Archers thread #168: Near to the Maddening Crowd? 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'd like to hear more of Harrison's strange little moaning noises, 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 www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-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.)

Thanks to @OverArmour for the title suggestion!

Over to you.

As if Miranda would ask for Lils advice concerning Brian and Alice, Miranda seems the type who could deal with anything and Lils her nemesis so I cant see that happening at all.

Oh, I disagree! Miranda is at the very least smart enough to comprehend that Brian comes as part of a clan - and in the long term she can only fit comfortably into his life if she has the clan on her side. I’ve forgotten what profession she pursues but I think it’s something requiring good people skills? A display of vulnerability and uncertainty was exactly the right approach to take with Lilian.

I thought the point was meant to be that George's decision making around Bartleby mirrors what he's feeling about Alice/ the court case but can't voice. Hence the heavy-handed intervention from Susan last night. And why it's not a cut-and-dried sale/ non-sale: the agonising is needed to show what's going on in his mind re. the other matter.

I thought the point was meant to be that George's decision making around Bartleby mirrors what he's feeling about Alice/ the court case but can't voice

If that’s the case I do wish they hadn’t chosen to use as a teaching example a very old and ailing animal being passed from pillar to post (let virtually at this stage, I’m aware he hasn’t actually gone anywhere yet)

I thought the point was meant to be that George's decision making around Bartleby mirrors what he's feeling about Alice/ the court case but can't voice.

I heard it more that he needs Bartleby for comfort. Horses are great to talk to, you can tell them anything and they never pass it on! They can be very calming to be around, hence why they're used for the RDA and various therapies.

As for Emma and her bitching about The Stables online...well, that's just everything I've ever thought about her in a nutshell. Nothing but a chippy little online troll, shouting her uninformed mouth off without a care for who it will harm. Much as I try not to engage in schadenfreude, I'm mentally rubbing my hands with glee for the day she realises My Little Hero was the cause of the accident.

In the meantime I hope someone "accidentally" knocks her into the muckheap. The bit at the bottom where, after it's been raining, it's a pool of slurry.

I agree re Emma, they are really setting her up for a potential fall, Susan has been really judgemental too. If they find out it was not only their darling George that was responsible, but also set up Alice it will be pretty uncomfortable for them.

Susans comments did almost seem prophetically full of double entendre

I thought George’s comment about not being around to look after Bartalby strongly reflected the fact he felt he might end up in the clink. He was content to let Alice be the victim of his cruel fit up when he wasn’t to be questioned about it but seems very worried now the truth will out.

To be fair Emma hasn’t had a great experience with House Aldridge in recent years:

Alice jeopardising Ed’s job at Home Farm through her hideous drunken accusations.

Adam sacking Ed just as they were about to finalise their house purchase.

Kate being utterly vile (it still makes my blood run cold) during Emma’s mad week running around the village begging for help and asking Peggy for a loan while she was cleaning for her.

It’s hardly surprising that she deeply resents the fact that Aldridge lives seem so charmed - even when they make terrible mistakes or do appalling things.

Except it was her golden boy wot dun it, and she is already well aware how vicious, misogynistic and duplicitous he can be.

Anita Rani is so irritating on woman’s hour

just listening. George is very much on edge. Susan’s little pep talk was a bit odd. Why is she so keen for them to sell bartleby? And why is it taking so long for Oliver to return the money. And why don’t they insist she take Gem as well.

i’m confused why Carlotta would take the job as she must know the situation and that it may not be a long term position- and she currently has a full time job?

and why has Shula not been involved in any of this. Seems odd.

Emma has become so chippy.

Justin sounded very sinister when he said ‘I know how to make this go away’ - too much to hope that he’s going to take Emma out?

Forgotten about the “make it go away”. Did sound very mafiaesque, but wondered if it was a plan to publicly disassociate themselves from Alice.

i’m confused why Carlotta would take the job as she must know the situation and that it may not be a long term position- and she currently has a full time job?

I suspect Justin will have told her that it's actually permanent, he just needs to "get Lillian to see it's for the best".

Justin might be smart and engage Ed n Emma to do some tree work for Damara / Borchester Land?

And then leave a shitty review!!

Well, maybe not. Once again, it’s a matter of community and ongoing relationships. Justin must surely be as clever as his ex-wife in people managing? Emma is tiny - her only influence is online. He could silence any negativity from her forever by offering the Grundy tree business a retainer worth about thruppence.

I could well imagine Justin playing the Big I Am and loftily threatening Emma with all sorts of legal consequences for her spurious accusations.

Which will go down like a cup of cold sick with Emma and will make things infinitely worse as she’ll tell all and sundry how she’s being threatened into silence.

Yes indeed! but but but

1. Where's the drama in that?
2. The SW seem to know naff all about how businesses are run (vide GG's chaotic funding and management)
3. And where's the drama in not having misunderstandings, misrepresentations, malice and downright incompetence?
4. Emmer can be even nastier when cornered. And Justin's psychopathic tendencies will have a chance to shine again.

As for our Local Hero, he seems heading for a nervous breakdown. But then, I thought Horrorson was.

Wouldn’t the drama reside in offering a have-not like Emma something she couldn’t bear to lose? She’s said herself she wants security for the family. A BL contract would look like that - even if it was £1k per annum.

It would be more subtle than any outright conflict. (Let’s not forget the most intriguing period of the Helen / Rob story was when he was, ostensibly, being nice to her.) And in keeping with one of the great Ambridge themes, the dependency of the underdogs on the patronage of those with money and power.

It's only just dawned on me that my own daughter of the same name was also born during a Glasto weekend (but in a hospital)!

I've clearly been brainwashed by a radio programme!

Meg is a cross between Joy, Lynda and a flash of Carol Tregorran.....

Why are we having to hear from Meg? She’s clearly a cartoon villain! Race horses - weren’t they the ones turned into burgers in that scandal!! Is she going to become a recurring character?

I feel sad for Gem though.

they really infantilise Alice. I see Susan’s point tbh! Especially given her experience in prison. And she identifies (unknowingly) that once she realises she didn’t cause the crash it won’t make her anymore

George is going to find it harder to cope without bartleby. Perhaps when it all comes out he will go and stay with meg

I mean George is almost certain to face a court case when the truth comes out isn't he?

I thought it was Joy at first when she and Lynda were passing in the lane.

I wonder if George will run away when the truth comes out and be found at Meg’s

Yes that would work as a scenario.

Emma is definitely barking up the wrong tree

I know everyone hates George and some of his behaviour has been downright awful but I think there is a good person waiting to come out. His upbringing and family won’t have helped and maybe this is the shock he needs to turn it around. And maybe Meg will be the person to help him do that once the shit has hit the fan and he’s faced the consequences

i was thinking about the future generation and remembered Poppy and Keira. I suppose Henry is similar age but who else is in that 5-15 age range (Jack and Rosie on the younger end I guess)

under 5 there is Martha and xander and the twins