Archers thread #140: Changing rooms at Brookfield with Leonard Llewellyn-Bowen, or saving souls with St Smugula in the heathen wastelands of the North? 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 think a stained glass window marking the birth of newborn twins is just what Ambridge needs, 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/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-cant-wait-for-702pm-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.)

Title composed in haste, making use of @Octothorpe's lovely coinage of Leonard Llewellyn-Bowen and @TheLassWiADelicateAir's terrific description of St. Smugula's mission to the heathen wasteland of far flung Sunderland, both from the last thread

I've abandoned the use of an emoji in the title, having been alerted by another thread recently to the fact that it makes it difficult for people with visual problems to use assistive software.

I won't say much more about The Archers, as I'm still feeling extremely jaundiced about the programme at the moment. Fingers crossed it takes a turn for the better over the next few days. It was good to hear Helen, Lee and Joy again tonight. Less delighted to hear the loathsome George. What a numpty not to recognise pheasant chicks! His Dad would be far from impressed.

Over to you!

I forgot about Ruari. He isn't born of Archer woman but his status is secured by being the true son the patriarch always wanted (whilst having had to make do with Adam)

It’s driving me nuts that no one’s flagging pregnancy counselling to Chelsea and it’s all “talk to a doctor or a midwife”. Surely Chelsea’s own college must have a counselling service or at least be able to signpost one. I genuinely believe that the SWs’ grip on modern life is tenuous.

The Friday episode ended with Chelsea asking Tracey to make an appointment for her.

It doesn't bode well for her ability to become a mother, responsible for a baby, in March, if she herself is still relying on her mother to make appointments for her.

Given that she has had no ante natal care, no 12 week scan, she still doesn't know whether she's pregnant with one or twins....

It'll come as a nasty shock to her to discover that, with a baby, you can't just strop off every time you don't want to talk about something.

Isn't Emma on the PCC, not just her Dad?

Yes

Jim usually talks sense but it was nice to hear Emma doing so too.

Radio Carter on the other hand....

Soosan can Just Fuck Off. I’m glad Tracy put her back in her box.

I enjoyed listening this evening, especially re the window debate.

I do wish the pregnancy storyline was portrayed more realistically. There's no way that all of the adults surrounding Chelsea would be this stupid/naive in real life, one or more of them would have signposted her to a GP/clinic/counsellor/college pastoral care by now.

Totally agree re Radio Carter, her opinion isn't wanted or needed.

I'm a bit surprised that Chelsea needs to see a midwife at the baby clinic, would habpbe thought she should be going somewhere for counselling to help her decide which way to go?

Did emma step down from the PCC??

Emma was on the parish council, not the PCC (parochial church council)

I hadn't realised that Neil was on both, but I can't remember the PCC being mentioned before last night. When would we last have had a relevant storyline for them? Janet the vicar?

I suspect that the last time the PCC was mentioned was when Philip Moss was hired to fix the steps to the bell tower.

He and/or Gavin must be eligible for parole soon?

I'm not sure what to make of Peggy's window. I realise that her final recorded words were a load of sentimental waffle about the window - giving the hint to several people on here that she was about to bow out. The ins and outs of workings of the PCC are surely of limited interest. I suppose it serves to remind us of the existence of the twins since they've been very much sidelined for the moment - perhaps we as listeners will need the window to remind us they are still there. It's just with Peggy out of the picture it's hard to see what drama this particular storm in a teacup can generate. Maybe it will literally be the death of her - she'll be finished off by a planning row. Meanwhile it's increasingly looking as if Chelsea Horrobin will be forced to bring forth the next Archer - perhaps the two events will coincide.

[Philip] and/or Gavin must be eligible for parole soon?

Sentences for modern salary offences are pretty stiff. I don’t think Philip will be out for sometime. Gav co-operated and repented so will be out sooner but it’s all still fairly recent.

I was pleased to hear Susan sticky-beaking and doing what she does best! Glad to see she hasn’t lost the art of good old-fashioned interference! Nothing like an unwanted opinion from a sister…

Modern slavery offences!! Not modern salary, of course…

Did we ever find out what their sentences were?

If they weren’t life sentences, then they’ll be eligible for release automatically at the halfway point (I think this is still the case). And I think life sentences are still quite unusual for modern slavery offences.

I’m still certain Peggy’s window will eventually memorialise Peggy herself!

The PCC will meet and clash and Alan will prevail. At which point Peggy will die and everyone will have a hasty rethink. Possibly …

Did we ever find out what their sentences were?

No - I suspect we were never told. But a quick Google suggests up to 18 years for the worst offenders.

Caroline Harrington writing this week. I thought we were in experienced hands. I enjoyed last night's episode. Probably had a lot to do with the characters/actors - Susan, Tracy, Jim, Emma, Eddie, Alan. All old hands, all acting/speaking in character. Mention of farming. Trivial village concerns. Family dynamics. A nod back to the past - three years since Joe died! Pre-pandemic, though - feels like a million years ago in some ways.

It is a jarring note that Chelsea is going to talk to a midwife at the baby clinic, though. Surely the obvious thing to do was (weeks and weeks ago) to go to a specialist counselling service, or, as others have said, talk to a counsellor at college?

I think the point of the window is to highlight the social inequality that persists in Ambridge. I mean, who does Peggy think she is, demanding a window in a public place to mark the birth of her great-grandspawn? I loved Emma’s response.

Oh of course, thanks for the correction @Prestissimo ! I often get the two mixed up!

Last night’s distinctly vague convo about Chelsea going to see a midwife and having 'choices' to make rather bolstered my impression that the SWs don’t grasp the ability of the audience to add up and draw their own conclusions.

"great grand-spawn" hahaha

I like Emma who undoubtedly either doesn't vote or would vote Tory (Susan) actually being an untapped social agitator. If she'd gone to uni she'd have been in the Labour Party before fresher's week was out.

Somehow I doubt they'll write the Death of Peggy until the actor dies (or possibly until she stops knowing what's what), I don't think they would want to - otherwise they would have done so already?

I honestly don't know why Peggy doesn't just say it's a window for the Children of Ambridge and sneak in the stars.