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.

[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. 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.

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.)

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.

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. 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!

But he probably will react violently and lose his job, his chance of seeing his girls and lose Helen's case against Knob.

No I think that would be too repetitive of the earlier story, I reckon the PP (sorry can't find on this page) who suggested Rob put some kind of dodgy deal to him is more on the money. Or there'll be a sob story about being seriously ill, nobly not wanting to tell Helen and the boys, leaving them all his money in the will etc - now could he possibly see Jack, just to say goodbye...?

Oh I do wish Lee would man up! He needs to tell Rob he'll meet him for a pint in a moderately busy pub. Don't sit on a bar stool as Rob could topple off. Keep in the eyeline of the bar tender. Listen, nod, say nothing then walk away having fulfilled his side of the agreement to get the "charge" dropped.

Then get back to work and look at physio vacancies for expats in San Francisco.

Now that sounds entirely likely. I can just see Knob trying a "father to father' appeal. He has probably worked out that Lee is just about dumb enough to fall for it.

Yes he may well have clocked that he's a softhearted meathead.

Absolutely beyond belief that they'd meet in a park. Sounds like where you arrange to meet someone for a fight or to buy drugs not for a chat where you want witnesses and ideally someone who can intervene if things get nasty.

Yes he may well have clocked that he's a softhearted meathead

🤣

WitcheryDivine
Absolutely beyond belief that they'd meet in a park. Sounds like where you arrange to meet someone for a fight or to buy drugs not for a chat where you want witnesses and ideally someone who can intervene if things get nasty.

Since that is where Rob set up the meeting, I suppose we have to assume he doesn't want there to be witnesses, or anyone intervening.

<makes note>

Harrison becoming a wildlife protection officer might lead to some interesting stories [Pollyanna mode ON]. If David gets any badgericidal urges again, for example ...

I know, but Lee could have suggested somewhere else.

Love the word "badgericidal" @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g 😆

I do feel a bit sorry for Harrison who I think is a decent bloke. He's having an existential crisis and all Fallon cares about is he carries on bringing home the bacon.

It's mainly due to him that she's a homeowner.

I cheered when he mentioned Wildlife Protection Officer. Perfect for his midlife crisis and loads of opportunities for storylines.

So did I. Better than leaving the police altogether and doing something daft.

Yes and loads more realistic. He's a copper.

Lee will get there and realise it's a semi abandoned park. He will not have obsessed over google maps as I would have.

Me too. There could be some really interesting SLs. Just as long as it's not assorted Grundys trying to avoid Harrison while out poaching.

I expect Rob embellished the encounter with Tom & Lee. Any slight or even near contact with an abuser can be interpreted as an assault. It's a threat to control. Rob's cafe collapse was probably a manipulation, and I expect the legal fees were paid by one of his minions. It's all getting a bit cartoony.

There's still plenty of room for Lee to negotiate how and where he and Rob meet, but then there wouldn't be any drama.

The law ignores post separation abuse, so it's seen under existing law.

With this kind of behaviour, the question arises: Who's going to end up dead?

Do I gather tonight’s episode was a damp squib?

It’s always nice to hear Brian but tonight was, officially, padding. Weird conversation between Pip and Stella who both recounted scenes we had earlier witnessed.

The drill almost has a character of its own. May be it will herald the SWs second foray into AI (after Alice’s strawberry picking machine). I can imagine it coming to life at night like a Wallace and Gromit extra!

Stella is incredibly dull and well suited to the equally drab Pip.

Interesting that Ed was able to learn how to use the technically complex drill so quickly. I always imagined he was a bit of a technophobe who’d struggle to use a basic laptop.

Fallon is completely self absorbed and rarely deigns to listen to anyone who isn’t worthy of her precious time which is why she didn’t realise there would be a coffeeshop on the EV charging station development. I’m fed up hearing her miserable voice and the never ending moaning about the Tearoom going out of business.

I’m fed up hearing her miserable voice and the never ending moaning about the Tearoom going out of business

I think she is meant to be the voice of the Hospitality industry. It is a nod by the SWs to being topical but, I agree, she just sounds whiney. I never realised how materialistic she is. Wasn’t she meant to have been a bit of a creative free spirit before? Spending too much time with Emma in the kitchen has turned her very sour…

Yes @WhatWouldLIfeBe I thought it was clear from the outset that thatLee's way, Lee shoved passed Kob and he took a dive.
It's all been built up and overblown to the point where Helen said Lee's story was only "his version" (what a delight she is!)

The very idea he'd meet someone like that again, alone, is beyond permission.

Harrison basically advised Lee to go alone. It's not that he couldn't accompany him, he minimised the need for a witness.

As pp said, if Knob wants it in public it's because it's in his interest to have witnesses, and I don't believe for a moment that that's because he's scared of Lee.

that Ed was able to learn how to use the technically complex drill so quickly. I always imagined he was a bit of a technophobe who’d struggle to use a basic laptop.

Didn't he get Brian to pay for some swanky tractor driving course at one point?

Dear Fallon,
if you’d like to make loads of money do not open a Tea Room on the edge of a small village.

What a weird episode: two scenes and then the rest of the episode was spent recounting what happened in those scenes. Thanks, we know, we just heard.

I would draw the line at Stella and Pip, way too boring!

@ArseMenagerie (love the name) good point, I always wonder how far the tearoom is from the centre of Ambridge. @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime will know. People always seem to arrive by car though. There’s no coffee in the middle of the village except the pub so I’m surprised she hasn’t put up some kind of cabin outpost there by the green selling takeaways if there are no suitable premises. She could employ the local teens to staff it.

Another bloody mention of Bridge Farm not doing Open Farm Sunday. If your business relies on the trade of one day in the year I’m thinking it’s not long for the world!

If I was Brian I don’t think I’d want to be socialising with the loathsome Justin.

There was a story in Shetland (TV series) where a terminally ill woman enticed / inveigled a man into taking certain actions, in good faith, which meant that when she died there was a trail of evidence suggesting he had murdered her. It was all a bit shatteringly horrible. Wondering if that’s Rob’s plan …

Fabulous thread title crafting, @LillianGish !