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!

Brian, Jakob and Stella are all such good actors they show up anyone sharing their scenes. The Kate actor is ok but she does overdo it at times. Less aid about Pip the better. Miranda is awful and badly acted, don’t see the appeal at all. Mind you, Brian referred to her as ‘my glamorous girlfriend’ which does explain it, perhaps.

Brian was annoyed. The glamorous girlfriend quip was definitely sarcasm …

The trouble is, Miranda doesn't sound glamorous - to my ears she sounds like a rather stout bossy boots (nothing wrong with either of those things - I just don't think that's what Brian would go for).

I really enjoy the combo of Brian, Kate and Jakob together.

I have a soft spot for Miranda - and I don't think she's badly acted at all. She's her own woman. She took no nonsense from Justin when he had his affair with Lillian and she made it clear she wouldn't take any from Brian. She was sensitive to Kate's feelings when she first got together with Brian. She has a life of her own and isn't dependent on a man for her social life. She is intelligent and has a sense of humour. What's not to like? I think I'd get on with her IRL as long as I stood up to her and didn't let her ride roughshod over me. I do know two women like her and they are interesting company and good fun. I wouldn't want to be married to either of them but I enjoy spending time with them.

Did we hear her during the Lilian affair or was she a silent?

fine to not want to take shit from Brian but she’s gone way ott about it. Poor chap

i was hoping it would turn out he’d been in the pub with Debbie!!

I agree. I like her too.

I have a soft spot for Miranda - and I don't think she's badly acted at all.

She's awful as a character and an actress. I can't stand her voice. It's painful to listen to. Does the actor think it's supposed to be upper class, sophisticated ennui?

The grilling and quizzing of Brian and checking up on him was awful too. Ditch her now Brian.

I see Miranda as Frances de la Tour which is a good thing.

It’s no good - I have no further answer regarding Toby’s whereabouts whilst in charge of his daughter. I doubt the SW knows either.

Same SW clearly has no idea what was happening last week. Presumably James, Debbie, Noli & Sipho have all gone home without a word about any of them from their Ambridge-resident family members?

Ha Kate desperate that new grandbaby isn't Scorpio ♏ 😭

Toby probably squeezes her onto the barge🙄

That would certainly explain her enhanced vocabulary- she’s swearing like a bargee.

loved Brian and Jakub. I loathe Kate so much i have to let her wash over me. As a Sagittarius I'm a bit miffed she approves of us.

Poor Stella - maybe she is going to realise that being with Pip is no good because of Rosie so may kick that relationship into touch. And then possibly due to Justin having shenanegins, she has to leave for Pastures New? (sad if that happens tho, because i really like Stella). But i am very sure Phoebe is coming back (sigh) and that Kirsty is going to have problems. Presumably she owns Willow Cottage (is it that one?) outright?

Yes Kirsty owns it but I bet she feels obliged to let Phoebe and family stay and becomes the doormat she loves to be whilst making Kate wildly jealous

With any luck the truly shocking words Rosie used to describe her schoolmate will turn out to be ones that Stella used to refer to Rosie, and Stella will be able to escape. Leaving Pip speechless ever after.

I'd miss Stella. Scenes with her and Brian in them are good.

I think Justin’s idea is nuts with the way the world is going.

im assuming the bl meeting on Friday is going to be explosive and Brian will miss the holiday meeting!!!

Justin? Shenanigans? 🥴

Oh, d’you mean business stuff, ie shutting down all the contract work that makes up half Home Farm’s income? I agree it would be a shame if Stella has to leave Ambridge. But she needs to escape from Pip, and Adam needs to return to managing Home Farm, so … 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think it’s good economics to be buying food to cook in a pub from the village shop.
And it would be nuts that they have the right quantity.
And how busy would they really be on a Tuesday lunchtime?
And how many people would really refuse to darken their door ever again because they failed to provide a lunch on one random Tuesday.
And given the weather so they not have a bbq they can use - I’m sure Kenton could manage that.
And all that to give a ‘isn’t the village shop essential’ when they probably could have nipped to the ring road Asda.
And if they are doing that much business why do they bitch so much about paying for a stand in chef.
and why do people treat the bull like it’s some charitable enterprise and not a profit making business
None of it makes sense!!!

and bloody Joy is back with her bloody jokes. In the tardis.

and why is akram, a professional, buying tools in a village shop and not a proper tradesman shop for proper tradesmen

At least we have jim back and he seems to have a grasp of economics - no scrub that

phoebe is definitely moving to ambridge. Jakob referring to her baby as his grandchild is weird. He doesn’t even live with the gran.

I feel better now!!

First the shop; now the Bull?

We’re talking serious blackmail country, surely?

I was just going to do the laugh emoji but I can’t so 🤣

although you must be right. She’s like Mrs Rabbit

Ha - while listening I thought it sounded like two MN threads. AIBU to complain to the school about false accusations about my child? AIBU to choose my own grandparent nickname?
Yes, YABU.

The moment Swedish came up I was taken back to my Duolingo lessons chuckling about morfar, mormor, farmor, and farfar. They do call step children bonus children (bonusbarn), so maybe Jakub could be bonusmorfar?

(Caveat: haven't listened to tonight's yet)

All storylines lead back to Joy. It’s like a strange parlour game. There is simply no reason for it. Although I am grateful not to have heard from the dreary and very poorly-acted Rochelle.

Tequila Slammer!?! WTF