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Archers Comments week of March 11, 2019
Archers Comments week of March 11, 2019
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
Croeso, Natasha. Llongyfarchiadau!
ReplyDeleteNever mind the Archers, the Troughton are very strong!! 😐
ReplyDeleteShould be Troughton genes!!
DeleteProud to be Yorkshire and Mrs P Crone of Ambridge - yep, yup,, deffo, ha, s’obvious, grandparents retire to purpose-built bungalows all the time. What I query, however, is whether Pat and Tony aren’t secretly planning to leave the enclave (a daring thought) and join all the other British pensioners in Spain..........
ReplyDeleteWhat would Helen do for free childcare then?
DeleteBurnham Beeches - when we were discussing the similarities between Tom Archer and Ted Rochester on the previous blog, I omitted to mention that they were the same age and had the same broody-moody look. (Apologies if Mr R was an early heart throb!)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't see the comparison myself. Mr Rochester had eminently more depth, possibly better looks (subjective I agree!!....As like Tom we are supposed to use our imagination!), life experience and compassion. Agree he 'hid' the truth about his first wife Bertha in the attic, but given the age he lived in who can blame him!..... A different time. On the other hand he has none of the charm or looks of any actor who has played Rochester throughout the ages. (Barring perhaps Orson Wells. Good actor....not the looks!!! Open to debate!!) So, Tom is a bloke but it is stretching credibility to compare him to any one except another bloke!! Hardly a statistical triumph.
DeleteAgreed statistics have been known to ruin many an amusing argument!
Delete😊
DeleteSpot on photos, Ruthy ! Has Tom turned into Kate with a beard ? More seriously, it was distinctly chilling the way he airily shrugs them off to a bungalow-yet-to-be-built ( financed by....?)
ReplyDeleteThere is a prominent theme these days about living quarters & homes : cuckoos in the nest displacing parents, Christine preferring the care home, LL threatened, especially if Freddie isn't farmed out, Alistair hunkering down with Dad, Kate freeloading for as long as people can stand her, Emma & Ed finding a home, older Grundys on the move unless Oliver wakes up, Jill & Leneord moving in together....
You are right ,Carolyn.
DeleteWell spotted.
Tom doesn't look broody /moody to me .
ReplyDeleteHe just looks half asleep .
He would have been better having his photograph taken when there was no wind blowing .
It won't be too long before he is balding.
As for Natasha
She is exactly as I pictured her.
I hope these photographs have been taken specifically for the programme.
Those eyes say everything to me.
Yes ! Something ruthless there ? Whatever, still prefer her to Hannah, because she's nicer. Perhaps very shallow as people thought she was too gushing with Tony doing a Prince Charles for DiL to be, oh, so topical ). I thought she was sincere, if disconcerting for someone as English as Tony.
DeleteShe’s got the usual number of eyes,LanJan and the usual number of heads, so what’s the problem? It’s true she’s got a droopy eyelid (ptosis) but so have I and so do lots of people. I don’t think it’s considered a sign of any mental characteristic.
DeleteLan Jan, Toms hairstyle is probably just that, not windblown, I think this is a style right now.
DeleteAs for Natasha's eyes. I'm with you completely. Such attitude.
And Maryellen, it's the expression coming from those eyes, not the fact that she has the usual two or that she has a droopy eyelid.
Like you, so do I.
Helen was transparent last night, going on about knowing you'd found the right person to Tom, so obviously thinking out loud concerning her own feelings to the unsuspecting & equally self absorbed brother.
ReplyDeleteTo be mean as well as, maybe, shallow, I wouldn't mind if Lee turns her down when she, eventually & inevitably, stumbles out some approach to apology & a doctored explanation of a behaviour. He might say that having had time to reflect ( 2 weeks or so), he's not up to nursing her through past traumas nor putting up with Henry kicking other children around in his karate classes, so should they call it a day....won't be like that, of course &, being contrary, would probably object if it were.
Delete'....explanation of her behaviour'
DeleteSorry, Ruthy, but I wish I hadn’t seen those photos!
ReplyDeleteAre they of the actual actors?
Neither of them matches the pictures in my head; I had Natasha with blonde curly hair and Tom with fairly neat dark hair and definitely no scruffy beard. I thought he would have been better looking to attract so many females over the years!
Now I shall have those photos in my head instead, so I suppose I’d better get used to it.
