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!

I actually went the long way home after the June Spencer event and went to Spitalfields City Farm for a bit. Big chickens, goats who wanted a back and chin rub. Nice.

Also two crows pecking at a dead rat, but I probably shouldn't share that photo at dinnertime.

That's an extremely fine-looking goat and a remarkably pretty chicken!

I don't remember a farm at Surrey Docks. I left London in December 1987 so maybe it wasn't there then. When I retired I volunteered at a working farm with charitable status just outside Sheffield conducting farm tours mainly with school groups. I was in my element.

Still going, I'm pleased to say. https://www.surreydocksfarm.org.uk/ Started in 1975, apparently.

Ooh, they have ferrets! Such beautiful critters and so very keen to curl up and have a nap in your arms ... unless you're a rat or a rabbit. An ex- of mine from about a hundred years ago introduced me to them and they had been so well socialised that they were like non-bitey kittens, but absolutely fearless when working.

OK so it was there when I was there but I didn't know about it

Came on here to see if anyone felt the same about that post coital episode, and I see they do.

At least I presume that’s why no one’s even mentioned it at all on here.

Grim, wasn't it?

Grim indeed. And daft Ben going on about being "happy for you" because he'd engineered the encounter.

The dialogue makes Ruiari sound like a 45 year old.

It was awful. I have only just recovered from Sid and Jolene in the shower.

I remember the squelching shower scene between Sid and Jolene; the tastelessness of the encounter between R & P put that in the shade. And I loathe Paul. Last night made me glad that we now eat early. Vomit-inducing twaddle.

I'm only listening to TA now to contribute to these threads!

Am I alone in NOT finding R and P's encounter distasteful?

I think all episodes of TA involving Sexy Times are distasteful, and at least that one had the benefit of being the morning after, with no panting and slurping. Paul seems to have toned down the campness, though I don't know what has happened to Ruairi's voice. He sounded rather pathetic, really.

No, I didn't mind it, either. We didn't experience the actual night, just how to leave without being spotted.

I didn't find it distasteful so much as inevitable. I can't get over how quickly they've brought Ruairi back for the Home Farm inheritance battle and how his reappearance immediately brought Paul out of the woodwork. Ben seems to be working overtime now - perhaps to make up for his years in the cereal cupboard - chaperone for the Rosie/Cleo introductions and now matchmaker and relationship counsellor for Ruairi and Paul.

Exactly. Just a conversation in the morning - no rumpy pumpy. (Or grumpy puppy as preferred by auto-correct)

A grumpy puppy would have been more welcome tbh

ben must be the most irritating character - he’s just there all the time as a plot driver really

Because Lily organised it and cocked up?

Did I hear Ruari also claiming that Canary Wharf was near the Olympic park?

I can't get over how quickly they've brought Ruairi back for the Home Farm inheritance battle

It may not be far off, what with Brian saying things like, "if it's the last thing I do!"

Thabks for the new thread.

Skipped a week of listening and just caught up with yesterday's episode. What on earth happened with Brian at school?

I thought it was absolutely fine. I much prefer them to have a morning after scene like that than one when we have to endure the "action".

I am actually quite surprised that anyone would find Paul and Ruairi’s ‘morning after’ scenes ‘tasteless’. I mean, there was nothing graphic or unsuitable for tender ears. And they have as much right to a joyful sexual / romantic life as any other characters.

In terms of entertainment I wouldn’t have minded a slightly more protracted will they won’t they? - but as they’re both young and single it was realistic. We know - and apparently Ruairi doesn’t - that Paul has been pining for him since he left. (Despite his stated distress over the break-up with his previous boyfriend.)

My understanding is that they’re a Future of Ambridge couple - I’ll be deeply disappointed if the SWs don’t also understand this!

Although of course the SWs have constructed Ruairi as a ticking bomb, ready to break Paul’s heart by falling in love with a simpering milkmaid at some point in his life.

(Who was it who suggested that possibility here?)