Archers thread #141: The nights are drawing in. Can we turn the clocks back to a time when The Archers was fun? Cackle or carp about 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, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you're hoping Ambridge has a pantomime again this year, 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.)

Many thanks to @TottersBlankly and @GoldenCupidon for the title suggestions.

Too much to hope, I suppose, that by the time we get to the end of this thread Chelsea's pregnancy is a distant memory and the Horrobins can gear up for a cheap and cheerful Christmas. I really, really hope she doesn't change her mind about the termination. It's a horrible and unrealistic storyline, as most of us have agreed over the past few weeks, but now I just want it to end and be forgotten about.

I do like the idea of Lilian taking on the role of witch in the woods. Much more fun to listen to than Mia sabotaging the Hunt Ball, which is surely bound to go horribly wrong, or the odd wrangling over the stained glass window which we know Peggy won't be contributing to on air , given June Spencer's retirement.

Not a peep out of anybody in Ambridge about all the recent political shenanigans, but that's hardly surprising. Nobody fretting about fuel bills or rampant inflation either.

Also, where's Jenny? I hope Angela Piper's OK.

Over to you!

I loved the way Robert coped with Lynda after her injuries when she was being so conflicted and unreasonable. He was so loving and patient with her. It’s sad we won’t hear him again, and sad the actor has died young.

Oh no fb has just shown me what you meant!!! Poor Robert, poor Lindy. 😢

Case in point - Lizzie blamed David for Nigel's death for months With good reason. Remember “what are you, a man or a mouse?”

Oh I loved Robert. He really was always brilliant. Such a shame he has died. I always thought he sounded like an interesting man in real life (and a much better actor than most of the full timers! ).

Maybe another actor will play him.

Very sad to hear about Graham Blockley. Robert was a lovely character. I too wonder if they'll recast in time.

No sniffing from Chelsea in last night's episode . I thought she did well telling Pip where to go.

Agree, I love that Chelsea can run rings around Vince and Pip in conversations where they fail to put her in her place, and also that she was straight back to work despite all the gossips. Pip can fuck off, she really is her father’s daughter. “How dare you not tell me about your pregnancy, if I’d known, I could have bullied you into keeping it and then Vince wouldn’t have pulled the plug on his loan.” It really is all about the bloody Archers isn’t it? (I know, I know.)

It really is all about the bloody Archers isn’t it? (I know, I know.)

This made me laugh!

He had a very distinctive voice, though, it might be better for him to remain silent.

I loved Robert Snell. Such a believeable and consistent character, andd always so kind.

Pip is ghastly isn't she. As if Chelsea would have told her it was Ben.

I'm not sure we ever had too many bad words to say about Robert, did we? Imagine twigging that "Robert" was your GP (though I think he retired a few years ago).

I seem to remember that they carried on talking about Joe Grundy for about a year after he died. I would like to think that the family has a say about how the Archers might manage this.

Oh I am sad to hear this news. Robert Snell is a wonderful character I shall miss his relationship with Jim will there be no birdwatching chat now?

He had a very distinctive voice, though,

True, but I’m not sure that’s the biggest hurdle. It’s finding someone who can convey the same immense love and respect for Lynda. (And who can bring out exactly the same conversational tone in the actress who plays her.)

It’s only recently Ruth and David have stopped audibly curtsying to New Pip …

Vince wouldn't have had his anger reduced by Ben having a baby by Chelsea, would he? If anything an actual baby would have made the betrayal of his little princess worse, not better.

Pip wasn't being very logical.

I don't understand why Jim and Kirsty don't birdwatch together.

"I don't understand why Jim and Kirsty don't birdwatch together."

There'd be talk, that's all.

Anyway, David couldn't resist that last pop at Vince, about his "performance in the Bull."

Did that trigger the withdrawal of the £40,000?

Are we going to hear Elizabeth go nuclear at Vince?

What the fuck is wrong with Pip???

Pip was wonderfully awful and self centred last night. Chelsea has been given some great lines and the actress is doing a fabulous job- her responses to Pip and Vince were wonderful.

RIP Graham, very sad news. Robert Snell is indeed a wonderful character, hope they keep him but Graham's warm tones were so very distinctive, will be a hard act to follow.

@TherapistInATabard , Is there anything right about Pip?

A much better question, you’re quite right!

Alice still has Kristoffur dangling on a piece of string, doesn’t she? ‘We’re leaving…’, ‘No we’re not’, ‘You were wonderful Alice’ etc etc. A Christmas reunion will be looking likely - and then a pregnant Amy with her blue cape will turn up riding on a donkey.

Will that send Alice back to the booze? It will be very Christmas EastEnders circa 1986 if it does…

Amy's one-nighter with Chris was on 24th February, so I think she'd have to be carrying a baby in her arms for it to be Chris's; or did you mean pregnant by her new bloke in Nottingham?

Oh I didn’t realise the ONS with Chris was so early in the year! Goodness me…Well, turning up with a babe in arms will be equally as dramatic as being heavily pregnant…