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Archers thread #149: This is not a drill, it’s a plot device. Here’s hoping for Stella-r rows in Ambridge. Discuss The Archers here.

979 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 06/06/2023 08:28

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

Archers 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. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you think George Grundy's bantz make him a great laugh and totally harmless to women, or other unusual views. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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.)

Thanks for title suggestions - @FallonsNewCoat started us off with Drilling down OR What’s the drill?: So many jobs hanging in the balance - what’s planned for Adam, Stella, Freddie and horrible George?, @OverArmour's suggestion was ‘Drilling down on less than Stella-r performances and who will be a pig in muck’ and @TeenDivided contributed the laserdrill focussed Lets drill into plot holes and hope George gets his comeuppance. I went for a bit of all of that. The phrase at the back of my head, which I am very pleased to have tracked down, was from one of my favourite film franchises where the character Conklin says in Jason Bourne's memory This is not a drill, soldier. We clear on that? This is a live project. You are go. Training is over. Training is over. Well, that's us, troops. Training is over, discussing The Archers is a live project, and it's our job to drill down into all aspects of what we hear. Grin

On the last thread, people were discussing how unrealistic the portrayal of mental health problems is on TA. I wholeheartedly agree, but I suppose they don't feel they can tackle long-running slow burn storylines that often. They made a great effort with Jack Woolley's Alzheimer's. Other than that, I don't recall anybody having a recurring illness that's been portrayed realistically (and actually that goes for physical conditions as well). Most things clear up and are hardly mentioned again. Sticking just to mental illness, Pat had depression after John died, Mike Tucker had a bad bout of depression, so did Elizabeth. Helen's ED may or may not be about to re-appear, but nobody's mentioning it. Ben's rapid-onset depresssion recently led to a psychotic episode but now he's fine, not least because he got prompt, skilled and appropriate treatment on the NHS, unlike most of the UK. Hmm This is one area where I feel they shouldn't even attempt it if they can't do it in a way that reflects the reality of what most of us experience, for ourselves and our loved ones.

Anyway, with that off my chest - over to you!

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Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 15/06/2023 17:49

Don't be a stranger, @JanetheObscure, you'll fit in very well here! Crap indeed.

Plenty of other crap storylines in TA at present, of course, with the doomed insane Let's Put Rob in His Place Expedition heading the list.

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LittleOwl22 · 15/06/2023 17:58

@BeatriceBatchelor
would that not be lovely? Tell Justin to get lost?
what proportion of Home Farm’s profit is tied to Demara? Now that Stella’s salary does not need to be paid? Adam no longer on the farm? Leverage the Grundies for contracting …
and then win the contract back on the basis of the Drill …
clearly a balloon waiting to be pricked 🎈

AngryBirdsNoMore · 15/06/2023 19:12

I’m with you @BeatriceBatchelor. Vile Vince the Villain. I hope his silence would become permanent.

hopefully his return to the air doesn’t mean Beth the Bore’s return.

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/06/2023 19:18

Well, that got DH shouting at the radio.

JanglyBeads · 15/06/2023 20:45

CA said that "at least one person loses control' or something...

Am betting it's not Rob.

Legoroses · 15/06/2023 21:50

Another delurker. Sorry but what is that? Control freak Helen, currently losing her mind because the 2 lads did the stupid, now plans to make everyone in her family look unstable and unreliable in the eyes of m'learned? Why? For what? None of it makes any sense.

Also strong agree with Jane - Freddy's 'training' makes zero sense either.

Argh.

Brefugee · 15/06/2023 21:56

Eastie77Returns · 14/06/2023 23:10

Freddie was incredibly rude to Vince. A simple “thanks but I don’t think that’s the right role for me” would have sufficed rather than laughing in Vince’s face and mocking the job offer. Horrible snob. I hope his DJ ‘career’ ends in abject failure.

i thought so too, i hope Vince holds a grudge as well as i do!

NewBootsAndRanty · 15/06/2023 21:57

Helen's skipping meals again...

Brefugee · 15/06/2023 22:01

hopefully his return to the air doesn’t mean Beth the Bore’s return.

god PLEASE IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY NO NO NO

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 15/06/2023 22:13

NewBootsAndRanty · 15/06/2023 21:57

Helen's skipping meals again...

I noticed that. I hope the Little Chef or wherever they're meeting doesn't have steak knives on the tables.

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EBearhug · 15/06/2023 23:41

I noticed skipping the meal, too. And telling Kirsty she's the only one who knows how Rob thinks. If that were really the case, she wouldn't be meeting him.

Also, I have met people in a Swindon café, more than once. I am clearly going to have to reevaluate our relationship, as they are clearly not the trustworthy types I thought they were.

Unless it's I who can't be trusted... hmm...

OverArmour · 16/06/2023 06:41

Tony mentioned her anorexia today too, I haven’t heard it mentioned in at least six years. Like a signpost for newer listeners. Not sure I have it in me for this storyline. It’s all too angsty.

CountryCousin · 16/06/2023 06:47

I wonder what hilarious Eddie Grundy caper they’ll invent to leaven the Bridge Farm misery? Hmm

JanglyBeads · 16/06/2023 07:01

Blimey I just heard the creepy trailer for tonight - what IS going to happen?!?!

Really hope they haven't gone for melodrama over realism.

Yy re Grundy antics.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 16/06/2023 08:02

The music 😱

Kiwano · 16/06/2023 08:07

Why would Helen assume the courts can't help her? They've been pretty effective so far.

FallonsNewCoat · 16/06/2023 08:39

Surely Kirsty is going to have to go to Swindon tonight too?

Ambridge · 16/06/2023 09:26

A plinky-plonky toy piano is definitely the go-to when you want to signal upcoming menace 👌

Freddie is a spoiled, graceless brat. And if he seriously wanted to be 'a creative' he would have been DJ-ing in every single spare moment he had and building an actual reputation and profile, not just deciding to do the (very) occasional gig when it took his fancy, then having a mega-flounce and announcing he was off to Ibiza to become famous in the blink of an eye. He whines about the trustees being unfair but at the same time demonstrates exactly the immaturity they’re worried about.

greenacrylicpaint · 16/06/2023 09:57

anyone listened to kirsty's helrob summary?

TickTickTock · 16/06/2023 10:03

I haven't been able to bring myself to listen since the Tom/Lee disaster! I'll be checking this thread later for all your wonderfully witty updates.

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TherapistInATabard · 16/06/2023 14:41

Johnny! That was quite a tough listen. I wish they’d included the scene with the outfit change that first set our alarm bells ringing on the thread at the time. Maybe it was too subtle.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 16/06/2023 15:03

They could have done something a couple of hours long with the long, slow build up. Sorry about the actor images, had forgotten they would show up with the link if you don't click on the bin sign before posting.

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AngryBirdsNoMore · 16/06/2023 15:13

TickTickTock · 16/06/2023 10:03

I haven't been able to bring myself to listen since the Tom/Lee disaster! I'll be checking this thread later for all your wonderfully witty updates.

Yes me too. Taking a break from listening I think.

TeenDivided · 16/06/2023 15:15

I'm taking a break too. I haven't listened since Rob rumours started up. I just can't be doing with the stress.