Archers thread #174: God it's lame! But it still limps on. 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 think Ben-meets-Zainab is on a par with Elizabeth-meets-Darcy, 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 @Bruisername for the title inspiration. She said God it's lame and that seemed to strike a chord with many, for some reason.

I am terrified of wasps and live in fear of encountering a hornet, so that was a tricky episode. I hope that's the last we're going to hear of them, except for confirmation that they've been nuked. [shudder]

So what do we reckon - custodial or suspended sentence for George? Will Clarrie return from Great Yarmouth or will she realise that actually life as a carer for her (presumably disabled) sister is easier than the endless and thankless drudgery at Grange Farm? Will any more tables collapse at the Village Hall?

Over to you!

So Lillian on the warpath. Would have preferred Brian tbh.

I can’t say I feel much sympathy for Alice - I don’t know if it’s just the way she talks but I don’t really care about her tbh!!! Lillian was just petty and nasty. Although tbf she did have a point about Alan.

I like the fact that Pat can see the human in people (except Rob - and Alan).

and then Azra - pp is right that she sounds identical to Zainab!!! So we discover she is a teenager so potentially a 3 yr age gap. But if his boring tone and talk about Asian hornets is going to be what sways her then there’s no hope.

oooooor, he goes to train at the surgery and has an affair with Azra despite Zainab having a crush on him. Do we need Mrs Robinson? I mean very convenient a role is coming up at the surgery 🙄

Broad use of the word ‘professional’!

And how long have I been clamouring for a community nurse in Ambridge? About thirty years!

I find Ben’s accent really confusing. He wouldn’t sound out of place in my local East End pub as he drops all his g’s (pollinatin’ startin’) and asking “wassit like” when talking to Azra about working in the hospital.

Lilian is correct, Pat is a hypocrite. She’s all about redemption unless a member of her own family is impacted by someone’s actions. She pointedly told Tony “Alice is your niece” last week.

Yup, I remember being slapped back in the saddle when quite small, still snotty with tears: “On you get, then you won’t lose your nerve”. Any more serious injuries were addressed later unless you were actually a) unconscious or b) bleeding heavily 🙄

I felt rather sorry for Pat, she was doing the right thing and Lillian’s “faaamily stick together” schtick wouldn’t apply if the boot was on the other foot.

However, I can't see it happening myself despite what the 🔮may say

Are you…disbelieving the 🔮? <clutches pearls>

In a choice between Pat, irritating as she is and that poisonous old soak Fagash I'll side with Pat anytime.

I fast forwarded all of Dreary and Feisty.

It wasn’t feisty - it was feistys mum. They sound so similar I can’t tell them apart!!

Thanks for the thread.
Need to catch up but none of it sounds worth listening to.

Please forgive my ignorance.
Several of you have referred to 🔮 - is this one like my own (which never works)?
Or - something else?

Just at the end , Tony showed some loyalty to and understanding of Pat's position which was nice.

@BoreOfWhabylon has a 🔮 which seems to specialise in Archers-related matters although it seems a little…huffy (dare I say flaky?) at times. Other posters also have referenced a 🔮 but I’m not sure if it’s the same one moonlighting or if there’s more than one that listens to Radio 4.

LOL. I thought as much.😀

Ah, of course. I was racking my brains in vain, trying to remember which of the indistinguishable Ambridge yoof got laid at the festival.

Lillian’s being very tiresome, and I agree with PP who said Brahn on the rampage would have been preferable.

I live in a genuine "Borsetshire" village, sans village green and no Asian doctor. But we have picturesque views and hills, a struggling village pub, flower and produce show, WI, gay couples, community shop, bellringers, beekeepers, annoying newcomers and tedious long standing residents. Not much arable farmland and agri business, but lots of sheep and cattle. The places and facilities in TA are realistic but the storylines aren't. Sadly I am a Pat/Linda hybrid with a key role in the community. 🙄

BrightYellowDaffodil
Lillian’s “faaamily stick together” schtick wouldn’t apply if the boot was on the other foot.

It has never applied to Tony; his mother and sisters regard him as unworthy. Look what happened when he tried to borrow money from any one of them to buy his farm (from Lilian!!), last century. Blanked completely. He had to wait until this century before he could do it, and then he had to borrow the money from the bank not from any of them. And when he was in trouble over the eColi did his family help him? Did they hell as like.

Do they ever talk about actual places in TA? Where is the line between fake place (Felpersham say) and using a real place like Durham University?

Yes, one of the children went to Oxford - was it Phoebe?

And he has a pronounced glottal stop (ci'y, to'al etc).

Not diminishing what George has done but to be fair Alice - hmmm threw a brick through the shop - could have hit Susan or Jim, in the Archers at lower Loxley Freddie and the drugs .....

Yes George made the wrong decision - but to start with he was trying to help Alice

I'm not a big Pat fan but I think she did the right thing for the right reason

They've used Birmingham Airport in the past.

Oh Ben, go and do an overseas stint with the Red Cross or MSF or someone before you get stuck in Ambridge forever!

Fagash was vile

And she sounded like Eddie with her family at all costs speech

Yes Alice is an alcoholic and could go back on the sauce at anytime. She is a nasty drunk but Lilian wont see bad in her for some reason. I think that Pat should have not given a reference she is not a blood Archer and an inlaw so sometimes familys turn on the inlaw even though they have been part of the family for years.
I also thought that Ben will have an affair with Azra not her snotty little daughter.

The family’s reaction to Pat’s letter mirrors the black and white ‘if you support this you can’t support that’ tribalism of society today. No nuance, and utterly infuriating.

Also they will prioritise Alice at all costs but don’t understand why Emma and Will would prioritise their child