The Archers

Thank you Iam64 - I do worry that I am a bit obsessive! In fairness, social workers, health visitors & district nurses have had mentions (I think one even got a couple of lines) but none of the characters does these jobs.
As for Harrison - I think real police officers must be tearing their hair out at the variety of roles he assumes - I don't think he's actually meant to be a village police officer - but he takes that part.

One of the strengths of The Archers (and goodness, they need highlighting at the moment) is that they can play the long game. I doubt anyone knows at the moment as to whether Harrison is going to be full-on religious. Alice's issues with alcohol were background for many years - and could have just been youthful idiocy until they wanted the storyline.

I do agree with you about Fallon though, the 'personality transplants' to fit a storyline have always been irritating.

Nannarose, great summary of the absence of public servants.- Harrison is currently maintaining his village police officer role, I do hope they aren’t planning for him to join Shula in training for the clergy. I’ve no problem with the clergy but would like to see Harrison stay in the police.
During the Helen and Rob storyline, there were so many opportunities to highlight the family court, l.a social workers, child psychologists, probation etc.
Never a social worker in the dementia or alcoholism story lines. Alice’s midwife would have told the health visiting and social work teams of the need to support alice

The reason that Amy has had to give up her midwifery job is because she has moved back to Ambridge. You are not allowed to be a nurse in Ambridge.
I wrote about this a good while ago, and the very next day Ben announced his intention to train as a nurse. I wish him well, but have doubts that he will ever be allowed to practice.

I missed a few Archers episodes in the 60s (there were better things to do) but have kept up with them for most of their existence. They don't like public service jobs, except for doctors (2) and police (2). There has never been a nurse, although Lee the physio does an occasional NHS or care home stint.
There have been 2 teachers, both of whom left their jobs. Ambridge respects Kathy's work at Grey Gables far more than her teaching career. I don't really count weirdy Ross.
There has never been a social worker, and only 1 carer. No-one cleans the street or empties the bins, and there has only been 1 bus driver.

Happy to be corrected by someone who is even more of an Ambridge obsessive!

I thought Pip was going to move into Bert’s bungalow and Josh was going to have Rickyards. When did that change?

I am not sure they have found their stride since lockdown, yet there are some good actors in there, and occasionally some excellent scenes, the Rory/Jennifer scenes were excellent, and Alice has been excellent, I like Rex too.

I hope they read the various Archers Facebook groups. There are many critical comments

Have the scriptwriters changed recently I wonder?
I wish they’d retain some semblance of the original Archers storylines and characters, and not the second rate Whitehall farce that it has morphed into.
They are on the way to losing loyal Archers fans with this nonsense and I hope they read Gransnet.

Whoops, shouldn’t type on phone sorry

Jill and whichever 87 year old woman was perusing Jill’s squeeze. It’s like east Enders it without murder

Has Fallon had a personality transplant. I rememberer her as a laid back young woman, a bit alternative rather than the stressed out judgemental individual masquerading as Fallon

I’m finding the current storylines tedious. The obsession with intimate /sexual relationships is less interesting than trouble at’t’bull, shanigens in Borcetshire land. I can accept gazzer and Tracy as a likely couple but Lizzie and the common man, jealousy’s between Jo

Who would want someone like Fallon as a "best friend"? Judgemental, overbearing, constantly takes issues onto her own shoulders when they're actually none of her business. I do wish Amy would tell her to keep her nose out and get on with her own life.

Yes - last night's bed romp episode was perfectly ridiculous, as is the Chris/Amy thread - neither has done anything wrong - Alice has rejected Chris so the door is open!

Daft episode with Jazzer and Tracey! Sex has reared it's ugly head (?) in Ambridge a lot more lately. Will Yracey be out of a job?

Wish Amy was stronger and tell Fallon to do one!
You would think Amy was having an affair with dopey Harrison the way Fallons acting grrrr.
Oh and Tracy and Jazzer you just knew they would be found out. Now are they both are going to be jobless.

Cool coco - Amy has a dog walking business

I still Listen every day. Too much time on the sofa probably.
As for Amy, Chris and Alice ...hmmm. Would like Kirsty to find someone...Roy?
They do have some powerful story lines , just not at the moment.

Amy has got to be the most unbelievable character, I know she used to be a midwife, but what is she doing now?

I’m catching the occasional episode - it may be me but I’m bored with the story lines especially the ones featuring the young folks. Everything seems to have to be a drama
Chris and Amy, unconvincing. I can’t decide whether Amy is tedious, whether the actor is poor, why her delivery of lines is so flat and poor

As I see it Alice left Chris so he is a free agent to see/sleep with whoever he likes, and it’s not particularly self righteous Fallon’s business. She seemed dying to impart the news to Alice. They’re all pretty boring if you ask me.

I am afraid I think that as she is the one who would give birth she has the veto on that one. She has no right to have a say on his religion. I cant stand Harrison though.

I think Fallon should keep her nose out of it. She is so righteous. Also she gets her own way all the time with Harrison. Dont know why it bothers her that Harrison wants to get christened, and she got her own way about not wanting kids. She is not a nice character at all.

Why the outrage? I thought Chris was getting divorced from Alice.

I think Amy should be careful as Chris is on the rebound from Alice. Storys a bit far fetched though. I also think Amys voice is as boring as Alice's so perhaps thats the attraction.

I'm still on board as I have it on during cooking the supper.
Yes... Naughty Chris and Amy..!!

Is anyone still listening to this, it’s been soooo boring lately? However much I try to give it up I periodically return, bit like Gransnet!
However I tuned in tonight and it must have changed somewhat because Fallon was shouting at Chris because he was Shagging Amy. Doris would be turning in her grave.

Oh yes!! Smug Tom and Nocasha soon to be homeless. I'm prepared to wager that, even assuming they find another rental property in the area, they won't have any money for a deposit because Nocasha will have maxed out all her cards again and meeting even the minimum payments will eat up their entire bank balance.

I don't suppose they'll end up at The Elms, though. Now that the Cheese Queen has moved in with her new squeeze, there will be room for them at Bridge Farm so plenty of scope for ongoing MIL/DIL strife.

I'm no fan of Hazel (although Annette Badland does portray her superbly well) but, this time, I'm just pleased to see the smug one and his manipulative spouse get their comeuppance.

Yes, okay, I do know it's only a radio drama really.