👑 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.

OMG, BonnieWeeJeannieMcColl, I love your plot twist - it gives me hope. (Was that the reason for the wholly unnecessary info we were given about Chelsea ‘always using condoms’? Although … while it would be better for B&B it would be less interesting going forward than the treasure of a Horrobin-Archer baby.

I’d imagine the rush to crown Beth as Queen of Brookfield might partly be driven by the need to have Patricia Greene around to bless the coronation. She’s 91, so the SWs would probably rather not wait ten or fifteen years …

Was it a heirloom or was that Beth’s interpretation? Was it just “a necklace that belonged to Jill”? I’ve found with getting older that I want to get things established in a good home rather than have them swept up in a general house clearance. Maybe she doesn’t think Pip will appreciate them, I know I wouldn’t.

It would be a horrible plot if Chelsea had the baby but something happened to her (death, disability etc) and the baby was given to Ben and Beth to raise. Why on earth can't the scriptwriters just have Chelsea choose an abortion so she can live her life, Ben and Beth can live theirs without all the angst.

Yes, that would be horrible …

Is Jill still driving? She might be. My 88yo Dad was, until his recent health issues, and is keen to resume as soon as/if the GP gives the go ahead. 😱Jill appears to be in excellent health and strength, so may not see any reason to give up her car yet.

Shula is in Sunderland now. That was Judy Bennett's last ever appearance, it would seem from the BBC publicity articles. She wants to retire. Please oh please let her husband Charles Collingwood not do the same. Brian is so brilliantly acted. It would be a massive loss if he went too.

As for the Ben/Beth/Jill nonsense, and Alan not knowing how to say no - I have no words.

I find listening to Jill difficult. She seems to slur her words a lot.

Yes, it's been very aparent over the last few months.

@Rapidtango , they did that SL with Ruairi.

Topaz isn't particularly valuable.

Jill does not sound well.

WhoppingBigBackside- so they did. It seems such a long time ago now!

Cast your mind back to Peggy's final utterance. There was a similarly valedictory feel to Jill's big speech last night, I thought. Especially all that ‘come on, link hands, you two!' guff. The matriarch bestowing her blessing on the next gen.

Ugh. It really is dire beyond all belief right now.

Quick question: what does Princess Beth do for work, I can’t remember or have never been bothered to find out

Does she work for a land agent ? Or Auctioneers ?

Isn’t she an auctioneer at the livestock market?

Don’t really understand how things all fit together or how her dad’s abattoir relates to the market. Does he own both or are they just one thing?

I dislike Bethly Bore more than Pip.

Her "trust issues" didn't seem to cause her any problem with getting a new boyfriend who'd dumped his girlfriend of a year because he'd met Bore once.

That palaver over making a birthday cake for Jill, when Bore had been the replacement girlfriend for a matter of days, was just sucking up but it's certainly worked with Jill.

If that was Jill's valedictory speech I think I'd actually have preferred something to Pip and Rosie along the lines of keeping the farm going/ tie with the land rather than this fawning over a spoilt princess, whom she has known for a year, and princess' whiny boyfriend.

Tbf the whiny boyfriend is her favourite grandchild! And, as I said above, it’s probably less about the characters and more to do with squeezing a lot in while the actor who plays Jill is still working.

That's a horrible plot twist and makes no more sense than the current storyline.

You would literally think Shula has just taken over as the Archbishop of Canterbury the way on she was speaking to Alan last night.

Re BB and B, I would be quite cross if anyone tried to make me hold hands while I was tackling a plate of bangers and mash. That over-sentimental scene was unnecessary and if it was a farewell speech then it seemed very un-Jill.

If they make Jill silent, what will happen to Leonard? Perhaps he could go abck to the Laurels and take up with a different visitor and then abandon their respective family members again.

TBF Leonard's wife had died, but he carried on visiting someone until he met Jill, who has ignored Aunty Chris ever since.

Aha … If Patricia Greene wants to retire I guess Jill could go and live with Leonard? Maybe not in his suburban semi - they could afford to move to somewhere on the Mediterranean coast, say.

Which would mean he’s being extra keen on doing the Brookfield revamp to soften the blow of preparing to do Jill’s room as well.

But it seems unlikely. I daresay the producers would like Jill to end her days at Brookfield.

(I wonder who’ll get Glebe Cottage when Carol finally relinquishes her tenancy!)

Is it just me or did it seem a bit rude for Lilian and Alan to be arguing over Peggy's window when we know we'll never hear from the prospective donor again?

(I completely agree with Alan, of course. Although I did wonder who wrote those lines re 'Does she realise what a palaver it is to even start the process of getting a new window approved?' when the answer is very obviously 'Yes' cos she did Jack's!)

That's the thing though - when Lilian said something about Peggy wanting to leave something lasting in the church, why didn't Alan point out she'd got something lasting there already?

Jack’s got a commemorative window??!!!

Caught up with last 3 episodes last night. Even though I was forewarned thanks to this thread, my heart sank further with each episode.

To the point that I too am considering stopping listening.

Aw come on. It’s like Hotel California

Yup