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!

So - is it the same actress, or not?

All three of Tom’s fiancees in one room!

Fantastic!

Endless BOOPS for that scene!

(And Natasha bested!)

Why have they re-written Leonard as an idiot?

He sounded like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit in his bumbling towards culinary disaster!

What an utterly delicious scene with all of Tom’s women. Loved Natasha’s barely concealed rage and the icy “I don’t always dress like this”. I’m sure she couldn’t take her eyes off Brenda’s cashmere coat on her way out. I think this will trigger a shopping spree with the credit card.

Oooh, can I have a précis? Have family visiting so can’t listen!!

Not- its isn't Brenda
Sounds like whoever it is has been given voice coaching by Emma

Haven't heard it yet, will look forward to it! Amy Shindler sounded like the Caramel Bunny as Brenda, IIRC. As the episode has now gone out, I don't think it's a spoiler to reveal that Brenda is not in the cast list at all.

I really don't remember what Brenda sounded like, but if it's only her accent that has changed that wouldn't be surprising after many years away, first with a Russian oligarch and then with a poshboy. If it's the same actress, it would be equally unsurprising!

Right. Had a listen after claiming puppy duties

finding Leonard a bit odd - did he really not bump his head? Although it’s making me think of the ‘break in’ at Jim’s and his reaction. Although at least Ruth was being nice.

well Brenda sounded as interested in the rewilding as I was. And how many times can Kirsty use the word amazing.

i actually felt for Natasha there

I think that's the same actor. Accent is a bit different, but I'm hearing the same voice. Much better episode! Brenda can stay, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe she could buy Home Farm from the Gills. She's clearly done well for herself!

I really enjoyed David's 'What the ...' utterance. Good job Jill was off making wreaths.

Have Eddie and Clarrie tried to visit George and been turned away like Susan and Neil, Emma, Will and Ed? If they haven't, why haven't they?

Boring to have two (boring!) stories within a few weeks about people using Brookfield’s kitchen and making a mess.

Puts hand up nervously 🙋‍♀️
Eexcuse me Miss, but did I hear Brenda refer to ‘Roy and Hailey’ not once but twice in that episode?? I certainly could hear ‘Lexi’.

🤔

maybe I misheard …

I think that Roy and Hayley never actually got round to splitting the major marital asset of Willow Farm in their divorce...

I wouldn't have recognised Brenda if Kirsty hadn't said her name and I wasn't expecting her, but I think it's okay for her accent to have changed. Fairly sure mine isn't quite as thick Dorset as it was when I actually lived there. (I'm only next door in Hampshire, mind.)

I thought she sounded like a grown-up Mia, whose accent becomes slightly more diluted after moving away from home.

I'd bet my bottom dollar that's the same actor who plays Brenda, lovely to hear her again and with oodles of money!
Kind of Ruth to clear up after Leonard but it makes me annoyed when people make a mess and are then too tired to clean up after themselves. Have a short rest and then come back and tidy your mess especially if it's in someone else's kitchen!

I guess, other than Roy not being able to afford to buy Hayley out at the time, they might have kept Willow Farm as a joint asset because it was still Phoebe’s home? Which it’s obviously ceased to be. (I wonder if Hayley and Brenda are actually friends now, rather than just ex-in laws?)

If Brenda bought the Home Farm house I would weep with joy. I already love her all over again for wiping the floor with Tom’s wife. Though I hope they aren’t going to make spite her main characteristic. Longing to hear her bumping into Lilian, or perhaps she’ll just go and knock on the Dower House door?

True about the Brookfield kitchen being used twice in succession. But it can only mean they’ve read our musings on Brookfield having ceased to be the centre of the known world - and have decided to do something about it. (The B&B never worked for this purpose because the guests never interacted with the village - unless they already lived in the village.)

What a fascinating story @Godesstobe . What do you think “the nuns” were hoping to achieve? Could your DGF have converted to Catholicism to “fix” it?

I quite enjoyed Brenda being bitchy to Natasha because I don't like Natasha, but it was really unfair and unkind, and in RL I would deplore it. Kicking someone because they're married to a man you were lucky enough to get shot of a decade or more ago seems very mean.

Nah …

I don't think Natasha being married to Tom had anything to do with it: she just didn't like her, for reasons that are a complete mystery to us all! 😆

I quite enjoyed Brenda being bitchy to Natasha because I don't like Natasha, but it was really unfair and unkind, and in RL I would deplore it. Kicking someone because they're married to a man you were lucky enough to get shot of a decade or more ago seems very mean

You’re clearly a much nicer person than me @DeanElderberry I wouldn’t have been able to resist taking a sideswipe at Gnasher in that situation.

The contrast between the fleece v cashmere coat was glorious. I’ve never met Brenda before as she must have left just as I started listening so have only ever heard about her. In spite of her being talked about as being glamorous, it seemed hard to think of an ex of Tom called Brenda being anything but frumpy. But tonight it was lovely to meet her! She added a much-needed touch of glitter and glamour to Ambridge- something it is sorely missing. There is no one else in the village who would own a cashmere coat (apart from possibly Alice who has one left over from the days when she had a proper job.) And Lizard I suppose.

Oh and possibly Ruarhi has one that the ghastly Julie-Anne bought him (was that her name?)