🦈 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!

How about ‘Chip’ short for ‘Chipolata’ and ‘Sal’ short for ‘Salchica’

Or Buff and Aloe

The coq au vin blanc sounded tasty…until she mentioned the packet sauce. God knows why she needed a packet- it’s a very easy dish…

I was just about ready to throw up at Steph arranging a weird "date night" with her dad, before she even mentioned the packet sauce.

Why are they trying to make Steph sound like she actually has the power of reflection when they've spent months caricaturing her?

And no I haven't forgotten the threesome suggestion either!!! would DEFINITELY have been mentioned by the boys when the marriage fell apart

I love Tat and Pony, brilliant names! They're much more interesting than whatever the real names turn out to be. Following the 'why don't more of the characters use pet names' theme, I've always wondered why so few of the characters are named after family members. There's a lot of single use names in Ambridge, given the love of extended family. There's Eddie and Ed, Rosie Ruth Grace, and I can't think of any others. Why is no one named after their grandparents like in real life?!

John was John Daniel after his great-uncle, Alice is Alice Margaret, IIRC, Keira is Keira Susan, George was named after George Barford, Ben was named after Ruth's uncle. Pip was named after her grandfather and Daniel after his great-grandfather

Did anyone mention Jazzer calling Jim ‘prof’? I think he also calls Alistair ‘Al’, doesn’t he?

Tatiana and Ponipake (Hawaiian name)

Tat and Pony

And Johnny is named after his dad

The continuity announcer reminded us that Jazza calls Tracey “hen”.

Oh yes, he does.

Ok, so there are a few more than I remembered. Especially Pip after Phil, and compeltely forgot about John & Johnnie. I didn't realise George was named after George Barford, can't have been popular with his mother's extended family!

From what I remember, they were fine with it. George Barford and Will worked together and were close, George a bit of a father figure. I can't remember if George Grundy has a middle name, but if he has, it's probably Edward or Joseph. Clarrie's father was Jethro.

I don't like the snooty attitude everyone has to the chicken factory as if thats hitting rock bottom...
I know and place can waviry widley but I spent a few summers working I a salmon packing plant (the tesco and watroes poached salmon was the same thing but dif no. of lemons ontop) as it payed more than the supermarket.

It was cold &busy work but I wore lots of layers and we had regular breaks. I did constantly smell of fish but I can pinboan a salmon really quickly still.

I have a friend who was a manager in a shop (well-known brand but the shops aren't around any more) and she left to work on the checkout at a supermarket as it paid more but with less pressure.

TA has snobbery, in many forms.

I guess everyone has got different things they can enjoy/tolerate at work. In TA I think it's largely because Emma went to work there when she was sooooo desperate (and apparently hurt her fingers????) so for her it was a place of last resort really in terms of legal work. It's a bit annoying it's the only factory type place around though as some are a lot nicer sounding than this! A friend used to work assembling kits of some kind, I think toys, and she found it really easy and sociable. (nb not at the north pole)

Well, let’s hope the Ben and Beth thing is sorted out and we don’t have any nonsense from Ben that he can’t trust Beth not to leave him. And Steph goes and gets a job in the far end of the country. Perhaps KP in a country pub in the Yorkshire Dales with no mobile signal.

Can Ben, Beth and Steph just bore off never to be seen again. Please?

I like Ben. The one Archer child who has turned out OK

What was Tracy hoping to achieve? Obviously going to get her team leader's back up.

Thank goodness for the end of Steph's lying. That storyline was irritating (far too 'Hollyoaks' style for my liking).

Vince didn’t exact demonstrate tough love in his dealing with Steph. It sounded like he was going to get her to stand on her own two feet but then said he’d transferred a chunk of cash to her account - still indulging her even if he’s not speaking to her. I’m not a parent but wouldn’t it have been better to have said I’ve spent enough on your wedding- no more cash from me. Then she really would need to get a job. May be she will end up at the chicken factory with T.

I'd like the Caseys to emigrate to Australia or anywhere far away enough for us to never hear from them ever again.

It amused me to hear Beth describe herself ( a few days ago, I'm just catching up) as " the intelligent, alternative sister" when she has been portrayed recently as a dull homebody who wears lipgloss and loves a day out at the mart with her boyfriend's mum.

No mention of Heatherpet for the nicknames?