🧱 Archers thread #128: Alice lobs a brick, Emma hurls brickbats, Neil is a brick. Cement your relationship with 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 collect superhero figures, or other unusual things.

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.)

Apologies for not using any of the suggestions offered for this thread's title. I'll paste them in here instead to get us started.

I like the leeway pun here from @ThePawtriarchy: Bacon, Bores and Booze. Elizabeth needs convincing, Helen needs some leeway and Alice is in crisis.

@nettie434 gets to the nub of what's been happening recently: Beechwood, Batman and Booze: Rex's pigs and Helen and Lee have new homes but will Lee's collection of action figures plant the apple of discord in their sylvan idyll? Alice's alcohol problems continue to cause friction between the Aldridges and Carters. Has anyone warned Borsetshire Children's Services what awaits them?

Great one liner from @PseudoBadger - ‘Nobody puts Captain America in the corner’.

And a timely bit of advice from @JanFebAnyMonth: If this evening’s episode has raised any issues for you, please call the BBC Helpline post on this MN thread for details of organisations which might help you.

So, off we go again! We may get back to five episodes a week before the next thread. Here's hoping that it's Friday we get back, not Sunday.

Even I can spit accurately. It takes a llama to put half a pound of grass behind it. And the llamas will have been on the side of dignity and (Snell-)freedom. < hauwks >

bit late but last week's Jazzer and Ed conversation did I hear Ed poking fun at Welsh names?

TSWAAWA

AW being Anti-Welsh

Was last night’s episode so traumatic that nobody can listen to it on Sounds? 7.04 and my day is ruined, no Archers and no foster cat on my knee.

Me too Chemenger. Where is it?

Same here in Melbourne.

Finally on Sounds now. Phew.

Good to hear Peggy again.

@KirstenBlest

bit late but last week's Jazzer and Ed conversation did I hear Ed poking fun at Welsh names?

TSWAAWA

AW being Anti-Welsh

I thought it was to underline that for Jazzer, women were interchangeable.

Good rift developing between Jennifer and Peggy, as I predicted/hoped for some time ago, I forget when. Now we need Lilian to intervene, preferably after several gins, and Tony to wade in in his hobnail boots. Not sure whose side he would take, as he believes with some justification that all the women in his birth family patronise him, but I'm sure he can widen the rift if he really puts his back into it.

The calling the woman Meirioneth was odd. Merionethshire would have been well before Ed's time. The Welsh name is used now, as it should be.

We had Kenton poke fun at Machynlleth.

Philip and Gavin were Welsh.

Welsh Pat has not a trace of a Welsh accent.

Can't think of other examples.

If my mother was aged 90 odd I don't think I'd risk telling her I'd never forgive her. Jenny might not get the chance.

Chris irritates me.

Philip and Gavin were Welsh.
And Natasha. Don't forget the shared hiraeth tattoo with Tom.

Welsh Pat has not a trace of a Welsh accent.
No, but she did on the '70s (she and Shula featured in a paper on accents in the first Academic Archers conference) and it's not unexpected that she'd end up speaking without her accent after decades - dialect levelling.

It's a shame Peggy didn't get the chance to force the point that she had tried telling Jenny before, but Jenny wasn't listening - which is just what happened this time, too.

Rolls eyes at hiraeth. Cariad might have been a better tattoo - as that has many meanings.
The implications of Alice's drinking are far reaching. Ed was the first to notice in TA, I think.

Maybe the hiraeth was some indication that Tomntash will head off to Wales at some point and that Johnny and Henwee will fight over Fridge Farm.

Are we building up to Ambridge Curious Under the Stars?

Nooooooooo! or as should that be Oooooh Noooo.
(Well with a surname like Pritchard there's some welsh in there.)

@Darker

Are we building up to Ambridge Curious Under the Stars?

Oh god no!

More like Ambridge Curios Under the Stairs

@Darker

Are we building up to Ambridge Curious Under the Stars?

Wash Out Your Mouth.

My God, the disappointment when I glance at the R4 schedule and see that awful thing awaiting me.

That’s a DREADFUL suggestion, @Darker!

Yes whenever J and B realise the effects Alice’s drinking may have had on their granddaughter.......

Sorry, what was the authorisation for??

Boop for Fallon and Harrison.

It was to give them authorisation to make decisions on her behalf. Essentially it means they can sign her into rehab without her consent as they will consent on her behalf due to being incapacitated.

and which as far as I am aware is purest horseshit. Having had some considerable experience wasting many thousands on 'rehab' < spits with llama-like vigour > no such 'authorisation is involved. You pay, and the addict either goes or doesn't.

That's what I thought.

Good on Peggy for putting an innocent baby ahead of her selfish, self-harming granddaughter. I’d like to think I would be prioritising my grandchild over my child if I were in JD’s shoes.

I was trying to think, what Ian the correct thing to do in that situation though? I can only guess: state clearly, once, that Alice may well end up losing contact with her child, then try and leave her to her own devices while focusing on supporting the child? And contact AA (the relatives’ bit) and get support for yourself, and advice.