🌟 ⭐ Archers thread #138: Two new stars on the Ambridge firmament, but will Peggy’s retirement leave a black hole? 🕳️ Join us here for a window on The Archers.

[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 commissioning a stained glass window for two of your great-grandchildren and nothing for all the others is a sensible thing to do, 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.)

Thanks to @LillianGish and @MuddlerInLaw for title ideas, which I have played around with a bit. I'm sad to have heard the last of Peggy. An era starts to draw to a close.

What a relief to be out of the Steph Casey phase, which I hope was an unfortunate blip, not to be repeated. [Triumph of hope over experience there ... ]

@BoreofWhabylon has asked the 🔮 about Adil and it predicts that he is actually the Mysterious New Owner of Grey Gables but won't be revealed as such until he has won Kirsty's heart (or some similar Mills & Boon level tosh - apols to the 🔮 but it does seem to have a mushy side). I still cling to the idea that the mysterious silent and invisible Gills who now own Home Farm may have some role at GG, but why not name them?

No mention of the heatwave in Ambridge, but budget constraints probably severely limit their scope for topical inserts these days. IRL I believe this has been a tricky time for farmers. Perhaps the SWs will catch up with this over the winter and start putting in some farming chat about diversification away from oats to olives, or similar. We already have at least one vineyard in the Ambridge area, at LL. (I understand there was another, in the heart of the village, decades ago, but the SWs have now forgotten all about it, sadly.)

Over to you!

Tracey is depicted as somone (minus this blip) growing into herself though. Getting a job and doing mostly v well at it. Finally finding a succesful relationship with a decent guy. Kids prospering in their respective courses. Taking over the cricket team and running it/adapting it.

Short of money yes, impulsive yes - but there are real people like this. My friend's mum got her first ever job in her 40s, did well there, finally found a decent bloke after a string of awful users/losers. When I ran a cafe there was a guy there who'd only learnt to read at about 50 and had thrived since etc.

So I think given the right guidance and some training she could certainly learn.

I'll be pissed off if they do Josh and Beth. We have had Will & Ed & Emma, and Rex & Toby & Pip already. It's possible to have siblings who don't go for the same person. I've never really seen what my sister went for in her boyfriends, and AFAIK, vice versa. Nice enough men, but no sexual interest, not for me. It seems unfeasible that this would happen to every pair of brothers in the village born since the 1980s. (I suppose John & Tom were an exception, but then John died anyway.)

….and because, god help us, they may have some messianic idea of revisiting the old Will/Ed/Emmur SL, albeit slightly tweaked?

I 100% agree, it's completely weird and quite incestuous. A lot of men I know wouldn't even dream of going out with/sleeping with their friend's ex, let alone their own brother's. My best friend is one of 5 girls and none of them can understand the partners the others have chosen.

I also disagree with a PP that Josh wouldn't care - I think he'd feel enormously guilty about it (wouldn't have a few years ago).

I've never really figured out how old Julianne is supposed to be, but the actress was born in 1962.

Wouldn't it have been fun if Justin had recognised her as an old flame!

I'm pleased that Tracey has a proper job. It's just a shame that The Bull won't be able to afford its leccy bill this winter.

It happens IRL, it's just that in Ambridge it happens to every man who has a brother.

I think you might be right about the pregnancy. Good scene with Brad and Chelsea.

So Chelsea's pregnant then? It was predictable and assume Russ is the father after a forgotten bunk up at the rave? She was super cagey with him the next time they met.

What about Lily getting ready for Felpersham university? They would need to get a flat sorted soon in time for start of term. Hope they've not signed a deposit. I vaguely remember Lizzie dealt with the Manchester bailiffs last time didn't she?

Didn't go back enough to find out who said it first so I'll credit @Bernadinetta

I've got a feeling that Russ might not be the father but Tracey is going to assume he is and raise merry hell. Russ will probably assume he is as well, since he can't remember anything.

The 🔮 isn't saying much, except keep an eye on George.

Ructions, anyway.

How long ago was the rave?

I was convinced! I can't contradict the crystal ball. Oh well.

Ooh I hadn’t heard it yet as been doing the kids’ bedtime but just seen the thread!! Off to listen now. Has TA had. Teenage pregnancy storyline before? @BoreOfWhabylon the mystic ball doesn’t mean to keep an eye on George as the father of Chelsea’s baby does it?? Aren’t they second cousins? Or do you just mean keep an eye on George in general 👀

Kate and Roy?

I think Lizzie was also a pregnant teenager way back when. She was v young anyway and had an abortion iirc.

The 🔮 is being its usual cryptic self re George.

Just listened. If it is Russ, that is going to cause a hell of a ruction! I wonder if he has any previous form with students/younger girlfriends before Lily.

Lizzie was a bit older than a teenager IIRC. It's usually the over 40s who have unplanned pregnancies, so it will be Helen next. Unless it's s ONS. Maybe Kirsty could have a ONS with Aardvark

Do we think the SW will do an abortion SL or will Chels make up her mind she’s keeping her baby (I’m gonna keep my baby 🎶)

Josh was at the rave. Just saying.

So was Ben... "We were on a break"?!

Hmm, no, that's a step too far, surely?!

Josh …

Now, that would be excellent! A Horrobin /Archer after Martha Horrobin /Aldridge? Fabulous!

But I need Scumbag to be the father. And for him to be finally drummed out of town.

She has no money and no supportive boyfriend. I know what I’d want my teenage daughter to do in this situation, especially if I didn’t have the money to support her myself.

I have a bad feeling about Ben...hope I'm wrong 🤞

OMG!

OMG! OMG!!

The 🔮 says he will be drummed out of town one way or the other.