Archers thread #193: Christmas in Ambridge! Don't expect any wise men (or women). 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 love a couple of acquaintances to clean and tidy your house without your permission, 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/5457344-the-archers-spoilers-thread-11-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.)

What do we think - best Christmas ever followed by a nice quiet New Year? No, me neither. We have the tractor run to look forward to , and then whatever they've got lined up for the 75th anniversary of the first ever episode - New Year's Day 1951. I can't imagine that anybody involved with the programme then expected it would still be on the air 75 years later. I wonder what they would make of the current direction. The lack of farming content would be a surprise, given that was the whole reason for devising the programme in the first place.

Over to you!

Sadly true.

And Emma did well at school until she was distracted by the Grundy boys. She was bright!

…who comes back and buys Home Farm.

Probably why she gets on so well with Amber.

(Somebody tell me to go out and enjoy the sunshine rather than sitting hunched over my phone scrolling for Archers titbits and supine ways to pass the time until tomorrow evening’s marathon listening and watching!)

Home Farm and the rest of Ambridge, @Abra1t!

Yes, I thought the same. There was a mention of her as "only turning up for funerals" that got me wondering.

Pls could someone remind me who Debbie is?

Eldest daughter of Jennifer RIP, not by Brian.

Played by Tamsin Greig iirc.

That Archers / Black Books mashup that has yet to materialise

Take a look here, @UserNom (not because it’s up to date or comprehensive, because it’s not) but the character lists on the site are a useful resource generally:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/Yh0Hp1rk34X6CjJ3bw1qdY/debbie-aldridge

Thanks all! Love Tamsin G.

There's an episode of Black Books where Fran (TG's character) looks around the little shop she runs and sighs "I do sell a lot of wank". I've always wanted to hear Debbie express a similar sentiment about Kate's Spiritual Home.

If she used her brains in a better snd less shallow way, influenced by Brad, it would be a good thing.

I enjoyed Today. There were some good topics discussed even if not the easiest to listen to. Marred by Anna Foster's 'that's just about it from Emma and I...'.

@UserNom , Cast member photo alert: BBC Radio 4 - The Archers - Debbie Aldridge

Debbie is Jennifer's second child. Her father is Roger Travers-Macy. For some reason, Adam, Jennifer's eldest child, has Macy as a surname, but isn't Roger's son. Debbie is an Aldridge, but is Brian's step-daughter.
Kate and Alice are full sisters. Parents Brian and Jennifer.
Ruairi Donovan is Brian's son from an affair with Siobhan.

BeatriceBatchelor
Helped him make something of himself and be a successful Grundy. Break the mold.

Will broke the mould and was a successful (and law-abiding) Grundy until his brother and father dragged him down to their level and destroyed his ability to do the job he'd held for twenty years or so.

I rather enjoyed that. I find it quite heartening that there are some young 'uns listening to sustain the programme for a while longer.

Thanks @TottersBlatantlyTowardsTheBaileysenjoyed that article.

Last night’s episode was great. The juxtaposition of Sigourney Beaver and Justin Beaver with the excellent acting from Brad and George was super.

George had to recognise he couldn’t hold his own against Jazzer. Jazzer was great in his put down. ‘I’ve been itching to do you some damage’. I think we’d all like to give George a slap by this point.

‘We can’t all be alphas’ <shudders>

If I recall correctly (haven't checked) Roger adopted Adam, which is why he took Roger's surname. Brian didn't adopt Debbie and Adam but he became extremely close to Debbie. His relationship with Adam has not been nearly so good, as we have often heard.

I really hope we don't end up with a dead Kiera.

Not looking good.

Is this a who killed George storyline?
my money on amber or Keira

Not quite a falling off a roof. My money is on Kiera to have done something to George.

Anyone else listening? I still think a deaded George is the most likely outcome, so many potential culprits including Ed and Keira. And the extra “poignancy” that he was trying to reform.

Did the fireworks mask gunshots? If that's the case then I doubt it would be Keira, could be amber though.