Archers thread #165: Bridge over troubled waters! Discuss The Archers here.

[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 you believe Rochelle exists, 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 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5071889-the-archers-spoilers-thread-9-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.)

This thread may well fill up as fast as the last one, so let's just get stuck in!

In the distant past (late 70s when I was pregnant) you didn't know you were definitely pregnant until later so you wouldn't even have been aware of this kind of thing. People find out so early now it must be so much more upsetting when it doesn't work out.

Blimey these archers threads move fast!
Are they always like this?

Alice’s actions there were totally unbelievable to me, there is no way on gods earth anyone would think ambushing someone’s boss like that was helpful or acceptable, even though (Alice haters look away) they do repeatedly present her as someone with very definite moral principles wanting to do (in her mind) the right thing (like going to hospital to check everyone was OK) but totally unable to judge the effect on others. Bit of a well meaning, tone deaf, bull in a china shop.

I was surprised Fallon went along with her on that and didn’t tell her from the outset it was absolutely not on, to go to his workplace. Failing that physically drag her back when she was making an emotional beeline for his boss with no filter engaged. Fallon’s feeble protestations then reminded me of Willy Wonka

No, stop, dont

Fallon IS behaving like a saint especially towards Alice (which also shows how she values her friendship), but really needs to speak to Harrison if she can bring herself to above his crass suppositions.

Harrison I feel sorry for and he definitely needs someone close to confide in (under strict terms of confidentiality) if Fallon does not want to talk. He is generally a kindly person currently behaving like an arse and not thinking of Fallon, even though he is obviously also traumatised by the crushing of his hidden deep desires.

No! It's an unusual week in posting volumes.

As an alcoholic with long term sobriety,28 years, the Alice addiction thread is gripping. We often say in AA that the darkest hour is often just before dawn.Alice has hit a very low rock bottom and the only way out is up. If she keeps drinking she’ll end up with a ‘wet brain’ or dead.
So one day at a time (ODAAT) avoid the first drink and she won’t get drunk, have a plan for when the urge to drink threatens to overwhelm, and get all the help she can. Recovery is possible. But George, the rat, still needs outing!

The other thing with Lucas's parents - and Lucas himself, is that as educated, politically engaged, black South Africans they had contact with a harder, tougher side of the world that anyone in Ambridge ever knew. I would slightly except Peggy Woolley from that - an east end childhood and experience of the blitz gave her something her later wealth couldn't quite take away.

I agree @VoxPop. Alice is really quite immature. Kate used to occupy that slot in their family but really seems to have grown up since her mother's death.

Trying to remember, has Alice always been immature, even if veiled in 'being a successful engineer and daring to marry a wc boy of Ambridge'

Yes he does! @Johnthelush
And interesting point about darkest hour. Hopefully this is rock bottom for Alice and we will see her get back on track for good 🤞

Chris is going to figure it all out with Joy's help. George won't be able to keep his secret for long!

?

As @EBearhug says, this is unusual. Recent threads have tracked around 40 posts per day, but last thread ramped to 244 posts per day, and this thread has managed 142 posts per day. Since Helen's trial in 2016, we've only seen this kind of level once, when Nic Grundy died in 2018.

You only omitted the fact that Kate and Lucas were married, @DeanElderberry! Which gave her a cool surname (for Ambridge).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4Dc31gMwPL6MQFwrnbShHdG/lucas-madikane

The problem I have with Harrison is that she was actively miscarrying and he still wanted to talk. Give the woman a break fgs before talking to her about how much you wanted the baby

Thanks, cannot really comment on Alice as although used to listen regularly 20 plus years ago (omnibus whilst soaking in the bath was my guilty pleasure relax time) I only restarted listening about 18 months ago so enjoying filling the huge void as I listen to stories on here

I hate the way this miscarriage has been used for dramatic purpose

• making it seem like the accident caused it
• telling her in front of husband
• downplaying the physical side as just a little cramping - I know for some women it is but I just felt it was presented in a way to try and make Harrison’s feelings more important

I was puzzled by Kate describing Alice as Brian’s favourite as I thought all the siblings agreed Debbie is his golden child. Or perhaps just Adam thinks that. He was always so petulant and resentful at Brian’s perceived favouritism towards her.

I think Kate just feels overlooked. Ruari is the longed for son and heir. Adam was the apple of JD’s eye. Alice the pampered youngest (I’m the youngest of 4 and was definitely spoilt, it caused huge issues for my older sister). She’s kind of neither here nor there, just the black sheep of the family. Agree that Jakob is brilliant for her.

The Aldridges were a bit odd really - they loved all the children, his, hers, theirs, looked after them, were in many ways very indulgent, but somehow managed to make every single one of them think everyone else got more attention that they did. Stanley Johnson eat your heart out.

<wipes brow> No, they're not. <resumes calculations of when next thread is likely to need starting>

@DeanElderberry yes, interesting. Perhaps because Brian isn't terribly sensitive and therefore they all subconsciously ended up competing for his attention? And he kept consuming Jenny's emotional energy with his affairs - even before Siobhan/Ruari

Or something like that

Maybe he really loves India Beesboro best!

Yes indeed. It’s actually quite a feat of parenting!

Absolutely. The doctor script was terrible. I have to close my ears to anything medical on TA and mutter "it's only make believe, it's only make believe". But a useful plot device r.e giving Harrison a reason to really lose it with Alice. When he finds out George was the driver I wonder if he will be able to forgive Alice.

I agree the sw are playing it more about Harrison’s feelings but is that because he has more internal conflict?

It must be a relief for Fallon. A miscarriage is a good result for a woman who does not want a baby.

It is harder for Harrison - he wants a child and therefore has to choose the woman he loves or fatherhood. He does not get both.

In the short time of her being pregnant he gets his fantasy and plays the film.

Hello, a recent lurker here!
I'm wondering who is baking for the tea room just now and serving in it, with Fallon obviously off sick, Chelsea will not have the experience to manage on her own, will Natasha be standing in full time? (Hopefully we will start hearing about the other residents in the village again soon).

It’s a good question, @DoughReigh. Has Emma actually gone for the time being - can’t remember her busy timetable.

Possibly they’ve had to buy in baked goods - though I’m not even sure who at Bridge Farm would have taken on that task.