🦈 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!

Don’t forget Mungo!

@BeardieWeirdie , Everyone knows that Granny is Nain in Welsh!
That's a bit of a generalisation. I doubt that someone with no connection to Wales or the Welsh language would know. It's Mam-gû in South Wales.

I couldn’t bear to listen after catching sight of the SGW SL on here. I like the concept of Peggy but since I have known her she has repeatedly done showy-off things (eg charitable trust and now stained glass window) and the delivery of the actress is very hammy. I know she’s marvellous for her age etc but sometimes it’s best to quit when you’re ahead and retire gracefully (cf John Humphrys - prob misspelt).

The window thing is just weird - especially coming from someone who already has so many great grandchildren.

Mungo is not related to Peggy. He's Lynda's step-grandchild.

He is also Lilians' son's (James) child, so he is Peggy's ggc too.

Ah - JanglyBeads you’re missing a really important part of the evolving Archer story.

Mungo is, or will be, at the very nexus of power and influence in the village - uniting the First Family by blood - Jack Archer’s descendants - with the First Outsider Family by (borrowing a Love Island word) graft - the Snells. (I’m still not over the fact that I discerned and probably discussed this here long before it became a hot Academic Archers topic. )

The prospect of this Prince in Waiting eventually abandoning London to return to the homeland is one of the things that keeps me going when the SWs repeatedly screw up everything else. In the meantime I just worship the way his existence has created, out of nowhere, a familial relationship between Lilian and Lynda. It’s one of the best ongoing relationships they’ve ever written.

The stained glass idea is just weird. I’m surprised Tony went along with it but then again everyone in the family bows to Peggy’s wishes. There’s one commemorating Jack because he’s dead, why would you install something like this for newborns?

How odd for the girls when they grow up and see this whenever they walk past the church.

Oh sugar I knew that really.😜

Tbf the bit about Wren being "with the twins" was nice... although possibly inappropriate for some people?

My only hope is that tonight the extended Archer clan start talking about how Peggy has finally started to lose it, as evidenced by this wacky plan, which will obviously not be put into effect.

Surely Shula should have been closely involved in the development of the new riding course? Where's it supposed to be?

Is it just me that always mentally adds Mary and Midge when I hear Mungo's name?

No, not just you.
Though these days I also add Hospital for magical Maladies too.

I am glad I'm not the only one wondering why Shula is blaming everyone else for her new wacky races cross country course (?) when she is the major partner in the whole horsey enterprise and - I think - also lives there. (Also the course sounds quite big and I'd love to know what it was being used for before...)

Hated the stained glass window idea. That and all the twin chat made me fear that one of the twins will die and therefore they won't be "together forever" (and the stained glass window will be a memorial to a death and not a birth). Much nicer in a way if she planned her own memorial window with a star for each of her descendants as part of the design. Stained glass in a large house window would be fine but in a church it has such strong death vibes she might as well have said "what lovely babies! let's carve something about them into a nice stone and pop it somewhere - how about in that grassy bit by the church?"

Elle a des idées au-dessus de sa gare.

(Yes I know it's not entirely relevant but I find that phrase inordinately funny to describe someone with such elevated notions of self-importance)

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a small bird appearing alongside the two stars on the new window.
Re the importance of Mungo: I’m still not over the fact that I discerned and probably discussed this here long before it became a hot Academic Archers topic. I have never forgotten this @MuddlerInLaw In the meantime I just worship the way his existence has created, out of nowhere, a familial relationship between Lilian and Lynda. It’s one of the best ongoing relationships they’ve ever written so true.

I must say, when one looks at the long list of Peggy’s grandchildren it does seem unlikely - soap-wise - that they should all make it to adulthood. But Bridge Farm has already lost John and Wren - how could the SWs inflict more tragedy on the family?

If we set aside John and Helen and Tom’s children, though - that leaves the offspring of Adam, Kate, Alice, and James …

But I’m guessing the stained glass window will actually be installed in memory of Peggy herself, rather than the twins.

Don’t encourage my flourishing vainglory, Lil’G!

(Obvs I meant Peggy’s great-grandchildren.)

I agree it will be Peggy's window. Her days are numbered.

Generally speaking, can a person with a lot of money just get a window of their own design put in a church? I wouldn't think it would be that straightforward and the CofE officialdom and the congregation would have a say in it.

Shame Philip's not still around. He'd just get the 'horses' to smash a hole in the wall, fit the window, bish bash bosh - job done!

Yes it would have to go though the appropriate committees etc, some with amazing titles. Wouldn't have thought it was very easy.

Alice will surely cry "unfair!", even if no one else does?

Yes. In fact, due to having been an au pair in France I happen to know from "Blanche Neige" that "nain" means dwarf in French but had no idea it meant Granny in Wales!

It's pronounced Nine, @HaveringWavering . It doesn't mean granny, it's the word for grandmother. Similarly, Mam is Mother, not Mum

I don't think they will actually kill off a twin @MuddlerInLaw but if someone offered a stain glassed window for my (fictional) newborns I think it would feel quite ominous.

Glad we're all in agreement it'll be Peggy's window. What's Jack's like, does anyone know?

And possibly Helen? It's a daft idea although a window for Peggy is an even worse idea.