Archers thread #189: Brian reaps what he sows, in spite of himself. 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 want to hear more from Markey, 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.)

Over to you!

I don’t mind Brad but I don’t feel he’s consistent - as said above. The whole ‘Lily fancies me’ nonsense and the stupid bellboy and the ‘is he or isn’t he’ ND and the ‘I can’t cope with uni work but actually all done now so no need to mention it again’

it’s like the different people writing him haven’t agreed on who he is

He was an idiot for thinking Russ fancied Chelsea, leading to the expulsion of Russ. I'll never fully forgive him for that.

He was also an idiot for thinking Lily fancies him. But he's less awful than many.

Please drown Jazzer. He's creepy and repulsive. I've hated him forever and especially since the sleazy shagging at Grey Gables. Also he started banging on MN style about Chelsea being his "step daughter" the minute his (no doubt sweaty and smelly) feet crossed the Horrobin threshold.

He'd be unspeakably revolting as landlord of The Bull.

I think Brad's very young for his age, and easily led/led on ... and his social skills are rubbish! But he mostly means well.

He was an idiot for thinking Russ fancied Chelsea, leading to the expulsion of Russ. I'll never fully forgive him for that

Me neither. #neverforgiveorforget

I applauded him mightily for his action getting Russ away from leeching off Elizabeth.

What? There are people here who liked Russ?

I still don’t understand how everyone just accepted Russ having a relationship with Lily

Yes. I did. He was never boring.

Bit of a sleazebag, taking up with someone young enough to be his daughter and to whom he had been in loco parentis.

Adored him.

He was a total creep! Anyone of his age having a relationship with a (former) pupil has deeply dubious morals.

Bowled over by passion, he waited until she was over eighteen, and he had discovered she was the owner of a Gwen John painting, before he declared himself to her.

I know I was thinking last night how remarkably free of perves Ambridge seems to be. Absolutely no chance in the world a real 50 something divorced bloke would take young girls out because he salutes their sporting prowess.

And he had a wife.

Yes, that too. Bad manners, if nothing worse, not to wait until his wife had thrown him out before starting to drool after someone half his age.

I don't recall that Russ's wife was devastated to lose him. But perhaps she was.

(Maybe that should begin "To be fair to Russ ..." but I just can't bring myself to even consider the possibility!)

I dothibk you have to like the character as a person to enjoy them as a character. Some of the characters who would be a nightmare to know IRL can be great fun to listen to.

They're not generally all black and white - Russ was awful in many ways, but he was good with Chelsea. Quite a few others like that in Ambridge, which can make them credible. Few of us always behave perfectly, and as characters in a drama, it'd be dull and unbelievable if they were.

I think whether I like or dislike a character depends mostly (though not entirely) on whether or not they entertain me in the context of the programme. They get extra points if they seem vaguely human. So - just as examples - I like Tracy and Jazzer and the Tracy-spawn, Brian, Kate, and Stella. And I love Jakob!

At the other end of the scale lie Alistair, pretty much all the Grundys (RIP Joe), and all of Jennifer's children apart from the absent Debbie and newly sane Kate, as influenced by Jakob (but can she keep this up?)

Pat & Tony should not have been allowed to breed.

<on edit> I don't expect anyone to agree with any of the above! 😆

I loathe Amber more than Jazzer. And I'm not convinced by tonight's effort at sounding like a normal human being.

Chris and Fallon up a tree....

Who is Bert, please? I thought he was dead (Bert Fry) - is there a new one? Is he an animal?

Bert Horrobin. Tracy and Susan's father.

Cross-posted. Bert Horrobin. He is Susan and Tracy's father.
Also the father of Clive and Gary.
His late wife was Ivy.

Yes... But then we get insightful/wise moments too (e.g. recent conversation with Amber, pointing out that she's now the bully, which I enjoyed)... so inconsistent!

I definitely agree with others... the scriptwriters need to start agreeing on Brad's personality!

Isn't there a Keith as well?