😱 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!

@WhoppingBigBackside

It takes years to qualify as a surgeon

But not as a tree surgeon

veterinary, brain, cardiac...

It is pointing up an interesting problem with parental leave for freelancers/business owners like Chris, if you're a male parent freelancer you don't get the chance for leave/pay. You can stop working of course but it's not the same. I can see why it's taking three working people to do the work that one person on parental leave can do. I'm happy however to hear that Susan wants to go back to work.

Neil and Shula are becoming a classic "Not Just Friends" as seen over and over on the Relationships board here. Neil hasn't even realised that it's dodgy that he hates being at home but loves being at his "friend"'s house. It's one step from there to feeling that Shula understands him better etc.

Yes. Classic example. Man is married and has always had a soft spot for OW. OW becomes single and shows him some attention.

I always cringe at those posters who say men and women can be close friends , because I have seen what happens too many times.

Did they wall Oliver up in the Grey Gables cereal cupboard when they rebuilt the kitchens?

I think men and women can be close friends as long as at least one of them is completely out of the running e.g. gay, very happily married, not really into sex, huge age gap, knows the other one is a total liability, finds the other one utterly hideous etc. Or if they're both single. I've been utterly single and desperate/miserable but still would never have got involved with those male friends I do have due to the above reasons, let alone start an affair.

Did they wall Oliver up in the Grey Gables cereal cupboard when they rebuilt the kitchens?

Isn't the Oliver actor a retired GP outside of his Ambridge life? Maybe the NHS recalled him, so he hasn't been available. Or is that the Robert actor?

That's the Robert actor. Oliver's actor pops up on TV very often, so I assume isn't always available for TA. I forgot him on my list of the missing above.

Lovely to hear Pat after so long. We've missed you!

@FoxgloveSummers, they can be but I can think of a time when I used to hang out with a single friend, neither of us remotely fancied each other, then something changed and he just couldn't understand that I didn't fancy him.

If you have two couples, and one splits up, the unattached woman can be seen as a damsel in distress to the other man.

I've seen people single or otherwise making a move on a someone who has been widowed.

Pip

That’s that, then.

The next Mrs Archer. 🔮

Somehow my sibling seems so much nicer now.
I don't like Pip.

Ben is crazy to accept advice on romantic matters - or indeed anything else - from Pip.

I didn’t like Stella after all. Brian should have stepped in when Jenny agreed the additional 2.5% and said that wasn’t going to be possible and that it was 5% take it or leave it. She seems too mercenary to me. Didn’t even want to see the farm before getting down to brass tacks and negotiating her package. I am worried they are going to regret this…

Will Stella move in with Hannah? Where else is available?

I thought she was refreshingly assertive.

Bit of a blow to hear Pip again. The actor hasn't improved. Extremely obvious in comparison with the Ben actor.

Yes, Ben’s a star. BOOP for his frank acknowledgment of ignorance on matters of romantic etiquette. I guess his siblings would be the people he’d go to for advice?

Stella doesn’t seem bland enough for any editor or producer to randomly decide to turn her into a monster. Let’s hope she stays normal. As to where she might live - if only Jill were allowed to admit that Carol has done a runner - Glebe Cottage is free. Or there’s Beechwood of course. Bet there’s plenty of choice there. And Joy’s big empty house ...

Really, this would be a good moment for the Gills to be repossessed. Jenny & Brian reclaim the farmhouse; Stella moves into Willow ...

Moves into Willow Cottage and takes up with the ‘fun’ Willow Farm resident.

@Roysnewshirt

Ben is crazy to accept advice on romantic matters - or indeed anything else - from Pip.

I didn’t like Stella after all. Brian should have stepped in when Jenny agreed the additional 2.5% and said that wasn’t going to be possible and that it was 5% take it or leave it. She seems too mercenary to me. Didn’t even want to see the farm before getting down to brass tacks and negotiating her package. I am worried they are going to regret this…

Poor Ben - romantic advice from Josh and then Pip. He's doomed!

Yes, Ben’s a star. BOOP for his frank acknowledgment of ignorance on matters of romantic etiquette. I guess his siblings would be the people he’d go to for advice?

Why would anyone go to Pip for relationship advice, given her relationship history?

Which reminds me, vaguely, did Rex and Toby's accommodation problem ever get resolved?

I suspect Stella's purpose is to spark loads more arguments with Brine about how to run the farm.

@Jemand

Yes, Ben’s a star. BOOP for his frank acknowledgment of ignorance on matters of romantic etiquette. I guess his siblings would be the people he’d go to for advice?

Why would anyone go to Pip for relationship advice, given her relationship history?

Which reminds me, vaguely, did Rex and Toby's accommodation problem ever get resolved?

Don’t they live with Bert in the bungalow?

I assumed Stella was for Roy!

I suspect Stella's purpose is to spark loads more arguments with Brine about how to run the farm

Poor Brian. Is he really 78? He’s, quite frankly, amazing if he is. His life is extremely stressful. I hope he doesn’t have a heart attack.

Stella is meant for Kristiffur