Archers Addict

Thanks Iam.

Agreement from me Gracesgran in appreciating the storyline about Heather/Ruth and co. My mum in law died aged 92 fairly recently. We lived 250 miles away from her whilst my parents (who died a few years earlier) lived round the corner. I empathise with Ruth's feelings about Jill at the heart of her family, with Heather miles away and isolated.

I love the Archers because the story lines seem to live in Real Time, long and drawn out story lines - I'm waiting for Rob to get his come tuppence but will that ever happen. Brian Aldridge never did!

That's what I love about it too Iam. I don't know about Rob; I'm not sure he is as clever as Brian.

Yes, Brian also has some redeeming features doesn't he but I don't think Rob has any. He's a real pantomime villain.

I think Brian's biggest redeeming feature is that he is sane. I am not so sure about Rod

I don't have any sympathy for Helen in respect of Rob she is so wet! 'Rob cant stop telling me how much he loves me' she gushes - wakey wakey you drip!

I tend to yawn when she drops huge hints about their wonderful sex life!

That's a bit harsh Teetime. We know she has always had problems and someone like Rob will have picked her out for the very reason that she is insecure. She is who she is; it is Rob who is behaving badly.

(Am I taking this too seriously? )

Tegan I do have some sympathy for Helen. She has always been emotionally vulnerable and lacking in confidence. Her older brother John Archer was killed in a farm accident. She had a disastrous relationship with an older man Greg who shot himself.
She tried dating a few people but was so intense and anxious she seemed to scare many of them off.

Given everything that has happened to her I find it quite believable that she would fall for any man who is nice to her and that she is incapable of seeing what Rob is like; or that she is pretending to herself it will all work out.

She really does make you want to scream at her to see what that man is trying to do.

This link gives some background.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3XtJ9HZNYzrBYThlKd0RyRb/helen-titchenerpercsenprone

It is not possible to take the Archers too seriously Gracesgran

That's one of the reasons I'm an Archer's addict Nelliemoser. The characters develop but remain true to themselves over the years. Your summary of what's led Helen to be seduced by the villain is exactly right.

I do wish though that the new producer hadn't had Nigel fall off the roof. He was a great character who would have continued to bring entertainment to Archer's addicts. I read recently that the producer himself now regrets this

Ridiculous though this is I am going to defend myself here. I'm not being harsh. The character Helen has been ruthless in getting what she wants many times in the past and she has been extremely rude and selfish on a number of occasions to her friends and family- she is no shrinking violet but she is blind when it comes to men.

I think it's good to hear how different people see the characters Teetime. After all, as neighbours of these characters, we would all have different views. I certainly find her manipulative but I do think there are reasons for this. Whether or not that makes it excusable ...

To quote Miss Marple: 'There is a great deal of wickedness in village life'

PLEASE HQ, give us a sick/bleurgh/finger down the throat emoticon .

If I hear one more "darling" laden conversation between Helen & Rob I risk losing my carbonara.

I am having to hold off eating my double caramel Magnum until I feel less nauseous.

I too have been asking for that for ages phoenix - there have been so many times when it would have come in useful just recently!

Why doesn't Ruth offer to find her Mum a home near Ambridge - seems the obvious solution.

Good point Luckygirl after all, if The Laurels was good enough for Jack Wooley.....

PS Managed to eat the Magnum about an hour ago!

Poor Ruth. David's obviously got her lined up for Jill's care as and when she should need it. No wonder he's panicking that Heather might get in first.

It would be a hugely difficult situation but I seem to remember that Heather would not move down when it was suggested to her before. At the moment she doesn't want to do anything than go back to her own home so they are going to have a problem whatever they decide.

I don't really thing they can turn Jill out having asked her to live with them - she has given up her home. Add to that the fact that currently she can contribute to the running of the business by helping with the house whereas Heather would need a lot of help and Ruth is intrinsic to the running of the farm and Jill would be too old herself to take on a caring role and it seems ridiculous to me to suggest Heather moves in with them although moving down to might help.

We do not know how much Heather's house is worth. I imagine The Laurels is not cheap - we do not know if Heather can afford it.

I don't envy anyone in this sort of situation at all. It is divisive to families and, between the guilt and the anxiety they will be worn out and farms don't stop while you get it sorted.

Yes, Heather refused to leave the north east or her own home. Just like most elderly people (myself included I fear) would. I just don't understand why they don't put Heather into Pip's room and buy in day care. There's a house to sell in the north east which would fund a lot of bought in care and free the rest of them up to run the farm, or in Jill's case, carry on baking

The fact we're discussing the pros and cons shows how close to reality this storyline is. Most of are or have been in similar situations and we're all dreading making the wrong decisions about our own future care.

Just a happy little thought to start the day

Most of us are or have been, I mean.

I think Merlot makes a good point. As "soaps" go, The Archers story lines do seem to reflect more of the events that real people experience.

I gave up on Eastenders years ago, but found my self watching part of an episode a few months back whilst waiting for something else. Apart from not recognising many of the characters, after about 15 minutes of watching various people frown and shout, I was exhausted!

I have always thought that the story lines had a reality because they are able to carry them over a longer period of time Phoenix and merlotgran.

I think you are right Iam64, bringing her down and buying in care does seem to be the best way forward. If they house is worth enough they could even build an extension - but would she agree?

I'll send them the plans for my granny pad

A ground floor extension would be my choice - with two bedrooms so they can put Jill in there as well?