Archers thread #190: Carry on, Cleo! Best new character for ages. 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 be delighted to have your wedding reception across the lawn from the local Flower & Produce Show, 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.)

Charlotte Smith must have been delighted to get back to Countryfile and Farming Today. What a pile of piffle tonight. Ah well.

When is George expected back? It can't be long now, surely. It occurs to me that I can't recall whether he's ever spoken on air to Ruairi. As their actors are currently the best (IMO) amongst the younger members of the cast, I hope they will cross swords in some way.

And finally, I can't mention Carry on Cleo without squeezing in one of the best lines ever written (Denis Norden and Frank Muir have the credit): Infamy, infamy! They've all got it in for me! Currently, Lily probably feels this way.

https://youtube.com/shorts/eRnd48yTC5A?si=N05njp3uLfpSjAmI

Over to you!

@AskingQuestionsAllTheTime , I didn't say it did. I entered the spelling of the name.

Was Ruairi born in Borsetshire? I wasn't in the UK from 1999 to 2013, so missed a fair bit. Nothing of importance, obviously!

One spelling of the name. There is no certainty about the fada, even if he had been registered in Ireland which he was not.

Yes, he was born in Borsetshire, Gonners, and I think it was in Borchester General hospital.

No good deed goes unpunished.

I feel sorry for you now, @Gonners, because in my view the Siobhan/Brian story was probably the best thing I've ever heard on TA. I thought they got it all spot on to begin with (apart from the improbability of nobody in Ambridge noticing and gossiping about how often Brian was parking his expensive and presumably easily identified car near Honeysuckle Cottage in the afternoons when Tim was at the surgery).

Siobhan's husband Tim was consoled by the vicar, Janet Fisher, but they of course didn't have an affair, although they did get together later on after they'd both left Ambridge. Tim physically attacked Brian at one point, and although I don't condone violence, I really couldn't blame him. Siobhan's initial plan to pass off Brian's child as Tim's was utterly contemptible, but that was what she was like.

Brian's disappointment at never having had a son of his own was brought in, because he and Siobhan were both so delighted that Ruairi was a boy, and Siobhan was absolutely convinced that was her trump card which would ensure Brian left Jennifer for her. So many plot points there, given Brian's difficult relationship with Adam and his complex relationships with Debbie, Kate and Alice. Alice going off at the deep end when she found out what had been going on was a good touch.

Jennifer's fight back was unexpected, as I thought the BBC was gearing up for a messy divorce, but I accept that it was in character for Brian to decide in the end not to tear the family apart and potentially lose the farm. The icing on the cake was how upset Debbie was. Her relationship with Brian had always been a touch unhealthy, bordering on incestuous, and she seemed even more upset about his affair than the break up of her own marriage, which happened just before Ruairi was born. It was Debbie who first realised who the mystery man was who had fathered Siobhan's child and caused the break up of the Hathaways' marriage and left the village without a GP. Elizabeth was dragged in because she was Siobhan's friend and knew about the affair but hadn't said anything, so her name was mud for a while at Home Farm.

The later part was not nearly so good. Having Siobhan die was like something out of a Victorian melodrama. Scarlet woman expires, but first begs her lover's wife to take in her husband's bastard! Why not just have Siobhan living inconveniently nearby, with Jennifer always on tenterhooks in case Brian changed his mind?

I always thought Siobhan’s death was ridiculous - and the subtle blaming of Brian ‘well if she’d had a partner to notice the mole it may well have not been too late’

not sure having a partner makes a difference!!

inconvenient characters are often killed off prematurely and foolishly imo - like Rob

Yes! Rob was another one. In real life nasty people seem to have just as good a chance of making it to extreme old age as nice ones. One example of this is probably touching down at an RAF base even as I type.

Not a single comment about last night's episode? I've not got much to say, just that I can't understand why they're portraying Lily of all people as having no clue what she wants to do with her life. She has a stately home business ready and waiting for her to manage when Elizabeth decides she's had enough! She comes from one of the wealthiest families for miles around - she could be off travelling now. It's ludicrous that armed with a First in Events Management or whatever it was that she's just pottering about doing menial work at Grey Gables.

I thought Lily was suppose to go Australia for a bit? Bit worried that Fallon might have a panic attack in the water.

Got a last minute ticket for the June Spencer thing 🥳 see you there (anonymously) @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g @TheCrasher

What was the ice cream van thing all about yesterday? Was that meant to represent the ghost of Nigel - another Pargetter who took a while to find his feet? I found the whole episode rather melancholic. Where is the whole rose-tinted spectacles Dross revival going? And since when did not being able to swim make it OK to paddle board across a lake?

Ah yes that's what I thought too re the always creepy ice cream van sound - did Halloween come early and zombie Nigel rose from the dead handing out soft serve?! Are they sure that was strawberry sauce 🤔 Imagine about the simultaneous joy and outrage that would bring to the fans, haha!

I wish Lily would go to Australia, the sooner the better. She could become a jillaroo and be eaten by dingos.

It was odd that there was no mention of Australia last night. Is this just a failure of communication between SWs?

I am sceptical about Lily - of all people - having graduated with no idea of a possible future. But then, she does seem to have undertaken the most rubbish degree in the whole history of the world. Where t f was her year abroad? (I know they’re not compulsory, but for her particular course it seems exceedingly odd that she never went anywhere at all to gain broader experience.)

And as I’ve said repeatedly - Lily Pargetter would have had countless opportunities for glamorous internships. It’s only the SWs who’ve completely failed to understand this.

I'm in! More security than Windsor. Bright green pullover if anyone wants to make contact. Overlooking newsroom.

There's free coffee. Peggy would have approved. 'People must have access to coffee at all times.' One of my all-time favourites.

Programme.

I'm not there yet (worried I'll miss out now!) but wearing a blue mushroom shirt @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

They're taking us in from the main entrance because of the anti-Trump demo later, which starts outside.

Even David Archer had to go through the airport security!

Leonard's here. One of the few I recognise visually.

oh have fun!!
Last night's ep was just rubbish filler. The ice-cream was quite nice, i thought. Adults don't often go to them just like that (but a bit chilly now?)

The whole Jazzer, Ed, Fallon in the car thing was rubbish. (where was Tracey?)

Have a nice time, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g, and any others who are attending!

Wasn’t it “Tea must be available at all times “? Words to live by imo.

I think you're right. I took an unconscionable liberty and June Spencer would not have been amused. Heading for home now. Really enjoyed it. Fuller report later.

Angus Imrie Josh smiled back at me and wore a light blue suit to match his eyes swoons

(he arrived quite last minute, wasn't close enough to check whether he smelled of chicken poo)