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!

Well, that was a tedious episode.

May his memory be a blessing.

I've always particularly liked that form of words.

Thanks again, ghostly penfriends!

That's very perceptive about Tracy, Totters. I'm sure you're right.

So sorry to hear about your father, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Thinking about this last episode, when Jazzer asked of the Tracey blow-up what all this was about, I said to the radio: Stringing out a boring plot line.

The thing is, Tracey's not like that is she?

I guess they (over) manufactured it so now T & J won’t get married while already apparently being married and all the hilarious and vexing situations that will cause.

Why did they make Emma appears so stupid today as well? First half of episode ‘let’s build up one of the poor people to think she deserves better’ swiftly followed by ‘let’s make her look stupid and thick with basic social and professional interactions.’

I agrée! And crumble is definitely an autumn food to me

Yes @echt @OverArmour that’s exactly what I thought, it seemed more plot driven than character specific, Tracey has got a lot more about her than that weird episode. Ugh.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I’m assuming from your username you’ll appreciate this; when TP died my dad sent me this as he loved TP and had everything he’d ever written; when he in turn died a few years later I found a lot of comfort in it (might need to put it into 12ft if you don’t subscribe) x

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/11474455/Terry-Pratchett-will-live-on-in-the-clacks-thanks-to-fans-programming-code.html

@OverArmour Emma does have form for being socially inept, like when she asked everyone for money to help buy a house

I know… part of the same problem I think.

I've been listening to the Archers religiously now for about a year. So I'm getting to know them and recognise their voices.

I'm so relieved that I'm not the only one that thinks Helen is a nasty character and that she always has been.

I think makes her history with Rob so much more interesting and complex. But I don't like it now he's back. It's uncomfortable isn't it

They are setting up a really good history storyline for George which could go in any direction. He's an interesting character that's for sure.

I love all the posts on here giving the history on characters so thank you so much for that.

I download the Omnibus on BBC sounds and it stays saved on there for as long as you want which is handy.

My favourites so far are Tracey, Chelsea, Brad, Jazzer, Ben and his parents (forget their names) Jim, Mia Grundy, The Welsh mum of the twins.

Linda and Susan make me laugh, George is an interesting character.

I don't know enough even after a year who else I'd choose.

I did like the female vet who left.

I dislike the same characters mentioned by PP

I've decided to stop listening but i want to keep up with the events - can someone give me the heads up when the fallout comes from Gnasher & Tom wanting to tell Fallon how to run the tea rooms?

I like the boy who runs the cafe and got arrested years ago I forget his name. He's inherited the big house

@HappiDaze you mean Freddie Pargetter? Was arrested (and jailed) for drug dealing. Is in line to inherit Lower Loxley. But it's currently held in Trust which has annoyed him. he can't understand why a twenty something with limited life and business experience (apart from time spent) is being held at arm's length from the running of things so has flounced off to be a DJ in Ibiza or something.

Who ate the bacon sandwich that got George sacked?

I don't think it actually was his or do we know that it definitely was ?

@HappiDaze sausage roll. George said it wasn't his but later he was being cocky to Brad, saying they had no proof but not exactly denying it was him.

not a fan of Freddie but hopeful he will improve as a character as he ages

whats Lily doing?

So sorry to hear about your dad @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g - I hope this thread can provide the same comfort in terms of routine and escapism that it did for me last summer when DH had his health scare and huge operation. Kind words and inquiries from posters on here literally moved me to tears - it's very hard to explain to someone (ie your mum) who doesn't inhabit such a world. You do an amazing job as the keeper of the thread. Thank you

Blackberry and apple is a traditional pairing, which means they must be around at the same time. A few apples ripen in August but most varieties aren't picked till September or October.

Just listened to last night's episode and that last bit with Jazzer and Tracey was completely unbelievable and just a tedious attempt to string out the hilarious will they won't they get married storyline. Yawn.

I did have one thought about poor Hannah's plight. Is there another bedroom going spare at The Stables? If my memory serves me right Josh, Lilly and Paul are all living there at the moment, but I always imagined the house to have at least four bedrooms. Of course I don't know if that means they all have to share the one bathroom 😬.

Where does will currently live?

Will and Poppy currently live at Grange Farm.

Actually thinking about it, when Will, Poppy and George move out, the Grundys will have several spare bedrooms - to rent out to Hannah. That would really piss off George.

I don't think Hannah would particularly want to live on the same premises as Emma, who has been unpleasant to her several times since she moved to Ambridge. Even if Emma and Ed and Keira don't move back into the main house, which is what I'd expect if there are rooms available for them there, having someone who clearly dislikes her living on the other side of the yard would not be pleasant.

Ah but the whole reason George had to go and stay with Neil and Susan whilst working at Berrow was to do with bio security as Grange Farm also has pigs..

Who lives in Willow Cottage (? or whatever it's called) where Brian and Jennifer had been living until earlier this year?