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Archers thread #189: Brian reaps what he sows, in spite of himself. Discuss The Archers here.

997 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 08/08/2025 22:36

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

Archers 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. Grin

Archers 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!

Archers 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!

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MinnieBaldock · 18/08/2025 05:10

I think Susan takes it upon herself to be in charge(a sort of bullying), and everyone else let's her, but if you question her about something she will get on her high horse. Ive known a lot of people like that.
Glad Brad told Amber whats what, and Amber's a fool if she thinks he would take her side against Chelsea.
I think she will go crying to George and he will have a word with Brad. I hope he dosnt apologise that would really annoy me.
George forgets his locked up and its only his mum and Brad's (silly ness) good graces that he is getting stuff done out side.
I don't think George and Amber will last long when he gets out.

Gonners · 18/08/2025 07:55

I think Amber might "Do A Tom" and leave George waiting at the altar, or equivalent, while filming the proceedings for social media. (Actually, that would be quite entertaining and I offer it to the SWs for the usual fee.)

Brefugee · 18/08/2025 09:29

gosh GO BRAD!
I completely agree with him - and those of us who were victims of the cool girls all know that they can't remember what they did/said for the most part because everything apart from themselves and belonging to that group they didn't care about anything. It didn't even register with them when they were utterly awful, unless someone actually pointed it out there and then. And not always then. And it all caused their regular low-level bullying to escalate in an "i'm cooler than you arms race" into out and out bullying.

It is clear that Chelsea really doesn't understand all of what Amber thinks happened (recollections may vary) and it could well be that it was truly truly awful. But it also could be an Amberfluencer origin story where she has built it up in her mind (and online) into something that makes her SO much cooler than everyone now. And a lot of her behaviour is that kind of cool-girl bullying that she hated so much as a schoolgirl.

Gonners · 18/08/2025 10:27

If any actual "bullying" even happened? Not letting someone join your gang ≠ bullying. I remember a perfectly nice girl from school who joined late, having failed the 11-plus but got in on a second try via what was then the 13-plus. She was put down a year, so was older than us, very industrious and very "conservative" in dress and attitudes. She decided that the small group I was part of was the least-worst option, and hung out with us at break/lunch times. This was fine, though she was bewildered at our enthusiasm for the Rolling Stones. 😆But we never invited her to join us after school or at weekends/holidays, because it would have been like inviting your mum along!

SaffyRosie · 18/08/2025 11:51

Stella is a hypocrite. Harvest Justin's crop but not Brian's.

Marlene is bloody rude. Tracy should tell her so. You don't not turn up, you send a message cancelling, if possible in advance.

TottersBlankly · 18/08/2025 12:53

Not really, @SaffyRosie - Stella knew that Brian had other options for the Home Farm harvesting. And anyway, by the time she declined to work for him any more he’d called her all sorts of names and threatened to ensure she’d never get another job in the area.

🤷‍♀️

Madcats · 18/08/2025 14:35

Can somebody remind me why Chelsea isn’t a hairdresser?

Also how do these comparatively broke teenagers manage to get around Ambridge and beyond; (Amber aside) have any of them passed a driving test?

Amber is odd (and a bully)

TheCrasher · 18/08/2025 14:49

The curious Ambridge microclimate means that hair grows at 1 % of average hair growth rate, so haircuts are seldom required.

TottersBlankly · 18/08/2025 15:01

Because not a single person Chelsea knows, either at the college she attended or in Ambridge, has pointed out that she should be doing an apprenticeship with a reputable hairdressers in Borchester, rather than scurrying around the village on her bike working in hospitality venues.

I can’t remember if she ever took her driving test. IIRC there was a point when, during a driving lesson, she almost knocked down one of the former ‘horses’ - it’s all hazy after that …

(TBH I can’t recall the outcome of her college course; when it finished; what careers advice she sought out or followed …)

Buxusmortus · 18/08/2025 15:12

Lilian gets her hair done and so did Jenny, I'm sure I've heard Linda talking about getting hers done. They presumably go to Borchester. No other women seem to and no man or boy ever gets their hair cut or has a beard trim.

It's a total mystery why Chelsea did hairdressing at college but never actually went to work in a salon, but seems to prefer to be a part time waitress.

