👑 Archers thread #139: Who’s the Daddy? No ceremonial required to join us – discuss 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 like the sound of Lilian’s Cinnamon Chicken, 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.)

I'm often struck by the time a thread ends how irrelevant the previous title has become to what's currently going on in The Archers. The Queen's death has only been mentioned very briefly in TA, of course, but I suppose that was to be expected in a time of budget constraints. In a few weeks when this thread fills up I wonder if we will still be thinking that, and about Chelsea and her pregnancy. That depends on what she decides to do, which at the time of writing is still up in the air.

As usual, I asked for title ideas and for various reasons then didn't use them. Sorry. Lillian Gish's was very witty - Will Chelsea stay mum about dad? Muddler made a more controversial one - Horrobins thread #139. As a new Great House of Ambridge emerges, come swear your allegiance here.

That's about all I can face saying about TA at the moment. I am expecting to have to travel north soon as my Dad is in hospital and I have to be with my Mum. (They're the same sort of age as Jill Archer, and up to now have been like her and Peggy, very active, managing very well with no help, but this may all be about to change ). So apologies if I'm more absent than present for a while. Will pop in when I can.

Possibly the Ambridge Fairy will bring about a miscarriage.

But not until maximum damage has been done chez Dopey

And, of course, there is always the Wrath Of Vince to look forward too!

to

I missed quite a few episodes over the summer.
Did the rave/liaison happen while Ben and Beth were on their break after the sister kiss incident?

<adopts slightly Geordie accent a la Ruth>

Oooh noooo, Bennnnnn!

Or they play the long game...

Chelsea has the termination, all keep shtum, Ben and Beff are on the verge of getting hitched

AND THEN...!!!

Yes. Ben, Chelsea, Josh and Russ were all there.

Oooh, that would be peak soap, Bore!

Possible …

But I want another Horrobin-Archer!

Tracy needs to be on an equal footing with her sister in the First Family Grandma stakes.

If Ben and Bore are having sex, which I assume they are, Bore is entitled to know Ben has had unprotected sex with Chelsea, particularly if Bore is on the pill and they're not using barrier protection.

It's also going to completely mess up the all moving into Aunty Shula's.

Which archer should Tracy shag? Kenton, her new boss?

She doesn’t need to, Jangly - Chelsea + Ben’s baby will be the equivalent of Martha. Susan’s nose will be a mite out of joint.

Oh Ben! When will you tell Ruairi? (Please do it where we can hear!)

What an appalling story. If they were attempting to be realistic, there's no way Ruth or David would want Ben to become a father at his age, not as a result of a one night stand anyway, and at this early stage in his nursing training. For Chelsea to continue this pregnancy would be an abysmal outcome for everyone. However, very clearly with this they've decided realism doesn't matter. Not pleased.

Oh so he won't have the high ground re Julianne?
This is an appalling plot twist!

The only outcome I'm looking forward to is Vince demanding that the Dopeys immediately repay the loan for the solar panels. Oh and good if Russ never returns, although he was a good character.

“we were on a break!!”

(de-lurking just to say that)

I thought that too!

thought of that too

What an appalling story.

I do feel sad for Beth. But Ben is no victim - he’s brought this on himself. And it is all properly SATTC - if it happens. The dynastic ramifications, the forced inter-relationship between Brookfield and No 6, The Green … Tracy would surely never have to work at the chicken factory again - Ruth and David would move heaven and earth to prevent it. Chelsea would be supported into setting up a properly managed hairdressing business … In fact, it all sounds so beneficial for the Horrobins, I’ve managed to persuade myself that it won’t happen.

But I don’t understand why we were subjected to the Steph thing. To have Ben associated with two betrayals of Beth seems a bit over-egged when we know he’s basically nice. A different reason for their temporary break would have been more realistic.

Would have enjoyed it so much more if it were Josh …

I'm sorry that this appalling story was (not even realistically) engineered to get rid of Russ. I know everyone apart from Saltycrisp and me hate Russ, but Russ actually did help Chelsea and that's gone now. There was absolutely nothing in his interactions with Chelsea which ever indicated he might be the father.

In real life I would be encouraging a "Chelsea" to have a termination. But, now we know it's Ben, in the Archers, maximum drama, upset, hand wringing and tears before bedtime requires Chelsea has the baby.

I do feel sad for Beth.

I don't- she's worse than Pip.

Ruth and David, to have inadequately explained the facts of life to one child may be regarded as a misfortune; to two children looks like carelessness.

I'm still hoping for a relatively dull conclusion where Ben tells Chelsea he'll support her whatever she does, and she finally sits down and makes the decision that, even with his support, she's not keeping the baby and she sorts out that termination.

Maybe they think conception is all artificial insemination

They need to get across and see Tonys bull in action.