Archerphile - on no account should you look at the photo of Neil Carter, or you will never be able to contemplate his post-chilli romps with equanimity again!
DeletePS. I mean the three quarter length photo on the features pages of the BBC blog.
DeleteHave been trying to comment. To no avail.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I’m in.
DeleteGuten Tag. I am in Germany so didn’t listen until yesterday. The, ‘get me to the registry office on time’ storyline and subsequent speeches required me to find a sick bucket. I shall be sharing this vessel with Tony and Pat when they discover Natasha has had them evicted to a bungalow.
Lily is trying too hard.
Stasia, agree about Lily. She is trying to baby Elizabeth (specially when she puts on that very caring voice) and I’m not surprised Elizabeth doesnt like it. Neither would I take kindly to my daughter trying to bully me into going for a walk when I didn’t want to.
DeleteI know she is trying her best, thinks she has to ‘look after’ Elizabeth all the time but she is not experienced enough to know how to do it. Russ (much as I hate to admit it) has a much better of how to treat Elizabeth, but of course that will make Lily jealous that he succeeds where she fails.
Goodness only knows what will happen when Freddie is added to the mixture.
Have just had a look at the list of characters on TA website and noted that Mia is listed as Mia Grundy. Would she not have had her father’s surname or have I a vague memory of them adopting Will’s name at the time of his and Nic’s marriage? The other interesting thing is that Russ doesn’t appear at all which suggests he will exit stage left or right soon! It looks as if Mia is going to be permanent though. I think about 6 years on she and Johnnie will make a perfect pair!
ReplyDeleteHelen obviously saw the implications for herself and sons of Tom and Natasha taking over at the farmhouse. Maybe she should start to think about more independence from her parents. She is working and earning and of course has a stake in the farm. Come to think of it how dare Tom suggest this as he doesn’t have sole claim to the property. Beware, Tony and Pat! You need to look to your own security in the face of this challenge!
ReplyDeleteIMHO Helen still needs the sucurity of Bridge Farm, with Tony + Pat still in residence.
DeleteNatalie spotted the 10 acre area for sale. Why doesn't the new Mr + Mrs Archer buy it themselves and build their own home, living amongst the trees + pigs.....aah Toms' pig are just flying by. 🐷🐷
Maryellen,what are you on about with Natasha’s droopy eyelid?
ReplyDeleteThe photograph has nothing to do with a droopy eyelid.
If you look at the photograph ,her right eyebrow is raised in a supercilious fashion -just the same as Pip’s photograph
It is the pose some people take when looking down at people whom they believe to be lesser mortals.
She has a slight smile on her face too which says to me that she feels superior.
If it is a publicity photograph for the actress she ought to have another one taken pronto.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t sucking in her cheeks like a certain pop singer / fashion designer seems to do.
You know the one I mean who stands with her head at an angle as if she has a sore neck.
.
And never, ever smiles!
DeleteI thought they both looked like they needed a good night's sleep. Or she has been crying / has an allergic reaction. (Sorry maryellen, her eyelid doesn't look droopy to me.)
DeleteAnyway, I agree with Archerphile - who are these imposters? They're certainly not Tom and Natasha. Although I couldn't tell you what they actually *do* look like. Except that N has straight, brown hair, Archerphile, not blond and curly : )
Off now to check Neil's picture. (Maryellen, I've always done my best not to contemplate his post-chilli romps at all, with or without equanimity!)
I don't look at photos, as much prefer my own images.
DeleteTo me Tom is clean shaven, with short, well groomed, light brown hair and blue eyes. Natasha has dark hair which is naturally curly/wavy so is cut quite short but frames her face with dark brown eyes, and she is slim and petite.
Also to me, Natasha is always dressed "smart casual" - I don't envisage her in scruffy jeans, jumpers, anoraks, without make-up, and her wellies won't be like mine - green, bought from Woolworths before they closed, but still very practical!
OldWomaninAShoe - re your last sentence, very wise, I might be being extra sensitive on the droopy eyelid front but no mistaking a beer belly!
DeleteThose photographs to me are of Mr and Mrs Tom Archer .
ReplyDeleteNatasha fancies herself as a Kate Middleton lookalike.
She has therefore dyed her hair black - although I think the Duchess has dark brown hair.- which was a mistake because it looks unnatural and dull.
