Archers thread #157: How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless clan! Discuss The Grundys here. Bicker about The Archers as well if you like.

[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, 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 to @OverArmour for the idea of making it clear in the title many of us are inveterate bickerers!

Now over to you, as we are about to eat and I won't hear tonight's offering till later ....

It's bad but I have been matchmaking for Helen now whenever she interacts with a man; trying them on for size. Helen and Jakob since he's gradually seeing the light about Kate? The Jim chat made me consider Helen and Alistair. He's 20 (?) Years older I guess but that might be good after Lee with his action figures!

I’m only sorry we’re not coming up for a new thread as I was going to suggest Will Helen continue to take the biscuit…I actually snorted at the salmon reference last night. In fact I’d forgotten that the party would be in Bloody Hell Cottage - no wonder Helen was feeling discombobulated in the shop today (and had had a sleepless night reliving the relationship). Well done Jim - she really couldn’t have chanced upon a better listener.

When H mentioned the missing bank card, I immediately thought Henry must have stolen it and was about to embark upon life as a delinquent. But then she found it again so I could stand down.

I agree that it was an excellent episode. Lots to notice and wonder about…It reminded me of why I listen in the first place.

Ah I also thought that about Henry!

I thought Henry had nicked it too.. didnt Helen say something about seeing it on the kitchen table or somesuch? at home anyway..

Oh I do love Jim.

Ah ... that's more realistic!

God I want Helen to piss off, marry Lee and to not hear from her for the whole of 2024.

Magically reappearing bank card, mayonnaise jar leaping off the shelf? He’s back! As a poltergeist!

I wouldn't think that mayonnaise would smell very much after cleaning it up.
Im retired and I still want to know the time. I have a clock in every room and have a few watches. Dont know why its like if I know the time I feel safe and if I dont know I panic a bit, I hate to be late for appointments. Perhaps Im on some spectrum or other but at 68 nearly 69 I think I cant be bothered to find out.
My Dad brought me a timepiece necklace which was beautiful when I was about 8 so I suppose my love of time comes from that. Wish I still had it. Sigh!

Oh Jim ❤️ Great episode!
I thought the cottage Brian moved into was the one Helen stabbed Rob in, I seem to remember that not being an issue for Brian when moving in because he and Jenny had such happy memories from there? Did I dream it all?!

at least it wasn't a jar of anchovis...

I suspect ron still has a lot to give. making H executer of his will...a white elephant sort of inheritance for jack (board member of the estate together with ron's father)

Helen and Miles? The thought crossed my mind.

Yes, that's right. Blossom Hill Cottage*. It belongs to Usha and she lived there herself years ago. Before that it belonged to Peggy. Usha rented it to Rob and now to Brian.

*Frequently referred to here as Bloody Hell Cottage.

It was a good episode. Mayonnaise wouldn't leave a nasty smell unless it was some unusual kind with a lot of vinegar in it. I thought Helen's excessive reaction to that was a very good way of showing how jittery she is. Also, the inability to find her bank card even though it was in her bag all along rang very true. I've had times when I've been very het up about something and tiny things always go wrong and seem disproportionately disastrous.

Jim is such a sweetie. I want to be reassured that his mole was benign, or at least has been treated.

So it was where she stabbed him. I've never been in her position (!) but I'd imagine being there even if for a jolly family party many years later must have been very stressful.
Helen's stress at small things was very realistic - and Jim noticed it and knew what it was.
I so hope they don't kill Jim off I couldn't bear it.

Jim is sounding quite frail though. I think the sw will love the idea of devastating listeners by killing him off! Creating noise is all part of it these days and that would certainly create a lot of talk!

Well done Jim - she really couldn’t have chanced upon a better listener.

Are they not missing a trick in terms of Village High St Diversification? Between Jim and Joy the village shop would be the ideal place for a Community Counselling service. Those two would scarcely need any training, and it would be wonderfully discreet - Just popping out for some biscuits, darling …

Interesting what he said about seeing people grieving for his abuser was painful

i dont think there will be anyone grieving at Rob’s funeral!

So it was where she stabbed him not just where she stabbed him, but where they lived together while he was abusing her. A very dark place for Helen I would imagine...

She didn’t HAVE to go to the ruddy party, did she? I’m sure Brian would have been stoic in the face of her absence. But it was where she could be sure of extracting a ‘sorry, Helen’ out of some poor sap, so along she trotted (“This is me being Brave and Beautiful”).

You lot are very harsh on Helen!!

Exactly. It was almost more appropriate that it was said by someone who would not have been at the party where the salmon went crashing to the floor. It’s also important to remember that the whole dressed salmon was Jenny’s idea, and she coached Jess through how to make it, even lending her a fish kettle I believe. Therefore it is entirely plausible that someone in the Aldridge family (Ian most likely) did a dressed salmon in tribute to Jenny’s party centrepieces of past.

That was a lovely episode. Agricultural conversation! Interaction between characters about things that weren’t just teenage drama! Good dialogue!

I loved that episode too. Could have cried at Jim shutting the shop and having a heart to heart with Helen, recognising their common ground despite their differences. He’s a really good egg (perhaps why he goes with mayonnaise).

so nice to have Stella without pip again, and Brian. Stella and Brian are a golden combo.

Paul and Denise might very well have different surnames because she uses her maiden name. My surname isn't the same as my DCs', even though I'm definitely married to their father.