Archers thread #169: Denise rocks the boat in more than one way! Will Chris find a message in a cider bottle? 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 have liked to have Harrison's behbe, 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/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 @LikeTalkingToLassie and @BrightYellowDaffodil for title inspiration. Is this the end for Denise and John? It does seem odd to introduce John now if he's going to disappear. He has a lovely voice.

Over to you!

Ooh @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I was about to come on and say Cornish wafer. Lovely buttery texture, doesn't even need cheese can be scoffed on own. I am a Cornish maid not sure if they are really from Cornwall.

I have not been a fan at all of Denise and Alistair and I'm not wanting them to be a couple. What a way to start a relationship, surely it would be cursed.

I'm not essentially bothered about Alice. She caused the crash didn't she? I know the young lad (brain freeze), is a wrong'un, but he seems to be bucking up.

Thank for the new thread.

The dumping scene was so unrealistic. But so is most of the plot so 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I am a lurker on these threads and listen regularly to The Archers.

The biscuit discussions have made me want to post about these beauties, and no the bourbons are not just a Penguin by any other name. They are on another level

Well that was a bit of a rubbish post

I will get my coat (chocolate covered of course)

But what was the big mystery about Jolene recognising him all about?

You've reminded me we have some of these in the cupboard. I didn't try them because I was fasting the day they were opened then forgot about them. I've just had one now. You're right, it looks like a Penguin but doesn't taste like one - the balance of each bit is different: more chocolate, less biscuit. Not like Tim Tams either.

Don't go back to lurking; stay. You've started posting now, you might as well join in!

I'm a big fan of the plain digestive and also ones with butter and cheese as a savoury snack - now I need to check out the Hovis ones 👀

For sweet biscuits, may I venture to recommend chocolate-covered gingers….

My absolute favourite chocolate biscuits, kept for special occasions only, are Bahlsen Choco Leibniz (plain chocolate). Petit beurre biscuit, thick layer of good chocolate. Delicious.

Haven't heard tonight's episode yet. Have I missed much?

Thanks for new thread, allow me to recommend Nairns cheese flavoured oatcakes.

lol @ 'oh, since you're passing, our marriage is over.'

I love those plain Bahlsen's Choco Liebniz too, Gasp

For savoury biscuits, I am still rather partial to a good old Jacob's Cream Cracker, buttered, with or without cheese.

I very much enjoy a Marks and Spencer chocolate round. But hobnobs for dunking.

Nairns rough oatcakes with Swaledale cheese and perhaps some quince paste.

Ah. That explains your strange liking for plain digestives

I am fond of stem ginger cookies. This evening's episode is mostly Stella and the board and more of George bailing hay topless. He did get a bit jumpy when offered a fruit cider.

@DeanElderberry I do hope Alastair has examined his conscience and dumps Denise.

Oh yes! Or (given the biscuit discussion) dunks her and holds her down until she dissolves. Just get her off my radio, please.

I think we were just supposed to take her memory of the fight at the gig at face value (which of course we didn’t because it was so absurd)

I love a. ‘Take a break’ choc between 2 biscuits. Better than a Leibniz

There was a fruit cider development: Neil brought some along for George after haymaking, prompting George to angrily wonder why Neil thought he liked that particular drink.

Are the SW setting Neil up to be the one who pieces things together and has to decide whether to shop his grandson?

Which reminds me, I know Neil has many fans but I've found him quite annoying these last few days. I can't stand people who go on and on about how much you should be enjoying whatever wholesome activity they're engaged in. I can enjoy things without banging on about it or keeping a constant grin in my face for your benefit, thank you. Not to mention his weird cadences, and a voice that lately seems more and more to be racing up and down the octaves like Jill Archer at her most trembly.

Oh, and Pip being incredibly whiny and needy towards Stella, of course.

(Long time lurker but only occasional poster, by the way.)

Can I tempt you towards Lotus biscuits for cheesecake base? They’re the best biscuit anyway (followed closely by Lu Le Petit Buerre biscuits), but as a base they are awesome.

@FelixDoublyDelicious I shall look out for those next time I’m in M&S!

And now my laptop screen is full of biscuit ads. And I don't even like biscuits.

I quite liked the cider scene - like a re-working of the play within play in Hamlet.

@SirCharlesRainier Which reminds me, I know Neil has many fans but I've found him quite annoying these last few days.

In the past Neil has generally been a pretty sympathetic character, but I'm now starting to find both his voice and the way he delivers his lines intensely annoying.

In addition to potentially acting as the catalyst for Pip/Stella cat vs dog difficulties, I wonder if these cute kittens may lead to George's social media followers clamouring to offer unsuitable homes. Serving as a warning of the callousness sometimes involved in advertising cats online.

Ben heavily reiterated Neil's comments yesterday about putting their welfare first...George, by contrast, just sees them as a means with which to impress the girls/increase his Insta popularity. Potentially even making some quick cash?

Oh, and Pip being incredibly whiny and needy towards Stella, of course.

I actually thought Pip wasn't bad tonight:

She called to wish Stella good luck, which would have been better slightly earlier, to not distract her, but was quite a nice thought and genuinely seemed to be about Stella, not Pip.

Then she called to ask where Stella was, because she was supposed to be coming over but hadn't. Not unreasonably, IMO. She was a bit needy about having to get Stella's advice to plan an event (hen night?), but again brought it around to actually want to listen to Stella's experience of her day.

I do think Stella might be going off her, she seemed much less keen than Pip, both times, but I don't think Pip did anything awfully whiny tonight.

I actually thought Pip wasn't bad tonight:

I agree, @Fink. She sounded genuinely interested and affectionate.

Ben, however, has been putting in sterling work to maintain Brookfield’s Awfulness Quota with his constant needling, sniping, belittling and sanctimony. Richly deserving of a punch in the mouth.

I thought Ben and Neil were very funny needling George. My DS would say “it’s just bants!” He deserved it for being an idiot. He gives as good as he gets usually.

Morrisons own brand, with soft pieces of ginger giving a slight chewiness, and covered both sides in dark chocolate. Better than Borders.

I won’t say how many packets I have in the larder.