Archers thread #180: Burgeoning backstories! Continuity, what’s that? 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 think it's a great idea for Helen and the boys to lodge with Tom, Natasha, Seren and Dippity*, 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 www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5244480-the-archers-spoilers-thread-10-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.)

*Can't remember who coined this, but it's genius.

I was strongly tempted to use one or both of the posts suggested for the title of this thread on the last thread, but went for something a bit briefer. However, they're brilliant and will kickstart this thread very nicely, so here they are:

@Sidebeforeself: Beavers, bridge, bunny boilers and busybodies - it's all a load of bollocks!

(I couldn't agree more!)

@DeanElderberry: 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.

Over to you!

I used to be a big fan of leonard, thought he could turn his hand to anything. Now they have turned him into some doddery old man who can only stick wine gums on the coach. I could have strangled him to be honest. He knew there isnt much time , but he just doddle along. I'm talking like I care but I found that really frustrating, and don't get me started on ( for the children) Vince. I thought they were mostly adults going to the panto.

I've got to say the wine gums made me laugh. Very Wallace and Gromit.

Believe me, Midlands accents are few and far between in The Archers!

I don’t normally post but feel the need to… I have listened to the archers since I was a child (with my Mum) and I don’t think I can ever remember a time with so many bizarre story lines. I simply cannot cope with a pantomime in January- I can just about deal with the Linda Christmas show at that time of year, but this is too much. Also the script writers must think it is amusing to have underlying stories played out (e.g. Cinderella/Ugly sisters with Susan and Tracy, and that rather strange Justin Scrooge story we had recently). As for Neil and the discovery of his foundling finder/mother? within a day….and the Airbnb mix up. I realise I am rambling but the lack of well constructed stories over time and unbelievable new characters is almost too much for me. I can’t give up yet but am desperately hoping for a return to the norm. Even if it means more of Brookfield… although that now seems to involve the new doctor’s children…

I think they view the characters as 20 years younger than they actually are - Brian, lil, Alice etc

I think the pp means by the side of the road. We see that a lot here at the middle barrier of the Autobahn or the side of a road

Eta: I think a pair of shoes dangling from a Telegraph pole is the drugs sale signifier?

This.

@Fink
Surely this is more realistic than whatever Vince is planning for the set design. Did I miss something, or does KC have any significance for Cinderella? I get the Casey link, but within the play is it supposed to mean anything?

KC?

I read that as King Charles but assume that’s not right!!

who does actually have an area appropriate accent?

Cinderella? I get the Casey link, but within the play is it supposed to mean anything?

KC1 = Casey Won
Careful now, you don’t want to go splitting your sides.

As much as I hate what I’m about to say

vince effectively stole the costumes and they should have asked Harrison to have a word

I'm so glad you posted this. Much more articulate than my post

So there are 2 coach loads of audience plus extras from the felpersham website. Let’s say an audience of at least 50 - probably more as the whole village will come now no doubt Plus the stage and backstage area.

is the events barn big enough?

And killing off Nigel Pargetter all those years ago (admittedly not something I can blame on the new scriptwriters) was a huge mistake. I think it unbelievable a woman as intelligent as Elizabeth could put up with Vince, although at least realistic that she refused to let him move in with her!

vince effectively stole the costumes

Not sure they could prove ‘intention permanently to deprive’. That may have been his intention when he took them, but no one else could be certain that the end result - his returning the costumes - wasn’t always part of his plan.

Agree. I am still devastated about Nigel.

Trainers hanging over telephone wires are said to indicate the boundaries of drug gangs' territories, although this is disputed. I have occasionally seen them hanging on wire in prisons.

I have had to stop listening as the utter drivel that has replaced TA is annoying me so much. I'll rely on this thread to let me know when it is safe for me to come out from behind the sofa - if that ever happens.

I understood that, but not whether it had any meaning within Cinderella itself. As in, why would Leonard (who is not involved in the bet) have thought it was an appropriate number plate? As it happens, he didn't, but I assume Vince would have at least had a veneer of it being something relevant to the panto itself. Maybe my assumptions are too generous.

I have the same thing in reverse when I use technical words and forget that they don't mean that to ordinary lay people. I try to remember, but sometimes one slips through and I'm looking at a sea of blank faces probably wondering why I'm talking about Jesus's pocket money (the divine economy).

What does meta mean in your context, out of interest?

Inspired by comments upthread, I wandered across to the Lowfield. Here is 1 Jan 2000 (back in those days, Pantos happened at the correct time and I think the Panto was Babes In The Wood):
Radio Times: David is praying it is not too late.

• Characters: Brian, David, Eddie, Hayley, Jennifer, LyndaHayley’s back from a fun family Christmas and is looking forward to another one on Wednesday with Phoebe and Roy, but more pressing is that Lynda’s found out that Larry Lovell will be reviewing tonight’s performance of the panto for the echo, so everyone will have to be on top form!
• Brian’s trying to convince Jennifer to come to Barbados, but she’s still worried about Kate – but agrees to come if Debbie agrees to housesit in their absence. Of course, this would mean Simon staying too, which Brian is just not prepared for. What choice does he have?
• Eddie and David are rounding up some loose pigs – just when David should be at the village hall for the panto … and Lynda is having kittens in his absence. He arrives on time, but having slipped in the chase he smells a little fruity …

Do we need a whole new thread? It would probably help to have a few DoB's

Me too. Not listened to the last 2 episodes. At least this panto rubbish will be over by Saturday.

Totally unbelievable that they could put in a panto in 7 days. My friends who acts in one here every year starts about 5 to 6 months before the performance.

In some molecular structures it describes the position of atoms relative to each other.
I know what the divine economy is as I did theology later!

Maybe my assumptions are too generous.

Massively so, I’d say, @Fink. 😂
One good thing about this week, though: no beavers (horrible thought: what if the coach is drawn by beavers rather than mice? I might have spoken too soon).

Can't believe I'm investing thought into this storyline but...
Is Mick 100% sure that the £10,000 was seen as a joke?