Archers thread #179: Beavers, livestock, ferrets, but nododo! 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 be happy sharing a hot tub with 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 title started life with @JanglyBeads, whose autocorrect turned 'Oh no, nor do I!' into 'Oh no, nododo I!' on the last thread. For reasons of cowardice/prudence/lack of inspiration and the character limit, I haven't included @BeaLola's even more mysterious autocorrect - her phone had her asking Abdul if he'd always wanted children instead of Neil. Perhaps one of the mooted beavers can be Abdul.

For the first time ever I've added a poll to the OP. Over to you!

I don't usually speculate much on the appearance of characters, but do wonder what it is about Miranda that is bringing out the chest-thumping silverback in Brian and Justin? One little bridge game and the course of Ambridge rewilding is set. The face that launched a thousand beavers.

If only to spite Brian.

Maybe it’s not the face… I really want to make the joke but it’s just too rude

Step away from the keypad @Bruisername , you're better than that.

and we all thought it

I blame my uni days.

(wanders off to play with the puppy to cleanse my mind)

I like Miranda, if only because she has a sense of humour. I should probably recuse myself from this thread.

I too am warming to Miranda. She seems supremely confident in her own abilities.

I don’t really like people who are humiliated by defeat because they are arrogant enough to believe they should always win. Losing graciously is an art. I would imagine she doesn’t win graciously either.

And Ruth.

Can we have "the face that launched a thousand beavers" in a thread title?!

I'm still pursing my lips in disbelief at Justin's volte face after his Dickensian visitation.

Miranda is that over-written and over-pompous character that the SWs seem to love… but did any fellow pedant notice that she said “laying” in place of “lying” tonight? Tsk tsk.

The problem with Miranda is I know it's a jolly jape for all involved to have cast Justin's real wife and they must all have tremendously spiffing fun and larks but, well, she just isn't very good. I don't believe a word she says.

She does seem lovely in real life though so I feel mean saying that and have name-changed to hide my shame

On Long Lost Family they did it through DNA testing and what seemed to be teams of very specialist researchers. In simple terms, if a relative of your birth parent has uploaded their DNA to the database you can get in contact with them and potentially work out who your parent is.

This may be the smallest ever SW inaccuracy, but when Helen talked wistfully a couple of days ago about Lee enjoying the warm sea breeze in San Francisco I gave an audible 'pah' - because I live in San Francisco and there is no such thing as a warm sea breeze here. At best it's a cool breeze and at worst it's bloody freezing, particularly in the summer.

Yes, I had to go and buy a sweater (I tried to buy a jumper but the shop assistants had no clue what I meant) in San Francisco because it was like a freezer, but surrounded by warmth.

Most peculiar.

I'm the same. I remember hiding in the toilet until everyone left when I lost at snakes and ladders, Miranda is so up herself and I really think she and Brian deserve each other, he can be a snob too.
I also believe that Justin is allowing the Beaver programme to spite Brian.
Yes I think Rochelle is going to be a big big trouble for Rex and only Joy can save him from Rochelles evil clutches at the last minute and then Joy and Rochelle will be NC again.

So they couldn’t afford a by-the-books beaver release so looked at the illegal version and when they got caught decided to do the version they don’t have the funds for?

I did like the bit when it was pointed out that David and Ruth pollute the Am with manure though. And Brian seems to have a short memory regarding his illegal record regarding protecting the countryside.

I don’t get where the Rochelle taster session storyline comes from - why’s she doing it and why would anyone go along with it? Is she paying for barn?

You weren’t the only one @noodlezoodle. It made me think of the Mark Twain quote. (I know it turned out he didn’t actually say it.)

@JoelenesParrot Yes I was also hoping to hear more discussion of the mechanics and conventions of bridge.

The episode reminded me of the time as a clueless beginner I passed my partner’s 2C opening bid. 😂

I'm thinking it's the SW idea so at an event where there are a fair amount of villagers there will be a showdown of sorts and we will finally find out the Joy/Rochelle "story"

Yes I was also hoping to hear more discussion of the mechanics and conventions of bridge.

Thank goodness we didn’t: it would have been house numbers all over again.

I like Miranda, and think she is well-acted.

It's OK for Helem to imagine warm sea breezes in San Francisco. Has she even been abroad? Isle of Man isn't abroad

Bridge is definitely one up from house numbers!

And this is definitely the sort of thread where someone would say their mother used to babysit for Jeremy Flint!

I don’t mind Miranda. She’s annoying but Brian was never going to be unattached for very long and there were no other suitable candidates in the village.