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🐠 Archers thread #135: An Everyday Story of Fishy Folk. Discuss The Archers here.

998 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/03/2022 12:04

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

Archers 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 would be delighted to be given a goldfish named after your ex, or other unusual views. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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 ignoring the various title suggestions on the last thread. However, here they are, plus a couple of other pithy observations, to kickstart the new thread. I think it's fair to say nobody is looking on this as a Golden Era! Goldfish Era, though ...

@Roysnewshirt: Everyone wants more! Chris wants more Amy; Jazzer wants more Tracey; Alice wants more time with Martha and Amy wants more space… Very true. And now we know Kirsty wants more farming expertise in the rewilding project, but not Pip (thank the lord) so does that mean approaching Adam? Currently under-employed.

@LillianGish: I tune in to hear birdsong and bleating in the English countryside not hammy acting and suggestive grunting.

@stilldumdedumming: Archers is good at the dynamics of family, farming, what it means to have your job, your home and your inheritance so closely aligned etc etc not this nonsense!

@DoctorTwo: Like fuck would Pheobe buy her parents a goldfish each. The Ambridge character transplant fairy has been working overtime this past few weeks, it's been absolutely fucking appalling bar a couple of exceptions.

Can't disagree with any of that. I want to hear more about the pigs and any other effects of Brexit. A topical insert about the war in Ukraine must surely be on the way.

Any happy listeners out there? Any disgruntled listeners with even more grumbles? Over to you!

OP posts:
WhoppingBigBackside · 17/03/2022 11:59

I think Helen was acted by someone else when she was a child
Kenton has been acted by someone else too. First he was voiced by the Shula actor, then by Kenton, then there was a different Kenton, then the old Kenton returned.
Clarrie left and then came back, so the new Clarrie was the old old Clarrie

Scarydinosaurs · 17/03/2022 12:41

Despite disliking Alice, I found Chris’ assertion that he should have ultimate say over Martha’s schooling etc (issues that are years into the future) absolutely ridiculous. He was ultimately saying Alice should relinquish parental responsibility and she was only someone who could offer an opinion, the final say would always be his.

50/50 is the obvious solution and I have no idea why this isn’t being suggested - it is most irritating that no one: Brian, Susan, Neil, the mediator…no one has said that is the easiest and most sensible way to move forward.

Chris going after Amy weeks after trying it on with Alice again shows him to be impulsive and immature. Would Amy be as interested if she knew he had been trying to kiss Alice at the picnic?

I hope Alice does get 50/50. She has been unwell and now she is getting better. Martha shouldn’t be deprived of a mother.

And yes, I know it isn’t actually real 😬

stilldumdedumming · 17/03/2022 13:26

And yes, I know it isn’t actually real 😬*
*
Excuse me now?!

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 17/03/2022 15:25

The mediator should have stepped in and pointed out that major decisions require the agreement of all parties with parental responsibility. There is no reason that that primary carer should have any greater decision making (unless there is a reason IYSWIM)

KimikosNightmare · 17/03/2022 20:59

Well I'm firmly team Chris after tonight. Fallon was just awful.

And Susan's right Alice is treating Martha as a pet or a designer accessory.

KimikosNightmare · 17/03/2022 21:26

@Scarydinosaurs

Despite disliking Alice, I found Chris’ assertion that he should have ultimate say over Martha’s schooling etc (issues that are years into the future) absolutely ridiculous. He was ultimately saying Alice should relinquish parental responsibility and she was only someone who could offer an opinion, the final say would always be his.

50/50 is the obvious solution and I have no idea why this isn’t being suggested - it is most irritating that no one: Brian, Susan, Neil, the mediator…no one has said that is the easiest and most sensible way to move forward.

Chris going after Amy weeks after trying it on with Alice again shows him to be impulsive and immature. Would Amy be as interested if she knew he had been trying to kiss Alice at the picnic?

I hope Alice does get 50/50. She has been unwell and now she is getting better. Martha shouldn’t be deprived of a mother.

And yes, I know it isn’t actually real 😬

Alice's arrogance and stupidity was breathtaking tonight.
Scarydinosaurs · 18/03/2022 09:56

How is Alice arrogant for wanting to care more for her daughter? I don’t see why Chris thinks he should retain final say. He has been more difficult throughout this.

Also - shagging your wife’s friend is just crappy. It doesn’t matter that Alice said to him to move on - why of all the women did it have to be Amy?

I’m firmly on team Alice. And Susan was ridiculous.

Roysnewshirt · 18/03/2022 11:47

Well I'm firmly team Chris after tonight. Fallon was just awful

Fallon is very inconsistent. She generally seems very sensible, but then behaves like a silky and irrational teenager. With Joelene as a mother, though, I suppose she is always going to be flawed.

Roysnewshirt · 18/03/2022 11:48

Sulky, not silky!

KimikosNightmare · 18/03/2022 12:31

@Scarydinosaurs

How is Alice arrogant for wanting to care more for her daughter? I don’t see why Chris thinks he should retain final say. He has been more difficult throughout this.

Also - shagging your wife’s friend is just crappy. It doesn’t matter that Alice said to him to move on - why of all the women did it have to be Amy?

I’m firmly on team Alice. And Susan was ridiculous.

