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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:
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Brefugee · 06/07/2023 06:43

Meh. Filler ep plus building up to Rob bring awarded full custody of Jack with supervised access for Helen.

Voltefarce · 06/07/2023 08:40

Oh I loved the Jazzer/Tracey moment. Very sweet. A nice break from wanting to shake sense into others.

Is anyone else finding that the storylines don’t seem quite coherent? There just seems to be nothing really of note other than waiting for Robs next move.

greenacrylicpaint · 06/07/2023 08:57

But why are they marrying on a Thursday?!

it's cheaper.
we paid half the price for the registrar for a midweek wedding.

CountryCousin · 06/07/2023 09:03

And there’ll presumably be a bigger story on the Friday …

ChocChipHandbag · 06/07/2023 09:48

“I’m Scots not Scottish, Scottish is for things not people”.

Oh. Have I been doing being from Scotland wrong for 50 years?

And not sure if he was suggesting that Scots can’t be used for things, but we definitely do “Scots law” for example.

The only one I object to is “Scotch” unless you are talking about mist or whisky.

Chemenger · 06/07/2023 10:56

The Scots/Scottish thing was downright wrong. Everyone I know calls themselves Scottish (Including me). Scotch is the word that doesn’t apply to people.

ChocChipHandbag · 06/07/2023 11:07

Chemenger · 06/07/2023 10:56

The Scots/Scottish thing was downright wrong. Everyone I know calls themselves Scottish (Including me). Scotch is the word that doesn’t apply to people.

Ryan Kelly was born in Scotland but moved to the Midlands aged three. I think he does have a natural Scottish accent due to growing up in the Scottish enclave of Corby, but if you use the same logic as applies to Jazzer, he is actually English.

WitcheryDivine · 06/07/2023 14:19

I thought their whole convo/song in bed was absolutely lovely, it's rare you get those sort of really quiet domestic insights into the Ambridge couples, they're usually talking while brushing a horse/passing in a yard.

Agree @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I'm so glad they've cast Henry and shown that obviously the kids know and also know how to keep quiet. I actually felt for Helen for a moment when she was saying it was all her fault. Obviously Rob being an abuser wasn't but the fact that she went after him like nobody's business in the first place (and seemed completely blind to his nasty qualities which others did see) and has handled the recent time SO badly, very much is.

stilldumdedumming · 06/07/2023 16:41

The Scottish accent in Corby is real. I used to live nearby (in fact born and bred near) and the first time I went there I was kind of expecting it but did not expect it to be so strong and also so prevalent.

I felt really out of place.
That was 25 years ago so I wonder how it has changed. My dd's friends sound like they come from south london! We are still very much in the midlands!

JanglyBeads · 06/07/2023 16:53

So are you still close by @stilldumdedumming ? I am! The world foods aisle in ASDA Corby has a lot of Scottish items.

stilldumdedumming · 06/07/2023 17:17

@JanglyBeads I am now the other side of the county. But compare Corby accents with Kettering's favourite son, James Acaster! What 8 miles away? It's such an interesting phenomena (and quite sad in places of course).

CountryCousin · 06/07/2023 19:15

Angry Angry Angry

We are not amused …

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 19:29

Chemenger · 06/07/2023 10:56

The Scots/Scottish thing was downright wrong. Everyone I know calls themselves Scottish (Including me). Scotch is the word that doesn’t apply to people.

It's Scots Law never Scottish Law, but Scottish country dancing. You can be a Scot or say your Scottish. Scotch is only whisky or eggs.

There is apparently Scots language "Scots is recognised as an indigenous language of Scotland by the Scottish government, a regional or minority language of Europe, as well as a vulnerable language by UNESCO. In the 2011 Scottish Census, over 1.5 million people in Scotland reported being able to speak Scots"

I'm not convinced by that. It sounds like something the SNP push to show that Scotland is different.

I have no burning desire to identify as Scottish.

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 19:34

CountryCousin · 06/07/2023 19:15

Angry Angry Angry

We are not amused …

I haven't heard tonight's episode but I gather from Mustradland that they missed the wedding to have a quick shag?

Classy.

Fink · 06/07/2023 19:53

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 19:34

I haven't heard tonight's episode but I gather from Mustradland that they missed the wedding to have a quick shag?

Classy.

Not exactly. They had a quick shag, and the impression is that they would have been cutting it fine for time but still ok; unfortunately they got locked in the bathroom (where the sex had taken place) and the time taken to rescue them (by unscrewing the door from its hinges) was what made them too late to get married.

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 20:28

So classy. Bleurgh.

Still at least we were spared hearing the actual wedding ceremony and the no doubt cringe making vows.

CaptainMyCaptain · 06/07/2023 20:34

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 20:28

So classy. Bleurgh.

Still at least we were spared hearing the actual wedding ceremony and the no doubt cringe making vows.

The wedding ceremony didn't happen. They missed it.

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 20:36

CaptainMyCaptain · 06/07/2023 20:34

The wedding ceremony didn't happen. They missed it.

Er yes. I know. Were spared the no doubt cringe making vows because the wedding didn't happen.

CaptainMyCaptain · 06/07/2023 20:37

OK sorry.

NatashaDancing · 06/07/2023 20:38

Who was lined up to be the witnesses? Jim and Susan? Susan will be mortified.

echt · 06/07/2023 22:36

I wonder if the un-wedding will generate later plot lines about next of kin medical dramas for Jazzer and Tracey.

I thought Jim's speech was delightful.

CountryCousin · 06/07/2023 22:47

Good Lord - can this be true:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/community-and-living/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/fees

I appreciate costs might vary a little around the country, but firstly, Tracy and Jazzer would never have been so calm about throwing away this sort of sum of money, and secondly, where on earth would they get it to spend again? Unless there’s another Sterling or Carter shaped miracle I fear for their legally married future.

Stupid, artificial, unrealistic story.

FallonsNewCoat · 06/07/2023 22:53

Why lie? And didn’t they say it was at Susan’s suggestion?!? That’s surprising. Things have got off on a very wrong foot.

Kiwano · 06/07/2023 23:45

Not yet another wedding-that-didn't-happen. Can't the SWs think up something more original?

pantjog · 06/07/2023 23:53

Came on here to say exactly that @Kiwano . Once was bad enough.

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