I hope she had her ends cut before her wedding.
I don’t think of Natasha as petite Miriam but she could be slim.
I wonder what she wore for the wedding?
Years ago she could have worn a dress designed by another Welsh lady,Laura Ashley.
I loved them.
She might have borrowed one her mum had in her wardrobe
A blue ribbon round her straw hat !
Please not a fascinator
Something old-her grandmother’s pearl necklace
Something new- her undies.
And she wouldn't get a room at my house either!
ReplyDeleteI struggle see what all the "younger" people see in Ambridge to be honest - there appears to be nowhere to stay and nowhere to work unless your family own a farm or a stately home.
It was brilliant how both Peggy and Phoebe saw through Kate, if only she'd behaved she could have stayed at the Dower House. I take it that Christine is now a permanent resident at the Laurels without Peggy's support.
ReplyDeleteYes, at last, 3 cheers ! Kirsty made a brusque point, as well.I expect someone like Kate is a completely strange animal to her, older than her, yet unwilling to support herself, & forever scrounging. I suppose she'll never reform out of recognition ( would we want her to ?! Would that even be believable ?) but she will have to do a few things she doesn't want to do in order to put a roof over her head. The chicken factory beckons, girl ! What puzzles me is how she supports herself in SA - is it cheaper there ? Is the cottage rent enough to support her ? Does she does in people's homes ? Perhaps she came back, not only to entertain us, but 'friends' couldn't take any more of her either.
DeleteDoss in people's homes...
DeleteCarolyn, I thought your ' does' meant does he ' do' in other people's homes.
DeleteIn other words is she ' cleaning' !
That thought alone made me laugh.
Good thing Phoebe doesn’t take after her great-grandmother. Peggy could have learned something from her.
ReplyDeleteI thought Peggy handled Kate perfectly well.
DeleteI have an idea that some weeks ago, I answered the question ' who will ever tell Kate the truth ' with - Peggy.
Not sure, but think !
I think Phoebe *does* take after her great-grandmother : they're both sharp cookies who can see straight through Kate : )
DeleteBut their response was very different - Phoebe hasn’t inherited her iinstinctive kindness from Peggy, more likely Betty.
DeleteIt was you, Mrs P.
DeletePeggy was very kind, & self controlled, given the way she was being used, lied to, hurried along quite cruelly, but she was also very firm & honest. Long overdue, but it's not uncommon for parasitical characters to get away with it for ages - it's as if others can't quite believe anyone can be like that !
Give Kate an inch and she'd take ten miles!
DeletePhoebe had kindly offered to take her great-grandmother shopping and would have enjoyed spending time with her.
Kate's sudden enthusiasm to help her aged grand-mother coincided rather too neatly with a perceived chance to gain replacement board and lodging. Her disinclination to spend any more time than strictly necessary was shown in her driving and her desire to get Peggy into a wheelchair or motorised trolley at the supermarket. (Of course Peggy knew that such facilities were available - but had chosen not to use them, as was her perogative.)
In the face of such blatant opportunism, I would say Peggy's no-nonsense responses were spot on.
Yes I agree, Peggy's response to Kate was absolutely correct. Sensible, honest and blunt. How Kate has the nerve to behave as she does is baffling. Such characters never seem to gain any self-knowledge and must believe themselves to be hard done by presumably.
DeleteIf Peggy had been a truly kind person,sry. which I don’t think she is, she would hve offered Kate a bed for a given period while she sorted out something more permanent, and then been firm, honest etc etc etc if necessary. It was Phoebe who was prepared to put herself out. The scriptwriters are pandering to our baser instincts again. Can’t blame them if it keeps us listening.
DeletePerhaps she simply values her own sanity.
DeleteBesides, Kate would always be 'too busy' running SH to go house hunting. And anything she *did* find would be too small / too far from Ambridge / wrong chakras / wrong neighbourhood / ... And she'd have to do her own cooking and cleaning.
Giving Kate a temporary bed would have simply pushed the firm, honest conversation a few weeks, or days, further down the line. Kate thinks the world owes her a living - it's too much to hope that Peggy's words will reform her but at least they might give her pause to think.
The weather's warming up. Someone find her the instruction manual for the heater and she can go and live in one of her yurts.
Out of interest, maryellen, how long could you stand Kate living with you?
