Archers thread #196: Run, Rex, run! 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 like to marry Pip, 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.)

So now we know who bonked George on the head. Will the stunning revelation lead to anything interesting or credible happening? Answers on a postcard, please!

Will Alice and Rex become an item? Will Amber come to her senses? Has Adam's constant languor and fatigue now removed his ability to speak on air?

Over to you!

Don't rock the boat, @boop .
At least we didn't have to listen to Pip snogging.

Now I’ve listened - it does seem awfully unfair. And reasonable that George would be outraged. Alice is the alcoholic; she’s the one who has broken the law several times through excessive alcohol consumption - but he’s the one who’s being punished for drinking.

But I can’t believe I was right! 😂

I thought George's reaction was interesting.
Immediately jumping to 'its not fair', no consideration as to whether the probation officer had a point. This is his big issue, no self awareness.

I was glad Amber pulled him up pointing out she's not drinking for 9 months.

However …

I feel as if I must have skipped a week somewhere. (I haven’t.)

1. Why have we not heard exactly what Josh has arranged in such a miraculously short period of time?

2. Why have we not heard about Lily’s return from Australia? Absolutely nothing about what she did there?

It’s all such incredibly poor storytelling.

You would very much be cutting off your nose to spite your face by refusing to watch Blue Lights (assuming you like police dramas, because that’s what it is). I can’t wait to get back to it later this afternoon! Delighted to hear there’s a fourth series in the pipeline.

@OrphanBlankly Because it's not relevant to any future SLs?

It does seem odd. Maybe it will come out later.

I don't think Josh will go. I think he'll try for Meadow Farm.

Why is Lily having mouth ulcers? Symptom of lupus?

As usual I am late to the party 🎉

aarrg clearly I'm as forgetful as Brian - yes I meant him

Two things. Why is Pip "breaking her heart" over her separation from her grandchild while she bears her actual children's absence with utter equanimity?
How can everyone afford to eat out all the time, not to mention their bulging waistlines?

Oh, and the noisy eating at the stat of the episode. Bleurghh.

Pip doesn't have any grandchildren. Her only child is at primary school,

@echt Kate not Pip I presume?

You mean Kate, but yes, it seems ridiculous when she was so lacking in maternal feelings. Maybe she loves the fact that with grandchildren you're not ultimately responsible for them so you have all the best bits without the burden of actually having to be their parent. Kate is very selfish so maybe better as a grandma than a mother. But no way is she breaking her heart.

When Ben was talking about his breakdown( which I'm sure Joy cured within half an hour) he referred to how he'd had therapy and they had had family therapy. I've probably forgotten but did we even hear anything about the family therapy and what was discussed in it, because there are some interesting dynamics there?

Hmm. Try again.

Alice: Oh hi, Jakob! This mare's been really itchy lately. I know many horses are super-duper itchy just now because of shedding season, but it seems more localised than that. I can't see any lice in the usual places. Doesn't look like Ringworm, thank goodness. Mites? Rain scald? Sweet itch? She's rubbed out half her tail, but I'm pretty certain for some reason that it can't be Pinworms.

Jakob: (Finds reasons to immediately jump to Sweet itch as a possibility, rather than any number of seasonally more likely ones.)(After all, we need a PSA about Climate Change and Parasites, so never mind investigating the horse thoroughly or asking if she's had a history of skin problems.)

Alice: Oh, how weird. Bloody Climate Change! Thankfully, we already have a decent collection of bug rugs in a range of sizes, because we're an established yard not running on a shoe-string. Will any of this vast collection of half-empty medicated shampoos do, or should we buy a new one off you because you get some sort of commission for selling us one?

Jakob: Better buy the new bottle: look, the horsey on it has an extra-flowy mane, so you know it's better, despite having the exact same active ingredient as 14 of the 17 bottles you already have, in the exact same concentration!

Alice: Thanks, Jakob! Invoice as usual?

Jakob: Yep. Gotta run: your dad is making a beeline for me, and I'd like to avoid his weird interference in my relationship with your sister!

I don't think mentioned family therapy, just that his family could afford to pay for him to have therapy privately

agree that some SLs around family therapy would be fascinating, but might mean the end of the Archers as all family conflicts would be resolved amicably

a bit like if on East enders they all decided to

1. tell the truth
2. call the police when a crime is committed

=no more East Enders!

New thread time soon. I suspect we’re past the point to joke about “rocking the boat” or Chelsea frightening the horses. What about Ruairi bottling up his feelings? 😂

Brian's had a character transplant with all this interfering. Did you notice he was advising Jakob to get his ducks in a row™ in case Kate wants to move to Scotland?

Ridiculous of him. Of course she doesn't want to.

Another joy-less night! We really are being spoilt! It’s been a while since we heard from her! Long may it last…Do you think the message has finally got through to the SWs or is the actress just on holiday?

Early morning. I meant Kate.

I was convinced the reason she was in almost every episode for months was that she was having an affair with an influential man in the Archers production team. Maybe that's now over. I do hope so. I'd be very glad if Joy dropped dead in the street.

Why is Brine dabbling?

Is Kate actually breaking her heart, or is Brian making stuff up?

He needs a hobby so he's not meddling.

I'd say he is making things up. A very odd conversation with Jakob.

So weird. Brine would never talk like that.

It takes real effort to make so much noise eating porridge.

Ah but it sets things up so nicely for mutual misunderstandings.