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.

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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!

blimey really wasn't expecting that

Noticed this too!

Bugger. Another good actor bites the dust

So what’s the rules? He has to serve50%?

I'm sorry to hear it's close to home ♥️

They might extend the Ambridge universe to the nick

That was … sobering.

Poor George.

I think it's 40%

Didn't we hear Elizabeth visiting Freddie once?

Yes. I feel I've been through the wringer. My heart was breaking for Emma at the end there. Thank goodness Susan was there.

My main thought is that if George isn't a hardened criminal now he will be when he comes back. There has to be a better way than this, surely.

Just to be clear my ds didn’t go to prison!

I'm not a huge believer in prison in its current set up as it does seem to reinforce criminality rather than rehabilitate.

I'm not sure poor George is how feel, he's always been a cocky character and has been very unpleasant at times especially to women, so it's hopefully a short sharp shock, and he'll get a job working for Timpsons and learn a bit of humility.

At the end of the day, I think the judge set aside all the stuff about George being of good or bad character and got to the nub of it - he didn't just pervert the course of justice by later lying about what happened, he made the calculation on the night and put effort into moving Alice to hide his tracks. That was a deceptive act that, as he did it, he must have known it would have terrible consequences for Alice.

What I don't understand is why he even pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving? Surely, it would be hard for a prosecution to prove that based on witnesses only being able to talk about one swerve on a bridge?

Just popping on to say bloody hell, shouldn't have listened to that while driving 😭😭😭

That was pretty heart breaking. It seems a very long sentence for George given he's so young. I imagine he will have to serve a year and will hardly be a better person after 12 months in an adult prison even if only with those up to 21 years old.

Custodial sentences seem a poor way to punish and rehabilitate those who make stupid decisions but aren't violent. I am sure the script writers will demonstrate the awful state of our prisons through this storyline.

Are you in a river? Do you need us to call for rescue?

Wasn't expecting such a long sentence or the adult jail - I wonder if the scriptwriters will just ignore him for 18 months or whether he will get hurt inside and end up hospitalised ?

I found that very upsetting. I spent a lot of time in prisons and YOIs as part of my working life and IRL George would struggle to survive. Really hope he is not going to attempt suicide, which would be entirely realistic.

The sentence for dangerous driving seemed a bit harsh, whereas the one for PCoJ was on the lenient side.

The judge sounded like Oliver.

There really has to be a better way. Two years in an adult prison almost guarantees he’ll emerge as another Clive in the making. Not to mention the impact on his future employment prospects.

Fallon’s statement was ridiculous.

So what was the point of Meg?

Tough sentence.
However, can we see a spin off, George in prison type programme?
Remember when there was a Radio 4 extra spin off? Was that when Lillian and Tiger moved somewhere so he could avoid major problems, can't remember the exact storyline but there were 2 programmes running concurrently.

I agree.