🦈 Archers thread #137: See left - have they jumped it? Discuss The Caseys - sorry, 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 think Steph Casey is a wonderful addition to the programme, or similar odd 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.)

Too dispirited to add much else. Have we reached a new low?

I suppose the Archer twins will be born before we need a new thread. 👶👶
Any thoughts on names? Patrick and Antonia were suggested before - inspired! Peggy has to be a strong contender.

Over to you!

Nagoedd

Several languages have a formal and informal form of you. Not just French, and there aren't any french characters in TA.

So what was the informal form of 'you' that Brad used?

Natasha was speaking in Welsh to her mother and used the informal you “ti” rather than the formal “chi” which I reserve for old people, the doctor etc. I’d think it bloody strange if she was using the formal you for her mum! It would be like calling your parents Sir and Madam! My seven-year-old was delighted to hear Cymraeg/Welsh on TA.

Ah ha! Well I know several languages have formal and informal I was being silly/taking a punt as to what was happening when I didn't listen. I know nothing about Welsh so wouldn't have picked that up I do want to learn Cornish. I know we had thee and thou in English.

I thought we were, talking about Brad and Oliver for some reason. I don't know any Welsh.

But I would expect Natasha to be informal with her Mum.

Surely Tom wasn't insinuating to Natasha in a deeply patronising way that there was no reason for her to be nervous about the upcoming caesarian?

God knows what she sees in the little prick. And of course the mum to be of twins is allowed to have her mother there if she wants her!! Bloody Pat can pop by as much as Natasha will tolerate her for years to come once her own mum has gone home.

God Tom was being a whiny little twat tonight. Even more than usual that is.

In short, Tom is a git.

I fast forwarded all of Gnasher and Sausage Boy.

I'm beginning to get irritated by Brad.

The Brad business gets me; all the secrecy, and as for the impertinent interception of the card!!! Hang on.....It's the stuff of so many Shakespeare plays, but this is now.

I'm officially bored.

Oh my goodness listening now. Tom is the pits and Brad is annoying.

Is Tom almost 40?

I don't think Tom is whiny. The circumstances changed, and at the last minute, and he didn't repine to Gnasher. Someone on the sofa when there's the bonding to be going on? And that someone a bit pushy, though I don't recall her.
He gave the news well to his mother, who took it like a trooper.

Gnasher's needs and wants are real and valid, but it doesn't alter the changed reality at the last minute. I thought her "That's what a sofa bed is for" missed the implicit point about a complete lack of domestic privacy.

@BeardieWeirdie , I would never use 'ti' when talking to a parent or other older relative, and find it disrespectful. It certainly grated on me that Gnasher used it with her mother, but she is a 'hwntw', and they do things differently there.

It will be nice for Welsh Pat to have someone to chat with, won't it

It will be nice for Welsh Pat to have someone to chat with, won't it Pat doesn't speak Welsh does she? Isn't the point of this development that Natasha and her mum are going to be rattling away in Welsh so Tom feels thoroughly pushed out? Is Natasha planning to speak Welsh to the twins (OPOL)? I think its quite an interesting dilemma for Natasha, but I'm wondering how that's going to play out in a 12 minute drama with no possibility of subtitles.

I suppose most of us will be in Tom's position of feeling left out then.

I hope so. Will someone tell me when he does? I’m going to stop listening and just watch this thread

I've no idea if Pat speaks Welsh, but I didn't specifically say chat in Welsh.

There will definitely be tension at April Cottage. It's been signposted.

I think when you're dealing with newborn twins after a Caesarian, having your mum to help out can be a definite aid to bonding. After all, it's not that long since the expectation was that people stayed in hospital for ten days after a section. If you buy a sofa bed and put it in the sitting room, presumably you accept that it will be used as a bed sometimes and it will affect domestic privacy.

Entirely natural for Natasha to want her mum around, but this plot is all about how much having a baby (or in this case babies!) changes your life - especially if you're also trying to run two business so you can't expect classic maternity/paternity leave. Typically for many first-time mums Natasha's focus has been on the discomfort of pregnancy and anxiety about the birth - it's only just coming into focus for the pair of them that life will never be the same again. The bilingualism question has never even been mentioned before now. Tom was probably fondly imagining a similar level of involvement for his parents as they have with Jack and Henwee (no competition with in-laws there). His own in-laws have been safely off the scene until now - now he's facing the prospect of not understanding what's going on in his own house.

The bilingualism question has never even been mentioned before now.
and it would have been, wouldn't it, but Tom being as he is doesn't think ahead and discuss things. I wonder if Caitlin will be as bad as Ursula.

Oh god, we’re going to be hearing a lot of whining Tom aren’t we? I could be sympathetic towards him as that is a very small flat, and having someone sleeping in your living space is so so hard, especially someone you don’t know well. Add to that the fact that Natasha and her mum will be speaking Welsh, it’s going to be tough for him. But it’s his VOICE! The actor makes him sound so whiny and entitled I just instinctively take agin him 😂