🌟 ⭐ 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!

I really hope that if Russ is the father, Chelsea is treated as the victim she is and not 'the other woman'.

But I'm not holding my breath.

There was. Something was split on Chelsea's dress and she borrowed Russ' jacket.

I don't recall Chelsea being so out of it at the rave that she didn't remember things.

The thing that definitely doesn't make sense, as someone said the other day amidst mere speculation about pregnancy, is how Chelsea was towards Russ when he helped her with the police. There was no hint of anything else going on/ unsaid between them. Even if she didn't know she was pregnant at that point.

Look at this episode from 09/08, when he talked Freddie into her keeping her job after nearly killing ardil's guest.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0019z34?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Did The Deed (if ''twas Russ) maybe happen as a result of that, building on their conversation at the rave?

Which would mean she's not so far along as two months?

Sorry, the 9th was the keying, two days later was the Tea room episode.

He speaks to Harrison and it looks like only a caution and Chelsea hugs him.

It doesn't look like it happened at the rave.

If it's not Russ then the SWs have been really leading us, and her, up the Lower Loxley garden path.

She did what he said though, unquestioningly. He told her to fess up, she did. He told her to write a letter to apologise, she did. Could she be under his command?
I’ve seen it said on here before that TA is so unlike other soaps (TV) because things do happen “off screen”, if this SL was on eastenders we’d have seen them together at the rave (not just talking), maybe seen some lingering looks etc.

Yes that was weird.

Time will tell!

Posters have been speculating about Russ taking an interest in Chelsea since way back when Tracy and Chels went round to Lower Loxley for dinner one time (can’t remember the reason but seem to remember either Lily or Elizabeth tentatively inviting Tracy as a thank you for something and Tracy characteristically barging in the same night with Chelsea in tow?). He helped her with her exams after that I believe?

MysticBore™️ predicts:
Ross is not the father
He will, nevertheless, think he is when Tracey accuses him because

• he's attracted to teenage girls
• he can't remember what happened

He will leave LL (this is the main reason for the SL, the Editor is having a post-lockdown clearout) The real culprit will be exposed. Tracey will regret leaping to conclusions but R won't be returning Hopefully, Chelsea will decide to have a termination Lily will depart for university sans Ross and we won't hear her much for a while

Is anyone here in any doubt that Chelsea is pregnant? I’ve seen a few comments on both the Facebook and the Twitter threads from people saying they don’t think she is, as she never verbally confirmed it, just Tracy said “as long as you haven’t got yourself pregnant… you haven’t have you?” And Chelsea said “oh mum I’m so sorry”. Some people saying she’s sorry about something else, have heard being in contact with her dad as an option. Personally I do think she’s pregnant. Also, it’s an interesting turn of phrase (did Tracy actually use it?) to say “got yourself pregnant”.

But it's a common turn of phrase? Maybe misogynistic, but common.

@BoreOfWhabylon you could be right I guess, that does all stack up.

It was just that there was no reason for the rave this is so true - one of those random bits of the plot that seemed to go nowhere. Also when you look at the drip, drip, drip of encounters between Russ and Chelsea - helping with her exams, standing up for her in the Orangerie, persuading her to go to the police... and the fact that his reputation goes before him (something which never seems to be mentioned) - it just has to be Russ. I think I'll try to listen again to the rave episode (if it's not too far back) or at least find a summary.

Oh yes I know it’s a common turn of phrase but it’s a horrid one isn’t it.

Didn’t she cut his hair… quite an intimate act

Yes the rave seemed so random. There was no build up to it.
I'll be listening again too, it was quite a confusing episode iirc.
Does iPlayer go back that far, couldn't see July when I looked briefly earlier.

We're all so invested

The SW definitely knew what they were doing with this story line to create a buzz! Classic Friday night cliffhanger too. Although I was thoroughly embarrassed as I said excitedly to my DP that I must tune in to an exciting episode when I switched it on and heard drunk dopey David going on about burying soiled pants, bad enough when you’ve heard the context previously but totally unfathomable for a non-fan to hear at random!

It doesn't.

I think you're right and Jazzer will do something typically idiotic and beat Russ up.

I really hope it isn’t Ben - mostly because I don’t think I could deal with anymore Casey dramatics. I’m hoping it’s sleazy Russ so he can disappear and let Lily live her life and stop conning LL with his fake job.

I want that to be too obvious so that it isn't Russ. There's been nothing in their interactions which suggests anything happened.

Although there's been nothing to connect Chelsea with any other man either.

I'm mostly feeling annoyed that poor Tracy can't just have one day when things seem to be looking up and she can be cheerful, without something happening to spoil it.

It would tie up several loose ends if it turned out that Denise's MAMIL husband is the father. Denise gets to chuck him out, thus freeing her up for Alistair, and Chelsea has a termination and then gets on with her life. Not very likely or palatable, though, as Denise must be over 50 and I assume her husband is a similar age.

You can't listen anymore, but here's the summary:

Russ feels awkward at the illicit rave, not open to persuasion by Lily or Chelsea to get involved. He asks Chelsea how she always stays so positive, and she shares some homespun philosophy. Chelsea drags reluctant Russ off to try and get some of his preferred tunes played. She teases him over his lack of movement, but he asserts he could dance her under the table if the music’s right.Lily bumps into old flame Sol at the crowded bar area and he offers to get her drinks for her. They chat, Sol making it clear he’d rather she was with him than with Russ. He makes some not unkind comments about the age gap between Russ and Lily. Lily asserts she’s happy with Russ. She concedes they have disagreements, like everyone, but she’s committed to him. Sol speculates on what could have been, but doesn’t want to cause trouble. Lily’s flattered, but insists she’s not interested and says goodbye. She finds Russ on the dancefloor, a little the worse for wear but having fun. She likes this side of him and joins in.Josh has allowed Ben to attend the rave on the condition he goes with him. Ben spills his beer over unimpressed Chelsea, and storms off for some space. Josh promises to buy Chelsea a drink by way of apology for his brother. Josh finds tearful Ben wandering alone. He sobs that he loves Beth, but however hard he tries he can’t stop things falling apart. He’s messed up everything and doesn’t know how to fix it.
I didn't really listen closely at the time - I found the whole rave thing a bit contrived. Who knew. It was broadcast on July 1 so I'm going to scroll back and see what we were all saying back then to try and jog my memory.

Russ lent Chelsea his jacket. I don't know if that was to hide the spilt beer or to wear instead of a beer soaked dress.

In fact there was not much comment at all at the time - certainly not an episode anyone dwelt on, though I thought these three posts were slightly pertinent.
Well, not sure what to make of that. Russ and Chelsea were quite sweet. TheLassWiADelicateAir
I was hoping Russ would make a move on Chelsea and she’d lamp him, giving Lilly a get out jail free card. BeardieWeirdie
I feel like we're still waiting to learn the point of Russ's character. He's never expanded/developed, never made a move on Lizzie, never been properly called out on his relationship with a student. JanglyBeads.
You can tell I'm devoting far too much time to this...

Pretty sure Chelsea had a change of clothes with her in a bag? That's what I did in my raving days of yore.