Archers thread #182: The Shit hits the Am! 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 delighted to oblige your employer by cleaning up sewage spills without proper training or equipment in place of your normal duties, 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.)

Credit for the title goes to @echt. Can't think of anything much to say about current storylines. Credulity is strained to its limit on many fronts, unfortunately, but there are a few nuggets in the slurry. I did enjoy hearing Natasha's outrage that Fallon is doing obvious, sensible things at The Bull even though it might hit Terum. I thought Natasha was supposed to be an entrepreneur!

Over to you!

We can only assume so, @WagnersFourthSymphony!

No doubt many hours of hasty re-writes and re-recording …

Another let's list what's been happening episode. And Tony saying Pat to her face so the listeners know who's speaking!

It was nice to hear George let Brad off the hook of running his business, though the heavy hints of more nefarious stuff in the offing was ominous, if predictable.

I liked George and Brad. Helen, Tony, Pat and Henry however were totally wooden.

Yes ... not so much the Woodentops as Bill & Ben, though. Flobalob.

Definitely major hints that George is planning to set out on the wrong path when he leaves prison. No surprise there but it's a shame.

The way they had him talking, using "street" language, I couldn't decide if it was badly acted or purposely intended to sound wrong. George's actor is usually very good so I think it must have been intentional, like he's trying too hard to fit in.

What happened with the local MP trying to help with George's situation anyway?

What happened with the local MP trying to help with George's situation anyway?

Dropped and lost down the plot sinkhole.

I think the George actor was convincingly playing a character badly acting being a hard man.

George is definitely going to come out a "wrong 'un"

It's more realistic but a shame they couldn't show a working class lad turning his life around.

George coming out even more of a wrong'un than when he went in is realistic and understandable. It's still sad in a way (yes, I know it's not real!)
My hope is that last night's episode was the start of Brad disconnecting himself completely from George, and finding his path to a better life where he can make the most of his intelligence and general loveliness. Please 🙏

Yes George is going to come out a bad'un. He could come out learning his lesson couldn't he, but wheres the fun in that.
On the other hand, Henry is so marvellous and grown up🙄🤮, well he has got Archers blood I suppose. Hope Jack grows up to be a little sod.😈
Oh and where was the insurance papers? Down the back of the settee? Funny Helen just found them.

I don't have a problem believing that when the world suddenly flooded with sewage getting at essential papers might have been difficult. Such a relief hearing someone actually talking about insurance for a change.

On the other hand, Henry is so marvellous and grown up, but I couldn't help notice Brad passing on Henry's best wishes and George noting that he was a "good kid" (or words to that effect) so I wouldn't rule out Henry coming under George's influence at some point in the future.

Well I do. All my insurance documents can be downloaded to my mobile phone.

In the case of the farm, if they had paper documents they would have been in the farmhouse, which was unaffected. Insurance companies can find your policy from your name and post code. It's complete nonsense that the insurers weren't involved from the outset.

I really can't see that the cat business was such a crime. I think Khalil is really quite likeable, and Zainab is spiky but basically OK.

Even if you couldn't find the policy, surely the first thing you would do is phone the insurers to check if you were covered and make a claim?

oh the insurance stuff for Bridge Farm is infuriating. As though the SWs have no flipping idea what happens when something like this happens.

Loved the Brad/George scene, there's the working class lad contrast for us. Brad is going to be ok because George is going to be a one-man-Kray-twin when he gets out. (agree his actor is great)

Tony saying Pat to her face so the listeners know who's speaking!

I shouted at the radio. I was trying to think if my DH ever addresses me by name during a conversation like that when nobody else is around. I have 40 years to think back on and... nope. Never.

The Helen/Kirsty/ Tom 'n' Gnasher housing disaster is being sidelined as has George's story.

How is the housing storyline being sidelined when it was featured only a few days ago? With 13 minutes per episode available, it's unrealistic to expect updates with every episode.

I know this was posted before last night's George reappearance but, again, I can't see that his SL has been sidelined. With his family not being allowed to visit, what realistically would you expect the SWs to do with it on a day to day basis? It's sensible just to have it bubbling under with the occasional reminder till he's due for release.

I'm not buying the idea that a farm, tearoom, fruit juice business (nobody mentions it anymore?), dairy.... would flap about for 4 weeks without thinking to look at their insurance policies. Helen saw her accountant last week, who ought to have been busy putting together a schedule of losses/valuations etc.

Oliver would have been in touch to sympathise/offer support.

Where is/was the agricultural story advisor when you need him/her?

At least they remembered that George has a sister, I suppose.

Me neither, @AuntAgathaGregson .
I welcome the addition.
They're different to the usual Ambridge family but they seem to have become involved with village life, and I feel they have plenty to offer.

I'd like to see a new farming family, with a farm, or to see one of the Archers, buy another farm and start a family.
Maybe there's a local large farm with a daughter who could meet and marry Ben or Josh.

Meriel or Johnny could come back to Ambridge.

I use people's names frequently, even if only two of us are within earshot. I find it strange when people don't, or if they do it too often.

@Brefugee Loved the Brad/George scene, there's the working class lad contrast for us. Brad is going to be ok because George is going to be a one-man-Kray-twin when he gets out. (agree his actor is great)

The one redeeming quality of the Kray twins was that they loved their mum, which is not the case for George Two-Dads Grundy.

I imagine the complete lack of new farms coming into the story is fairly true to life? Not many ‘normal people’ are able to buy farms of a scale that would make them viable. Whenever we hear news of silent, neighbouring farmers it’s to say they’re retiring or selling up. So we’re left with either inheritance or huge commercial businesses. Ed has struggled with rented land, Rex can’t get any … It’s no wonder the SWs went such a long way round to carve out a little rival patch for Jack.

I noticed that George only asked after Ed and not Emma or Will, the little shit. As previously discussed I think we’re heading for a county lines storyline involving George and Henry. I hate it already.

The agricultural story advisor is Sybil Ruscoe.
BBC presenter Sybil Ruscoe joins The Archers | Whitchurch Herald

@TottersBlithely , a farmer with a large farm and more than one child
(probably son) hoping to go into farming would have been on the lookout for farms/land to buy.

George and HENRY????

Thanks for previous info Totters

Yay. I did wonder what might happen if Brad just told George - it's really just the other Grundys who are invested in 'the business'.

I'm hoping the George who emerges from pokey isn't going to be just a stone vicious criminal like his grim Uncle Clive. They've represented George with some shades of grey so I hope there's space for George to be a more nuanced criminal, who might have been played by lovely Hywel Bennett or Ian McShane in those TV dramas they don't make any more. Not likely, I know.