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!

I’m really sorry you’re feeling that way @Alwaysdieting If it’s any help, I think that the ‘no heartbeat’ going on to actually be a viable pregnancy is usually when an internal scan is done very very early at a time when a heartbeat would not definitely be expected but can sometimes be seen, and if there is any uncertainty at all then there are follow-up checks. For example, when I had my ‘no heartbeat’ miscarriage, the doctors knew it was definite because the foetus was too big to not have a heartbeat, if that makes sense. Obviously I don’t know your circumstances, or those of the other poster, and hope you are ok xx

Can barely ‘catch my breath’ enough from reading all the posts to post myself, but am finally through! Thoughts:

1. Bloody love Jakob
2. Joy - what an enigma. We need some light relief so let’s hope Rochelle ran away with the circus because she couldn’t bear Joy’s over-zealous knitting, or something.
3. Harrison is behaving badly but , as others have said, I think to some extent understandably. His explosive response suggests trouble down the line for him and Fallon.
4. What I really want to know is is it Harrison who is poorly informed about early pregnancy and miscarriage (very possible) or the scriptwriters? Will be interesting to see if the SWs do turn out to be more responsible with this storyline than they currently appear, and use it to have Harrison later learning that, actually, the miscarriage could have been for lots of reasons and is probably not the accident. Though I wouldn’t relish listening myself, maybe their current situation will end up in a fertility SL with H persuading F that they should consider getting some embryos frozen in case she changes her mind about children. The initial counselling for that might be used to ‘educate’ H about miscarriage etc. In this (highly unlikely) SL, I don’t think Fallon would agree to the embryo creation and freezing, and then they might split up for a while, or Harrison might look at pursuing fatherhood solo, in some form. Maybe he will give up policing and become a foster parent.

Re the chemical pregnancy, one of the ways in which the coil works is to stop implantation into the womb lining of a fertilised egg. So it could have been doing its job, but there was “enough” of a pregnancy (albeit briefly) to give a positive reading.

It's an awesome storyline and the truth must come out - why else would they be letting us know what really happened? I love how complex all the big Archers stories are.

I can't help but feeling that if Alice pulls through this, it'll be entirely down to her having Fallon and Chris on her side (and Kate too).

You may well be right, @Tophelleborine. At least about Chris and Fallon. I think Kate’s role will be to quack so loudly about How Alice Must Accept Responsibility and What A Terrible Parent Brian Has Been (not a word of it born of resentment, smugness or sibling rivalry, perish the thought) that none of Alice’s family will listen to her doubts and half-memories.
The thought of her and Chris getting back together makes me spit.

Hmm yes you're probably right about Kate. I am enjoying her relative level-headedness at the moment though.

I have to admit to having a big soft spot for Alice and Chris as a couple. I started listening around the time that Chris had some sort of horrible accident at work (I think) and she was so upset; it was clear then how much she loved him and how well suited they were. I understand why so many people on here hate Alice, but I don't feel like that about her really. She's very flawed and spoilt and annoying but something about her self-doubt and vulnerability resonates with me.

I agree. I liked Alice and Chris as a couple.

Back in the day Brian had an affair with Caroline. You do wonder why Jennifer put up with his serial philandering.

Money, position, comfortable lifestyle, not wanting more upheaval for Debbie and Adam, not wanting to inflict a divorce and family break-up on Kate and Alice, probably not feeling entirely certain that Peggy would support her, knowing that Brian would have fought tooth and nail to keep Home Farm ...

It's a great shame. When Jennifer found out about Siobhan and Ruairi, I was sure there was going to be a phenomenally bitter divorce, but no. Against all reason and likelihood, Brian stayed put.

Re Chris response not being OTT, sometimes the fear of something bad happening can be worse to live through than the actuality.

He's still fond of Alice and as long as Martha is safe (and Alice has made this easier by suggesting Chris do all the parenting for the time being) he's able to Alice some support.

My main regret is that the absence of Paddy, the dodginess of Roger, and the adultery of Brian didn't lead all the Home farm younger generation (except Ruairi) to change their surname to Archer in support of their mother. It would make the programme title so much more intelligible.

That might certainly assist the SWs, @DeanElderberry!

Against all reason and likelihood, Brian stayed put.

What I felt and still feel was against all reason and likelihood was Jennifer taking on her husband’s brat by his tart. JD would have been bum in butter if she’d refused, with a large divorce settlement. But (yawn) she was such a wonderful mother. Funny that all five of the ill-assorted brood turned out so ghastly.

(of course, she did use Ruairi as a lever to blackmail Brian into enriching her children by other men)

@Tophelleborine did you also gather that Alice had been about to accept a job in North America when Chris had his accident? Knowing that he would stay in Ambridge?

No I missed that. Do you mean she was going to go without him?
That's classic Archers though, isn't it? Bright young woman sacrifices career development for her man's sake.

Bloody hell can we stop with the ‘miscarriage caused by accident’

I agree but I think it goes to show how some people grab the wrong end of the stick and wiggle it with great vigour.

We’ve all been in situations I’m sure where something has happened to us or someone close to us and rumours abound. When they get back to you they are divorced from the truth.

I could accept that if it had been made clear, preferably by the dr, that it isn’t that straightforward

could still have had Harrison believing it but that would have made it more interesting

George showing signs of strain there. Perhaps he's not a psychopath after all.

”Portnoy's Complaint: A disorder in which strongly felt ethical and altruistic impulses perpetually are warring with extreme sexual longings, often of a perverse nature”

Clearly we needed George believing it, to have tonight’s episode. Is his reaction remorse, or added panic about the deep shit he’s in?

Is anybody here kind enough to do a potted storyline for me please?
Been on holiday so the last one I heard was May 3rd. Listened tonight and totally bewildered!
Thanks

George found Alice in a car, drunk. He decided to drive her home, she woke up and tried to get out of the car. They came across another car which crashed into the river. George helped save mick and joy and fallon, helped by Alistair and Denise. George is a hero. He went back to car and pulled alice into driving seat and is keeping schtum but feeling guilty. When checked over fallon was found to be pregnant but she went back for scan and no heartbeat. She didn't want a baby but Harrison did.

Approx.

Brava!