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Archers thread #174: God it's lame! But it still limps on. Discuss The Archers here.

1000 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/09/2024 10:45

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

Archers 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. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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. Grin

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!

OP posts:
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AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 03/10/2024 12:25

Bruisername
as long as people are making an attempt to pronounce the name correctly I think that’s all that matters. That’s why Alice saying ‘Kalil’ jarred because that’s clearly not what she heard

And why would she pronounce it as it is spelt rather than as it had been said to her, anyway? Anyone would think she was reading it off a scrip...

Ooops.

Bruisername
So Alice has driven drunk

No, no, she can't have done, she would never do that. We know she never would because she's said so, repeatedly.

DadDadDad · 03/10/2024 12:36

WagnersFourthSymphony · 03/10/2024 08:35

I dunno, I thought Azra's threat of punishment - a whole month without his console - was a trifle harsh, but seems to have worked and will ensure another appearance by K, this time at Brookfield, to wonder at the sheep etc. He could become either a farmer or a vegetarian. David will be impressed that he's come to apologiese. Ruth will take a shine to him.

K will come out with more ridiculous stories.

He'll probably be the one who ends up rescuing George's video legacy.

My 🔮never reliable.

Oh, and what is Alice going to say to George?

What is Alice going to say to George?

I can't see anyone has answered that, so I'll have a clumsy crack at it:

If she has something specific to say it could be a harsh line - "you should have never attempted to move my car in the first place, and then covering it up by acting all heroic and then making it look it I had been driving is just despicable...".

But given what she was saying to Azra, it sounds like she is looking for some kind of reconciliation - acknowledging he had a good intention, hoping that the court will recognise his heroism even in the face of his rash attempt to cover up? Could that even lead to Alice offering to write a character reference (as I think someone suggested a week or two ago)? I'm not convinced that sounds realistic.

Maybe, she doesn't have a specific message, and just wants to talk to George, to acknowledge what has happened and clear the air? I can't see that ending particularly well.

Eastie77Returns · 03/10/2024 16:30

Alice will be conciliatory towards George. He will wail and ask if she can ever forgive him and she will reply with something zen like “Yes and you must forgive yourself. I know what it’s like to make a mistake and hate yourself for it….”

I don’t think she’ll offer to write a character reference. He was her nephew by marriage but I don’t think she really knows him? I’ve never heard them interract. Although oddly he was chosen to be one of Martha’s Guideparents at her naming ceremony.

DadDadDad · 03/10/2024 16:45

I think you are on the right lines, @Eastie77Returns - I was hoping if I had a crude stab at the question it would prompt some better answers!

DeanElderberry · 03/10/2024 16:46

It would be quite clever of George to greet her as 'Auntie Alice', immediately pushing her into the role of responsible older family member who has a duty to love and protect him, scrote though he is.

Not sure he has quite that level of strategic cunning.

VoxPop · 03/10/2024 17:31

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 03/10/2024 12:17

VoxPop
Alice not only accepted full responsibility but immediately went into the shop to check Susan and Jim were OK, profusely apologised,

Not on my radio!

The episode of Wednesday 19th May, 2021, ended with the crash of breaking glass and Jim shouting Susan''s name in an alarmed way.

The episode of Thursday 20th started with Brian and Jennifer having driven Alice to the police station the following day at nine in the morning. (Query why did she not drive herself? Still drunk? She was certainly drunk when she arrived at the shop in her car on the previous day and tried to vamp Jim.)

Later that day Alice turned up at Greenacres wanting to see Jim and find out if he was OK. Jazzer threw her out and didn't allow her to speak with Jim.

Meanwhile Brian went to see Neil to try to find out if Susan was going to "press charges" (which would not be in her power to do, but that's what they always say in Ambridge). Alice didn't see Susan; Neil went and read the riot act to Alice later.

VoxPop
“Alice not only accepted full responsibility but immediately went into the shop to check Susan and Jim were OK, profusely apologised,”

“Not on my radio!