It's also a mystery why Zainab is just messing around doing nothing in particular when she finished A levels 2 years ago. Surely it's time she made some decisions about what she wants to do, must be very disappointing for her mother and I find it very unrealistic. The Maliks marriage is unrealistic too, a female GP married to a plumber, doubt that would happen, have I missed that in India he was a professional person and for some reason has to be a plumber here?

TheCrasher · 18/08/2025 15:19

Susan, Lilian and Peggy used to have their hair done by Fabrice, erstwhile owner of Hilda Ogden.

Chelsea has cut Brad, Lynda and Lilian's hair and has styled hair for Tracey and Fallon.

@Buxusmortus , Pakistan not India.

Gonners · 18/08/2025 15:41

I don't imagine that Chelsea, whatever her hairdressing skills, interviews terribly well!

Abra1t · 18/08/2025 15:42

Gonners · 18/08/2025 15:41

I don't imagine that Chelsea, whatever her hairdressing skills, interviews terribly well!

Didn't she have about three offers for work this year or last, though? The Bull, the cafe and somewhere else, because of her 'forward' interview style?

Gonners · 18/08/2025 15:46

Yes, but they are used to her harrumphing in Ambridge!

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 18/08/2025 16:17

TheCrasher · 18/08/2025 15:19

Susan, Lilian and Peggy used to have their hair done by Fabrice, erstwhile owner of Hilda Ogden.

Chelsea has cut Brad, Lynda and Lilian's hair and has styled hair for Tracey and Fallon.

@Buxusmortus , Pakistan not India.

Edited

Chelsea also cut Blake's hair, which was a big confidence boost for him, and Russ'. Russ was the person who first saw her potential.

Madcats · 18/08/2025 16:47

If Mucky Mick, Brad and Dean were deemed suitable employees of Grey Gables, I feel sure that there ought to have been a few beautician jobs up for grabs at the Health Club when it reopened.

Another opportunity to weave the plotlines together gets kicked into the long grass (apologies, I should really think of a cricket equivalent).

Presumably the "we're all going on an Archers' holiday" has gone AWOL too?

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 18/08/2025 17:09

Because not a single person Chelsea knows, either at the college she attended or in Ambridge, has pointed out that she should be doing an apprenticeship with a reputable hairdressers in Borchester, rather than scurrying around the village on her bike working in hospitality venues.

If they hadn't got rid of Russ, his character, if they'd kept him true to character, would have pointed that out.

TottersBlankly · 18/08/2025 17:14

Maybe - but at what cost to my blood pressure?

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 18/08/2025 17:14

TottersBlankly · 18/08/2025 17:14

Maybe - but at what cost to my blood pressure?

I liked Russ.

Abra1t · 18/08/2025 17:28

Madcats · 18/08/2025 16:47

If Mucky Mick, Brad and Dean were deemed suitable employees of Grey Gables, I feel sure that there ought to have been a few beautician jobs up for grabs at the Health Club when it reopened.

Another opportunity to weave the plotlines together gets kicked into the long grass (apologies, I should really think of a cricket equivalent).

Presumably the "we're all going on an Archers' holiday" has gone AWOL too?

Please God.

DeanElderberry · 18/08/2025 19:55

Martin (or is he Martyn) is growing on me. In my head he is separating off from the previous obnoxious bully of the same name and becoming a tolerable dork.

Gonners · 18/08/2025 20:30

Miserable private life Martyn (sic) is certainly less obnoxious than ghastly professional Martyn. But he is now tediously omnipresent and just asking to be fed to the pigs.

muddyford · 18/08/2025 21:00

Perhaps Martin will go off with Joy. They can be omnipresent together elsewhere. Shameless bit of hinting to poor Tracy.

Gonners · 18/08/2025 21:20

Whatever anyone says, I don't care ... I LIKE JOY! Okay, it is all relative ... but I find her less punchable than most characters.

echt · 18/08/2025 22:47

Gonners · 18/08/2025 21:20

Whatever anyone says, I don't care ... I LIKE JOY! Okay, it is all relative ... but I find her less punchable than most characters.

I like her too, but fear she's been waaay overused. Possibly Martyn will go the same way and he'll join the list of characters bent out of shape to service an SL: Harrison, Joy and now him.