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!

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.

On the other hand, I think a lot of 16 year olds would lack the confidence and social skills to be able to politely decline. They might not enjoy it, but they wouldn't know how to get out of it.

I thought that both Zainab and Azra turned up in the car to find Khalil?

Bingo, now that is what Pat should have put in her character reference.

A truely unselfish gesture. Sweetest George how ill I have judged you.
I must have misheard you when you set Alice up
I thought you said sorry, I did it coz I could
but it must have been don’t worry it’s for your own good

Perhaps Khalil doesn’t have any very present, properly ancient grandparents? In which case he might have found Jill’s party intriguing.

Or perhaps he’s been a bit lonely - and overrun with female company - since his father left the country, particularly over the holidays and now in a new school where he doesn’t know anyone. And the fact that David saw through him has caused Khalil to trust him and feel he can communicate with him man to man?

Or perhaps he just likes the farm?

I thought Khalil is shaping up nicely as a proto-George with his cheek and avoidance but with a greater capacity for decency. As for going to the tea party, David would have framed it as request from Jill which it was, so very likely a proper respect for an elder kicked in.

I thought that Alice wouldn't be allowed to talk to George, I suppose as he's pled Not Guilty then maybe the witness thing isn't relevant though?

I also thought that the main safety risk with the hornet's nest would be whatever poison was used to kill them.

Also - my brain is trying to remember another storyline like Poppy's, didn't one of Helen's children do something like graffiti the church in relation to Rob, or something like that?

I'm a bit confused. Isn't Azra Ardil's sister? What's happened to Ardil? Is this anything to do with the 'family matters' Azra's husband is sorting out in Pakistan?

I can never work out whether the SWs are playing the long game or they have simply lost the plot on the shadow board.

Anyway, I reckon Khalil stayed for the cake. Because teenage boys and cake. Plus a bit of senior adulation, particularly if it's over the heads of your parents, goes a fair way.

I do not like the Maliks.

I can never work out whether the SWs are playing the long game or they have simply lost the plot on the shadow board.

That’s my listening experience in a nutshell.

Jill sounded v old and shaky, as well she might.
Patricia Greene has been playing the part since 1957 and is a real trouper.

I love this:
In the 1980s, BBC management considered killing off large numbers of characters, or even cancelling the show altogether. Greene recalls she was one of those in "jeopardy":[5] "Norman Painting was writing scripts. And he used to come back from story conferences and say ‘Jill and Phil are off. We’re going to farm in Guernsey.’ And I thought: ‘Great! I can get back to theatre work.’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Archer

(Norman Painting, as any old Archers addict knows, played Phil.)

George has entered a guilty plea. He’s just awaiting sentencing.

Damn guy with your photo links @WagnersFourthSymphony !!

this storyline with poppy. WTAF is that about? I mean it’s just so random. I am liking Emmur and Will helping and supporting each other as Co parents though.

Eh? What did I do wrong? I'm still a n00b here so a bit useless.

People can be weird about seeing pictures of the actors. Don’t worry, we all fall foul of the traditional posting rules on here sometimes.

Thanks. I didn't know it was going to post a picture, and anyway didn't know that posting a picture was off limits. Glad to be put right.

(but it's still interesting, isn't it?)

Those previews have taken me by surprise before, totally get it! It was really interesting and has made me want to try to listen to some episodes from her earlier days. I have only ever known her as a character of the older generation so it's quite fascinating.

It was an admittedly fleeting moment, but no one has yet mentioned David’s rather excellent impression of Kenton the other night!

I dont mind if the actors real life photo comes up , I often go on the BBC Archers site and look at the actual photos it dosnt make me see the person I pictured in my head any different.
Glad we had gone off the name pronunciation line. last time with Ardi it took up most of the posts.
Nice to hear Jills voice as they have been mentioning her a lot and she has been silent hope Leonard (my fave) makes an appearance.

I also think if Leonard was a real person he could get a job on "The Repair Shop" as he can fix anything and is very wise. Everyone needs a Leonard.

Oh I assumed the children had only just moved to the village because the characters who spoke with them in this week’s episodes hadn’t met either of them before. I had no idea they had been living with Azra all this time, I don’t think I’ve heard her mention them. Perhaps Khalil has been locked in his room on the games console for the last 6 months.

I can't be bothered with a new family. Especially this one. There are existing characters I'd prefer to get more air time. Brian, Jim, Kirsty, Jakob.

I seem to recall a recent strange scene where Azra was talking to someone about all of the junk she had to get rid of from the previous tenant before her children moved to the house. Perhaps it was with Lynda, when the allotment was mentioned, so before the miracle garlic was discovered? They hadn’t moved there at that point.

I was only joking sorry @WagnersFourthSymphony - I realise I didn't make that clear! I have spent 40 years trying to avoid pictures but it's nigh-on impossible!

And yes, it was interesting. I wonder why Patricia Greene doesn't want to retire - she didn't seem that bothered back in the day. She does sound very frail doesn't she?

Yes that’s right - so azra was working full time, sorting out a house, sorting out an allotment and volunteering at village events on weekends while her kids were doing what? And I’m sure that was over the start of term

so Alice will be speaking with George tonight after making sure the grundys have 24 hours of dread. She is speaking in a very clipped accent atm and it doesn’t seem natural to me. I’ve never found that in the past and always thought she was a good actress

so Alice will be speaking with George tonight after making sure the grundys have 24 hours of dread

The more fool them. Nothing to stop George from refusing to see her, as his solicitor would no doubt recommend.