Archers thread #178: Ambridge or Scambridge? 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 fancy Mucky Mick, 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.)

The scars from Scambridge week will take some healing. Most of us felt we were the ones scammed - where was The Archers we know and (very occasionally) love?

Anyway, onwards and - almost certainly not - upwards. Will it be the best Christmas ever in Ambridge? Do we still care? Over to you!

I think she should go back to engineering marketing, and shortly thereafter to full-time drinking. When she shobers up briefly the next time, there will be evidence right under her nose of how replaceable she actually is is.

The idea that anyone would offer Alice a serious, responsible job is risible.

Aldridges are Archers in my book. Their grandmother is Peggy and their grandfather is Jack Archer. If Lillian and Jennifer had been boys they would have kept their Archer name and so would their children (like Tony and his kids).

Jolene isn't an Archer. Kate, Princess Lily and Freddie are.

I think Alice should definitely go back into engineering, ideally in a remote mining area in the Yukon.

I thought it was decided that she wouldn’t take the job so that she can focus on her still ‘broken’ relationship with Martha. Why taking a job in Marketing would preclude her from strengthening her bond with her daughter is anyone’s guess but Alice rarely makes sense.

Well we all know you can’t have a career and be a good mother so…

It would involve having to be there (on the other side of the bypass!) every day, and not being able to skive off whenever she felt like it, not to mention a commute to add to the time she was away each day.

Remember the horror when Adam had to deal with a job half an hour's commute from Ambridge; he simply couldn't hack it and had to manufacture a row with his boss to get out of it.

I can kind of understand how Debbie may not be mentioned on air on account of living abroad (and presumably having her own family or at least close connections there, I’ve lost touch with her character)… but I’d do think it’s weird that there hasn’t been any consideration of where Rauri is for Christmas - I would think that as an unencumbered member of the family it would be most likely that he returned to the core for Christmas - unless invited to a friends/on holiday/with a new partner, all of which would be subject to family conversation.

Debbie has no family in Hungary that we've ever heard of. She is unmarried and childless, and we've not had any mention of a boyfriend since Jennifer's death. Mind you, she was so vile last time she was in England, maybe she has finally become ashamed to show her face; it's about time.

Perhaps Ruairi has decided to have no more truck with the useless Aldridges who always make such dramas at him, especially Alice, and instead went to see his Donovan cousins in Eire.

I think it's a no brainer she should stay at the stables and although plenty of people juggle work, commutes and childcare with much less support than Alice, I think she's right that the stables offer her so much more flexibility which, although a privilege, isn't something that should be given up thoughtlessly.

The stables with outdoorsy fresh air and a combination of physical and admin work is obviously much better for her mental health. As is working with Lillian who knows her history and trigger points, but remains ultimately on her side and committed to supporting her ongoing recovery.

I have worked in marketing and late nights were common, either work events or deadlines/ group projects / international calls and the culture was boozey. Honestly I can't think of anything worse for Alice, not least totally unnecessary given she already has a beautiful home and land.

I thought it was a bit harsh when she agreed with Brian that she was wasting her potential at the Stables. It's not exactly a dead end job and I'm not sure what potential she is referring to. She didn't exactly set the world alight in her last job.

I assume Ruairi was with the Irish lot (as Brian refers to them) and Ian was probably slaving over a hot stove all day, cooking for Adam who had his feet up whilst complaining about how exhuasted he is.

I always quite liked hearing a bit of farm business on Xmas day as a sort of reminder that some jobs are 365 days a year

Yes I always like hearing about Farm business, but unfortunately the SW forget the Archers is suppose to be about farming folk.
I did wonder when they were talking about Alice getting a new job, when Brian said what about your her-hum, little drinky- poo problem and Alice said Oh that won't matter, as if her new job wouldn't care she was a recovering alcoholic. But this is the wonderful Alice and she is fabulous at everything, she even mucked out and hose down the stables once. You gotta love her!

Brian was indeed more philosophical than is healthy

Brian is clearly gaga if he thinks that Alice, Kate, Martha, Christopher and Jakob are all his family, as he keeps saying.

Can someone please remind me why Alice left her engineering job in the first place.

Why won’t Lynda set foot in Felpersham Theatre?

She was sacked for being drink most of the time.

She got very drunk habitually, stopped doing any work, and was rude to her boss over the phone, then gave in her notice one step before being sacked.

I'm that last line tonight was fab - so Rochelle may be revealing something about Joy that will shock us?!

Yes, I thought that was why Alice left her job. So it's clearly a great idea to re-enter that world.

And won't Lillian be hacked off if Alice leaves her in the lurch at The Stables after all she has done for her? Is Carlotta still available to step in?

I don't like Rochelle.

Oh no nododo I!

Sorry no dodos....
I meant to post "Oh no, nor do I! "