DeleteOldWomaninAShoe - does your question to me presuppose that she would be paying me rent or not? Because obviously that makes a difference to my answer.
DeleteKate, pay rent ????
DeleteDid anyone ever get to the bottom of the whole "who lives in Kate's cottage' question?
ReplyDeleteIt has been empty for months. But the last tenants re-arranged the chakras and ignored Kate's stipulation that they only eat organic vegan food. Moreover, they left a tacky plastic garden gnome in the flowerbeds.
DeleteTherefore the whole aura of the building has been compromised and Kate couldn't *possibly* live there.
Well, she probably could, but Brian is being unreasonable about paying for it to be completely redecorated and professionally re-chakra-ed.
😁✔️
DeleteInteresting how both Phoebe and Lily have become the 'Mothers' to their Mothers. That need to placate. Often the case for children with a less than stable or flaky parent. I think I'm stretching a point with Kate though as a sharp kick in the fundament might be more appropriate. Not PC or one could be accused of assault............oh but the satisfaction!
ReplyDeleteWith you there. 👍
DeleteHas anyone introduced Kate to Russ?
ReplyDeleteThey were made for each other - two petulant perpetual teenagers, adept at sponging off others and believing the world owes them a living.
I vote they pair off and then are sent somewhere remote (and preferably uninhabited) to live. Kate can set up Spiritual Home II and Russ can mooch around being artistic. Perhaps he could even give painting lessons to Kate's clients. (Providing they're over 50 and chaperoned.)
If they signed an undertaking never to come back to Ambridge I'm sure a village whip-round would raise more than enough for their travel, and probably enough to buy them somewhere to live too.
Rather tough on Lily. But perhaps consoling her heart-broken daughter will be the focus Lizzy needs to climb out of her own depression. Freddie will come home and spend the remainder of his time doing hard labour at the Stables before being able to return to the bosum of his family. The alcohol licence will be renewed and LL will flourish anew.
Later, Lily will re-start at university and through herself into her studies and social life with energy and enthusiasm. Money will be tight but university accomodation will be much cheaper than That Flat and Lizzy will send regular food parcels. She will complete her degree with flying colours then come home to take on the management of LL.
Meanwhile, Freddie will have admitted to Lizzy that his real passion is horses, not houses. He will go off to do a horse related apprenticeship then come home to buy The Stables from Shula who is ready to retire and pursue her painting full-time. He will relocate the horses to LL, allowing Neville Lovatt to expand their their flourishing vetinary super-centre in Ambridge.
LL will become famous among horse and house lovers alike. But I see this post has grown rather long (again) so I shall refrain from looking further ahead ...
A perfect solution, OWiaS !
DeleteHope the SW’s have read your offering and are writing away as we “blog”.
DeleteFantastic story line.
I seem to remember saying, way way back OWIAS, that you were indeed one of the ' secret' TA SW.
DeleteI say it again.
I wish, Mrs P!
DeletePS You'd know if I ever did become a scriptwriter - the episodes would have to stretch to 45 minutes long ; )
DeleteBut glad you enjoyed my predictions. I think Freddie getting involved with horses and Lily going to university then running LL could actually happen. Kate and Russ swanning into the sunset seems, sadly, rather less likely.
DeleteLily isn’t yet capable of handling Lower Loxley without Russ. Plus she needs professional training if she seriously wants a future in the leisure industry.
'throw herself ...' , not 'through ...'
ReplyDeleteGo Peggy. That’s called tough love.
ReplyDeleteYay Ruthy - here’s to Peggy 🥳
DeleteKate owns a cottage. She's known about the sale of Home Farm long enough to give her tenants notice and be able to move in there.
ReplyDeleteGood point ✔️
DeleteKate could have asked Peggy straight if she could stay with her for a limited period and then things might have been different but she's great entertainment value.
ReplyDeletePeggy is a shrewd judge of character. So I wonder what she thinks of her new granddaughter-in-law. I can’t remember if we have actually heard them talking together yet, but I’d be very interested in Peggy’s opinion of Natasha and her ambitious plans for Bridge Farm, to say nothing of the couple’s proposals for Tony and Pat!
ReplyDeleteI thought Kirsty was wonderful last night. Firstly by taking the bull by the horns (so to speak) and asking to see Tom’s wedding photos and not condemning him or being critical or sarcastic about the marriage.
