Archers addicts 3!

I know, Grace, I'm as bad as she is, but I just want her to find her voice and stop protecting that monster!

I don't expect someone in Helen's situation would be enjoying it much either wot .

We do need balance with other story lines and I am sure this will happen once we have got the trial underway .

Helens getting on my nerves now.

This whole storyline has been too close to home for me as my sister has moved in with partner (woman) who appears to be using similar coercive behaviour on her. She has gradually severed all links with family, and rarely sees frail elderly mother, who can't understand it at all. She is her favourite daughter which makes it all the more hurtful. My sister's brain does appear to be shutting down and she seems to have totally a changed personality. Hope she doesn't end up knifing her partner

I think a lot of issues are coming to the fore merlotgran and I agree that the simple transfer of PR is very questionable. "Helen" was coerced - she didn't seem at all ready to do this but I wonder how many would want to include their partner in this way in the flush of a new romance. Would things have been different if there was a father in the picture I wonder. It certainly raises more questions than we have answers.

I agree about "Helen" realising what had happened - amazing acting (I'm hanging on to that thought as it really is very distressing)

The Helen/Rob storyline has obviously raised awareness where co-ercive control is concerned but I'm more aghast at the rights awarded with 'Parental Responsibility,' about which I knew nothing.

We all know how thorough the checks are where adoption is concerned and how long drawn out and stressful it is for all concerned but it seems that all you do for PR is pop down the Town Hall (or wherever) and sign on the dotted!!

Helen's anguish when she realised she had 'given Henry away' made me shudder.

Ha,ha. Gracesgran. I know what you mean . I am certainly thinking far too much about the Archers at the moment. People are definitely talking about it though.

He does seem strangely missing Ayjayf. If Helen pleads not guilty (as I assume she will) then the "talk" in the village will be "why" and then they will learn she was defending herself. I think it may take a while for the idea that this has been going on for some time to percolate through to those not so involved - some will not see it as a defence - but surely then Ian will have to say something.

Thought for the day to self - stop overthinking The Archers

Please, please bring back Ian

Please,please bring back Ian

Had Kate actually got going with it? Will Fallon and Emma move the café? What will happen when Caroline and Oliver come home? We have a lot of stories hanging at the moment.

Maybe George has hidden the missing money from the church underneath a toadstool.

Will the yurts/glamping storyline just fizzle out I wonder?

Do you think Lynda did it? I love the idea but can't think who. Kate? far too self-centred. Carol - she would like bringing a smile to everyone's faces. Or ... Nic Grundy with the children?

And Jennifer's fairy glade?

What was that about?

I don't see Helen as unwilling Merlotgran but unable. She has been thinking in a way that seemed to protect her and Henry and she has believed much of the picture of herself that Rob has painted for her. I hope too that what Tom has said may trigger some memories and then she can talk but I also hope we hear she is getting some psychiatric help.

I am glad Helen isn't real - luckily the actor can walk away but the real Helen's live with this sort of thing for the rest of their lives and the triggers to feeling fear will now remain close to the surface for the rest of "Helen's" life - a form of PTSD. No doubt there will come a time when other characters will say they think she should have got over it, and even blame her for the way Rob treated her (victim blaming is a hobby in this country ) or that he was just a bit old fashioned, but I hope the SWs just have in the back of their minds that this will never go away - it will continue to effect her, Henry and the baby; let's hope for some good as well as otherwise but it would, if she was real, have a continued effect.

Now about Miranda ... ... and thank heavens for the lighter story lines

I read somewhere that the editor (is he an editor, the man who has returned to Eastenders) said that Henry wouldn't experience abuse. The evidence about the impact on developing brains of living in an abusive environment or experiencing direct abuse is as firm as the evidence Anna referred to about the impact on Helen. He needs to be in a loving, nurturing and consistent environment in order to begin to open up about his experiences and what he saw and heard that night.
I know it isn't RL but that poor little boy.

Thank goodness Pat didn't go. My radio's 'wailometer' would have self-destructed.

Hopefully Tom's talk will kick-start some willingness on Helen's part to listen to advice. Ana is obviously right about Helen's brain but then it has always been tuned to 'Planet Helen'

Please let's have some progress.

I found Anna's description of how parts of Helen's brain had closed down over the time Rob had been abusing her rang very true.

I smiled at the custard to merlotgran but it was very sad too. Well done by all actors imo. There is a long way to go with this ... ...

What a melodrama. Even the custard got a mention.

Go, Tom !!!

Go Tom!

I'm glad Miranda has shown up. She sounds like a great new character.

I can't wait for Miranda to find out that Lillian isn't Justin's secretary......she's their landlady!

Miranda sounded rather Hazel Woolleyish to me - just when Lillian was enjoying herself.

Everything Pat has told the police simply gives a motive for Helen's action in trying to kill him. That is why the prosecution will use her evidence. It is truth but also shows a motive. So Anna is going to have to turn it around so that it shows Helen's side of the story.