Archers thread #164: AmbridgEnders! An Everyday Story of Soapy Folk. Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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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.)

Thread thrown together in great haste in advance of tonight's episode. Who's in the Am? Is it George's fault? Is this the end for Alice? Over to you!

Not to worry, Mere, I don't think it adds anything to what we've already heard.

I had an undercurrent of something scornful or a kind of power trip from being in a position to help. Hardly an undercurrent. Quite blatant sneer when he suggested he should get to drive the car in recompense for driving her home

Is there any possibility it could have been Chris in the other car? With Martha in the back??!

It was odd to hear George calling her ‘Auntie Alice’. Although she’s his uncle’s ex-wife I scarcely remember them having any conversation before - they seem to occupy completely different worlds.

Which makes this story all the better, of course.

Chris and Alice married in 2010, so 14 years ago. George is 18, so he would have been 4, so Alice has been his aunty most of his life.

Yes @TottersBlanklyOnTheEdge I thought that - my 18 year old nephews just call me Harriet not auntie Harriet. The little ones still tag auntie on. It grated more for me because I think of them being relatively similar in age although actually there's probably 15 years odd between them. And tbf I (45) still call my auntie marge (87) auntie marge!!

May Day Bank Holiday is Monday - Trades Unions marches etc. Today. In my town anyway, maybe not Ambridge.

I actually hope this isn't going to be bad for George. I have a soft spot for him.
He had a difficult start in life with the Will and Ed feud and confusion about his parentage, new step siblings, the death of Nic, no really good male role models (apart from Neil), no educational expectations from his family, etc. I think his incel leanings and other shortcomings are realistic for a teenager who has very few prospects in life. I could see him gradually becoming more mature and likeable and I really hope he isn't going to end up in prison (which would devastated Clary). He certainly seems more realistic to me than the ghastly Henry (who I imagine as a little wizened old man).
The SW seem to have hurriedly tried to make George more sympathetic just before the crash, with him treating his parents to a meal and maypole dancing with little step sister Poppy.
Personally I blame Alice - the crash would never have happened if she hadn't started drinking again and I hope she isn't going to come out unscathed in typical Archers fashion.

It grates hearing adults call other adults "aunty."

I wonder why they've padded Mick's role out recently. Did he change his mind and go to the concert with Joy? Has he been dedded or a witness to the crash. Or will he be the one trying to make contact with Rochelle when Joy is in her coma

And yet when Martha had her naming ceremony George was chosen to be whatever the equivalent of a Godparent is in those ceremonies. I think they are called Life Guides. I remember thinking it odd at the time as I’ve also never heard Alice and George ever have a conversation either before or since.

That would be very satisfying all round, particularly if Martha doesn’t survive (even more satisfying if Chris was found not to have strapped her correctly into the brat-restraints and she would otherwise have been reasonably okay). But I mustn’t get my hopes up

Alice was born in September 1988, and George in April 2005, so she is sixteen years older than him.

We know George was going to a party on Sunday night because he told Will and Emma so while they were dining at Grey Gables. Unless George was going to two parties on successive nights, Sunday evening's episode must have been set on Sunday. Maybe Alice went home on Saturday after a post-mortem argument with Brian, Lilian and Kate during which she tried to excuse her having been drunk by scapegoating Harry and then found that had made things worse instead of helping. I don't see why she might not simply have locked her doors to keep them out, and retired to bed, not letting anyone in until Brian on Sunday afternoon. And when she did let him in, he certainly seemed to know all about her continuing the relationship with Harry, something she had been steadfastly denying at least until Friday evening last week: that makes the post-mortem-on-Saturday idea more likely, I feel.

I don't see any point in a car locking automatically once the car is travelling at ten miles an hour or more (this is what my 2011-reg Mini does) in order to keep people out of the car: I have yet to be run after at speeds in excess of ten miles an hour by someone trying to break into the car as it goes along the road! What I also don't see is the point of such automatic locking if the door can still be opened from the inside, since that's the only place where there would be likely to be anyone to open it.

Teen DD has an assortment of "honorary" Aunts and Uncles, who were often visiting when she was growing up. It would have been odd for her to have called them Mr or Mrs (and other titles) when she was a tiny. They have kept the honorific, as have her great Aunts and Uncles.

I have about 25 cousins. My parents' cousins continued to be called "Cousin ..." unless there was a clash of first names.

Now that DadDadDad has popped back here, he could probably organise a poll about who should be in the deaded car/minibus/coach that might have plunged into the Am.

Is the nearest A&E: Borchester General? Do they have air ambulances in Borsetshire?

Yes I'm trying to think if George ever mentions driving. At his age as well the insurance cost is through the roof.

Timed my gym session perfectly. Missed the rain and get the Archers on my way home!

Alice?

Omg…

Bloody hell!!!

Are they saying Fallon?

Oh no!!

WHERE IS ALICE

And why hasn't George even mentioned her????

Bloody hell, was not expecting that!

To mis-quote the song, where the &£!? is Alice?

I'm assuming Alice is passed out in the car again, maybe oblivious to everything going on?!