🏏Archers thread #136: Howzat! Oliver’s bowled a googly, Kathy’s out, Grey Gables left with nightwatchman. Tracy knocked for six. Is Ambridge on a sticky wicket? 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 are entranced by new character Adil, 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.)

Apologies if anybody made a thread title suggestion and I missed it. I decided to mark the start of the cricket season in the hope that things will take a turn for the better for poor Tracy.

It feels like months since the last new thread, which was just after Phoebe departed for Scotland. Has she been mentioned since? I can't recall. Not greatly missed, by me, at any rate. Her fish gifts didn't last long.

I can't shake off the feeling that The Archers is going through a long dull patch. I don't feel greatly engaged by anything that's happening at the moment other than Tracy's plight. Such a good actor, which helps, of course.

What's keeping you listening? Habit? Genuinely enjoying it? Over to you!

(PS In the process of starting this thread, I've discovered that our custom-made Archers emoji has gone. You used to get it by typing . Not any more.)

Though it seems a theme of MN too at times. Our kitchen is 25 years old and going strong!

The hotel hadn't ever really moved on since Caroline took it over. Oliver was a caretaker really, no innovation. It will be interesting to see how GG is re-invented.

I'm not sure that resident artists will be a massive hit....

Though running it could be a ready made job for a useless parasite …

Yes @TottersBlankly. I immediately thought of CMR when this was mentioned.

He only told Ardil because he was worried someone else would first. I’m struggling to think of any other good reason for him to tell Adil

Poor Roy is always on the back foot. I know being part of a racist gang was terrible but that was more than 25 years ago. Give the guy a break - why dredge that up now? He really needs to have stronger storylines or they could just axe him entirely. I would obviously miss him but I don’t think many others would notice…

This really would have been an ideal time for him to reconnect with Xander’s mother … Surely the only reason they broke up was because they each had commitments in separate countries. He has none in England now that would preclude an extended stay in Europe. (Though I must admit I have no clue about current right to work regulations for UK citizens going to Europe.) Might be nice for Abbie to have a parent she could visit in another country.

Abbie hardly sees her father when he's only in another county.

is Lexi Dander's mother? She was his surrogate mother.

There were no issues when Kursedy was offered a job in Buglaria

This really would have been an ideal time for him to reconnect with Xander’s mother … Surely the only reason they broke up was because they each had commitments in separate countries

I’m not so sure a reunion would be a good idea. I thought they split up partly because of geography but partly because Roy had mixed feelings about the whole surrogacy thing which I don’t blame him for. The whole thing was handled very badly and I don’t remember Lexi treating Roy with any respect at the time. He will be better off with boring Kirsty. She is nice to him at least and they’ll always enjoy sharing a packet of biscuits together.

She gestated and birthed him so yes she's his mother!
surrogate mother actually means a female who mothers an infant she did not birth. Humans have inverted the meaning to allow for commodifying babies.

So …

Brenda is in Reigate.

Still engaged.

But mentioned!

Fingers crossed!

I’m still repulsed by Jenny wanting to shove Lexi out of the scene when Xander’s first photos were taken after his birth. I suppose if we’re meant to pretend that men are women, then erasing mums is the next step. Ugh.

Roy is as thick as mince.

Odd scenes with Steph. Was the point to give Ruth and David a chance to say how wonderful their marriage is?

Maybe the big plan is for Stella to split up the Dopeys by having an affair with Ruth or David, so that Justin Elliott can buy Brookfield

Was I right in my memory of Stella having a secret lunch with Justin?

Yes, I remember it. Months and months ago, not long after she arrived in Ambridge. For reasons that weren't made plain, Justin wanted their previous connection to stay under wraps, and what that connection had been was left unstated. I think the consensus here at the time was it wasn't an affair. Odd.

I wonder if Adil is regretting sticking Roy on the website as the welcoming and friendly face of GG?

In the real world, the comments section on the website would already be full of references to Roy’s racist past as disgruntled ex employees of GG took the opportunity to have an anonymous go at him. Not a crime, and much more effective than vandalising his car. And Adil would have to explain why there was no due diligencearound the choice of public face for GG.

My hazy recollection is that she was brought in by Justin, who had worked with her previously, in order to ‘spy’ on Brian’s Home Farm doings. We learned this at their lunch. But, in the last spat (can’t remember) between Justin and Brian she effectively sided with Brian - so the SWs seem not to want to continue with the mole storyline.

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I'm imagining something like this.

Howling at that picture.

I think Denise's voice was recognisably black but also from a diverse Southern city . Don't think I'd be so observant with an Asian Glaswegian.

I'd call the folded in plait a French pleat.

Really enjoyed Adil's response to Roy. Thought Roy's hounding for understanding and exoneration from Advil as though he spoke for all non whites and was supposed to take this information, process and then prioritise Roy's feelings a painful listen but well done. I like how the thing that moved it on was Roy offering to buy him a pint and actually just get to know each other though. Rather than the pathetic bleating.

I definitely love Brian the character but would not be a fan of Brian if I relocated Amwards.

Thanks for the link to the Ruari actor. One of my DC has the same condition and I never realise he had it too. (Theirs is much less obvious/ restrictive though.) Great to have a role model, though my lot a tad small for Richard III.)

At the risk of sounding judgemental about age gap relationships (which I'm not) isn't there somewhere between 20 and 35 years between Stella Alistair. I adore Alistair but i always picture him younger than I believe he actually is.

Was so nice to hear Chris actually prioritising Martha for a moment too.

Neil seriously needs to wind his neck in, though I liked @LillianGish's point about him finally standing up for himself. I just think he chose an embarrassing hill to die on.

Honestly I reckon if he backed off, so would Alice.

Brian on the other hand has shown tremendous understanding and restraint towards Neil. Didn't have him pegged as a zen empath at all!

He's done that far more than Alice.

Well, Susan has.

I wonder how the Jazzer/Jim goodbye will go.
Actually I know, Jim will be as kindly and generous in his wishes for Jazzer, as will Jazzer for him.

Yes it seemed much more a relationship of peers and there were no romantic past/present overtones at all.

Maybe we'll learn more at some point. It was SO "placed" at the time.