Archers thread #142: Kill Jill? Is Ambridge heading for a Tarantino-style bloodbath on Stir Up Sunday? 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, 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 , 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.)

Well, things have taken a turn for the better in the last few days! The SWs have re-discovered their form and the actors and directors have risen to the challenge. I won't say much more than that for fear of jinxing things. Over to you!

(Thanks to @JanglyBeads for the thread title idea!)

I was wondering why the old thread was quiet and here you all are! Thanks for the new thread @Gasp0de and pleased to hear things are on an even keel with your parents. Hope you make it up to see your mum.

Welcome to all the ex-lurkers.

I fell asleep during Monday's episode (I listen in bed, for once this wasn't an indictment of the writing) so have been a bit behind all week. Am sharing everyone's horror at Jill, massive BOOPs for Ruth (and agree with whoever said Felicity Finch was amazing in that scene with Jill) and hopes that Brad is not too involved in whatever shenanigans Mia has planned for tonight.

Listening is a real joy at the moment!

Phew finally caught up and found you all!
Thanks for the new thread @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g and good luck for the birthday journey!

Warm welcome delurkers!

Belated boop for Ruth!

Have to say, Ive always thought Ruari's escort business was tied up with his mummy issues. It also gave him a convenient opportunity to storm out of Home Farm and feel that he'd landed on his feet and didn't need them anymore. I'd assumed he called JD mum because he's already being controlled enough to cotton on the fact that naming non blood relative women wouldn't be well received (though perhaps not given his eager news sharing re his internship.) People do often call people by mum/ sister etc to explain their role without delving into too much detail though, when my dad's ex's step child or whatever would be more accurate but lead to more unnecessary explanations.

Not really buying Oliver's spiel about the hunt ball as the great class leveller. How many of the stable boys own a suit and dickie bow? Are they given free tickets? How deep are their pockets when it comes to the generous charity donations, aren't they more likely to be using the food banks?

I do desperately hope that Brad manages to get out of this and away Scot free though and for the love of Oliver hope it goes well.

Oooh belated boop for Martin Gibson who also saw the potential I saw in George. I'm sure he's still up a hairy path and defo not in safe hands exactly but that's an opportunity George has made for himself largely and he I thought he was uncharacteristically tactful in dealing with Neil.

Sorry me again

Ah sent too soon

So much to catch up
I thought I'd do it in chunks. I do agree that Ben's sex is impacting how his emotional reaction is viewed. I don't think it's un 94 anti feminist to allow him his pain.
Obviously it was worse for Chelsea but Ben had no agency over the consequences (of course it was Chelsea's decision but they weren't talking much) his life was being turned upside down and he just had to wait.
I doubt he's had the most emotionally intelligent upbringing either in that there cereal cupboard with David as a role model.

I had friends at uni who got pregnant at uni. For the woman the decision to have termination was simple and a relief, but for the man it was emotionally devastating. I think it's good to explore that. That this was Chelsea's decision has always been at the centre of the storyline, but exploring Ben's own reaction (and it not just being palpable relief) is interesting.

Anyway I have small over sleepers to rouse and porridge to make so I'll stop soliloquising, for now

Robert is Linda's 'strength and stay' - what will she do?

They could do a beautifully acted and poignant SL with a bereaved Lynda but I hope they don't. I can't bear to hear more sadness being put upon her.

It would be awful cruel to make Lynda a widow. (It’s not like real life - the SWs have a choice.) The only way they could maintain the portrayal of intimacy and vulnerability and fun she reflects through Robert would be to import Mungo, Leonie and James permanently to Ambridge. It’s entirely possible her relationship with her step-daughters might … soften - once they and the step-grandchildren are her only link with Robert.

But the only alternative would be a new voice. Can’t imagine they could keep silently Robert off-screen for much more than a year?

