The Archers spoilers thread #10: Can't wait for 7.02pm? Join us here!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Spoilers thread for The Archers. All Archers listeners are welcome here, whether you post on our main Archers thread or not. There's just one rule: please keep all spoiler-related discussion in this thread and do not spill the beans on the main Archers thread.

Last thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5071889-the-archers-spoilers-thread-9-cant-wait-for-702pm-join-us-here

Right! Round up of all spoilers I've found for the next few weeks.

5th January – 10th January 2025
05 Jan David receives some interesting information, and Jolene makes a rash decision.
06 Jan Brad has a confession to make, and there’s backtracking at the Bull.
07 Jan Harrison finds himself in a delicate situation, and Lily takes matters into her own hands.
08 Jan Leonard faces an emotional day, and there’s a surprise for Ben.
09 Jan Harrison reaches a crossroads, and there’s good news at Brookfield.
10 Jan Emotions run high for Fallon, and Henry is on a mission.

Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Peter Leslie Wild
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Jolene Archer…. Bufffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Inspector Norris…. Bharti Patel
Scarlett…. Beatrice White

Radio Times Ambridge Diary 5-10 January
Leonard is knocked sideways by some emotional news and all does not go well when he faces a difficult day with the Brookfield family standing by his side. Harrison has to fight to keep his emotions in check when he faces a challenging callout, but then receives a surprising offer from his superior. Lily takes matters into her own hands when Brad tells her he's struggling, Jolene makes a rash decision at The Bull, and Khalil's mouth runs away with him.

12th January – 17th January 2025
12.1 Justin faces a dilemma, and plans forge ahead for Ruth.
13.1 Joy isn’t herself at all, and Helen considers her options.
14.1 Rex is left confused, and Neil has questions.
15.1 The verdict is in for Kirsty, and Brian finds himself out of his comfort zone.
16.1 Emotions run high at Beechwood, and Adam offers the benefit of his experience.
17.1 Mick’s feelings are hurt, and Tom faces a tricky negotiation.

Writer: Liz John
Director: Jessica Bunch
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler

19th January - 24th January 2025
19 Jan The Carters debate the next step, and plans come together for Joy.
20 Jan Vince hatches a plan, and alliances are tested for Stella.
21 Jan It’s a life-changing day for one resident, and a seed is planted for Emma.
22 Jan Freddie faces an uncertain future, and Pip’s evening takes a surprising turn.
23 Jan Josh attempts to stir the pot, and Elizabeth considers her options.
24 Jan Disaster strikes for Joy, and Ben fears he has overshared.

Writer: Katie Hims
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
Josh Archer…. Angus Imrie
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Nelly…. Jill Baker <<<<< Professor, Dr, Mrs, Ms or Miss Bun the Baker's Wife/Daughter?

Injuries aren't mentioned. I took it to mean Neyull meeting Miss Bun.

Lower Loxley is apparently based on Hanbury Hall (NT) near Droitwich (I wish I had known that when we visited a couple of years ago).

Maybe Freddie will throw a hissie fit and decide to gift it to the National Trust, in exchange for letting him and his heirs live there in perpetuity. That would resolve the issue of failing to send him/Lily to Hartpury or Cirencester.

Does Wossname-the-dodgy-art-master's portrait of Lily hang in LoLo, or did they have a ceremonial burning? Russ! That's the chap!

First Elizabeth bought it from him for four hundred quid, and then she flogged it for a thousand quid to some fool with more money than sense.

The NT wouldn't take it without a substantial endowment. Gosh, it would serve Elizabeth right though.

I think the NT has a sufficient number of not-terribly-interesting medium-sized country houses to be going on with, really.

Still, Freddie could sell one of the five farms he will also own, and get the money to pay off the NT with that way.

I'm intrigued to see what happens with the Fallon/Harrison storyline (first time I've been truly interested for a while).

My trouble with it is that I frame that in my mind not as "what will Fallon/Harrison do" but as "what will the editorial team do with this". It's shame, but the Neil nonsense has destroyed any faith I had in the characters behaving like themselves rather than as Puppets of Plot.

Like the White Queen, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast, but I draw the line at the Neil tosh at any time of day. I also find it hard to believe that anyone could love Harrison.

Well, I enjoyed it anyway.

Whilst ranting to myself that Neil sounded younger than Nelly, it suddenly struck me that they might be lining up a deading of "Neil". IRL the actor is 86. With so many of the old crew stepping away/dying I could understand why travelling to Birmingham several times a month might not be as an attractive a proposition as it used to be.

