🏏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.)

Russ is never boring.

Lynda has completely lost the plot. It's embarrassing to listen to her.

Well Chris and Alice got there in the end - it's all feeling like a bit of a storm in a teacup to me which has required a fair bit of acting out of character to sustain.

But where does this rapprochement leave the battle over division of financial spoils?

The sensible thing would be for Chris to move out of the pokey flat and take up Brian's offer of the cottage near The Nest - making 50/50 care of Martha even easier.

Someone offers Chris either the Nest or a house equally as nice as The Nest.

Yes, but as owner of it.

I think Chris & Alice will reconcile eventually

Adil will know someone famous to help Lynda out and maybe he will end up with Kirsty ?

Stella - there was that original bit with Justin - former girlfriend whilst he was married to wife 1 ?

I did think Steph might get bored/drunk/ fed--up and pounce on Ben ?

Denise will realise she loves Alistair - Shula will then be jealous despite the fact she kicked Alistair into touch

Is Denise married? I thought I heard her talking unenthusiastically about a man in her life who is retired now but I wasn’t paying attention.

Glad the divorcees have finally pulled themselves together and managed to get through "I don't why it went so wrong" without one of them informing the other. I would not have shown so much restraint, but also would have introduced some common sense into matter much earlier. If a swift rewrite of history ends this then fine. Whatever it takes.

Little boop for Ben for standing up for himself to Beth. Although tbf willy confetti I'm more offended by the plastic waste than the crude nature of it.

I don't mind Lynda being a pain but I wish it was more in character. Think app is right Ardil to the rescue. Would love a happy ending for Kirsty.

Little boop for Ben for standing up for himself to Beth. Although tbf willy confetti
I'm more offended by the plastic waste than the crude nature of it

No, no boop whatsoever for Ben. Beth is dreary beyond words but is right about this. Ben is just dreary and an idiot for buying such tat.

For one terrifying sliver of a second I wondered if the SWs had tricked us - and the whole story arc was intended to reveal Steph as the next matriarch of Brookfield. 😮 I swear I felt the Earth shudder.

Just a little slight aside. This afternoon I had the great pleasure of watching Romeo and Juliet at Stafford castle. I especially enjoyed a brilliant performance of Juliet played by our very own Chelsea horribin. She was excellent. Really good stroppy teenager and incredibly mature somber scenes. Highly recommended.

I've seen several comments along the lines of "Beth is the next Brookfield matriarch"... but surely if Ben is going into nursing (not farming) it'll be someone else at the helm of Brookfield?
(Or have I missed something the crystal ball is predicting?!)

Ha

TBF he was only collecting Steph's shopping. But you'd think the barn had a natural only confetti policy. I haven't seen plastic confetti used anywhere for many years (other than kids clubs where there's usually an ancient stash, rather than bought recently.)

Can I ask you knowledgeable lot some questions please?

I used to lurk on TA threads years ago so apologies if these have been asked/answered millions of times.

Do we know who moved into Home Farm?

Do Tax Credits/UC/housing benefit exist in Ambridge? Does the bedroom fairy exist as a trade off with having no benefits?

How do we get social workers with such a low caseload they can nip round to see Chris and Alice and question about him shagging Amy when SWs that I know are struggling to support kids living in absolutely horrendous environments?
On the back of their Council Tax statements is the pie chart of service spending dependant on proximity to The Bull?

Do you still chat about He Who Must Not Be Named? Roy seems to have somehow taken his spot on my brain now.

Does anyone know how the actors’ pay is structured? I know the majority of them have other random jobs but are they in retainers and paid per episode?

My 14 year old DS has just told me he’s going to learn ‘that Archers’ theme tune on the piano cos it’s aaaaaaallllllways on’ 😊

The Gills moved into Home Farm. We know nothing about them.

Nobody in Ambridge is on benefits.

Social Workers are evidently sitting around waiting for something to do.

I don't know about the rest.

don't name He Who Must Not Be Named.....

Shit, it’s like The Candyman and he’ll apppear, won’t he?!!! 😳

Ooooh, yea, the mysterious Gills.

When Kathy revealed herself as the (unbelievably popular/cultish) Easter Bunny all I could visualise was a Scooby Doo baddie ripping her mask off. Nearly broke my neck on an ancient Mystery Machine toy this morning that had made its way out from the graveyard of spiders behind the radiator so that’s what reminded me of her.

Oh FFS. I hope that's the end of the ghastly sisters.

Are they trying to get TA binned?

Perhaps it's a misguided attempt to lure the love island audience?

Honestly I really liked Beth at first but currently she doesn't seem like any great loss.

Let us pray for a clean break. And little airtime. Hopeless though it may seem.

Remember the last time we said , "well that was the worst episode ever...."

The only saving grace was Chelsea.

Please, please, please can we never hear from this ghastly pair of sisters again.

Chelsea suffers from TA not doing teenagers very well, but I think the only light relief was the thought of David snaffling some canapes

I've not seen Love Island but I believe that a certain famous England and LFC former striker's daughter is on it. Maybe they could get a Felpersham FC former striker's attractive progeny to appear on TA.

Why oh why do they bring in all these new 1D characters when we hardly hear our old favourites. When did we last hear Kenton (OK not a favourite but he is an Archer), Jennydarling, Helen, Elizabeth, Emma, Eddie (not a favourite either) and others?

We heard Eddie and Ed recently talking about sheep. It was very pleasant.

Add Johnny and Joy to that list.