Archers thread #181: Panto Week's behind you! Was that the nadir? Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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Will it be onwards and upwards for TA now, or do we fear even more of these special weeks (Martin and a Christmas Carol, Scam Week, Panto Week) and sudden reinventions of long-established characters (Neil)? I for one have had enough of all that. I want a quiet period of change counting in the village shop, farming talk with suitable sound effects and village gossip over coffee at Terum or a pint in The Bull. Slowly developing storylines featuring the full cast, not a subset for a few weeks with no mention of the others, and all behaving in character. Not holding my breath we'll get any of that, though!

Over to you.

I was just relieved that we’re back to regular village life - horse riding lessons and a pub quiz. Such a relief! I find the set-pieces such as Justin’s Christmas Carol/dames and the panto/scam week etc tedious beyond belief and created just to give bland, banal, sycophantic Emma Freud something to talk about.

Lynda and Laurence was unlikely (far more chance he would set his cricket cap at a woman 30 years younger eg Alice) but I didn't object to his appearance.

I enjoyed tonight's episode too. How did Brad get roped into running mindful colouring? I missed that.

No idea how Brad got roped in, the poor lad needs to learn to say no.
Enjoyed the scene of several cast members getting together in the village hall for something other than a panto. But just can't forgive the ridiculousness of Rochelle who'd been in the village all of 5 minutes organising a random community event. Also weird that none of them seemed to know that she's left. Anyway, she was highly irritating so hopefully she isn't returning but fear that's wishful thinking.

This week has definitely been better. I found the riding lesson so awkward though. But it is always is whenever horses are involved in TA.

Nice conversation with Z and C yesterday. It would be nice if Chelsea could confide in her about the abortion at some point. She needs someone to talk to about it.

Tracy is always broke so the idea she"d supply colouring books and pencils is ludicrous. Wasn't Kate involved in the wellness event?

It was a contrived plot device to foist even more Zainab and Chels on us. Frankly Zainab is so ghastly I'd rather listen to Lily.

Apart from how weird it was that Rochelle waltzed into the village and (half-) organised an event within a few weeks of her arrival, it was also super weird that none of the "teachers" at said event confirmed anything with her in the last few weeks. What is a "wellness" event, anyway, and why would one ask random 20yo to teach random things? Are 20yo particularly competent wrt to wellness? And why would anyone buy into it: lack of anything else to do in the doldrums of January/February? Other than the thin premise (of this bizarre event) for people being there, I quite enjoyed the episode.

Yes to horse things usually being super awkward, although this lesson was possibly a bit less awkward than most, because at least no-one was lecturing someone else about things that are absolutely basic for their job.

Tracy is always broke so the idea she"d supply colouring books and pencils is ludicrous.

I think it sounded like she'd just cobbled it together in true Tracy style...something about hand drawn unicorns and crayons so I assumed it was stuff she found in the back of a drawer at home 😆 I really love the subtle details like that.

I've enjoyed this week much more, I think the Archers is best when there is a long running major story that involves lots of characters in different ways (i.e Helen and Rob, the flood, the recent car crash George story) and that story is then surrounded by other smaller things that centre around normal village life
I think the Rochelle story is/was meant to be one of those longer bigger stories, but it was just done so badly it felt like a series of badly cobbled together not realistic situations.

I spotted Chelsea's relief when Zainab confirmed she doesn't fancy Ben. I think Chelsea might be heading for heartbreak there

It seemed a very strange event. Breathing exercises and colouring? Suitable for everyone from pre-schoolers to 90? I couldn't get my head around it.

He did say no in the end, though. Event was in Brookfield barn, hence Ben's presence as keyholder, person who knew how to switch the heating on etc.

I can envisage an event like that. Taster sessions. Not organised by a blow in like Rochelle obviously.

Odd that Rex didn’t seem to be involved?

Was it just me or did Ben sound disappointed when Chelsea rather than Zainab went in the front with him? I don't want Chelsea's heart to be broken.
If there are going to be damaged hearts I'd have no problem with Pip or Alice suffering a bit (or a lot) on Valentine's Day.

He sounded very obviously disappointed and Chels sounded very obvious.

I don't like any of Chels, Zainab or Ben so all or any of them being miserable is fine.

The village was evidently divided into those who knew Rochelle had skipped out and those who didn't. The ones who knew, of whom Rex would be one, didn't turn up; the ones who didn't, did.

I'm not convinced Chelsea is even particularly interested in Ben herself. I feel it was more the thought of a new girl who she views as superior to her (socially, educationally) arriving and immediately turning all the boys heads. It knocked her confidence down even further.

She only sat in the front with Ben to help Zainab out I thought?

Yes, @TheUsualChaos thats what I thought too and why Z thanked her.

Yes this.

I third/fourth/fifth that - Ben is too dull and wet for Chelsea ... or for anyone, really. Are we supposed to think he's absolutely marvellous and quite the catch? Because if so, they need to re-cast him and re-write him.

Ben still sounded disappointed and, absent the explanation, which Ben is, she sounded desperate to sit beside him.

Missed tonight’s but am unfortunately being exposed to some dreadful program on at 11. I guess if I want to escape the R4 dross I’m going to have to start looking at podcasts

You missed nothing, it was Saturday!

Ha ha! Meant the night before but everything is merging into one these days!

She was trying to get between him and Zainab for her (Zainab's) benefit after their conversation. Zainab thanked her.

I'm wondering what they could do with the Young Characters to make them less annoying as they will be The Archers of the future and we need to care about them.

Josh - he's an entrepreneur who has stalled. I'd like him to make a success of his businesses. Eggs and whatever he was doing with tractor parts.

Chelsea - win a car in a raffle and get a job in a city salon. Extend her friendship group. Make lots of money from a hair & beauty side hustle.

Freddie & Lilly - join forces and threaten to sue the Trustees if they don't hand LL over to the pair of them.

Riuari - quickly make his millions from whatever he's doing in finance but realise his heart lies in farming. Buy the house at Home Farm and succeed his dad. Have very nice wife who loves cooking and entertaining and having children.

I don’t think Riuari is interested in a wife and kids tbh. I suspect they will revisit his abortive relationship with Paul at some point.

If Chelsea won a car it’s unlikely she would drive it far from Ambridge or extend her friendship circle. The scriptwriters seem to have decided that working class characters on TA never expand their horizons.