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Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. Discuss The Archers here.

992 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/04/2025 12:03

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

Archers 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're looking forward to Morris dancing on the radio, or other unusual views. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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.)

Right, to business. I can't say I'm delighted that the focus is on Rochelle and Casey Meats at the moment, because I'm not. All far too peripheral to Ambridge and too new. As I say ad nauseam, more farming storylines please, and where are all the long-standing members of the cast? The discussion about inheritance tax in The Bull the other night was a bit clunky, but what a refreshing change to hear two familiar voices, both farmers, talking about farming-related stuff, even if BBC balance meant they had to be challenged by two non-farmers, and even if it is months after the Budget introduced these changes. Ah well.

I was tempted to put one of my Dad's terrible jokes into the thread title as an oblique reference to George's coffin-making idea, but it wouldn't have made sense to anyone else. He loved referring to the cemetery as the Dead Centre of the island, so I was pondering something about Grange Farm becoming the Dead Centre of Ambridge. It could happen yet. Emma and Ed could provide willow branches and Clarrie could sit in the kitchen weaving them. Surely it must be similar to knitting?

Finally, if the SWs are lurking and looking for new storylines, it's been very dry recently and there have been lots of wildfires in rural areas. There was a bad one on Gaspmother Island a few days ago. Many farmers are very worried about this at the moment, as reported on Farming Today last week. But what am I thinking! This is a story that only works in a rural setting, so in the current incarnation of TA, it's not soapy enough. Hmm

Over to you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 07:27

Is David going to shoot a dog? or a dog owner? or wire the electric fence to the mains supply and fry someone? will his career as a killer come to public attention at long last?

DEATH VILLAGE HISTORY OF COVER-UPS GOING BACK DECADES

AMBRIDGE MAN QUIZZED ON TWO OTHER 'ACCIDENTAL' DEATHS

SUSPICIOUS ANIMAL KILLINGS

DISAPPEARANCES

COUSIN OF KNIFE HORROR HELEN

TherapistInATabard · 25/04/2025 07:39

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 07:27

Is David going to shoot a dog? or a dog owner? or wire the electric fence to the mains supply and fry someone? will his career as a killer come to public attention at long last?

DEATH VILLAGE HISTORY OF COVER-UPS GOING BACK DECADES

AMBRIDGE MAN QUIZZED ON TWO OTHER 'ACCIDENTAL' DEATHS

SUSPICIOUS ANIMAL KILLINGS

DISAPPEARANCES

COUSIN OF KNIFE HORROR HELEN

😂

EBearhug · 25/04/2025 08:49

JanglyBeads · 25/04/2025 00:05

Yes contrived is exactly the word for H and Red scene, do they even really know each other and suddenly he's confusing in her 're Pip scenario - feelings we've never ever heard him voice previously!

And why did we have all the hellos and goodbyes along the hallway in Brookfield, it was like the intern had studied a module on "giving aural depth to radio scenes" and was desperate to try it out.

I thought we always knew Rex was keen on Pip.

We didn't know he and Helen were best buddies, though.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 25/04/2025 09:27

EBearhug · 25/04/2025 08:49

I thought we always knew Rex was keen on Pip.

We didn't know he and Helen were best buddies, though.

We know but I don't think anyone else apart from Toby knows. I'm not sure Pip knows.

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 09:34

his luck can't last forever

Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. Discuss The Archers here.
JanFebAndOnwards · 25/04/2025 12:14

EBearhug · 25/04/2025 08:49

I thought we always knew Rex was keen on Pip.

We didn't know he and Helen were best buddies, though.

Yes we knew but don’t think it wa ever directly voiced.
they’re not best buddies, hence, contrived

Bruisername · 25/04/2025 12:19

Her excuse for needing a taxi was also contrived

and why would you not call the garage to ask if the car is ready before turning up?

the sw take is for idiots!!

JoelenesParrot · 25/04/2025 12:33

Her excuse for needing a taxi was also contrived
I didn’t mind her using the taxi to go to the garage though IRL Tony would have run her down there. What I objected to was the fact it was in for a windscreen wiper issue - why not a proper car problem. Tony or Tom could have easily replaced the windscreen wipers.

The chat with Rex was actually fine in itself even if they don’t know each other particularly well. I think it’s quite normal to open up in that sort of setting, when you are thrown together in close proximity for a period of time; however, what was unusual was that they stopped for a coffee and a sandwich. That was weird.

Bruisername · 25/04/2025 12:38

I also don’t feel Helen would have bought a sandwich!!

Brefugee · 25/04/2025 13:15

to be fair to Helen (who can probably change a wiper herself - unless it's those flashy rear wipers that need an actual wizzard to change) it turned out to be the wiper motor. And she'd been calling all morning but nobody answered.

But also agree she has any number of people she could call on before paying for a taxi. Also agree vehemently that she would not buy food.

TherapistInATabard · 25/04/2025 13:36

My wiper motor went a couple of years ago about 2 hours from home on a Sunday in the pissing rain! Very stressful indeed. It cost hundreds to replace.

