Archers thread #161: Kenton seems to be getting better, but the storylines aren’t. Discuss The Archers here.

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Well, here we are. I was strongly tempted to go for the dog's dinner, dog/human bullies etc suggestions for the title, but Mere asked if we could not have anything graphic in the thread title, so I've held back. In a couple of weeks when this thead is nearing its end the attack may all be a distant memory, anyway.

Goodness knows what's in store for us now. Kenton seems likely to have PTSD, not surprisingly. Surely we must soon find out why HARRY talks so. Unconvincingly. Alice! Hello. CHRIS. CHRIS. etc, and also whether he is (as many of us suspect) addicted to opiates and/or up to no good. Too much to hope why nobody in Ambridge horsey circles had ever heard of him until recent weeks.

Over to you!

I dreamt I was in an episode of The Archers last night.I was hosting some sort of board meeting featuring Tony and Ruth and they were not happy that I hadn’t sorted any refreshments. What’s all that about then?!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5007867-to-have-been-told-off-by-hr-for-this?page=1

I thought this thread was interesting in the context of Harrison’s reaction to Harry’s question.

Yes I had seen the HR thread and I just thought that HR was wrong and shouldnt of mention it to the op. I think as they were talking about children it was natural to ask if the women had any. She must have been super sensitive.
My daughter died when she was 24 and when people ask if I have any children I dont know what to say because if I say yes but she died it makes every one feel bad, but I wouldnt be running off to HR to complain. Sometimes I wish people would grow a back bone. But we know Harrison hadnt got one but I do feel sorry that he wants kids but Fallon dosnt.

@Alwaysdieting

I think that HR thread is a bit batshit. In a work setting, as a woman asking for flexible working because you have children it is reasonable for you and the HR person to be talking about your child.

As a woman in a working environment it is not really appropriate to be asked if you have children/plan to have them etc. For many and various reasons including that many women might not want to disclose involuntary childlessness, having lost a child, several MC and the fact that women are discriminated against for having children in many workplaces.

So Kenton with PTSD
The Bull will be sold ?

I'm very sorry to hear that, @Alwaysdieting.

That was a much better episode. David was being exceedingly irritating, in a very David-ish way. Poor Kenton.

I don't think it is PTSD; it's far too soon for that. It's more likely to be straightforward trauma, probably combined with severe lack of sleep if he is hurting when he moves in bed and being woken by it.

Lilian owns more than half The Bull, so selling it gets somewhat complicated.

Harrison seems to love Fallon so more than she loves him.

Well some would argue he has an obsessive love

Me! He was the fattest cat I had ever seen! I was just thinking about him, and up popped your post 😀

I couldn’t be more delighted that so many of us remember Tiddles - and also amused that that post has garnered more comments than possibly anything I have ever posted before (which I think speaks volumes about the state of play in TA at the moment 🤣)

wow - Pip talking sense

maybe if Ruth spent less time complaining she would have more time for work. Her list didn’t seem that crazy. And this ‘crisis’ created by the unrealistic understaffing at the bull makes it even more pathetic.

what is the experience the guests would have in the barn? I don’t get it! They don’t cater there do they?

Paul’s sounds like a completely different person when he’s sad!! So why are the sw getting him out the way? I hope it’s to speed up Alastair and Denise because it’s getting painful now

How many big organisations do we know who would grant a month’s compassionate leave for a grandparent?

Goodness - I completely zoned out as soon as Pip and Ruth appeared! Only recall the vet scenes. I was glad to hear the swift resolution of the travel dilemma. And presumably it is to clear the way for the workplace romance.

How many big organisations do we know who would grant a month’s compassionate leave for a grandparent?

She hasn't even died. Or broken a hip. Or fallen into a coma. Cracked ribs and a broken wrist are not great in an old person but five days max would have been very generous. Ali-stare must have pushed the LJ HR person hard to get P out of the way for so long. I bet he goes to ‘help’ at kitten club too…

What is the point of kitten club? I've heard of Puppy Parties for socialisation but cats aren't particularly social animals. Letting a load of cats loose together would be chaos. Also Hilda isn't a kitten.

I didn't spot my typo! A good one though

I blame it on living upside down and the blood rushing to my head.

Not to do with this ep, but would any farm have enough staffing slack to let a worker/ manager go to help run a pub? Badly.

It’s surprising that Jakob worked out Ali-stare has a crush on Denise two years ago yet Paul has still failed to notice anything. Perhaps he has but it’s all too unpleasant for him to contemplate so he’s burying his head in the sand.

Emergency unpaid leave is not that uncommon, surely? I can't believe Paul is going to be paid for this period in St Lucia except for any annual leave he might be allowed to use.

I blame it on living upside down and the blood rushing to my head.

You type really well for a 🦇, @echt

How many people would have to sign up from GG to make an authentic barn dance experience viable? And would anyone who had shelled out for a luxury spa break at a luxury hotel actually be looking for that?

That’s exactly what I was thinking! And where would the band and the food come from? It just seems like a really bad idea

maybe if Ruth spent less time complaining she would have more time for work. Her list didn’t seem that crazy. And this ‘crisis’ created by the unrealistic understaffing at the bull makes it even more pathetic.

Both Pip and Ruth do seem to spend an inordinate amount of time going on and on about how hard done by they are just for doing their jobs. However, I agree it's bonkers David having to help out at the Bull. I'm sure someone like Chelsea would have been delighted to have the chance to have a temporary job and she aready knows how to work a till