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 ....

The 🔮 thinks Uncle Miles might become a fixture in Jack's life in the future...
...and Helen's.

😮 Bore!!

Yes I agree re Knob, Lillian.

I know!
But the 🔮sees what it sees.

Maybe it will turn out that she already knows him through an AA group, whereupon he will make a fuss about an alkie being charge.

@BoreOfWhabylon

Wash out your mouth!

I agree with@ Humanwetwipe. I also find what ever I post gets knocked down. It gets very annoying and does make me think twice about posting.

Haha! Same here and possibly for the same reason. If someone says hello and I can't place them my first thought is did I teach your child or teach you.

I think people rarely will say they agree with you but will want robust debate if they don’t!

I know what you mean but it is never anything personal and I don’t think it’s ever a judgement on you

Re Kate and Jakob- she wounded him by saying he isn’t community spirited because he obviously feels he is and after talking to Alan he realised she was just manipulating him by saying that.

I think the same. And I also think it could be (bear with me) a force for good. Redemptive in a way. Miles was also damaged (not justifying Knob's actions at all), and perhaps a relationship with his dead brother's son might be good for everyone. Pat will have the screaming ab-dabs over it. But given time it could work.

I agree about miles. But not a romantic relationship with Helen hopefully

We surely can't have yet another story of uncle taking on stepfather role for his nephew! Look how well that's worked out in the Grundy family ... I think the 🔮may have been imbibing before coming out with that gem. Look for the empty bottles, Bore.

Missed that idiotic tweet from Keri Davies yesterday. He'd have done better to ignore that or just laugh it off.

Poor little Jack. Still, it's very promising that both Henry and Jack are looking likely to be thorougly messed up. If Nova and Seren are as self-centred and bad at reading people as their Dad and (mostly) their Mum we should be in for a treat in about 15-20 years when the new generation takes over Bridge Farm. Endless arguments. We want them to be interesting and annoying like Helen and Kate, not dull and annoying like Pip. [Pollyanna mode ON].

Agree @Bruisername !! definitely not romantic.

But surely romantic is what @BoreOfWhabylon meant?

It’s inescapable that Miles will continue to be Jack’s uncle, and I would’ve anticipated the SWs storing that relationship in the cupboard, to be utilised once Jack has some agency of his own. (Though he’s doing a pretty good job right now, voiceless!)

I find it really hard to believe Helen would want any ongoing communication with Titcheners, at least while Brute is alive.

Miles + Helen??? <Sharp intake of breath>

Although … He did start off being mercilessly rude about her, not surprisingly. And gradually his opinion is evolving … 🤔🤔🤔

Having a relationship with myles is just the sort of bonkers trauma bond thing that Helen would do IMO
She couldn't cope with normal, nice, boring Lee.

I'm hoping that Jakob pushes Kate into supporting Alan, if only because it'll annoy Piggoi so much.

I meant agree about miles having a role in jacks life.

maybe the sw have a sl about how 2 brothers can have the same upbringing and turn out differently which they will then mirror in Henry and Jack. Hope not as sounds shit

the non archers are going to save the church - hence underlining that the archers are not that important

Well … so far Miles hasn’t been granted his own entry in the BBC Archers character list. But that could happen, I guess.

Had a look at the actor - Adam Astill - on Google. He’s exactly as I pictured him! And imo very much better looking than Rob …

Just caught up. Helen is SO controlling isn't she? Of other people. Namely Joy. I mean this isn't a surprise. But wow.
And for someone so doggedly independent she's, well, not very!

Yes please!

The 🔮 says this will be a medium/long term s/l. An evolution, if you will.
And, of course, there will be The Inheritance and line of succession to Tichenor Towers (which will provide a nice Hampshire bolthole as stories require) lots to be savoured there.

Harry Wotsit is being played by the actor who was the vicar in Call The Midwife. He was affianced to the alcoholic Trixie (played by his real-life wife, Helen George) so clearly is ideal for Alice!

@BoreOfWhabylon I knew I recognised his voice from somewhere! Kenton was in CTM briefly, as a counter-exchange between BBC productions.

I can't really see a Miles/Helen romance - surely she'd be too traumatised at the idea of getting involved with another Titchener? I know I would - but I could see Miles wanting to have ongoing contact with Jack. His dawning realisation that the Rob/Helen situation wasn't as it was presented will perhaps see an olive branch being extended, particularly if he doesn't have a particularly close relationship with his awful father. I've never heard Bruce and Miles interacting I don't think, so I don't think he takes Bruce's side. He seems more...human.

Dear old Joy. She used to annoy me but she's definitely grown on me.

When Ron dies, presumably Jack inherits? Presumably in trust until he is 18 or 21? How much do we think he might get?

Will it be a re-run of the Grundy storyline, with William inheriting from Aunt Hilda and Eddie getting nothing, but with the older / younger brothers reversed?

Miles doesn't have children, does he? Might Jack inherit from him, too?

Bruce is wealthy, isn't he? If Miles inherits from him, then Jack inherits from Miles, there could be a large wodge of cash.

Is Jack a potentially wealthy young adult?

Since Rob has nephews, Miles can be assumed to have spawn.

@BrightYellowDaffodil Helen will gradually come to rely on Miles more and more, until she flings herself at him realises how much he means to her.
Probably just as he's developing a relationship with someone else*

@Westwindworries I think the Tichenors are supposed to be pretty well off. Miles will inherit everything from Bruce, presumably.

*Kirsty? It's the sort of thing H would do