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.

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 enjoy playing badminton with Derek Fletcher, 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.)

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 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.

Please, no! I would like Paul to be sacked, perhaps after carelessly giving a valuable pedigree gerbil a horse's dose of something, and never heard of again.

I suspect they will revisit his abortive relationship with Paul at some point

Please no.

X post with @Gonners !

Yes I see what you, mean...from Ben's perspective it might look like Chelsea was trying to get between them because she likes him. Although I don't think she has given him any reason to think she is at all interested since that one night so he probably thinks it's just Chelsea being Chelsea 😆

I've dipped my toe back in now the panto is over. What a relief to have ordinary stuff happening, I'm happy to listen to pub quizzes or mildly shambolic wellness events if they're brought to life by familiar characters just talking in a normal way.

I realise I like nearly all of the younger characters (I'm not counting Pip) but Josh is neglected, hopefully Ruaridh will come back (but not Paul).

They've sort of repaired Rochelle's mystery by abruptly sending her away. I'm hoping the whole story will play out via Joy, with only glimpses of Rochelle herself.

I'd be quite happy if we never found out Rochelle's "story", because she was never referred to again by anyone. I don't particularly dislike Joy or even Mick. (What with focusing on my dislike of so many more central characters, I just don't have the time.)

<on edit> My solution to the Rochelle "problem" would be for some minor character to mention her in passing, along the lines of "Whatever happened to Rochelle?" and for the other equally minor character to reply "Who?" and for the conversation to move on.

I still think it feels a bit rudderless with all these "favour to the old actor-let's try them for a fortnight" postings.

I think it's about time that they brought Toby back to live in the village and/or give us a bit more Rex.

Dan as well (at least he is called "Archer").

Chelsea can act, but she and Zainab together aren't going to keep my interest. At an absolute push I could cope with Chelsea being hired to work at Grey Gables (for all we know they might have a beauty salon/proper Spa). She must have finished training months ago and it is about time Grey Gables had some staff.

Last night Zainab was praising Chelsea extravagantly for "having her own business". When did that happen and what is this business? Occasionally cutting the hair of people she knows, in either her home or theirs? Not all that special, I feel.

Occasionally cuts hair in clients' own homes.

If that scene was intended to show Zainab is two-faced and not to be trusted - well done.

Maybe she cuts other people's hair too but we don't hear about it because it would make a really boring episode.

If she ever said she had to go and do it as a way to end a scene/turn down doing something else that would be a help.

I don't think the SWs are aware that after someone spends a couple of years at college learning to be a hairdresser/beautician, they generally go off and get jobs in the field rather than work as part-time chambermaids/waitresses.

Interesting point, @Gonners.

Have we ever heard of Chelsea receiving any careers advice at all? (I may have missed it - or forgotten.) She does seem to have been left very much to her own devices - with no mentors or any obvious career ladder to look to.

Some colleges seem to be no more than diploma factories with the sole purpose of getting kids through their English and maths GCSEs at whatever the "pass" grade is these days, while "teaching" them courses which lead nowhere. A girl I know was allowed to join the engineering course (despite struggling with maths - WTF?) - obviously that went well. So she switched to art/design, and left with whatever diploma that gives you. That was back in June. She hasn't even applied for a job yet, and is aimlessly wandering around doing sweet FA.

That's not the case for Chelsea, though, is it? She allegedly has good skills and talent. Jazzer needs to be deployed to Have A Word!

What was that episode about other than being boring?

was it to tee us up with an issue with Azras husband? Is he dumping his family which will lead Zainab to change her attitude to relationships?

Only from Russ.

The intern has forgotten to upload tonight's episode to iPlayer.

Why was Ben randomly dropping in at Azra's? Had they agreed that?

We were getting hints that Fallon's cooking isn't going down well at The Bull. Low turn out on a Sunday? Ole Pirate's reluctance to allow any new recipes?

Edit - rather more than hints !

Ben was hoping to persuade Zainab to go on a date with him. He was just using the fact he works with Azra as an excuse to drop in.

Fallon has higher aspirations than Pub Grub.

Chelsea isn't just doing any diploma she can get through. She has purposely done some sort of beauty qualification, because it's what she wants to do.

She has talked about wanting to (but being unable to afford to) run her own salon at the charging spot (where Fallon may be slightly regretting having turned it down, as she's not getting catering freedom at the Bull.) And I think when Chelsea was learning to drive (did she ever get back to it?) she mentioned it would be useful for work.

We haven't heard her asking for or being given careers advice, but Justin appears to be the only person in Ambridge anyone ever asks about careers, and she's bright enough to see he's unlikely to be that clued up on beauty businesses.

He randomly and pointlessly turned up at Azra's house on a non work date. Why didn't Azra ask him why he was there?

There's going to be loads more of this drivel.

I suspect you're right. It will go round and round, eventually Ben will somehow break down Zainab's resistance to dating and they'll end up together, the next generation's multiracial couple, following on from Alan and Usha( who we never hear from any more).
Note the clunky reference to halal meat, just to point out they're Muslim. Presumably both Azra and Zainab wear a headscarf, how does that tie in with Zainab's professed feminism?

Note the clunky reference to halal meat, just to point out they're Muslim. Presumably both Azra and Zainab wear a headscarf, how does that tie in with Zainab's professed feminism?

Zainab told Chelsea she was Muslim when she was talking about not wanting to date.

Ah sorry, I missed that.