And secondly by being so good with Helen, getting her to speak about her on-going terror after ‘that’ night and how it still affects her. Kirsty is right of course, Helen should tell Lee the whole truth, he deserves nothing less. But I also wish Kirsty has persuaded Helen to seek help to deal with her PTSD, from which she seems to be suffering. I don’t think she ever underwent proper counselling, did she? Perhaps Lee will help persuade her, when he knows the full score.
I challenge your assessment of Peggy as a shrewd judge of character, Archerphile. I think she is as subject to prejudice and susceptible to charm as the next elderly person. Remember how wrong she got Rob?
DeleteI agree with you Maryellen, Peggy is sometimes subject to prejudice and charm, but not always.
DeleteAnd she can also be shrewd in her consideration of the actions of others, but again, not always.
People like Rob are adept at only showing one side of their character and Peggy was not the only one taken in! I think the actress playing Natasha has adopted a pose almost challenging us to throw the first stone! I’m sure in real life she is a lovely person!
DeleteThat’s no surprise Maryellen, I am used to you challenging my posts and opinions! However I would say, most of Ambridge and most of us were taken in by Rob, so I don’t count that against Peggy,
DeleteBut I would agree she’s not a very good judge of the feline species viz. Hilda Ogden! 🙀
So, basically, you’re saying she’s a shrewd judge of character except when she isn’t?!
DeleteArcherphile said that Peggy is a shrewd judge of character.
DeleteThat means she is probably astute,observant,perceptive and sharp witted .
It does not mean that she is going to be 100% correct with every judgement she makes.
Helen kept things quiet about Rob.
Most people who met him more often than Peggy did not think he was the type of man he turned out to be.
I think where Hilda is concerned she wanted to look after a cat that was unwanted elsewhere and was prepared to take her in spite of her bad behaviour.
Now that Peggy belongs to Hilda ,Peggy won’t hear a word against her which is as it should be.
Hilda knows she has fallen on her paws and behaves well for Peggy.
Lanjan - Absolutely agree.
DeleteRe. Hilda and doting cat owners, I know someone who tomorrow is holding a party with fishy sandwiches and jam and cream scones for their cat Felina's second birthday. The nice people who look after her when they go away for the weekend have been invited to the party. We don't live nearby but , of course, have sent a birthday card from Bella and Tiger Lily. 🎂🐈
DeleteHelen's crying question, what if he doesn't choose me? Then he is not for you and I wouldn't hold it against him if he walked away, not everyone can take on Helen with her complex past, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteBoth Helen and Kate have used Christine to facilitate their way, now that Helen can see Lee outside the Laurels she doesn't visit as often and Kate didn't even bother.
Yes, well, Basia.
DeleteIt wasn't really fondness for Christine that sent Helen or Kate to the Laurels, was it.
It was a useful opportunity for the SWs to have Christine in the Laurels and Lee to be there as a Physiotherapist as well as giving Kate a spurious reason to visit.
And lie, into the bargain !
Someone(apologies as I can’t remember who) said that if Lee was living in Borcester indeed possibly anywhere in the UK- he will have known all about Rob.
DeleteWhat he might not be aware of though is the fact that Henry is not Rob’s son.
He might find it harder to accept the circumstances of Henry’s conception than to accept what Helen did to Rob.
Helen was a bit snide about Carrie and Susan implying that they cut corners because they were gossiping and was totally tactless to Kirsty.
She doesn’t deserve kind friends like Kirsty.
I thought Helen's comment about Clarrie and Susan was so sneering and patronising too. What does Helen know about 'deep cleaning' and does she really think that these two, after all the years they have been working in various 'sterile' areas, would risk leaving corners unwashed?
DeleteI don't know about PTSD I just think she is a deeply unpleasant woman.
She takes advantage of her family just as much as the despicable Kate.
Thank goodness for Peggy who, like Phoebe, could see right through Kate's 'helpfulness!'
How much longer is Spiritual Homesd going to last I wonder? Kate sounded very bored with it last night. She can't stick with one thing for very long, even her own flesh and blood!
bootgums, where art thou?
ReplyDeleteHaving been in charge of large multi-purpose licensed venues for most of the past 25 years I can honestly say that it's putting it mildly to suggest that Lily would be pushing it to get a part time job somewhere like LL never mind running the place anytime soon!
