Archers thread #185: Some farming would be nice. Discuss The Archers here.

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

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Over to you!

It’s interesting that Rex seems to be struggling more with money than Kirsty, when they both presumably have the same income from the rewilding project. I get that Kirsty owns her house, but that comes with a whole set of expenses in itself. Rex has pig farming and taxi driving as well, but struggles with living on a boat.

People say Rex has a nice voice but I never know who he is until someone says his name. I think a lot of the younger male characters sound similar apart from Johneh ( who I miss dearly`)

@Sidebeforeself I’m the same.

a vegan-culty peri-menopausal meatpacker.

@Madcats 🤣🤣🤣

Normal people: “Do you know, after that incident at the abattoir, I’m feeling uncomfortable about open farm Sunday. I don’t want to do it this year.

David as currently written: ten minute angst fest and drama culminating in a declaration

Am I getting a whiff of … Northumberland drifting over Brookfield?

All the better to change the show title to Joy at Beechwood.

And Rex! On his way out, or an irresistible opportunity about to be revealed?

TottersBlithely
And Rex! On his way out, or an irresistible opportunity about to be revealed?

Please, please let it be the former! Because if the latter is Pip, he really doesn't deserve such a harsh punishment for being a bit bland and boring.

No, I don’t think it will be Pip! But the SWs put into his mouth their own feelings about him - he’s become an unmanageable embarrassment.

Well, the SWs only have themselves to blame for that.

I like Rex.

Pip really is very stupid. Even allowing that David's reaction is OTT, her wittering on about Rosie was so obviously what he couldn't care less about.

Wasn't it a relief to not hear the ghastly Rochelle.
Bring me the voice of Robin Fairbrother.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle You need to bear in mind that Pip is the spawn of David and Ruth, neither of whom has two brain cells to rub together.

Yet again I’m miles behind but I really enjoyed that episode with Tom and Natasha, they sounded so real and in character.

My theory is they realise they have fluffed it with the current (post Peggy and Jill) generation of Ambridge matriarchs. Ruth, Pat, Elizabeth etc just don’t have the Aunt Ada Doomliness nor the habit of being in their children’s business at all times. They’re just all quite hands off and don’t seem to wield much power. So they’re setting up Natasha and Helen as rival matriarchs for the future. I heartily endorse this.

I really enjoyed that episode with Tom and Natasha, they sounded so real and in character.

Well yes, but you wouldn't want to know them in real life.

Is veganism on the rise? I thought it was out of favour. Shall google

I previously mentioned that I wouldn’t mind hearing from Pip if it meant not hearing from Joy or Rochelle. I feel I may have been hasty. Her acting is atrocious. And she’s obsessed with Rosie in the most irritating way.

I liked Tony and Lillian! Do people say ‘great aunt’ rather than just generic ‘aunt’ when the name is appended

jack is surely too old to not be trusted to the extent Henry needs a lock box

i feel like David would have a stiffer upper lip than he’s showing. It was a 5 min siege and the most threatening weapon was a broken bottle. This wasn’t really the farming SL I was hoping for.

and Rex - yes you are wasting your life in ambridge and you are a weird man on a little boat. And if you want kids then Rochelle and Kirsty are not the right ones.

but yay! No joy or Rochelle!!

As to Pip being stupid, the SWs have made her so. In reality, as the only one of the Brookfield offspring with an actual degree in ‘farming’, she would have been the one driving the post-activist abattoir invasion discussion on the farm. Not leaving it to her almost ancient, shaken up dad. And she’s usually the first to suggest another billion dollar scheme for them to spend money on - a combination of increased security and an aggressive pro-mixed farming SM publicity campaign is surely exactly what her degree and experience qualify her for.

It wouldn’t even take much time; AI spits out an essay on the benefits quicker than Pip can raise an eyebrow at Josh.

Is it the acting or the way she’s written? Or a bit of both? Pip and Lily vying for most patronising twerp of the week.

I like Rex, I always have. He’s nice and solid, has a lovely voice and I’ve always had a weakness for rugby players. He can’t help the hand the SWs have dealt him.

And David’s earnest lecture on evil veganism was nearly as irritating as Rochelle’s rantings!

I liked the detail of Henry being encouraged to spend an inheritance that may not exist.

I liked the bit about keeping Peggy's shopping list. My late DH's last list is still on the fridge, nine years later.

I’m so sorry for your loss @echt and I can completely imagine why you’d do that.

Thank you, @WitcheryDivine. I

My friend made a whole exhibition of his late mum’s doodles, lists and scribbled down ideas. It was delightful

So sorry for your loss @echt

On the subject of Rex, long, long ago the 🔮 predicted that Phoebe would be the one for him, once she'd grown up and had the chance to spread her wings a bit.

I'm wondering if after Jennifer's death Peggy has changed her will - and divided it up amongst all grandchildren after setting aside a sum for Christine's care and rewilding