The Archers

Well maybe it will happen at New Year?

I thought this week's programme carried the everyday story very well while nodding appropriately the Christmas in an English Village and giving us the odd Christmas suprise.

I really liked the nod to history (1645 when the Church banned all carols except While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night before Christmas Day). Playing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem to the Archers theme wouldn't have been allowed. It still isn't in many churches as it's a carol not an advent carol. But those 17th Century church goers played While Shepherds Watched to every local folk tune they could find. It was even played to the tune which later became on "On Ilkley Moor Bar t'at! Ambrige would have undoubtedly done the same!

Ooh what a relief! I was on the edge of my seat there, wondering if Leonard was going to stay or go!

Am I alone in not knowing about Neil? And am I the only one who wishes Rochelle goes back home☹️

I think Rochelle will be a serious stalker and become very jealous of Kirsty.

merlotgran

I think Rochelle will be a serious stalker and become very jealous of Kirsty.

Ohhh, poor Kirsty! How many misfortunes can one character be expected to endure? She's been dumped at the altar; terminated a pregnancy; married to a slave master .... and now with commendable positivity, she's trying to buy a house and get her life on track.
But enter the green-eyed Geordie obsessive and she might have to suffer some horrific consequence of simply being Rex's business partner?
As Ruth would surely say, Aww naww!

I don't think she's going to cause trouble for Kirsty.
Thete is something else going on here I think.
She has maybe lost custody of her children?

I’m wondering what’s brewing between Tom and Natasha and next-door neighbours Joy and Mick, with Tom exhibiting a sudden character change (no noise after 7ish).

I think Joy maybe "gave Rochelle up" - social care or wider family (after her husband left her, maybe) years ago. I think she is afraid this will come into general knowledge.

But, whatever it is, I hope Joy won't shut Mick out and will tell him all about it. He's obviously feeling very rejected and hurt by her refusal to talk about it and, however hurt/guilty/ashamed she feels, I think he will understand and help her come to terms with her past life and go forward.
I really like these two characters and don't want to see either of them with a broken heart.

Rochelle seems to have been left to fend for herself as a youngster...

I’m not convinced we know enough to conclude Rochelle’s worrying behaviour is ‘all Joy’s fault”. The Archers discussion groups on line are debating this, with many posters identifying with Rochelle, because they claim to have neglectful, controlling mothers.
It’s an interesting story line, one we’ve been asking about since anxious over friendly Joy arrived, with her endless references to ‘my Rochelle’.
This story can run and run.

Yes. And it probably will!

Yes indeed - another Archers slow burn

No Rochelle next week, but the Pip/Stella saga reappears as well as Elizabeth and the twins. Haven't heard from them for a time. Read an article that the BBC is cost cutting so the main Archers family characters are being "rested".
Peggy's funeral and the fallout needs to happen soon as well - perhaps her residual money left after Rewilding Ambridge might help out homeless Helen?

I don’t understand why Helen and boys aren’t squashing into the farm. Four children three adults in an ordinary modern house is a recipe for disaster. I expect that’s where the story is heading .
Henry and Jack need a peaceful uneventful time 🙈

I think Helen should be the one to build a house or bungalow on the farm. This would be much cheaper than buying in the village. When the farmhouse becomes too much for Pat and Tony to manage they can do a swap.

She needs to pay for the plot of land though so she will own the property outright. That way it won’t count towards inheritance tax when Pat and Tony die and Tom and Natasha will have no claim on it.

I think the SWs are just marking time waiting for Peggy’s demise though

To echo Farzanah is anyone still listening or have you all given up. I for one am tiring fast!

It will take more than a few silly storylines to make me stop listening but my enthusiasm is seriously waning at the moment.

The SWs seem to be all over the place. The idea of Fallon and Harrison going abroad on holiday at short notice was daft when the only reason she was given a job at the Bull was so she could fill in for her father who had gone on a cruise. 🤔🤔

Maybe they have several new scriptwriters who are each focusing on their own "baby" and ignoring the arc of Archers life?

A last minute pop-up pantomime - what a thrilling, nail-biting week!

I missed Monday, so last night made no sense even after reading the catch up! Can one of you explain it to me😗 please?

Completely out of the blue major sewage leak threatening to ruin homes and livelihoods. One minute it’s the panto and now this! Feels like a dig at Borsetshire Water (I.e. Severn Trent?)

Why didn't they immediately get commercial cleaners in?

What business (especially food) would brush sewage about themselves I wonder?

thank you both will hear last night's in half an hour! Sounds rather over-dramatic!