I always worry when they start saying nice things about characters and invent stuff.....

I said on the main thread that last night sounded like one long obituary to Neil …

My impression is that they are giving the Neil actor a major SL as he is a much-loved character whose actor is about to retire.
If that is the case, perhaps we could be a bit more receptive despite our misgivings.

I feel we missed out on such a major SL with Jennifer, and I for one was very fond of her.

Peggy was wonderful right up to her becoming silent.

They could have given him a good SL without shitting all over the audience

In my quest to see if I could remind myself where Julia and Lewis Carmichael lived at Lower Loxley the BBC at least had the decency to add a note to his character page to let people know that the actor died in July '23.

I wonder when Elizabeth, Lily and Freddie will notice.

Like you shitting on my positive post, @Bruisername ?

Oh sorry

yes let’s give them a break as it will be so nice to see the Neil actor off with a chunky sl which allows him to use his full range. Perhaps his last episode could be a musical number to really make it memorable?

Give them a break? Hmmm. Leg, pelvis, neck?

If that is the case, perhaps we could be a bit more receptive despite our misgivings.

No we effing well couldn’t. Blatant rewriting of ‘history’ as established within the programme over several years indicates both that the makers don’t take the programme seriously and that they think the audience will swallow any old crap. Strangely, some seem willing to do just that, @FondantFancyAnyone .

Disclaimer: I don’t take TA seriously, but then again I don’t make a periodic song & dance on various outlets about its history, long established characters and so on. They do, and I despise them at least as much as they despise the audience.
Probably time for TA to be taken out and quietly shot, anyway.

@RegimentalSturgeon Probably time for TA to be taken out and quietly shot, anyway.

I like your thinking, especially if it involves all the characters with Archer heritage being wiped out one by one, like that Agatha Christie story that's gone through so many name changes that I don't remember what it's called any more. The only problem would be who to kill first: there's no difficulty with motive!

And Then There Were None. Highly apposite for your proposed denouement, @Gonners! Eruption of previously unknown volcano under Lakey Hill? Jim could be elsewhere on the day.

Nah! Too quick. I agree about Jim, though. And Jakob, please.

There's always the sinkhole on Lakey Hill.
I'd get the 'nods to literature' down the sinkhole first.

If they chucked Pip in there I'd be happy. Did they intend her to be thoroughly unlikeable? If they did, the actress is doing a good job. Please get rid.

Ambridge is a bit of a mess at the moment, isn't it. There is a distinct lack of forward planning.

Lower Loxley - Freddie should be running it, but he is working at a meat packers. Freddie seems to be asexual and Lily hasn't dated since Russ was sent packing 2 years ago. They appear to have no staff, except in the Orangery, and have stopped balls/weddings/conferences. They have forgotten about the vineyard and farming land too. The Lizzie/Vince thing doesn't sound as if it will last.

Home Farm - The silent inhabitants never get a mention. Brian has forgotten he was going to buy a house, so continues to live in a shoebox in the village next to Kirsty who still hates him so much for poisoning the Am that she's going to buy Roy's house. Debbie is unlikely ever to return, Adam doesn't want to return, Kate has never shown the slightest interest in the farm (and her kids are in South Africa and Scotland). Ruari has potential to return. I nearly forgot about Alice (what does she do these days - is she back at the Stables?). On the plus side Stella probably has a job for life, but can she have a nicer love interest, please! I like Stella.

Bridge Farm - no thought given until very recently as to who ought to live in the farmhouse/run the farm after Pat and Tony (mid 70's) retire. I don't recall Helen ever helping out with anything that wasn't running the shop or the dairy, Johnnie is stuck on a yacht somewhere so presumably Tom is the future. Let that sink in....

Brookfield - Just the one grandchild. Ben and Josh appear to be celibate. Josh did seem to have a bit of drive a few years ago, but his entrepreneurial streak was kicked into the long grass. Pip is annoying, but does appear to do a spot of farming.

The Bull - Kenton's daughter is in her mid-20's somewhere in NZ. Fallon is about to split from Harrison and almost certain to remain childless.

The Stables - Shula is pioneer ministering somewhere, leaving the stables to be run by septuagenarian Lillian and possibly a silent manager (and engineer Alice?). Daniel is still in the army(?) but again is probably celibate since Dorothy. He must be close to serving his 12 years, if he hasn't already.

Breed (not very) young Archers, breed!