Archers thread #170: The scriptwriters have cast a Paul on proceedings! 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 Drunk Alistair, 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/radioaddicts/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/radioaddicts/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. I was tempted to try some sort of complex riff on chocolate names, given @PedantScorner's lightbulb moment - Paul's sister is Cara Mack! - and all the nonsense in last night's episode about coffee creams, but I couldn't be bothered, beyond thinking we must all be Cadbury's Fruit and Nutcases for listening at the moment. Let's hope the SWs take a walk along Quality Street or we'll have to put a Bounty on their heads!

And over to you ...

would you accept "no greater ulterior motive than the average good Samaritan"? I suspect few of us are absolutely selfless - if nothing else we are considering our self esteem, whether or not we will be able to continue to look at ourselves as a "good" person.

@MereDintofPandiculation , while I agree with your general point, I don’t accept it in George’s case.
He was also saving himself a walk, of course.

I do hope there is a mechanism whereby, if the more serious charges against Alice are dismissed, she can still be charged with being drunk in charge and, with luck, disqualified. The would have the bonus effect of assorted Grundys and allied trades having to keep on with the fetching and carrying of Martha, to their own detriment and annoyance.

Would it have saved him a walk?

I'm still a bit confused about where he was walking from and too but surely he would have still had a lengthy walk from Alice’s to his?

Judging by the time the drive took, yes. But distances do seem to be a bit elastic when plot requires 😏

Given the amount of time (and gear changes) it took Emma to drive the nine hundred yards or so from Bridge Farm to not-quite-the-green, any distance in Ambridge stretches alarmingly if you are in a car.

Tbf I think she was driving towards the pub and then he said he didn’t want to go anymore and she went to the house

But that would have involved turning the car round, which she didn't do on air. Hollerton Junction is south-west from Bridge Farm, The Green is north-east. Also, would he not have wanted to change out of his work overalls into go-out-for-a-meal clothes?

Yes, they were heading for Another Pub in Another Place (the horror! the horror!) when he changed his mind.

I've just caught up with episodes - looking forward to tonight's. Will be interesting to see how the character of George plays out; there's a bit of falling angel meets rising ape going on, I think.

I thought the fete was at the end of this month?

Also, Susan got six months. The clip of her being sent down is on this BBC post: https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thearchers/entries/f62a8472-c9d7-4a57-b7c9-5ec0fb9fe8bd

Oh I think Emma is supposed to be (or have been, at least) a Great Beauty. Susan said something years ago (can’t remember what) that put me in mind of those American mums who put their pretty daughters in pageants as their ticket out of the small town they live in. Or Mrs Bennett saying that thing to Jane about knowing she wouldn’t be so beautiful for no reason (ie, bagging a rich man!). I think this is why Susan was disappointed in Emma settling for the Grundy boys. She could have had anyone!

I’ve always imagined Emma to be quite pretty underneath but very much worn down by life - not being able to afford decent haircuts etc would do her down.

I’ve always imagined Tracy to look like Linda (Kathy Burke’s character) from Gimme Gimme Gimme…

'I’ve always imagined Tracy to look like Linda (Kathy Burke’s character) from Gimme Gimme Gimme…'....... Noooooooooo - I think Tracy's attractive but never has the time or money for style or grooming. More Olivia Coleman or Samantha Moreton or Sally Hawkins. Dark haired, slim, ready laugh.

I imagine Tracey to look like Julia davis

and Susan, hear me out, like the baddie with the knife in her shoe in the bond movie but softer (and no knife)

Double post

@BrightYellowDaffodil 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I just caught the last half hour of the 1940s Pride & Prejudice 😱😂

I imagine Emma was pretty but how just scowls all the time which rather mars it.

Emma looks like the original actress to me. And Alice looks like her actress

i try not to look at the people who play them though

I think Emma was a very pretty teen, but she hasn't aged well. Worry, envy, bitterness have taken their toll, and she doesn't have the money for good haircuts or good clothes. However, when she's laughing with Ed she still lights up in a way that makes her attractive.

I think she is average height, about 5ft 5 or 5ft 6, and slim and toned by her busy life.

Kate and Alice are taller, more willowy and have all the advantages of money - good teeth, good hair, good shoes etc. Alice is blonde, Kate mid-brown, but despite differing colouring they are obviously sisters.

Emma in jeans,T-shirt and trainers and Alice in jeans, T-shirt and trainers look quite different because Alice's will have cost three or four times as much.

I’m amazed by pp saying emmur is supposed to be tiny and very pretty. In my mind’s eye, she’s solidly built, a bit bovine and jealous of the wafty sloany ponies

Two brothers fought almost to the death over her. I’ve always taken it for granted she must be stunning - though now somewhat careworn.

Susan got six months, but I think she only served three under the usual early release rules.

@BrightYellowDaffodil , her niece is a hairdresser.

Nooooooo! This may be the first time ever that I've actively looked forward to an episode of The Archers, but if they do this - and I wouldn't put it past them - I will be livid!

Apologies, Chelsea is Emma's cousin not her niece.

So can we assume the truth about George's role in Am-gate is going to come out on Wednesday and ruin Emma's birthday party?