——————————

Check again if you knew Brian and Jennifer were in the police station waiting for Alice then I presume you heard their conversation including …

Brian. As soon as she threw the brick she regretted it
Jennifer. Yes, yes she did,
Brian. she went straight in to make sure Jim and Susan were alright.

  • She apologised for her actions to the police
  • She was desperate to apologise to Jim and went especially to do so, but Jazza would not let her. Jim however heard and told Jazza off for being hard on her.
  • She told Neil she wanted to see Susan again to apologise but was not sure if she would want to see her (after being turned away by Jazza).

Of Course Neil was not happy and straight talking, but was also quite loving and sympathetic towards her.

She was very contrite and apologetic and made it clear she deserved to be punished for her actions. Also that she would pay her dad back for the cost of the window and the clearing up.

Luckily we were never put in that position but if any of our 30 something children had to go to the police and was alone and upset, there is no doubt as their parents, if allowed, we would have gone and supported them and driven them there. Which is not the same as condoning any actions. Not sure how she would have been too drunk to drive herself the next morning as she never got the Vodka, and shock has a great sobering effect.

As for
“She was certainly drunk when she arrived at the shop in her car on the previous day and tried to vamp Jim”

How do you know she was “certainly drunk“ (over the limit) when she arrived at the shop. There is no proof of that, as far as I am aware. She may or may not have been drinking but she certainly had a prolonged conversation with Jim to get him to sell the Vodka. Discussing quite rationally calmly and politely even acknowledging she understands it is harmful. (Jim confirms to Susan after she arrives that he and Alice were having a very reasonable conversation - he explains that if they don’t sell the alcohol to Alice she is intending to get in a car and endanger others. Susan starts shouting at Jim telling him to mind his own business, not stick his oar in and keep out of it.

Alice tells Jim you shouldn’t let her talk to you like that, you can see why I might want Vodka, the way she treats people. I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get Neil in here begging for drink. [fair point]

Susan starts going on about Martha. Alice very upset by this and accuses her of being interfering and trying to take Martha away. Susan tells her to get out. Alice leaves. Both upset. Susan apologises to Jim for shouting at him. Brick arrives.

Additionally and central to the accusation of drunk driving, what evidence is there that she “she arrived at the shop in her carpresumably that is just an assumption. The threat to try and make Jim sell the Vodka was in Jim’s opinion if they don’t sell the alcohol to Alice she is intending to get in a car and endanger others. Not that she will get in a car parked outside and drive even further. There are numerous other ways Alice could have got to the shop. if she was indeed over the limit

It is similar to when Alice was accused of definitely driving over the limit before she rang Harrison from the lay-by. Not only does the script not say that at all, but all the indications are she bought the bottle and drove to the lay-by to drink it (actually can still hear her swigging it back when she phones Harrison later drunk and parked up in the lay-by with the engine off). I actually quoted all the dialogue to show that, but she is still accused of it.

I know there are a lot of Alice haters, fair enough, but bash her character with the actual dialogue.

Fin x

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 17:37

Alice? Is that you?

VoxPop · 03/10/2024 17:39

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 17:37

Alice? Is that you?

:) Sorry can’t reply, need 2 hands to hold the giant Vodka bottle and already steering with my knees.

VoxPop · 03/10/2024 17:41

I think Alice will ask George to sit down, then start dragging him from chair to chair as a well meaning favour

JoelenesParrot · 03/10/2024 18:38

Mispronunciation of Asian (and other non-British names) happens all the time and a lot of the people involved (especially the older generation) have adopted English sounding nicknames to save their British neighbours and colleagues the bother of learning how to pronounce their names correctly.

This is taking us into Selen and Nova territory….

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 19:16

Nice to hear Jill on her birthday!

they’re really getting their moneys worth on the Asian hornets

i know I’m a city type but I wouldn’t like some random kid turning up to apologise for a non issue when I’m celebrating my mums birthday. And then the rest of the family turns up. But then this is the archers so of course he gets invited in and bowls Jill over 🙄

glad Susan told will promptly and they handled it sensitively and her birthday was mentioned

i guess tomorrow is d day with Alice. But unthinking of her to send that message to will

Eastie77Returns · 03/10/2024 19:18

Why is Susan referring to herself as Poppy’s grandmother?

