Archers thread #152: The Dog Days of Summer in Ambridge! Rabid rants, tearoom dogfight, Bully Dog George gets it all on camera. Is Lone wolf Rob waiting in the woods? 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'd love a son like George, 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.)

Starting this new thread a bit early, as we're near the end of the last thread and I'm out all day today. As last night's episode was a banger, I thought I'd better ensure discussion can continue seamlessly!

The original idea for a dog theme for this thread came from the death of poor Weaver. RIP. The Dog Days of summer are associated with storms and the silly season, so quite appropriate for The Archers at the moment! They may technically be over now, as it's all to do with the heliacal rising of the Dog Star, Sirius (no, me neither), but apparently the Anglo-Saxons considered they lasted into September (thank you, Wikipedia), so that will do for me.

So - what next for Helen, Henry and Jack? Surely even the Bridge Farm Archers will see that she needs professional help? After her outburst the other night they might finally grasp that Henry could do with some too. All very grim.

On the lighter side (perhaps), whither Pip and Stella?

Over to you!

Maybe she isn't, just got drunk in a tent with someone.

Maybe, although I've got drunk with female friends many a time and it's never occurred to me to snog any of them 😆

Aah come off it just a drunk snog that doesn't mean anything isn't how the Archers goes, 100% she's wrangling feelings of attraction towards Stella.

Will’s speech seemed very fake. Like an educational interlude. If he was so up on all the issues, how has he not noticed George? It doesn’t make sense.

When Toby asked Pip if he detected jealousy and “is there something here?” I thought he’d picked up on the Pip Stella vibes but no, he thought it was all about him. I liked that!

I’m just listening back, I hadn’t heard the swimming pool scene. Poor Henry, when Rob gave back the key ring - just heart breaking.

And well done Kirsty.

The scene between Helen and Henry - great acting. Poor poor Henry, and poor Helen. I dislike her as a character but the actress is doing an excellent job, as is the Henry actor.

Please don't let this result in a sibling for Rosie.

@FiveShelties

oh god @FiveShelties that's... a rather conceivable plot twist.

Only discovered when Pip eventually settles into a relationship with Stella.

I could've done without hearing Pip slurping wine and then slurping Tobee.

No to slurping of all kinds!

Please don't let this result in a sibling for Rosie

I feared that immediately when the slurping started.

Has The Archers had a thruple before?.....

thanks for the Pipalerts folk, no need for me to listen to yesterday's episode

It's weird radio acting with Pip isn't it. She has to 'vocalise' everything she's doing. How can she be so noisy drinking wine! And then the Tony slurping! Yuk!

Arghhhhh too much noisy mouth acting from Pip, my ears... 🤢

I’m loving this thread! I think I probably listen to the Archers in the womb. I drift off every so often, but when I come back, takes long to catch up!

Don’t let’s forget that Rex carries a torch for Pip - I thought he was going to step into Toby’s shoes at one point. There are many possible permutations from the T-R-P-S combo.

Pip is very confused isn't she!
And yes, a sibling for Rosie, and then a lifetime of on again/off again for Toby and Pip.
I don't mind Pip (and don't notice the slurping and weird noises?!) and I like Toby. I enjoyed the Pip, Toby, Stella, Rex dinner party dynamic.

Oh hadn't thought of the possibility of a Rosie sibling! And then Pip and Toby think maybe they should make a go of things and be a family...whilst both being madly in love with Stella 😆

The slurping was horrific!

I’ve always liked Rex. Decent (I’m ignoring the Brookfield shitpost as that was miles out of character), hardworking, uncomplicated, patience of a saint and I think he’d be fun with the right person. He deserves better than Pip.

Kate put a hole in it with her stiletto heel.

Slugs decapitated half my French marigolds. They may work as companion plants by being more palatable than whatever they're planted next to.

Rosie and potential future sibling are going to hate hearing anything about their parents ‘romance’. Not sure on off is good for kids.

how old is Rosie?

I think Rex is lovely. I hope he ends up with someone who appreciates him