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!

On the (possibly false) assumption that Keira lives with her Ed'n'Em at Little Grange and that Wiwyum lives with Will and Poppy, why would Keira run away from home?

Oh wow, thanks,

I have listened on and off through the years but missed the whole love triangle and Dross etc.

As a side note I am really glad Jazzer was Ok, I really like him.

I'm also in forrin and hate losing sounds.

I listen via the bbc app (which is shit)

Can you use TunnelBear from overseas to use Sounds?

I used to use it when I lived abroad

@ThatFlightyTemptressAdventure these should help:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/5kV2XWdKZxjylHLd4M4y0tt/ed-grundy

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4xbtKsmy00njyfrz99gpjbV/will-grundy-poacher-turned-gamekeeper

Thank you for that @Halfhardy and hello!

Look at the absolute state of Ed and Will in that picture. Will looks like he's chanelling 2010s Emo

@TottersBlatantlyTowardsTheBaileys
Thanks very much, that filled in some gaps in my knowledge. The Grundy's could do with one of them catching a break.

I didn’t know Ed had a fling with Fallon.

Thanks,
@TottersBlatantlyTowardsTheBaileys.

Can't find the re-enacted very first scene on Sounds, but this article says ' The re-enactment will be available on Radio 4's social channels and also feature in The Archers Podcast.' So might not be available as a stand-alone.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5g1z6lx9ko

Happy New Year!

What a lame episode.

Oh it was Tracey who uttered the curse not Jolene.

And that Graun article makes me realise half of the lot like Kirsty and other ones I barely recognise have been around for AGES

@OnlyFrench @FiveShelties , I have the BBC.com app installed, and can listen to Radio 4 live on it, and also find the Archers episodes in the "audio" area. Usually I just search for "archers", as that seems to be faster.

@bloodredfeaturewall yes, it is bad. I started off with that after Sounds but then went to Spotify.
@ThatFlightyTemptressAdventure not gears of that, will investigate.

Many thanks to you both.😁

Thank you, I have that app. Will have a look.

Many thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have been listening for around 55 years and it is a sort of link to home😁

Edited to add - you are absolutely right, cannot believe I never looked on there. Thank you😁

Did she know about that?

Have t listened year but not another speeding car mystery?! It’s too soon after Nic

The only thing I can think of is that having a half brother who’s been in prison is making life difficult for her socially. Maybe some of her friends’ parents are not keen to have her around their children - so she’s been desperately trying to disassociate herself from the whole Grundy clan?

George said 'Nice wheels!' so I assume it wasn't anyone he knew. I'm not sure it was relevant but who knows.

Is everyone listening to Lilian and Emma on Woman’s Hour?

Rundown from R4 exile Libby Purves

Yes. I’m glad they’ve let Libby Purves on as it is pretty clear that Nuala isn’t a listener.

Only she clearly doesn’t understand about Russ if she thinks he was Lily’s university lecturer. (Have my first 2026 FFS! Ms Purves.)

This Women’s Hour analysis / chat is (mainly) great!

Maybe he tripped over a beaver.

I was wondering about Amber’s Dad. I think there may have been talk, in previous episodes, about his car?

I have concerns that the SRs might have drawn inspiration from the ‘Who Shot JR’ phenomenon and we may have to endure weeks of gradual exposure to how and why various people had means and motive.

The ‘Amber’s Dad’ twist could be introduced at a later date when we discover Amber phoned him and told him about George’s behaviour towards her?

The BBC sounds app doesn't feature any of those TA drop ins :/