Swanning into the shop as if nothing had happened and expecting Susan to welcome her with open arms as a co- worker? Of all the places she could work she picks the shop she vandalised.

I'm not remotely convinced by her protestations of wanting to care for her daughter. Alice has Alice's interests at heart- no- one else's.

Madcats · 18/03/2022 13:54

I am firmly of the opinion that Alice should have swanned off to a decent job away from Ambridge many years ago, leaving Chris to sit at the back of the Bull nursing a pint with equally bitter Jamie Perks.

I want a comfortable listen at 7pm, not this "drama".

1990s · 18/03/2022 14:06

@suzyscat

What did Alice lie about? I missed that bit.

Think ZT is spot on for Alice

Have missed who ZT is could someone enlighten me? Smile
1990s · 18/03/2022 14:09

@Roysnewshirt

Well I'm firmly team Chris after tonight. Fallon was just awful

Fallon is very inconsistent. She generally seems very sensible, but then behaves like a silky and irrational teenager. With Joelene as a mother, though, I suppose she is always going to be flawed.

I think Fallon is pretty awful. She just loses it on a whim. I would have been pretty mad if I was Harrison at his baptism.
HellynaHandcart · 18/03/2022 14:44

I don't think that 50/50 custody for such young children is recommended – attachment to a primary carer is so important at that age. I would have thought that, given Alice's track record and Chris's role in Martha's first year, it would be hard to argue that Alice should now get primary responsibility.

AlexCabot · 18/03/2022 15:35

Zara Tindall 1990s. I mentioned on the last thread that I imagine Alice to look like her!

TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat · 18/03/2022 15:55

How will Alice vs Chris pan out?

Lots of PP have mentioned aspects of the case which are taken into account in these kinds of situations.

So the only thing we can be sure of is the SWs will get it all wrong.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 18/03/2022 16:40

@HellynaHandcart

I don't think that 50/50 custody for such young children is recommended – attachment to a primary carer is so important at that age. I would have thought that, given Alice's track record and Chris's role in Martha's first year, it would be hard to argue that Alice should now get primary responsibility.
If I were doing the section 7 I would recommend status quo with a child arrangements order in place. This still wouldn't mean Chris makes all the decisions but he would have ultimate say over where she lives, which is what Martha needs. Chris might be an arse but he's safe and consistent. Alice is neither.
Eastie77Returns · 18/03/2022 17:25

@EthelTheAardvark

Talking of Alice morphing into Kate, didn't Kate make an equally unrealistic attempt to get full custody of Phoebe way back when she was very small?

Not sure if I misunderstood what was said during the mediation, but there seemed to be a suggestion that they were no longer relying on unreasonable behaviour as a ground for divorce. Was that right? If so, when did they decide that? Presumably, unless the law changes pretty quickly, they will have to wait till they've been separated for two years?

I think Kate did try to get full custody and whisk Phoebe off to South Africa. Lucas was the voice of reason who helped her to see the error of her ways. I doubt there is a ‘Lucas’ in the current Aldridge set up and they’ll all blindly encourage Alice to go for full custody because Martha “needs her mother” or similar Hmm
ArabeI · 18/03/2022 21:46

"were doing the section 7 I would recommend status quo with a child arrangements order in place.
This still wouldn't mean Chris makes all the decisions but he would have ultimate say over where she lives, which is what Martha needs. Chris might be an arse but he's safe and consistent. Alice is neither."

Agree with this.

Alice has done well in trying to overcome her alcohol problem, but it has only been a few months.

1990s · 18/03/2022 22:22

@AlexCabot

Zara Tindall 1990s. I mentioned on the last thread that I imagine Alice to look like her!
Gotcha! Thanks!
EthelTheAardvark · 19/03/2022 19:15

Ideally Alice's lawyer will turn out to be a sensible type who tells her that the odds are not in her favour, and Brine will refuse to fund hopeless litigation. However, I fear the SWs will be reluctant to pass up the chance of lots of conflict over the next few months.

Another scenario, of course, is that now that Alice has driven Chris to talk to lawyers, they will point out that he could get much more more financially and Brine will be furious with her.

KimikosNightmare · 19/03/2022 22:54

@EthelTheAardvark

Ideally Alice's lawyer will turn out to be a sensible type who tells her that the odds are not in her favour, and Brine will refuse to fund hopeless litigation. However, I fear the SWs will be reluctant to pass up the chance of lots of conflict over the next few months.

Another scenario, of course, is that now that Alice has driven Chris to talk to lawyers, they will point out that he could get much more more financially and Brine will be furious with her.

I think there's every possiblity of that. Does Alice own The Nest personally? If she does and I were Chris' solicitor I'd be pushing for it so he and Martha aren't stuck in the flat above the shop.
HellynaHandcart · 20/03/2022 11:53

Weren't Kate and Alice given a cottage each when it was decided that the farm would be divided between Adam and Debbie?

BoreOfWhabylon · 20/03/2022 15:54

OK, place your bets on Amy being upduffed Grin

Pawtriarchal · 20/03/2022 16:18

@BoreOfWhabylon

OK, place your bets on Amy being upduffed Grin
Oh god, I can hear her tone of voice explaining the situation.