It would be awful cruel to make Lynda a widow

May be now is the time for the Snells to spend more time with their grandchildren and leave Ambridge. Surely retirement beckons- running a B+B can be very onerous but we never hear any mention of the daily grind of endless breakfasts and laundry. And where do they get their bacon and eggs? The Snells breakfast table would be the perfect setting for a discussion on why there is an egg shortage…

Welcome to the new posters! Lovely to see so many new recruits! It’s just like being new at school when you first join but you’ll soon settle in - the Head Girl (@gaspode) is VERY approachable and the prefects (@LillianGish @iloveshula and @whopping) are always ready to help too! We don’t see the Head Boy on here very often now (@DadDadDad) but occasionally he passes through and everyone swoons!

Can’t imagine they could keep silently Robert off-screen for much more than a year?

Robert has often been silent for stretches, so I don't think it would be too difficult.

I'd forgotten about the early new thread. You've all been busy! Thanks Gasp0de.

Welcome to newbies and lurkers too.

Ian and Adam are going to be so cross that they aren't the only gays in the village.

I'm sure I'll regret saying this, but I am looking forward to the Hunt Ball.

Hello you two!

Thanks as ever for the new thread, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g .

Did anyone else notice Ruairi referred to Jenny as ‘mum’ when he was talking to Paul as well?

I’ll be so cross if they (the SWs) mess things up for Brad with Oliver!

Elizabeth obviously doesn’t know about Jill’s outburst. I wonder if she’ll have a go when she finds out, remembering how Jill was with her over her abortion.

<channelling Ruth> Ooh. It's you.

I wonder if Ruairi calling Jenny "mum" and being homesick is a symptom of getting a bit tired of his moneyed new (quite boring sounding) life in London. Even grudges peter out after a while or at least lose their heat.

Finding his story an interesting mirror of Lily's.

Picking up on your question about Elizabeth, I did notice last night they crowbarred in that she'd been too busy to go over and see Jill. She is going to hit the roof when she finds out her mum is pulling the same shit on the next generation.

Ok but so what? Well, either people don’t like Ben crying, because he’s Ben, or because he “impregnated” Chelsea, or they don’t like him crying because he’s a man, and if it’s the latter, it concerns me.

'm being too optimistic, aren't I? Yes. Recently the only reason they’ve highlighted a likeable character is to have something bad happen to them.

But surely he couldn’t have kept his double life secret from any patients who were listeners - they would have recognised his voice immediately Which is more likely?My doctor sounds just like that bloke on TA, or My doctor IS that bloke on TA? Would you even bother to check the cast list?

Welcome @Edwintheboyscout and the other recent delurkers

I’m so glad Ben is sounding more like his old self.

I was really worried he might do something dreadful.

Josh is at least living there so he's not alone. But if I were Ruth I would be going to stay for a bit or having him back home (and sending Jill to stay with Josh!)

Blimey, Head Girl at my great age! I never rose to those giddy heights at school. (I was a very ineffectual prefect, though.)

Only saying he should be a man about it.

I don't mind if you think he shouldn't.

And me a prefect! I'm flattered. I hope that Shula is proud of me.

Who from TA would be on MN?
My money is on Emma Grundy, Helen Archer, Tracey Horrobin and Alice.
I can't see Ruth, Pip or Kate being regulars, or Natasha.

I think Natasha and Kate would be. Kate would be on the thread defending mothers who make a mess in cafes.

Kate wouldn't have much of a clue about children making a mess in cafes, would she?
Natasha would be on Style & Beauty.

That reminds me of a couple of weeks ago. I was in the town centre and there was a young woman wearing a t-shirt dress with a large camouflage pattern over one shoulder. She rocked it. I thought 'Yep, baby-sick, we've all been there'

Listened to the 2pm broadcast. Oliver used the C word - is that the first indication we’ve had that there’s been a pandemic?

Yes that "C" word did wake me up. I think it is the first time they've mentioned it.

At this rate, Eddie or Josh might complain about bird flu and the unfairness of locking in their birds when the shoot can let thwirs roam free.