😱 Archers thread #130: The Fall of the House of Aldridge. 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 look forward to Shula's first sermon, 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.)

I went for the obvious thread title this time. Poor Ruairi! We've had a good go on the last thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/a4289334--Archers-thread-129-Casey-Macy-Lily-Alice-Decent-types-or-full-of-malice-Discuss-The-Archers-here?msgid=109858475#109858475 at trying to work out where he's going and what he might be studying, as the SWs have not seen fit to tell us.

Whither now for Alice? Will Jennifer talk to Peggy soon? Good hint from Lilian the other day that at Peggy's age it's not wise to leave feuds bubbling on.

It's been a long time since we last heard from a certain Archer whose name I am not going to mention in case it acts as a summoning charm. Long may she remain unheard in the dairy or out in the fields, or better still somewhere near a sinkhole. That was a storyline that looked promising years ago and wasn't exploited as it could have been. Pah.

Over to you!

My first thought fir Adam's replacement was Ed Grundy. Is that too off the wall? Second thought- Hannah. (Please no).

Ed doesn’t have any management experience, does he? I remember he struggled at one point because he had no idea how to run his business, and needed help from Ruth. So I’d say it’s unlikely.

Will, at least, has been The Boss - as gamekeeper. And Brian respects him. And the SWs need to find him something proper to do ...

But I’m sure they’ll introduce a few new faces for interview before settling on an Archer.

Why is Elizabeth so anxious to go to Steph's wedding? She's met Vince's mother...once and Steph....twice? She'd be far more use helping out behind the scenes to ensure that the Dopeys don't mess things up. It would be far easier to spy on the ex wives too.

Is her social life really that dull?

Vince sounded VERY odd in that episode.

It's an Occasion; of course she wants to muscle in, she's Elizabeth Archer.

She wants the chance to get dressed up and be Important, as The Bride's Father's Latest Squeeze.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Too much to hope that Adam will now be a largely silent character, I suppose. He's always sounded exhausted. A bit of commuting will probably ensure he's permanently on the chaise longue when he does make it home.

Elizabeth is a more forgiving woman than I am. Although maybe she's driven by insatiable curiosity about this wedding, which would make a cracking MN thread from the sound of it.

AIBU to think I'd better lie to my DP to put her off coming to DD2's wedding? DD1 is coming and I'm expecting we'll have a stand up row at the reception over her DP, who isn't good enough for her. Also, all three of my ex-wives will be in attendance and they all hate my guts. I'm planning to tell DP that DD2 has invited some long-lost relatives and there's not room for her any more.There's a slight chance she'll find out that's not true, as the reception is in her DB's barn, but I'm desperate.

I enjoyed this very much

Why is Elizabeth so anxious to go to Steph's wedding?

I don't think she is,but sheis keen on not being lied to. If Vince had said,all my ex wives and daughter I don't get on with will be there, and I am not sure 8f I can face that with you there it might have been a very different conversation.

Why is Elizabeth so anxious to go to Steph's wedding?
She's bought a hat. And it's a good chance to spy on the Dopeys' operation, the better to be patronising to them about it.

I think that Adam will go to his new job and hate it / his boss.
Brian will find a replacement manager and hate him/her.
After a bit of posturing Adam and Brine will fall - in a relieved, grass-isn't-greener manner - back into each other's arms.

Why is Elizabeth so anxious to go to Steph's wedding?

I’d bloody want to go, if only for the 4 Weddings-style ex pile up and family drama. Never mind confetti, I’d be taking popcorn and a deckchair

This is why we need an episode tonight - to listen in on the last minute whining, panic and misery coming from Brookfield ...

Damp discovered, rats running riot, caterers collapsed. Maybe they’ll wake up tomorrow morning to find they’ve lost their wedding venue licence (or whatever)? That would be so fun!

I can't imagine a wedding in Brookfield's barn, but i like the idea of peetsahs and ooven chips for the guests.

I like the idea of peetsahs and ooven chips for the guests.
Burnt peetsahs.

OOOOOH NOOOOOOH!

@WhoppingBigBackside

OOOOOH NOOOOOOH!

@Darker yes, Charlie is my guess too. But the script writers wouldn't know about him would they...?

They can’t give Home Farm to a silent character surely? There’s not a lot of actual farming going on for an agricultural drama at the moment: Deevid and Ruth n Pip n Josh, Berrow pig factory - I barely count Tony and his hobby cows, and Rex lurking in the trees with his pigs.

Well, they’ve already exiled the farmhouse. Honestly I can see the way their minds might be working ... Over time various Ambridge residences, farm buildings, and venues, like Arkwright Hall, or the other pub, have fallen off the airwaves - and occasionally someone here will say “Whatever happened to Xx?” Others take their place in the story. I can see that happening to Home Farm, if an unknown is interviewed, appointed and then silenced. We would still follow the senior Aldridges, living elsewhere.

Meantime, the glorified campsite, and Hollowtree, and ...? become more prominent.

Globe Cottage as a place was silenced when Carol disappeared. The same with the Vicarage when Usha lost her tongue - Alan only ever spoke away from home. That may change, now Usha’s back.

But it would be madness to deliberately lose Home Farm.

Not Globe, obvs.

@FoxgloveSummers

They can’t give Home Farm to a silent character surely? There’s not a lot of actual farming going on for an agricultural drama at the moment: Deevid and Ruth n Pip n Josh, Berrow pig factory - I barely count Tony and his hobby cows, and Rex lurking in the trees with his pigs.

There have been at least two silents working at Home Farm for years; Jeff and Andy. (Andy recently retired, and I think Jeff has a bad back and can't do tractor work any more, or some such.) So a silent farm manager wouldn't be so very different.

Who is renting usha's cottage now? Also, and this is apropos of nothing really, but I miss Tom and Natasha. I thought her manic depression was very skillfully illustrated and then pfft. Dropped.

Ah ...

Now that the omnibus once again starts with the (usually) gentle Sunday episode, I feel the need, once again, for a brief introductory Tom Forrest monologue. I nominated Tracy to take over the role last time I mentioned this; the BBC stubbornly refuses to take my advice ...

Alice's storyline has made no sense. It was Chris who made the decision to remove her from Amy and move her back to Ambridge, which he clearly effected, only to have absolutely no interaction with her whatsoever. Why?

I'm catching up on missed bits - are Brian and Jennifer still renting a cottage in the village?

@Taswama

My first thought fir Adam's replacement was Ed Grundy. Is that too off the wall? Second thought- Hannah. (Please no).

I thought Johnny but he's AWOL with Pat.