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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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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JanglyBeads · 16/06/2023 23:54

Lee has not said he pushed Rob on purpose?

JanglyBeads · 16/06/2023 23:54

Bonus episode involving Kirsty telling the whole Sorry tale to date, and excerpts

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ftrxpz

Bubbylana · 17/06/2023 06:09

Im sorry but I started to listen that Helen started getting all uptight and I couldnt listen anymore because Im fed up with the long drawn out story. It must be a bit triggering for anyone who has been though this type of abuse. Need a bit of lightness like say the prof sues Susan for stealing his glasses or (not so light) George gets eaten by the pigs.

DeanElderberry · 17/06/2023 06:10

Bubbylana · 17/06/2023 06:09

Im sorry but I started to listen that Helen started getting all uptight and I couldnt listen anymore because Im fed up with the long drawn out story. It must be a bit triggering for anyone who has been though this type of abuse. Need a bit of lightness like say the prof sues Susan for stealing his glasses or (not so light) George gets eaten by the pigs.

If ever a post needed a 'like' button, this is it.

BerylBillings · 17/06/2023 06:19

Surprised Rob didn't revert to calling Jack 'Gideon', to make a point.

Kiwano · 17/06/2023 07:13

From that article:

“I do remember having a conversation with Sean [O’Connor, then editor] and he talked about that. You want to bank your treasure, you don’t want to kill it off.”

Maybe that means Pat's gun is going to stay in the cupboard?

JanglyBeads · 17/06/2023 08:07

That article is essential reading, thank you!

However it doesn't mention how commonly abusers use child contact or the pursuant of it through the family courts as a means of continuing abuse post separation.

ChocChipHandbag · 17/06/2023 08:58

Ooh, Timothy Watson was very good wasn’t he?

I went to a BBC live event at the height of Helen and Rob’s story, saw him, Louiza Patikas, Charles Collingwood and Carole Boyd on stage in a panel discussion. Rock star indeed.

greenacrylicpaint · 17/06/2023 10:43

so very well done - if utterly disturbing.

half of mn relationship board condensed into 10 min.

HedgingMyBet · 17/06/2023 10:54

Just caught up with it all - a harrowing listen involving shouting at the radio (well, phone!) to get Helen to either not go, or take someone with her, or LEAVE!!!

So well acted though, the change in Rob’s (Timothy’s) tone of voice once in the hospital was horribly and brilliantly creepy - his voice was stronger, firmer, he sounded calm and in control. His horrendous manipulation (and I do think it’s all put on) has got all the players where he wanted them. Lee under threat of criminal prosecution, witnesses on his side, (see how “nice” he was to the waitress before Helen arrived) and now medical professionals and Helen fussing over him, as he evilly watches the seeds of doubt he planted sprouting in Helen’s mind…

Argh!! I hate it! And I can’t stop listening! Damn you Archers scriptwriters!!!

JanglyBeads · 17/06/2023 12:03

I'd really like to rewrite the script with all the replies Helen should have given at each point (had she even found herself in that situation if she was completely over it all - I was glad that Louisa pointed out in the guardian article that H has never had therapy of any kind.)

In fact, that would probably be good therapy for many who have suffered at the hands of an abuser!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 17/06/2023 12:49

If anybody wants any light relief, I've just come across this ancient thread. Entirely possible a few people here contributed (I did, under an ancient name). https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/1107280-OK-odds-on-for-Helen-to-murder-Tony

OK - odds on for Helen to murder Tony. | Mumsnet

Or vice versa? Which would you rather?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/1107280-OK-odds-on-for-Helen-to-murder-Tony?page=1

OP posts:
BeatriceBatchelor · 17/06/2023 15:52

That was a well written and acted episode

Did you think so? I thought it was hammy to the point of being laughable.

DeanElderberry · 17/06/2023 16:09

What I've read so far doesn't make me feel like listening.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 17/06/2023 17:22

@BeatriceBatchelor

Me too

TherapistInATabard · 17/06/2023 19:23

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 17/06/2023 12:49

If anybody wants any light relief, I've just come across this ancient thread. Entirely possible a few people here contributed (I did, under an ancient name). https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/1107280-OK-odds-on-for-Helen-to-murder-Tony

Ah that was great. It took a long time for anyone to mention something happening to Nigel! Gutted the thread ended before the great dedding though. I started regularly listening just after it happened, so never got to hear Nigel, but had the joy of David’s angst and the falling out with Elizabeth.

JanglyBeads · 17/06/2023 21:13

BeatriceBatchelor · 17/06/2023 15:52

That was a well written and acted episode

Did you think so? I thought it was hammy to the point of being laughable.

Examples?

Narcissists can come across as pretty hammy I guess

Ambridge · 17/06/2023 21:51

That old thread made me roar. DH had to come through to see why I was weeping with laughter.

Madcats · 18/06/2023 10:28

If you work in a care home and/or are a martial arts teacher is it a good idea to floor the ex husband of your girlfriend?

I am guessing that it's a bit tricky to get a US visa too?

TheUsualChaos · 18/06/2023 13:14

That bonus episode was really well put together. Really shows how it was so subtle to start with. He was terrifying towards the end. Quite chilling.

TheUsualChaos · 18/06/2023 14:20

Just caught up. And so there we go, he cast the net and she's all tangled up again. Only part I found a bit off was how worried for him she seemed to be. Surely she would contact his brother and leave him to take over in hospital.
This is all going to get very messy isn't it. I'm not sure I'm up for going through it all over again!

JanglyBeads · 18/06/2023 15:49

The guardian interview linked upthread explains that @TheUsualChaos .

DeanElderberry · 18/06/2023 17:37

Unfortunately, this story is just reminding me how much I dislike Helen and how badly she behaved throughout her relationship with Rob. Yes, he was a monster, abusive, a bad man, but she was an adult who walked into a relationship with someone else's husband, lying to everyone she knew and with no consideration of the effect on her son.

I never knew what her motivation was - sexual obsession or just wanting what someone else (Jess) had. Maybe if I'd listened on Friday I would feel more sympathy for her, but really unless they finish this quickly and cleanly I'll probably take a break for a while.

JanglyBeads · 18/06/2023 18:01

It's very easy to justify yourself when you're "falling in love". And sometimes we chose not to reveal a new relationship to people around us...

Add to that a master manipulator who grooms you and all around?