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 ...

I normally listen on catch up, and often save up a couple of episodes. If I’ve missed more than a couple, I sometimes don’t bother (shhh).

I honestly can’t remember the last time that I waited with eager anticipation for 7 pm to come round! No such thing as a secret once you’ve told someone else, and Will is far too stodgy and sensible to let the situation continue. George is going to be very angry with his mum (not enjoying those bits at all, I imagine he’s twice her size) and Emma is going to feel very guilty. Bring it on!

It was a tray not a plate. Emma likes being up a tree, as do squirrels.

The fixation with the tray was bizarre 🤣🙈

Emma likes being up a tree, as do squirrels.
😂Brava!

Was it George who used to go round 'drey poking' and murdering squirrels? I know, greys not reds, but I'd be a little wary of any Grundy trying to present themselves as fans of squirrel cuteness.

The tray is significant. Mark my words.
Thank you @RegimentalSturgeon .

Two significant features from recent eps: litter + tray 🤔

The litter signifies that the Burns marriage is rubbish.
The tray signifies that George brings nothing to the party.

There was also the old doormat

perhaps that represents those worn down by being walked on

How very astute of you, @VoxPop .

How solid is this tray? How much damage would it do if smashed over someone’s head?

The tray was a plot device as was Ed's dance routine. They had to get Will to see Emma before the party and see her reaction to George's loving bought present (!) and start to suspect something. The dance routine and surprise party were a plot device so Emma couldn't wriggle out of going and could immediately be put in an uncomfortable position in front of everyone she knows so Will could observe yet more uncharacteristic behaviour. I suspect it's also a plot device that she's going to unburden herself to a Grundy and not to either of her parents (who would give her excellent advice based on bitter experience). I very much fear that Will's instinct as George's father will be the same as Emma's and so the whole catastrophe (I was going to say car crash!) will continue to unfold and history will repeat itself.

It was Ms Baker, with a tray, in the conservatory. 'Arrison will be in his bin bags under the patio before you know it.

Litter + tray says "kitten" to me.

I fear you may be right @LillianGish

The Emma actress was really good last night, her voice portrayed that she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

I also think Alice's about turn in front of Alice and Chris is going to come back and bite her - when the truth eventually comes out (as we now know it surely must) they will both know that what they took to be a supremely generous, benefit-of-the-doubt act was in fact a further effort to cover for George. She wanted to help Alice, but she didn't want to help her that much!

But now she finds herself backed into A CORN-er.

Bravo! @DadDadDad.

If we need the tray to be symbolic, I think it represents Emma's old life as a waitress and squirrel-lover, but George has overlooked the fact she's now a woman with a chainsaw (Fallon knows this - hence the cake).

Tray bien! A nod to the Paris Olympiques, peut-etre?

Tree And Chainsaw Cake - CakeCentral.com

Excellent idea to do TA in cake format. Here's the best I could find to depict the crash.

Best I could come up with (only tin, no squirrels)

@DeanElderberry Just catching up.. Your post about the pigeons and your family touched me. I talked just inconsequential chatter to my late mum who had dementia and the occasional smile or nod meant so much.

Think we are heading for a big climax on Friday! There have been lots of references to Martha's behaviour with tantrums and meltdowns recently. Is this to only highlight her distress at being recently separated from her Mum or a slow drip feed until Martha is referred for a Foetal Alcohol Syndrome diagnosis?? That would be an interesting and very long-running storyline if so!