🎲 Archers thread #134: Ambridge as human board game. We’ve had Pandemic. What now - Game of Life or Trivial Pursuit? Go! 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 warm to Hazel Woolley, 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.)

Thanks to @LiterallyKnowsBest for the thread title idea. I also liked @LillianGish's suggestion which was Conversions abound and it’s not just Harrison - Lily’s kitchens, Hazel’s flat, Jazzer’s finances, Bert’s bungalow...come and discuss The Archers - are you a convert or could you be converted? and that seems like a good place to kick off this thread.

Who'll get the bungalow? Pip, Josh or A. N. Other?

Will Lily leave the cold calling behind and launch a bid to run LL when Elizabeth hangs up her clipboard?

Will Jazzer become a financial whiz after mastering Tracy's state of the art budgeting techniques, viz, writing it all down in a little notebook with a kitten on the front?

Over to you!

I’m semi-detached with the Archers these days after too much clumsy plotting and poor acting. But I’ve just listened to Wed and Thurs on catch up and had a cry during both episodes. Extremely well done I thought.

But back to the beefing… earlier in the week, the teens scenes were cringeworthy. Youngsters just don’t talk like that (eg “Your face was a picture”) and certainly don’t have their phone unmuted. And what age are Jake and his not-date? Younglings don’t get served in pubs without ID these days.

@chompp

I’m semi-detached with the Archers these days after too much clumsy plotting and poor acting. But I’ve just listened to Wed and Thurs on catch up and had a cry during both episodes. Extremely well done I thought.

But back to the beefing… earlier in the week, the teens scenes were cringeworthy. Youngsters just don’t talk like that (eg “Your face was a picture”) and certainly don’t have their phone unmuted. And what age are Jake and his not-date? Younglings don’t get served in pubs without ID these days.

Jake didn't go to the pub but Chelsea could get someone older to buy her drinks. it still happens.

Funny you say that, I double took at “Your face was a picture” as well and then thought - well maybe it's something she's picked up directly from Clarrie, it sounds very Clarrie.

I'd LOVE a Jazzer and Tracey proposal - I feel like she'd say no but be pleased he asked and they'd move in together.

I don't really think it's weird that Phoebe is pleased to have/puts up with Kirsty living with her dad. He's a single parent and most only children of single parents fear their parent being alone more than anything. I bet it would change how free she felt to move away.

...meant to add "if Kirsty wasn't there"

Hmm, I found the blankets being given to Natasha a bit off, when Natasha is not yet past the point when Kirsty lost Wren. And twin pregnancies being much higher risk than single ones.

Nice idea but much better to have waited till the twins were safely born.

When Kirsty described the blankets as Wren's hand me downs I thought 'how lovely' and felt my eyes well up. Then I thought 'how poignant'and welled up a litlle more. The last two episodes were wonderfully written if a little inconsistent with the past.

@BowerOfBramble, Why would Chelsea have picked up a saying from Clarrie? Do they even know each other?

It was Mia I think not Chelsea

I was massively superstitious when pregnant with teen (having had multiple miscarriages around 8-12 weeks). No matter how thoughtful the gesture, blankets for a dead baby would have freaked me out.

On balance I quite enjoyed the week, even though I swear Chris sounds more like Mackenzie Crook every episode. I might have mellowed, but even "less depressed" Amy is easier on the ear.

I still think that someone is going to come a cropper on the steep external stairs to Chris's flat.

@BowerOfBramble

It was Mia I think not Chelsea

Yes. I think it was Mia.

Chris sounds more like Mackenzie Crook every episode

Now, that would be the goodest of good things. (Ben’s brief interaction with detectorists was deeply disappointing; I feel I had every right to anticipate a visit from Messrs Crook 😍 and Jones 😍 to Ambridge …)

Was anyone else listening to On Your Farm this morning?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014fwn

Fascinating discussion with a (former Nuffield Scholar) farmer who sounds like Ruth, Adam and Bridge Farm all rolled into one.

And - 🔮 I now know what Amy’s next profession will be. The above farm has branched out into counselling (apparently; Ocado interrupted my listening) and it seems an obvious lack in Ambridge. Also a completely logical step for an ex-midwife, daughter/stepdaughter of a vicar and a solicitor. Mark my words.

I did enjoy Rex's reaction to being told Kate was interested in replacing Phiebe at Rewilding.

@HaveringWavering

Hmm, I found the blankets being given to Natasha a bit off, when Natasha is not yet past the point when Kirsty lost Wren. And twin pregnancies being much higher risk than single ones.

Nice idea but much better to have waited till the twins were safely born.

I found it very, very odd. I'm not in the least bit superstitious but I don't think I'd want blankets knitted for a baby who died.

Actual live footage of Rex fleeing Ambridge on hearing of Kate's ambitions to take over at the rewilding.

:o

Surely, while Phoebe is kind thinking of a successor, she has no rights at all in the matter. Kate would be horrific.

Now that I think of it, I can't think of a single redeeming feature in Kate's character. Not evil or anything, but still.

In fairness to Phoebe I don’t think she was thinking of successors in an active sense. Not beyond knowing that someone one would be needed. Kate just sort of imposed herself. As she does.

Hopefully soon we’ll have a conversation on Willow Farm where Phoebe tells Kirsty how good Rex was about the whole thing and she’ll feel awful if Kate applies for the job, and then Kirsty will realise that she could do it.

@echt

Now that I think of it, I can't think of a single redeeming feature in Kate's character. Not evil or anything, but still.

She was evil to Emma.

Let us never forget …

Excellent, Gap0de!

Hopefully soon we’ll have a conversation on Willow Farm where Phoebe tells Kirsty how good Rex was about the whole thing and she’ll feel awful if Kate applies for the job, and then Kirsty will realise that she could do it.

Although there's the risk that we will have to put up with a Kate interlude first for the "comedy" value.

I am a bit worried that Brian’s offer of free accommodation to Chris is going to backfire…It’s a clear move to ‘keep things amicable’ and make sure Chris doesn’t start getting any ideas about Alice’s shares in Home Farm but I have a feeling it’s not going to be successful…

Another mention of the fateful steps again last night…Who is currently the odds-on favourite to take a tumble?

@BowerOfBramble

It was Mia I think not Chelsea

You're right. Sorry

The 🔮 thinks Piggoi will intervene and offer the rewilding job to Kirsty.

Another mention of the fateful steps again last night…Who is currently the odds-on favourite to take a tumble?

My guess is Alice, whilst carrying Marthyr, who she will have snatched after finding out about Kristiffur and Aimless.