Archers thread #145: The glue that held the Aldridges together is gone. Will they fall apart? 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, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. We don't all agree on all points, although we do mostly try to be civil about it.

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.)

Lillian and I both made the glue observation, so I thought that would be as good a way as any to kick off this new thread. We raced through the last one, for obvious reasons. This one may last until the funeral. Will Tamsin Greig find time to attend? I do hope so.

The poem Jennifer quoted in her journal is here: www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43775/rabbi-ben-ezra It's doubtful whether the last of Jennifer's life was the best, but she had plenty to contend with all the way through.

Over to you!

I don't know where I got 25 from but it's firmly in my mind. Maybe it was someone else.

I enjoyed the Alice/Rauri discussion and feel like she did help him see the relationship was dead.

Freddie sounded characteristically petulant. He would be better going and working at another SH to get some experience away from his mother and sister.

Six months in Cumbria and then back into the fold, more assertive, less bratty, and ready to embrace his future as Mr Chelsea Horribin.

These people seem to know about Freddie's affairs. www.wake-smith.co.uk/latest-news/news-archive/2011/05/16/Archers-fans-learn-benefits-of-Inheritance-Tax-Planning

Level 1 Bookkeeping for Complete Twits.

I'd like to sign up for that, please.

I don't find it completely beyond comprehension that Lizzy's depression has faded away/been got right under control. I think some people "have depression" and it comes and goes in intensity pretty much forever, others become depressed maybe because of circumstances, physical health etc, and these things can become less overwhelming.

That's interesting, and suggests Elizabeth will lose financially if Freddie takes over (has to, for tax reasons), but sadly won't be made homeless.

It's quite sinister really, Lizzie sitting pretty in that great big property because her favourite brother killed her husband.

I had an idea that he was going to be regularly reviewed by the trustees, and maybe it was that he had to look less shit by the time he was 25?

Did no one else think that Ruairi moved way too quickly through arguing/thinking that:

a) it wasn't really prostitution, it was a proper relationship that had just begun transactionally but then developped into something else
b) ok, it was escorting, but completely his free choice and what he wanted from life
c) justifying it as the only way to fund his lifestyle and get on in his career, even though it wasn't ideal
d) more or less admitting that it was a horrible set up and he was miserable and lonely.

Surely you'd expect someone to come to a more gradual realisation than one (albeit long) conversation with a family member would provoke?

I guess he might have some more complicated feelings which will need unpacking over time, but the headline is that within the one episode he did a complete volte face.

Yes @Fink I thought the same. Seemed like they've decided to wrap that story up incredibly quickly!

Especially admitting all of it to Alice just like that, who 5 minutes ago he hated and couldn't stand to be in the same house with.

and has absolutely no reason to trust.

Not to do with The Archers, but if anyone caught the last few minutes of Today, there was a small bit about the Welsh language. One of the speakers, said the name Lewis in both the 'english' way and the 'welsh' way.

One of the Penyberth 3 was the grandfather of Ian Gwyn Hughes, the football commentator.

Thank you for the link

It was a lovely summary of the month in the Archers and a deceptively simple description of why we mourn Jenny Darling's passing

@DeanVolecapeAKAelderberry it was before my time, but wasn't her husband Nigel, and didn't he fall off a ladder...? I feel like I'm missing vital Archers history here! W

Why is Freddie going to inherit, and not Lily?

I think Freddie was his usual whiney petulant self when asking for more responsibility, which just proves he isn't ready for it. He should have taken the assignment to shadow the shop manager - he should be shadowing ALL of the managers in turn. Not that I think he has nailed the restaurant yet anyway, and his handling of the volunteers was embarrassing.

Chelsea could do better for herself, personality-wise, although perhaps not, social climing-wise.

I feel like I'm missing vital Archers history here!

Just a bit, @Grimchmas !

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/5S0q4RG3NW9bzRZJM0bFY5Q/elizabeth-pargetter

amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/jan/03/archers-nigel-pargetter-killed-off

Though to be fair, Nigel would have left Elizabeth a lifetime interest in the house whenever he died. She wasn’t actually in league with her brother to kill him off!

Maybe so Totters, maybe no. David had already killed Jethro and got away with it. I know he seems too dimwitted to be a master criminal, but maybe that's just an act.

Not her heart I hope?

I think it's the next likely cut-off after 18 (which clearly didn't happen) and 21 (which also didn't).

I think it might have been. Was that her playing Doc Ethan's MIL?

And so it begins!

Kate first out of the blocks.

BOOP for Joy!

Well done, Joy! And also (grudgingly) well done Dayveed, for shutting Susan up.

Jakob was very kind about Kate's complete change of character.

Oh see I did know had just forgotten that he slipped off a roof. Thanks for the links. Wasn't aware of David's role in it.

Napped and missed tonight, will have to catch up to know what the boop is for!

Why would you donate your free time to save Elizabeth employing guides to show people round her home? I thought it was a bit off having all those volunteers at the Olympics.

Mind, when I was a Girl Guide, rather more than half a century ago, the “revels” were held in the grounds of the local minor stately home. In return, we were expected to stand in the Minstrels Gallery on the evening of Christmas Eve and sing carols while the Family had their continental style Christmas dinner below. Afterwards, the butler led us down into a large sitting room where we were given weak orange squash and allowed to gaze in awe at the 15ft Christmas tree. I can’t believe I was involved in something so feudal.

I think volunteering at the Olympics was different. I can imagine people (not me) wanting to be part of it