🦈 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!

Just noticed a coda to the Google finding above - Sir Sidney (a poor loser) ensures that Usha [who was in partnership with Mark Hebden, Shula's first husband, before he died in a car crash shortly before she found out she was pregnant with Daniel as a result of IVF treatment, which was only possible because Dr Richard Locke, with whom Shula later had an affair, two-timing Alistair before they were married, and while Richard was living with Usha, continued the injections she needed for the IVF to work <huge intake of breath>] loses a large contract with one of his friends.

A mere youngster, then! I've been listening actively for over 40 years, I regret to say, and I also grew up with it as a child (although it rather washed over me back then, and my mother only listened intermittently after she and her family got a TV).

Ha ha! Well if youngster is hot and irritable perimenopausal woman I'll take it!

As is traditional here are my favourites and not so favourites. I love Brian. I like Tracey, Jim, Chelsea, Frilly (well mostly Frreddy) and I don't mind Toby Fairbrother (missing in action).

Don't like Peggy, Helen, Shula, Ruth, David, Jill, Jolene, idiot policeman and the vicar. Pretty much all Grundy's.

Depending on the storyline I can like Lyndy and Jazzer.

Oh my goodness what I would give for an edit function obviously I loathe Pip

I find Chelsea too pantomime stereotype, if they toned her down she'd be great.

I don't like Susan but I love her character if that makes sense.

I was just thinking yesterday about Emmur and her breakdown over not getting her house. I can't remember why they didn't get their deposit in the end? I have a feeling it was because Ed messed something up...

I'm not liking Will's awful pots story. Why can't he just be a bit talented?

I blanked out Willyum and his awful pots. I really dislike Will in similar ways to Kristofer they are horrible misogynists who have women running after them sorting their lives, makes me cross. Ed is just a useless joke too, poor Emur

I agree re Chelsea. The SLs need to treat her with some dignity. Just because she is poor and young, does not mean she needs to lack depth.

I have been absent from these threads for ages and just spent an enjoyable half hour sitting in the garden catching up on the last two: I properly laughed out loud at the image of Adil in his toddler trousers and wellies😂.
Just for completeness:
Love: Brian Jennifer Lilian Susan Jim Emma Lynda Robert Kenton Freddie Lily Tracey Russ and Josh
Don't mind: David Ed Clarrie Eddie Neil Ben Rex
Hate: Everyone else
Loath: Steph Beth Pip

Oh and whatever happened to the village doctor/surgery? We haven't had one since the Shula affair debacle have we?

Forgot Kate! Love her too🤦‍♀️

I love Kate too so ridiculous and wouldn't want her as a mum but best of the bunch of the siblings.

After Dr Locke left, Tim Hathaway took over the GP's surgery, with Susan Carter as the receptionist. Tim's wife had an affair with someone - can't remember who . Tim had an affair with Janet the vicar.

Nobody is ever ill in Ambridge so there's no need for a surgery.

I predict that Wiwyum will be the next Edmund de Waal or Yayoi Kusama

As we're doing this-

Star turns - Brian, Jenny, Kate , Russ, Jakob and Chelsea. Never disappointed to hear from them.

Like- Joy, Roy, Ruari, Will and Mia, Freddy, Alastair, Jim, Tracey, Neil and Susan , Lynda (except current bonkers iteration), Roy, Kirsty, Ed and Emma, Adil , Denise and the Fairbrethren.

Don't mind and don't make me fast forward the iPlayer- Helen , Gnasher, Sausage Boy, Ian and Adam, Clarrie, Jazzer (although the sex pest bit is still creepy) Shula, the vicar, Tat 'n' Pony (Snr) , Jolene, Fallon, P. C Plod.

Loathe Lilian, Justin, Kenton, Elizabeth, Lily , all of The Dopeys and Usha. Used to loathe Alice but over the last week she and Chris have redeemed themselves simply by not being the Casey Sisters and have moved to don't mind.

Please let Will be a natural and enter the great pottery throw down- a lovely guest appearance from crying Keith would be marvellous

I have to ask, as a newbie (10 years ish!) why does everyone hate Pip?! She seems pretty bland to me, nothing to inspire strong feelings! Is it the voice? I find Ruth’s far worse!!

Welcome to our new and returning posters!

Re Pip - one of the many Editors we've had in the past few years re-cast Pip. I personally preferred the previous actor, and I know I'm not alone. So that's a factor. Daisy Badger (the current Pip) does that irritating long pause, which is not well liked either. Of course, Pip the character is (deliberately written to be) extremely annoying. She puts Josh down, she has made mistakes and not owned up to them, David and Ruth seem to think she's the World's Wonder (for no reason) and they have always seemed to favour her over Josh (in particular) and Ben, which irks me.

Her complete self-centeredness, and willing to throw the blame around while never taking responsibility for her own gross negligence

Fat Rosie!
Mind, I don't think a first year nursing student should be making that sort of pronouncement, even if he is her uncle.

I know, this could be bigger than the Aldridges arguing over the inheritance!

He hasn't been on a paediatric ward has he? I know Beth asked him how his placement had been going last week

Remember Fat Dan? Keri Davies was incandescent when Mustardlanders called him that. He took it very personally, didn't he?

Pip had a personality transplant. The old Pip was a bit like Chelsea in terms of acting style. Old Pip was ghastly but in a good way.

New Pip is unpleasant to her brothers, completely selfish and speaks in a strange way. Hervoiceis ... soann oy ing, especially when she is referring to Toe B.

Ruth is ok IMO apart from when she does the 'hushed tone'. I resent complaints about her voice as the actor has a pleasant voice. Her accent is laid on a bit thickly but IIRC she's from County Durham whereas Ruth is from Prudhoe. The accent is probably not quite authentic, but it sounds Northumbrian-ish to me.
I don't know why people dislike her but a lot of the criticism is because she is not good at cooking.

PIp's attitude to Rosie's weight issue is just typical.

I'm tellin ya @BadlydoneHelen , he's more than a natural, he's gonna be on the Great Britain PotteryThrow Down and whoever the judge is (Sue Pryke or Keith Brymore Jones) will visit the H&P/Village Fete and declare him a genius.

It's about time Wiwyum had something good happen to him, he's been through a lot.

*Of course, Pip the character is (deliberately written to be) extremely annoying"

Is it deliberate? I thought one of the many reasons for loathing Pip is that the sws mistakenly think we will think Pip is as wonderful as David and Ruth think she is.

She was assuringly awful tonight.