Archers thread #187: Send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for Peggy. 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 like Harrison to hasten home, 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.)

Thanks to John Donne for the title inspiration. The funeral of the century beckons. How much of it do we think we will hear? Kate confirmed tonight that Shula, Debbie, Noli and Sipho are all coming. If we hear one peep from any of them I'll be amazed. Bets on Hazel turning up?

Over to you!

So, the SWs are on trend!

Fortnum & Mason plots first UK stores outside London
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/70de7df681487148

Oh Lord! Brian is actually making me laugh out loud! 🤣

Miranda’s a bit of a red flag too!!! Brian’s better off out of that. Would be funnier if martyn had lied and then chatted Miranda up!!!

employment lawyers on the jury service?

Brian- dump her now.

Yes!

Are they trying to be funny because I actually find it quite disturbing!

run Brian run

don't look back

double lock the door

I’m in my early 60s - and can’t quite imagine having an 81 year old boyfriend. But I sincerely hope I’d never find myself in the position of suspecting said ancient beau of … shenanigans behind my back.

Surely age brings some shedding of anxieties?

I hate Miranda's voice.

she sounds bossy AND deranged, which isn't a great combo

This. He was with Miranda because she was fun to be with; if she's going to spend her time hen-pecking him and putting him through inquisitions and accusing him of treating her badly, the fun is gone, and he'll be better off out of it.

But also making him prove himself and win her back by winning a bridge tournament? He should have told her to stick the bridge deck up her arse

rather than recognising that he was actually doing something sweet for her she twisted it into something nasty. I hope he tells someone and they give him a bit of enlightenment!!

Tbh it all sounds more like SW high jinks than anything Miranda or Brian would actually do.

I don’t think Miranda either sounds, or in fact is, deranged at all!
Loved that episode - apart from the sub chef angst….

No, definitely bossy and deranged and controlling.

None of the above really: just nasty. No longer behaving like the person Brian found it fun to spend time with. She is ill-served by this week's writer.

I really hope he thinks ‘sod it’ and totally humiliates her at the bridge

she was married to Justin for many years so maybe it’s true colours showing

What have just listened to? Utter tosh.

And yes, Miranda is a whiny-voiced controlling madam.

I hope Brian drops her like a stone.

It's ridiculous that Miranda is demanding that Brian and she win the Bridge thing. She could easily enough test out what he says by having a casual social game with friends.

And what if they lost because she messes up?

I thought it was quite funny that philandering old Brian finally has a partner who is absolutely letting him know about her boundaries! Don’t forget Justin had an affair with Brian’s SIL too, she’s been burnt before. So yes utterly ridiculous but in a way I thought was entertaining. I don’t think their relationship was ever meant to be serious and I think th e bridge game is basically her way of tossing a coin as to whether she can be arsed continuing.

I know the Brian and Miranda scenes were a bit silly, but I would tell Miranda where to go to be honest.
What stood out for me was when they found out that the stand in cook has jury service, the pirates husband straight away thought to ask Fallon not to go away for her break. Effing cheek of the guy, sorry too early to remember his name. 😴

I suspect Harrison will cancel again so Fallon won't be going anyway. This will keep happening until they both give up and we never hear from Harrison again.

On the new person - is she basically the new kitchen assistant? And, if so, isn’t it a bit early to leave her fully in charge anyway?

and can you sack someone/not hire them because they have jury service?

Has she already started work? If she hasn't then she can't have much if anything in the way of employment rights, and her failure to disclose at interview an issue with the date she could start working is probably enough to let them say bye bye nice meeting you. But if she has put in a few weeks . . . .?

That seems tough. Although they struggled so much to recruit her it may not be worth it anyway.