Archers thread #200: Trouble in Ambridge! (All 200 threads could have had this title.) 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 to be Brian's child or stepchild, 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.)

Over to you!

Has anyone else seen this? I think I almost certainly saw it when first broadcast, but possibly not since. It's 40 minutes long (as the title suggests). 1989: All About Ambridge - The Archers Documentary | Forty Minutes | BBC Archive
Originally broadcast on BBC Two, 14 December, 1989. We watched it last night. My husband thought I would like it, which I did. He is not a listener, but patiently puts up with my reports and occasional rants. The scriptwriter featured, Paul Burns, is not a name I remember at all.

When did Archers listeners become so … fragile? I’ve just listened to half the listenership queuing up to tell Feedback just how irreparably traumatised they were by the recent dog attack episode.

I’m sorry if I sound heartless or out of touch - but it’s a farming story, with what is generally assumed to be an adult audience. Is it all supposed to be fluffy romance and high tea at Bridge Farm? I actually want to hear more hard hitting, realistic farming issues being addressed and portrayed on TA.

Really surprised. 🤷‍♀️

Probably the sort of people who believe their own dog would not be capable of something like this.

It was coffee. Maybe Bill has a drink problem - he offered to make it Irish for George.

I make 'mozzarella' but I've not mastered it. It's edible and not disgusting.
You need hot creamy milk and citric acid.

Whey to butter would be difficult because there's little fat in whey but it might be added to products give a buttery taste. It is used in some skincare products.
I give it to the cats.
They won't even sniff at soya milk.

You should contact Feedback and tell them that! If I get round to it, I'll do the same.

When did Archers listeners become so … fragile?

I'm not in the least bit fragile but I fast forwarded through that episode. I listen to TA for entertainment and I don't find anything entertaining about animals suffering.

I hate episodes where animals suffer. Still not fully recovered from Joe and the ferrets.

Lottie really does sound just like Pip. One was already enough.

I turned off that load of absolute twaddle. I can't remember doing that for ages.

On the one hand, meeting all your friends and all your foes if you go out to the village pub for dinner is quite likely. On the other hand, because of that there are always plenty of well spaced small tables.

Martin was a little unsubtle, but I liked his tipping Ed off re salary level. In the good old days when Neil was running the Union he'd have been on it.

I would not have contacted Feedback but I did find the episode with the dog attack on sheep a bit graphic for 7.02 pm. But if it has made any dog owners think twice about their behaviour, it was worth it.

I think Ed’s loyalty - which is something I recall him ever having in abundance - is deeply misplaced in Brian.

Whilst is principal not spying on your boss is very worthy, I think we can see from space how this will play out after Ed sacrifices tree surgery work, showing his texels, all to be underpaid and used for point scoring.

Lesbi-hen party? Give me strength.

My soul cringed hearing all that.

As for Ed, he is so shafted with Brine. Glad Martin mentioned the pay. I know Brine is very dodgy, and this is fiction, but the labourer is worthy of his hire. A new low.
Hang on, surely Emma could be unleashed on him at some point? She gives good value when she's off the chain.

Kirsty and Kate were drinking tea

Oh, I think it's inevitable that there's going to be a set-to between Emma and Brine soon, unless Ed has the bottle to make some clear demands for himself. After all, he's in an incredibly strong bargaining position.

Surely the idea of Kate moving Spiritual Home to the rewilding land is a total non-starter? Quite apart from the fact that the concept of rewilding would be negated by having a load of yurts and a yoga/clinic venue put on the land, it's not Kirsty's land to hand out anyway.

I think we can see from space how this will play out after Ed sacrifices tree surgery work, showing his texels, all to be underpaid and used for point scoring. In short, he will be treated as Brian has always treated Adam, all smiles and gratitude when he's getting him out of a hole, but ready to turn on a sixpence as soon as he feels he's back on track. Brian's loyalty only extends as far as himself - he really doesn't give a toss about anyone else unless there is something in it for him. Anyone doing anything for Brian should know that they are replaceable - Jenny knew it, his children realised it when he pitched up with Ruairi and anyone working for him (see Stella then Adam). He is definitely coming across as an old man who is losing the plot - I don't think it has crossed Brian's mind for one second that he should pay Ed as any more than a hired hand, he is so entitled he just assumes people will step up for him. He has always been absolutely odious, but he used to cover this with a veneer of charm and bonhomie. That veneer has well and truly worn off now he's getting older and tireder. The real Brian is there for all to see.

I didn't hear that as loyalty particularly, more an unwillingness to get any more involved in the Home Farm/BL contract chaos.

Google AI is currently tearing its hair out trying to establish exactly who will ultimately be responsible for any decision regarding Spiritual Home moving onto the rewilding land. Other than Justin it has tried Adil and Stella (though subsequently placing her in Scotland). I think it might need to take the rest of today off.

I'm shocked it's not an avid listener.

It’s not - and is clearly baffled. It spent half an hour apologising profusely this morning and admitting it would have to throw out all the misapprehensions it tried to slide past me, and start all over again. It was pitiful …

🤨

It's an incredible combination of sycophancy and idiocy.

Yup!

😂