I am not convinced that either of this week's scriptwriters, Katie Hims and Helen Aitken, knows anything whatever about anything in The Archers before this editor took over.

I enjoyed the life class twist. I love Joy and know a few people like her in real life.

I used to love Adam. I remember him being so kind and sweet to Jenny Darling after the affair and Ruari's existence became known. He has become a grumpy old man. We don't even get the lighter scenes with Ian to balance things out now.

Why aren't they reinstating the 6 episodes? The replacement on a Sunday is utter drivel normally. TA would be 100 times better! Shall we start a petition to force a parliamentary debate?

I think the reduction to 4 episodes is because there have been large cutbacks to the radio drama budget as a whole. Tracy Horrobin (Susie Riddell) has suggested we all complain to Feedback:

twitter.com/susierids/status/1388616944190885890?s=21

I liked the Friday night cliff hanger but sometimes missed the Sunday episode. I'd personally go for Tues-Friday if it has to stay at 4.

I enjoyed Blustery Brian (he has never worried about shouting at people he sees as his inferiors in my view) and the Harrison Fallon exchange tonight. However, the idea that Ruari would miss the cues from Mia that she fancied him is very improbable to me.

I'd love to think there will be a link back at the christening to when Brian was stopped by Harrison for speeding but I suspect that's long forgotten now among the scriptwriters.

cameocat It's Hollie Chapman. I agree she has been excellent recently.

@nettie434

I think the reduction to 4 episodes is because there have been large cutbacks to the radio drama budget as a whole. Tracy Horrobin (Susie Riddell) has suggested we all complain to Feedback:

twitter.com/susierids/status/1388616944190885890?s=21

I liked the Friday night cliff hanger but sometimes missed the Sunday episode. I'd personally go for Tues-Friday if it has to stay at 4.

I enjoyed Blustery Brian (he has never worried about shouting at people he sees as his inferiors in my view) and the Harrison Fallon exchange tonight. However, the idea that Ruari would miss the cues from Mia that she fancied him is very improbable to me.

I'd love to think there will be a link back at the christening to when Brian was stopped by Harrison for speeding but I suspect that's long forgotten now among the scriptwriters.

cameocat It's Hollie Chapman. I agree she has been excellent recently.

nettie434 the idea that Ruari would miss the cues from Mia that she fancied him is very improbable to me.

He got a very nasty fright when Will walked into his house and found them in a clinch over a game of tea-bag golf (it was not as it appeared, but Will was disgusted by Ruairi apparently embracing a thirteen-year-old and made no secret of the fact) and has probably rather blanked the idea of her as a result.