TottersBlanklyTowardsImaginarySunlight · 03/10/2024 19:18

The SWs read my prediction!

Hasty re-write since last night? (Fewer than ten words.) Maybe they were heading in that direction anyway? Grin

Fink · 03/10/2024 19:18

Do the Carters realise they're not actually related to Poppy? I can get Emma referring to herself as Poppy's aunt as she is married to her uncle, but Susan definitely isn't her grandmother!

Eastie77Returns · 03/10/2024 19:19

VoxPop · 03/10/2024 17:41

I think Alice will ask George to sit down, then start dragging him from chair to chair as a well meaning favour

😂

AboutVattime · 03/10/2024 19:19

Oooo what does Alice want to say ? x

AlanFranksDiary · 03/10/2024 20:00

I disagree. Grin It's 18 years since John Prescott punched a man who egged him | Metro News

Surely Keira would be better for the podcasting - she's a girl, and George is sexist.

@VoxPop , you're on form tonight. Grin

Gonners · 03/10/2024 20:02

I have decided to give Zainab and Khalil the benefit of the doubt for the time being. This is mainly because I've long since lost patience with pretty much all the other characters.

RegimentalSturgeon · 03/10/2024 20:04

AboutVattime · 03/10/2024 19:19

Oooo what does Alice want to say ? x

Probably she will twist the knife about what George put Marthurr through, conveniently forgetting that she’d have had to go back to the bin to dry out anyway, And then something encouraging and supportive that makes her feel good about herself, couched in therapy-speak and psychobabble.

Eastie77Returns · 03/10/2024 20:21

I don’t think many 16 year olds would happily stay at a birthday tea party for a 96 year old they don’t know.

Have we heard an explanation as to why Zainab and Khalil were living apart from their mother up until now? I assumed she was divorced but TA site states she is married so she left the entire family and moved to Ambridge which is a bit odd - unless there is a problem with her marriage. Perhaps she’ll find a kindred spirit in Denise.

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 20:24

So George actually did Alice a favour. Hear me out

She Was never going to rehab until she hit rock bottom - being blamed for the accident was rock bottom so she went and the pariahdom after meant she needed to take her recovery seriously

and then she had the benefit of it not having been her so she has nothing bad against her name and she managed to get dry super quick

if he hadn’t blamed her on the night she would most likely still be drinking and that would be even worse for martha

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 20:25

Eastie77Returns · 03/10/2024 20:21

I don’t think many 16 year olds would happily stay at a birthday tea party for a 96 year old they don’t know.

Have we heard an explanation as to why Zainab and Khalil were living apart from their mother up until now? I assumed she was divorced but TA site states she is married so she left the entire family and moved to Ambridge which is a bit odd - unless there is a problem with her marriage. Perhaps she’ll find a kindred spirit in Denise.

Her husband is dealing with a family matter in Pakistan (and has been from before adil left ambridge). So the kids must have just been silent 🙄

JoelenesParrot · 03/10/2024 20:38

I have decided to give Zainab and Khalil the benefit of the doubt for the time being

I’m afraid I have not. Z sounds about 40 - ‘what am I going to do with you?’ said no teenage girl ever.

TottersBlanklyTowardsImaginarySunlight · 03/10/2024 20:48

It’s true the SWs didn’t build a terribly clear or coherent picture, but wasn’t Azra commuting to the Darrington surgery for a short period while she was a locum there? Once she was taken on permanently she looked for somewhere to rent locally and moved in with her children over the summer.

So there wasn’t a period when she was ‘living apart’ from her children as far as I’m aware. Her husband is away - but we were given the impression by last night’s phone / video call that they’re still together, and very much a family. (Khalil’s nee naw nee naw was darling! Grin)

Bruisername · 03/10/2024 20:51

JoelenesParrot · 03/10/2024 20:38

I have decided to give Zainab and Khalil the benefit of the doubt for the time being

I’m afraid I have not. Z sounds about 40 - ‘what am I going to do with you?’ said no teenage girl ever.

Wasn’t that azra? The two of them sound identical!!

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