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

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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!

@howdyho automatic door locking is usually when the car reaches a certain speed - not when the engine starts.

the shop was closed at that point Joy could have said no - good point. She absolutely should have said no.

I’ve never had a car with automatic door locking. And even if it is locked you can usually unlock it from the inside can’t you?

And Joy had every right to refuse to sell her the Vodka, shop closed or not. I believe you can refuse alcohol sales on any grounds you see fit.

Given licensing laws on a Sunday could she also have broken them?

Mine lock when I start the engine. I’ve never tried opening the doors when the car is in motion. Will test later.

Mine locks all doors when the car reaches 10mph. You can definitely open the doors when the car is stopped but I’m not sure about when it’s moving.

I think last night’s episode was set on Saturday - the pub quiz was on Friday night and Alice ran off after Brian confronted her about her behaviour the previous night.

I thought Alastair was off for his love in though?

This - she definitely could have refused - firstly as shop closed but she also could have if she suspected Alice was drunk , or simply if she thought alive was disruptive , rude or aggressive. I'm disappointed that Joy didn't refuse - either it's poor script writing for a purpose eg Alice to get drunk and be in car crash or ultimately for a reason like she's injured too and we finally get her back story.
I do think it strange that no one in Ambridge wonders about Rochelle and her lack of visit / joys lack of going to see them.

I think Alistair could have stepped up a bit too .

Alistair has always been somewhat conflicted, as his livelihood depended on keeping on good terms with the landed families. Even though he no longer owns the business there’s probably still an element of hesitation. But I too was surprised he displayed such feebleness.

I guess he didn’t want anything to delay his headlong rush to bliss.

Also Alice has history where the village shop is concerned - remembering the brick through the window. It is vanishingly unlikely Joy would have sold her the vodka - there must be a reason for it plot-wise!

In fact Joy sold all the alcohol involved in the incident - Alice's vodka and George's fruit cider.

Late to the party @Poppins2016 but many congratulations!

Joy could definitely have refused to sell Alice the vodka as the shop was closed when Alice came in. She had Alastair for backup if Alice had turned nasty but of course that would have meant we wouldn't have got our dramatic storyline.

I’m thinking it’s Joy in the other car. I’ve just listened again and there are so many mentions of her going to see this band.

I agree that the splash sounds further away. I think it’s the other car going into the water.

I don’t understand why George wouldn’t pull over and let her be sick. When someone has drunk that much they can’t hold on.

Yes, mine does that. Alice could easily press the button that opens it when the car is stationary but the engine still running. I don't know if it would open while the car is in motion - oddly enough, I've never tried.

I think George was too close to the bridge to pull over as he said to wait until they had crossed

I’m wondering whether Joy did eventually find someone to accompany her to the concert. Obviously all the dialogues where she was offering the spare ticket might just have been to highlight her trip, but quite late on someone suggested a more likely possibility.

Fallon …

Might she have been in the other car with Joy?

I tried it (on a private farm track!) and you can open the driver’s door after the doors have locked. I should imagine the passenger door is the same.

Joy should have refused the sale, for any reason or no reason.

Alice would of course have got drink somewhere else.

I think the lock is to keep people out - not trap people in the car. That would be dangerous and potentially creepy!

Even before the crash I was wondering about the insurance--unless George's own motor insurance covered him third-party in someone else's car, he wouldn't be insured to drive ALice's.

Isn’t it usually third party cover provided he had the permission of the vehicle owner, too? I know mine is.
Arguably, Alice probably not in a fit state to give her permission to George to drive her car..

Oh yes if it's Joy that will be a brilliant route to finding out The Truth about Her Past!