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 14:05

When I had a wiper motor problem the garage worked out that a sharp tap in the right place got it moving again. So for some months on rainy days (remember I live in Ireland) people would see me getting out of the car carrying a big stick, opening the bonnet/hood of the car, hitting something forcibly with the stick, closing up, getting back in the car, and driving away.

I have no memory of what the eventual 'proper' solution was.

Godesstobe · 25/04/2025 14:44

Do we know if Rex works for himself or for a local taxi company? If the latter, he would almost certainly have another job to go to after Helen and would not be able to just stop for a bite to eat with a customer.

Is Rex's cab going to replace The Bull, GG, the tea room and the kitchen at Brookfield as the place where characters meet for conversations in future?

Brefugee · 25/04/2025 15:29

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 14:05

When I had a wiper motor problem the garage worked out that a sharp tap in the right place got it moving again. So for some months on rainy days (remember I live in Ireland) people would see me getting out of the car carrying a big stick, opening the bonnet/hood of the car, hitting something forcibly with the stick, closing up, getting back in the car, and driving away.

I have no memory of what the eventual 'proper' solution was.

haha that's like when i was hugely pregnant and drove a VW transporter/camper van and the solenoid valve had gone, and i used to have to clamber out, waddle round to the motor and smack it with a hammer

CaptainMyCaptain · 25/04/2025 16:30

I used to have an old style VW Beetle with a dodgy starter motor that needed a kick now and then.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 25/04/2025 16:38

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 14:05

When I had a wiper motor problem the garage worked out that a sharp tap in the right place got it moving again. So for some months on rainy days (remember I live in Ireland) people would see me getting out of the car carrying a big stick, opening the bonnet/hood of the car, hitting something forcibly with the stick, closing up, getting back in the car, and driving away.

I have no memory of what the eventual 'proper' solution was.

Is this you, Dean, or another customer of that garage?

Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. Discuss The Archers here.
OP posts:
Madcats · 25/04/2025 16:43

Tom and Tash probably have a car each, Joy too, as I would expect Pat/Tony Adam (assuming he still works at Bridge Farm) and Susan.

It is daft enough that Helen would set of to pick up her car when she isn't sure that it has been fixed, dafter still that she wouldn't have asked somebody for a lift, and the utmost daftest that she would make Rex hang around and decide that they should share a sandwich.

I really think they need to get Toby back in Ambridge; Rex is drifting aimlessly without him. Presumably he will be the one to twig that Rochelle and co have something untoward planned.

muddyford · 25/04/2025 16:59

CaptainMyCaptain · 25/04/2025 16:30

I used to have an old style VW Beetle with a dodgy starter motor that needed a kick now and then.

We had a Morris 1000 Traveller with a dodgy starter motor and Mum would leap out with a huge screwdriver, lift the bonnet and wallop the right bit.

Gonners · 25/04/2025 17:03

@Madcats ... Presumably he will be the one to twig that Rochelle and co have something untoward planned.

But, having quite inexplicably fallen for Rochelle, he won't report it.

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 17:04

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 25/04/2025 16:38

Is this you, Dean, or another customer of that garage?

No, not me, I did have to open up and whack a very specific spot. Precision percussive therapy.

muddyford · 25/04/2025 17:20

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 07:27

Is David going to shoot a dog? or a dog owner? or wire the electric fence to the mains supply and fry someone? will his career as a killer come to public attention at long last?

DEATH VILLAGE HISTORY OF COVER-UPS GOING BACK DECADES

AMBRIDGE MAN QUIZZED ON TWO OTHER 'ACCIDENTAL' DEATHS

SUSPICIOUS ANIMAL KILLINGS

DISAPPEARANCES

COUSIN OF KNIFE HORROR HELEN

David killed a badger a few years ago, but was seen dumping the corpse by the side of the road.

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 17:25

See upthread. The family are trying to open the case again with the cops. it's only a matter of time.

EBearhug · 25/04/2025 17:33

I know how to change my windscreen wiper. I have a spare windscreen wiper. It has travelled hundreds of miles in the back of the car, because I can't squeeze the two clippy bits on the side together that undo it. I shall wait till I'm back at work and smile helplessly at the colleague who is really into cars. I refuse to pay someone to do it, and it's not broken, just a bit smeary.

But in Helen's case, even if she can't fix it, as you say, there's a farm full of people to help.

TottersBlithely · 25/04/2025 17:33

In truth I rather like the fact that Helen and Rex talked. It’s good to be reminded - simply through the fact the conversation occurred - that he’s not just Archer-adjacent (as Rosie’s uncle) and loosely family to Helen, but also a Fairbrother, with as good an Ambridge Royalty heritage as Helen herself.

He is (as we’ve all observed) so incredibly wet that it’s hard to believe he’s an ex rugby player (I haven’t misremembered, have I?) from a privileged background, but he’s certainly Helen’s equal, socially.

And she would only have suggested the roadside sandwich to coax him to chat. (She has children, after all.)

DeanElderberry · 25/04/2025 17:36

Deadly Dave is going to get a shock

Archers thread #184: It’s a shambles! And we don’t mean Casey Meats. Discuss The Archers here.