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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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CountryCousin · 06/07/2023 23:58

The difference is Lilian and Justin could afford to waste money by skipping the legal ceremony. Tracy and Jazzer can’t.

Ambridge · 07/07/2023 01:08

I’m confused by the non-wedding. Both witnesses (Susan and Jim?) obviously must have known that the ceremony didn’t happen. Are we to understand that both of them are just fine and dandy with that, and hey ho, let’s have the party anyway? I can hardly think of two people less likely to go with the flow on that one….

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/07/2023 06:50

Kiwano · 06/07/2023 23:45

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

I was going to say that. It wasn't necessary - they could have got there just in time if they wanted added drama. Lillian and Justin's nonwedding has obviously been forgotten.

Kiwano · 07/07/2023 07:19

pantjog · 06/07/2023 23:53

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

Twice if we count in Tom and Kirsty.

It's getting so the only weddings that happen are the ones that shouldn't (Rob, Phil etc).

Brefugee · 07/07/2023 07:46

all eps that don't feature the ever increasingly maddening Rob/Helen are fillers.

I used not to mind Susan but she is a character that i want to slap. Repeatedly. Every time she opens her stupid mouth.

And Neil is also being an utter idiot. How any of the adults in Brad and George's - but particularly Brad's - lives cannot possibly think it is anything approaching a good idea to have them under the same roof, let alone sharing a room. It is beyond unbelievable.

Also how does Mia know Brad better than his own mum ("are you sure you just weren't listening" was both perceptive and absolutely spot on)? If you were Tracy (and as we know her) she would have been on at Brad about being helpful at his aunt's and so on and so on. So the point would have already been driven home that he was to stay with them. Infuriating. I may not listen to Friday's ep due to my blood pressure

WitcheryDivine · 07/07/2023 10:45

I am cross they missed their wedding, especially when they were both so committed and looking forward to it. I presume this is to open up some kind of plotline in the future, although I can't think what.

One of my friends did something nearly as silly, totally forgot (!) to book her registry office element of the wedding, and ended up only being able to get a slot months after the huge wedding ceremony and reception. God knows which anniversary they celebrate but I do know her parents didn't know at the time she wasn't legally married. 🙄

I doubt they lost much money though, my local registry office does an "administrative style appointment held in a working office (no ceremony)" for £46 plus £11 for the certificate. I just looked up Birmingham and it's also £57 there including the certificate. I know £57 is a good bit of money when you're watching every penny but I can imagine Susan saying she'd fork out for them to do it next week to avoid ruining the party.

Brefugee · 07/07/2023 11:07

in many countries it is entirely normal to have the legal part done at some distance (time) of your big party/church ceremony
Some do registry office on Friday, Church on Saturday - some do the registry as soon as they feel like it, and then the church/party in summer when the weather is pretty much guaranteed to return nice photos etc.

But i do wonder if the SW are putting that in their back pocket for some kind of falling out later

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/07/2023 11:07

I know someone whose wedding was first postponed due to covid and then the venue cancelled at short notice. They managed to rearrange everything with two weeks notice - everything except the registrar- they had a fabulous wedding but, as far as I know, are still not married.

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 11:15

I’m actually pretty disgusted that the SWs have shown so little respect for these two people. Are they really supposed to be so incredibly stupid that they would risk missing their own marriage ceremony? Normal sensible people would be at the registry office well in advance of their allotted time. And breaking through a perfectly ordinary domestic house’s bathroom door should only have taken moments.

Don’t care what earth shattering story they may be planning - it was a grossly classist creative decision.

WitcheryDivine · 07/07/2023 12:35

I’m wondering if every soap wedding has to have a revelation/drama/disaster and this was actually the LEAST disastery disaster they could come up with. No one got hurt etc. didn’t Adam and Ian’s wedding nearly get called off too? (Because of Rob??)

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 12:50

Hmm … I know it’s a soap. But sometimes the most dramatic story might be the one where Nothing Goes Wrong.

I really found the implications of this missed wedding pretty offensive.

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 12:57

My hmm … was directed at the SWs, not you, @WitcheryDivine!

I just feel if they really desperately need a ‘consequences of not being legally married’ story, they could have founded it on something more convincing than ‘Feckless Poor People too busy shagging to get to the ceremony’.

WitcheryDivine · 07/07/2023 13:23

Totally know what you mean, I guess I'm just wondering if they're thinking more "ahh funny story they're SO loved up they were late for the registry office".

Although I'd absolutely eat my hat if Tracey would have let that happen.

AngryBirdsNoMore · 07/07/2023 15:09

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 12:57

My hmm … was directed at the SWs, not you, @WitcheryDivine!

I just feel if they really desperately need a ‘consequences of not being legally married’ story, they could have founded it on something more convincing than ‘Feckless Poor People too busy shagging to get to the ceremony’.

Yes. It is very “feckless poor people risk everything for a shag ha ha ha”, isn’t it.

It’s the second time they’ve risked a lot for a shag, of course - Tracy risked her job previously.

Eastie77Returns · 07/07/2023 17:03

Whole thing was ridiculous. Chelsea had just styled Tracey’s hair, no doubt to perfection, and the idea that she would have risked ruining that and messing up her clothes for a quick shag in the bathroom shortly before they had to leave for the registry office is unbelievable.

I also agree Jim and Susan are the last people who would happily agree to go along with the fake wedding charade.

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 17:07

IIRC Jazzer was in the bathroom brushing his teeth … And he said how lovely she looked in her dress. There’s no way on earth she’d have gone anywhere near his toothpaste-y face in her wedding outfit.

And Susan would have made Tracy stay with her the night before the wedding! No superstition passes her by.

Hercisback · 07/07/2023 17:19

Bathroom shagging is logistically difficult at the best of times, no way did it happen. It's a stupid storyline. Would have been much better for them to actually get married.

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/07/2023 21:11

DH points out that the only way the rescuers could have opened the door by tampering with hinges (by driving out the pin) is if the door opened outwards.

The only way you can unscrew the hinges is if the door is already open

echt · 07/07/2023 21:32

Couldn't agree more about the comedy yokel turn on Tracy and Jazzer's wedding - definitely class-based dig by the SWs.

Jim was ,a agin, lovely and Now I'm trying to imagine Brad and Mia snuggling up together, scoffing popcorn and watching "Solaris".

CountryCousin · 07/07/2023 21:43

Sort of happy Brad and Mia are having a cosy evening …

Slightly wondering if Jim’s vintage car won’t be expensive to maintain?

WitcheryDivine · 07/07/2023 22:28

Aw well how nice to have a peaceful Friday. Love that they’re off to Scotland in the Riley, and Brad and Mia are cooking on their own (remember that excitement of having the house to yourself?!).

WitcheryDivine · 07/07/2023 22:28

Not entertaining the logistics of bathroom sex with a leg in plaster

EBearhug · 07/07/2023 23:07

Bathroom shagging is logistically difficult at the best of times

Very much depends on the bathroom, I'd say, though I am assuming Tracy's is a functional bathroom rather than palatial with lots of space.

When did Jazzer break his leg? I thought plaster wasn't kept on that long these days, because you get all sorts of plastic frames and boots and stuff now. But I don't actually know. It just seemed like it was a few months back.

JanglyBeads · 07/07/2023 23:13

Brad and Mia were sweet.

Oh my word yes, the cast - and I by Tracy's bathroom is pretty tiny!!

JanglyBeads · 07/07/2023 23:14

*I bet Tracy's bathroom

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