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!

Can’t remember wording but basically Jolene has a shock - implication being that markie is back.

although could just be that her recycling hasn’t been picked up given the anti climax the continuity announcers often give

so quick summary

Vince gave his opinion on tea room and now tash is going to cover it in cow hide. Then far too much convo between tash and Tony as it took them too long to figure they had easy access to some cow hide.

liz said Freddie has found his vocation so that’s going to end badly for him

markie jumped out at Jolene in the supermarket cafe and wanted a threatening chat over tea and scones. Apparently he’s a big fan of hers and follows her. Also knows who Elizabeth is and that she’s her sil. It really is Walford on Am.

This Markie business still makes no sense at all …

I did appreciate the concession that the flayed skins of the Herefords would need to be tanned before they are nailed to the wall of the tea room, but can only imagine the reaction of vegetarian customers. Never mind vegans.

Or me, come to that. If I go into a tea room I want a light daytime tea-room ambience. Not gloomy with skins on the wall.

The Markie business was all very menacing, but is it what I listen to TA for?

DH suggests that the car alarm went off that night because Markie had been fitting a tracker to it

Bit of an odd psa about stalking laws

Bruisername
far too much convo between tash and Tony as it took them too long to figure they had easy access to some cow hide.

I think that was because Natasha didn't want to ask for a favour outright, she wanted to flatter Tony into thinking it was all his idea. This has the added benefit of plausible deniability when eg Mia pickets the place and raises stinko about the inhumane decor.

I'm a meat eater and wear leather shoes, but I'd find animal hide or fur very offputting in a place I was eating. Particularly hides from animals whose cousins I could see in the fields next door. I know they're all going to die, but don't need my nose rubbed in it.

Yes I thought she was trying to make it his idea but thought it was stupid

i’m a vegetarian but accept that if I go to a cafe on a farm that sells beef then seeing cow hide is not outrageous. If you eat the meat you can see the by products

I’m a die hard Archers fan but the Jolene/Markie plot line is deeply unpleasant listening.

I also agree with the PP who said there is more to Harry's issues than drinking.

If nothing else, he hasn't been honest with Alice about his own substance abuse issues.

I still don’t understand why Markie is terrorising Jolene. Is he the same man who jumped on stage when she was performing 30 years ago and if so, why exactly does he hold a grudge against her? He seems to have been following her musical exploits over the years but it’s taken him decades to track her down to The Bull. The storyline is so confusing.

I get that, but I don't think that it's a particularly attractive wall covering (and I think sheepskin as a wall covering sounds bonkers). If they really need it, some sort of thick fabric would be better.

something made with felted Texcel fleece perhaps
(could be grey, kind of Scandi feel?)

I was worried about the tanning too. I wonder how much it costs? Could be a side line?

Markie appears to be a psychopath. Bring back change counting!

There must be a mysterious backstory? Otherwise Jolene would be calling 999 about this terrifying madman threatening her.

Yes I dont get the Markie and Jolene story line unless back in her pirate days Jolene used to do a bit of smuggling with Markie and has been given a black spot. He jumped into Elizabeth's chair as soon as she stood up too.
Natasha went a bit funny when Vince said about her cafe being 2nd to the Turkey Twizler or what ever the other cafe was called. She gets on my nerves shouldnt she be squeezing orange juice. I really dont think animal skins whould work in a cafe it would put me off.

Damn- I am now going to have to listen to last night’s episode after boycotting. I can’t bear to miss scenes with Natasha even if it means having to sit through toe-curling scenes with J and Markie. Who the hell is called Markie these days btw?!? 🤦‍♀️

Vince runs an abattoir! Of course he likes animal skins…

My daughter is a Vegan but fairly flexible. If we went to an olde worldy pub or a baronial hall with stuffed animals, animal skins etc. she would cope but prefer to sit away from them. Even I would find animal skins out of place in a supposedly Scandi modern cafe, and to be honest would expect it to have changed hands for the worse.
Animal skins sound far worse than upcycled tat.

Animal skin and scandi can go together if tastefully done

just covering the walls in cowhide is a bit random

and Natasha has an odd strategy taking the advice of one customer and not testing it out on others

I am getting SO HACKED OFF with this stupid Jolene storyline. If I wanted to follow Eastenders, I would 🙄

Weird change of heart from Natasha after wanting feedback from just about everyone via iPad on the change of music..is there a reason she suddenly holds Vince’s opinion in such high regard, particularly when by his own admission, he’s not been to the tearoom in a long time.

Would reindeer heids be more appropriate for scanning style?.... cow hide makes me think of cowboys (though not sure if I could tell the difference)

either way it wouldn't encourage me to go somewhere with them on the wall and I wouldn't want to sit on a table next to them (but I'm veggies-ish)

I'm getting this image of an IKEA café done up in Movie Viking skins-and-studs style, and can't quite make then fit together. Will there be horned helmets?