Archers thread #186: Eavesdropping on a home for the terminally confused. 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 swipe right on Dane, the new Grey Gables manager, 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/radioaddicts/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/radioaddicts/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.)

Thanks to @WitcheryDivine for the title inspiration. Over to you!

Bereavements can remind you of other bereavements and trigger stuff that was buried. Lillian has been widowed twice, once very young, there was funny stuff with the death of that bloke she took up with (Tiger's brother?), her sister died less than a year ago. Cut her some slack, all you calm and emotionally continent types.

So sorry to hear that, @AzurePanda.

The responses on this thread just go to show that this is very personal and much depends on the relationship between the person who's died and their relative, as well as the age, circumstances and personalities involved. The TA SWs are doing a good job with Lilian, I'd say. Tony will be maintaining a stiff upper lip.

Strawberry-picking robots have come on a bit since Alice’s engineering days:
https://dogtooth.tech/robots/

They had some at Chelsea Flower Show.

Jakob’s brother would be an interesting addition to the cast, but he doesn’t have a Newcastle (or nearby / similar) accent and therefore is not allowed to join the cast.

This looks a fun Open Sunday activity:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7g81zvy0zo

@BeatriceBatchelor I mean this kindly, but I think your comments are out of place on a light natured thread like this.

I'm actually finding the portrayal of Lilian's grief one of the most plausible and realistic storylines we have had of late.

Well, to be fair, you clearly are getting into a row about this. You just don't want any pushback.

All grief is valid.

That's actually quite funny and not at all kind.

FWIW @BeatriceBatchelor havign lost one parent at a ridiculously young age and one at 96 I agree with you.

You may have meant it kindly, but that is not how it came across.

Grief is not a competition and is different for everyone.

anyway, back to the archers - I’m not sure where they are going with Akram but I hope it is going to be interesting.

very few young people seem to have much of a love life - there was Brad and Mia and then Brad and Zainab (fail) but there’s not been anything else except George and the button (another fail)

Grief is so complicated and often not only about the specific loss but rather all that you have lost before and then after and the support you have during these times. I think most people can accept that losses out of the ‘order of things’ such as young people or children are particularly difficult and sad. Having said that, all grief is hard. All losses can be heartbreaking. Life itself is hard. I think we can have empathy for all. Often those who have lost the most are the most empathetic but that also shouldn’t be expected.

I meant we can’t know what people are going through with their own grief so reading debates on here on what point it’s worst to lose your parent probably isn’t a good idea.

I think it’s so weird how little they have relationship wise, particularly the younger generations. Also with Freddy, it’s notable that he seems to have zero interest, if that’s by choice then I think it would have come up at least between him and Lily. And then Lily - it’s been forever since Russ, she’d definitely have something going on. And given the heritage aspect of farming and of stately homes it’s such a massive miss SL wise.

Honestly, the SW’s need to get their act together. We have ‘scam week’ and random newcomers but no updates on actual relevant storylines.

You know who would make a good couple? Helen and my beloved Russ! 🙏

Don't remind me. When Paul died we were subjected to endless episodes of Lilian's incredibly snotty crying, it really sounded quite disgusting. I'm so glad she seems to be doing most of her current grieving off air.

She's far too old for him. Keira or Poppy would be more his style.

It’s actually quite true to life, judging by some of my children’s and their friends’ lives.

That’s interesting, @Abra1t - do they give any PO particular reason?

I agree with your observations about complex characters @Godesstobe. This is the result of letting characters develop over years and years - the Bridge Farm Archers are good examples of this where we can see the flaws, but understand what created them. New characters will never have this depth which is why it's better to introduced them gradually so they get woven in on the fringes before launching them into massive plots. Any story is much more powerful when you know the characters intimately and that can never happen over a few weeks or even months. Lillian's grief is actually a good example of this, she was still very much her mother's daughter - her relationship with her own son (and now grandson) feel much more flimsy in comparison. Many people start to unconciously loosen their ties with their parents when their own children and grandchildren come along - a sort of gradual letting go, so it's always preferable to lose an ancient parent as that is very much the right order of thing IYSWIM. This hasn't happened in Lillian's case - her son has up and moved away and has no life in Ambridge, despite the Snell link. Peggy was a much bigger part of her life, she hasn't managed to replicate this closeness with her son. She has lost her sister, then her mother and her relationship with Justin always feels a bit flimsy to me. I'm not surprised her foundations are feeling a bit rocked.

I'm not getting into a row about this

@BeatriceBatchelor I don’t know why you think there needs to be a 'row' but I can assure you that my grief for my 97-year old mother was entirely real and I was, I think, perfectly allowed to feel it, thanks. So let’s agree to differ. Not hard, is it?

Anyway, back to TA. I like the sound of Ed's chicken and mushroom pie. A pity Emma wanted to be so narky about it.

I can assure you that my grief for my 97-year old mother was entirely real and I was, I think, perfectly allowed to feel it, thanks. So let’s agree to differ. Not hard, is it?

🤔I didn't say anything to the contrary ...