Archers thread #199: Kaboom! The Aldridges are self-destructing, and it's GLORIOUS. 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 drop everything to help Helen create a new cheese on national minimum wage, 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.)

If you haven't heard last night's episode (Friday 22nd May) you really must. It's episodes like that that keep me addicted. Funny how often they involve the Aldridges, the most dysfunctional and also by far the most interesting family in Ambridge. Also very well acted on the whole. How lovely to hear Tamsin Greig in TA, but I wonder if we ever will again.

Some cracking posts towards the end of the last thread, which is here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5518503-archers-thread-198-josh-sent-to-patagonia-pip-stays-put-wrong-way-round-discuss-the-archers-here

Over to you!

Stella's mysterious connection to Justin has still not been explained.

Perhaps her experience with him was what made her a lesbian? (Cue variation on old joke: "If I gave him the wool, could he make me one too?")

The DNA link to the parent is an issue however. However again many children grow up with absentee fathers.

That doesn't make it right. To bring a child into the world with the intention of depriving them of their father.

Jakob was Very Helpful wasn't he.
And would be a good Dad I'm sure.

I love Jakob and thought he did really well tonight. I mean, if there's anything that would take my mind off something so nerve-wracking, it would be listening to his embarrassed, slightly bizarre and inappropriate stream-of-thought ramblings in that lovely voice.

I thought Jakob was lovely, too.

About Erik. He's not going to be an around sort of dad, is he?

Nice to hear Jazzer.

... in our dreams, yes!

They keep plugging the women's cricket match at Edgbaston (?), bless 'em!

Using its full name every time as well 😊

They were very close and she called him Dad.

Then she discovered he'd been shagging around and had a child with his mistress and broke Jennifer's heart. At which point Debbie never forgave him and called him Brian.

The scriptwriters are bang on.

Surely Jakob knows how an ultrasound machine works? He must use one most weeks on cows and horses etc so definitely wouldn’t need to ask the nurse to explain how the one she was using on Kirsty worked.

Bit weird to have the uncle attending the scan. The nurse probably thought he was an ‘uncle’…

Uncommon - but not weird, surely? Jakob is a close contact of Kirsty’s, through Kate, anyway. As well as being Erik’s brother.

He seems a natural choice if none of her female friends were available. (Though I’m surprised he had the time free.)

I love Jakob. I loved ‘channeling my inner Kate' 😂

Anyone else doubting Jack's version of events at school? I'm wondering if his paternal genes are coming out.

Will you all stop with the suggestions of Brian impregnating one of the (much, much) younger Ambridge wimmin! Brian and Miranda in bed together gave me the Big Ick. It’s slightly worse now as I’m recently widowed and I know some friends (who don’t know me very well) keep hinting at dating apps. I’m 67 ffs. The thought of getting up close and personal brings with a gentleman d’un certain age brings on a fit of the vapours.

Pass the smelling salts.

I wondered this too. Could be a good storyline over the years if he turns out to be a manipulative liar and the effect that will have on Helen and wider family.

Gotta speculate to accumulate is my advice to lily and stella

@ExitPursuedByABare , I know some friends (who don’t know me very well) keep hinting at dating apps. I’m 67 ffs.
Sorry for your loss.
The people trying to sell OLD to me are ones who have not used it (and are either smugly married or married to nomarks). 67 is not old but if you don't want to, you don't want to.
I miss the companionship of being in a LTR but I don't want to be a housekeeper.

Brian and Miranda in bed together gave me the Big Ick. I didn't give it much thought. I think maybe they just cuddled.

Before OLD was a thing, I got bored with the sort of men I was meeting and decided to explore the wonderful world of posh agencies who actually interviewed their customers face to face. I picked one at random and after a long chat the woman said she thought she had a very good match for me, pulled out a file and showed me a photo of ... my ex! I never told him about it, for fear of encouraging him.

The piña colada song!

I just loved Jakob yesterday too, his lines were absolutely spot on.

Sorry for your loss and I just love your post - I'm widowed, 73yo and heartily agree.

You need a trellis on the top of your fence Tracy.

Every farmer knows that good fences make good neighbours.

They'll get back together. Pipistrelle will split up.

(Can you tell I'm trying to avoid doing something?)