How are we going to cope without The Archers?

TA came about as a public information programme about farming and there have been a nUmber of storylines on different issues over the years. We have listened regularly for a long time and really disliked the dire monologues.
The coercive story with Helen was powerful and informative and if the Alice pregnancy story goes down that road then it would hopefully inform people of the dangers of alcohol in pregnancy.
Things were so different when I had my children in the 70s when there were no instant tests. A missed period the next month, a wait fir a couple of weeks in case it was late, then a visit to the doctor, the tests were sent off.... a wait til you heard, so often mothers didn’t know they were pregnant until well into pregnancy. Some waited til they had missed 2 periods. I was 8 or 9 weeks when I knew. Luckily had no symptoms so nothing to warn me. Not knowing otherwise, women carried on drinking and smoking as usual. Awful.
I feel for Kirsty because Philip is even worse than Tom who also let her down badly, she deserves so much better.

I think Alice will have an abortion or will have a miscarriage due to the drinking. I assume alice deliberately chose Lillian to talk to about the drinking because Lillian is quite reliant on alcohol. Alice is very unhappy, she needs to leave chris.

I haven’t listened for ages but heard a snatch the other night and it does seem to have more interest now.

I am in two minds about the FAS storyline. I have known cases of this and indeed it does bring misery Iam. At least in the Helen Rob storyline there was a happyish outcome. However it is only a storyline and if it encourages just one person to seek help to quit drinking during pregnancy, it will be worth it.

Lillian was the drink dependant character but her drinking has been morphed into humour.
I’m dreading a FAS baby storyline. The damage caused by the extent of Alice’s drinking in these key developmental stages can’t be dismissed. FAS has no happy endings for anyone.
Yes I accept a FAS baby could be a public information story like the Helen-Rob coercive abuse, and do some good in informing people. A FAS story line can only bring misery.
Sorry to be such a misery guts

Lillian was particularly unhelpful to Alice, encouraging her to drink. Stupid woman.

I haven't listened to Ramblings for years. I must look it up and have a listen to 'Ed' and set the series to record.

I wonder whether Alice will go through with the termination. If she doesn't then I agree that they will cover the drinking in pregnancy topic.

Maybe with Alice's pregnancy they will deal with foetal alcohol syndrome. She has been very drunk throughout her early months. It is bound to have some affect.

And Friday and Sunday evenings too please BBC. I miss them a lot.

I'd like to see the bird table in particular!

Did anyone hear the actor who plays Ed on Clare Balding's Ramblings? He sounds a lovely bloke and he described the problems of remote recording.

Lindy and Robert seem back on form. Susan is beginning to sound as if she should have her own 6:30 comedy sit com. Gavin and Alice are in an interesting friendship.
I really want to see a picture of the rustic metal bird table and hanging baskets!

Susan is fast becoming my favourite character. Never thought I'd be saying that.

Things definitely improving, Now how about returning to full time?!

I am getting back into it now. Loved the Alice bombshell!

I think it is getting back on track. Kirsty and Phil are going to be a good storyline. Come on BBC. You can do it!

What a shame Susan never had a chance to interview Dominic Cummings.

Thanks for the update. We’d given up listening, mostly because we were away a lot, but listened last night and was impressed. Gavin suddenly looks like the good guy! Now we just need it back on six nights a week ..... think we can start feeling very sorry for Kirsty indeed!

We have had a hearty reminder that Philip is a baddy. They have finally admitted Alice has a drink problem. I am surprised no one else in the family has suspected it before.
The Archers is warming up a bit but needs a bit more. I could have done without the tales of Linda and Robert imo.
Keep going BBC , we may be back to something resembling normality by Christmas.

Just to flag up to those who have given up on the Archers. Things have definitely improved lately with up to three characters in a scene together and the Philip/Gavin story is being developed. Worth listening to for fans.

Galaxy don’t forget Ed, who came to alcoholic Alice’s rescue and got sacked for his trouble because she made a mistake with the oats and barley or was it wheat?
As for the ‘sex scene’, the opinion in this house was that in ‘normal’ Archers world, there would never in a million years be anything like that involving Robert and Linda.
I think they’re holding back the Philip plot line for when/if things return to normal. That was rhe plan, apparently - to hold back the juiciest stuff.
Get a move on, BBC!

I haven't got around to complaining to the Beeb yet, I'm still trying to frame the wording. Can't they use Zoom or something?

This was in the Times earlier this week:

Listeners unimpressed by a stream of monologues in The Archers have won an apology from the controller of Radio 4.
The BBC station was deluged with complaints about the new format, which was adopted in the lockdown to comply with social-distancing guidelines. The extended soliloquies that replaced the cut-and-thrust of Ambridge rural life have been dismissed as “dreary” by many long-term fans, some of whom called for the drama to be suspended until normal service could be resumed.

Can't access any more of it because it's behind a pay wall.

I can't remember where I saw it, but I read an apology from the BBC regarding the monologues! They had had many complaints.

Really LullyDully? Only a few? They're deluded!

And a BBC man said that most people have enjoyed the monologuess and there are only a few people unhappy..........oh really?

The sex scene didnt happen because robert isnt ready. So you dont need to worry .There hasn't been a lot about Philip, I think kirsty mentioned he was grumpy and then she had a virtual hen night and it was all ok. I am astounded I can remember any of this.
I have quite enjoyed the Alice storylines and it really weeds out who can act - linda emma brian and debbie have been convincing I think.