Archers thread #176: In which Ian puts the I in PTA. 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 from Wesley the ashtray collector, 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 @DeanElderberry for the pithy phrase in the thread title and @CaptainMyCaptain for suggesting it should go in there. At least we've got the spooky disco out of the way for now. Plenty of wooden dialogue in the last few episodes that could go on the village bonfire next week. It's all been too dispiriting to discuss in greater depth. I'll just say that I don't hold out any great hopes that the production team will make a good job of reflecting concern in the farming community about the changes announced in the Budget to inheritance tax for farms. So often they get an expert to talk them through stuff like this but instead of ending up with a realistic storyline they pick out the bits they like the sound of and cobble them together in a totally unrealistic way. Maybe I'll be proved wrong this time. I hope so.

Over to you!

It would be more realistic if George would embrace Islam, especially given his strained relationship with the grandfather who is closely associated with the Church. Unlikely to be a TA SL because they'd have the sense to realise they wouldn't be able to handle it well, but it could be really interesting!

I reckon this is a long game for George to go all fash and end up clashing with the Asian Drs family causing more stress for Brad because the daughter (who inexplicably carries round henna tubes in her handbag, as you do)

What is Justin up to, stringing Fallon along?
Will he try to get her to buy Summer Orchard?

(Sorry, I'm a bit feverish right now.)

I love Natasha. She’s a splendid character

Me too! I never get the dislike of her on here.

I don't dislike her, but I dislike the way they've left unfinished storylines around her. Tom actually mentioned the credit last night, which is the first we've heard of it for several years. At one point it sounded as though she had some kind of neurological condition with a compulsion to spend what she couldn't afford ... and then it was abruptly dropped without resolution (until last night's passing reference).

It's similar to Justin, whose wealth must have reduced by at least 90% since he's been in Ambridge, without comment. Was last night's casual reference to his past bankruptcy the first we heard of it?

It's not the character themselves, but inconsistency in their backstory.

I think George will have a showdown with Neil, who will drop dead on the spot, then Azra will be struck off for not keeping a proper eye on his blood pressure.

I doubt that those are dropped storylines. Sometimes they play the long game, There were hints about Alice's drinking for years before it actually became a major alcoholism story. In Natasha's case, it also ties into her father's condition.

Why would Justin's wealth have reduced?

It's insane that Fallon is allegedly scratching around for odd shifts at The Bull and the Terum to keep body and soul together. She must surely have had a chunk of savings ring available for fitting out the new café. With her alleged baking skills I bet she could walk into a job with a Felpersham café or restaurant. And why isn't she investigating alternative premises for the vegan café? It would actually make much more commercial sense in a small town than in a service station.

Why would Justin's wealth have reduced?

Who knows?! You're very optimistic about the Natasha backstory, so maybe if you're right it will turn out that there's a rhyme or reason to Justin's huge fluctuations in fortune too. I'm more inclined to believe that the SWs just haven't been consistent, whether because of time pressures or whatever else.

If I was Fallon, I'd be desperate not to live off my savings in order to keep the money ring fenced for future opportunities. It's definitely odd she's not started investigating other premises/options for the business, though.

I think I'd be tempted to invest in a mobile coffee van and investigate parking it at the charging station amongst other places (sure there would be permission to be obtained, but not out of the realm of possibilities)... 😇

I think I'd be tempted to invest in a mobile coffee van and investigate parking it at the charging station amongst other places (sure there would be permission to be obtained, but not out of the realm of possibilities).. Go into partnership with Ian, sell cakes at times of day when pizzas are less popular.

It’s pretty obvious the sw have zero business experience - or common sense

they must be a nightmare to live with

Ian's truck parked near Spiritual Homes with an off-site business catering for parties might be an all-round winner for Fallon and Kate.

I can’t remember where Fallon lives but could she Chuck out Harrison and run a cafe from there?

or at least a catering business.

On the subject of Justin's wealth, didn't Miranda hint to Brian that there was a story she could tell if she chose?

I rather like Natasha. She's a get up and go person. She would never have found herself in Fallon's position and, if, by some mischance, she had, she would do something about it and not sit around whining like Fallon.

She is very selfish and self-satisfied of course but I actually find that rather endearing in a way because she's completely unaware of it and thinks of herself as a thoroughly nice person. She isn't deliberately malicious. She generally means well and she can be very kind and thoughtful when her own interests are not threatened.

I think the latest SL about the house, with her saying she's a risk taker, is potentially interesting. I've wondered for a while if the SWs are hinting she may be bipolar like her father.

Ideal would be if it turned out that she’s bipolar but has been successfully managing it for years without anyone else needing to know.

She told him that it was her money Justin had used for his recovery after he went bankrupt.

Tuesday 19th March, 2024
When she first met Justin he barely had two pennies to rub together: Black Monday had pretty much wiped him out, not that she knew that at the time [which would be in 1987; that would mean they were married for thirty years or so. Chris]. She only found out after they got married, which of course meant that she had to bail him out; that wasn't the only time, either. She was the one with the money; her family made it in shipping.

The BBC synopsis for the same date says "Miranda tells him about when they first met – she has had to bail Justin out financially more than once."

This makes Justin's preaching to Fallon about having pulled himself back up by his bootstraps rather different, doesn't it: Fallon too could pick herself up quite easily if she were married to somebody very rich.

I shared an office at work for three years with someone with bipolar. We became very good friends. She only told me about her illness after two years. I hadn't realised as it was so well managed - although it did make sense of one or two slightly odd things that had happened. She was very good at her job and had a very successful career.
So yes, Natasha could well have been managing it for years and that would be a very positive SL.

I think it says a lot about Miranda too though

although find the whole new backstory for Justin a bit ridiculous

Jolene’s Christmas outfit, sorted …

https://www.wiggykit.com/collections/shop-all/products/pirate-shirt-leopard

Kirsty's, on the other hand:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Beaver-Sweater-Beavers-T-Shirt/dp/B0CP2PZCBX

Me too😁

Natasha and Kirsty sorting out the house sale between them without a word to Helen would be glorious.