ReplyDeleteWith the caveat being, of course, it's an entirely different proposition if your family own the building & are actively looking to ruin the business for one reason or another..
DeleteWhat training did Lizzie have? I was thinking of her taking on Lizzy's role rather than being the next Geraldine. Would that make a difference? I'm happy to send her off for extra training after university, or perhaps even instead of returning to her current degree.
DeleteHaving been in charge of multi-purpose licensed venues for none of the past 25 minutes I bow to your expertise GG. But could she get there in, say, ten years? (And assuming they manage to get the license back ...)
And assuming Freddie doesn’t decide to sell up or do something entirely different....
DeleteOWIAS - The only job I can remember Elizabeth having was something to do with the Borchester echo? I remember Debbie working there I think? However I cannot remeber what Elizabeth did for a living. I remember getting expelled from her private boarding school and so transferring to the local Secondary school but what she did after I have no idea.
DeleteI don't think she had any special training to do the Assistant Manager shop. I wonder if she got th job because Nigel had a soft spot for her?
I've got it! Kate can go and live at Grange Farm and help towards the rent. (Yes, maryellen, I know I've just queried the idea of her paying rent to anyone but perhaps Brian will pay to keep her out of his hair.)
ReplyDeleteClarrie would keep her in order and could teach her to cook and clean up after herself.
There again, she might just hang around with Joe and share sponging tips....
Oh no, your first set of scenarios were best - she wouldn't survive in the Grundy household, & they wouldn't tolerate her. If not Russ, how about Toby ? They already have carnal knowledge of each other, & have much in common..
DeleteBut does Rosie deserve to have Kate as a step-mother?
DeleteKate won't play the stepmother - she can't be bothered with children, especially babies, despite producing three. If T. want to maintain some desultory contact, he'll have to visit Rickyard. He'd enjoy that, exploring bouncy castle Nationwide with Kate, with the odd sleepover with Pip, in a proper bed.
DeleteI have just been listening to a play on Radio iPlayer called Chocky, a science fiction story by John Wyndham. It took me a while to realise the boy in the story, a very prominent part, was being played by Judy Bennett (Shula). I have to say, she did take the part of a 10 year old boy very well!
ReplyDeleteAnd she was 25 at the time! Just checked online and was also amused to find out that she has previously played the parts of BOTH Kenton & Elizabeth!!!
DeleteWhat a shame she's just stuck with the rubbish role of Shula these days ! Maybe she regards it as a 'character' part - a differing, hand wringing type...
DeleteDithering !!
DeleteI thought that Shula played the part of Adam
DeleteI thought that Shula played the part of Adam
DeleteMy simple comments are:-
ReplyDeleteLoved Kirsty + Helen, together
Loved Peggy "squashing" Kate
Would Love - Helen explaining all to Lee, who will understand.
Would Love to see Kate living in a Yurt.
Would love Pheobe talking sense into Lily.
Would love David demanding his monies lent to Kenton, to be repaid immediately
Would love - Lilian deciding to sell her share of The Bull.
Would love - Carole T. leaving Glebe Cottage,so just right for Jill+ Leanord.
Would love - Joe, Eddie + Clarrie to remain at Grange Farm.
Would love - Freddie to return to LL, a reformed character, and take charge/control - so exit Russ.
Would love Hannah and Jazzer to end up together.
Idle thoughts only, and even The Ambridge Fairy with her wand, can't make my wishes become real.😭
Love it, Miriam! T❤️O❤️B❤️Y would be the ideal person to buy Lilan’s share of The Bull. Maybe Robin could stump up......
DeleteGreat idea as to Robin F. Love it,. Sadly, Wishful thoughts only..
DeleteWondering just exactly how Freddie could "take control"? He is far too young and inexperienced to be of any real help to anyone suffering from depression, he has no right whatsoever surely to interfere in his sister's love life and no licensing committee would grant an alcohol license to a convicted drug felon at ANY point for the rest of his life. At most he could maybe assist in Elizabeth's morning walks, but I personally wouldn't put him in charge of making a cup of tea...
DeletePeople to change, and often for the better.
DeleteI, for one, am not prepared to write Freddie off. Give him a chance - he might surprise everyone, esp. as his the heir to LL, so it his future.
Sorry about typos..
DeleteShould be:-
people Do change..and
....he Is the heir to LL.
I was just being glib Miriam! Apart from the legal part...
DeleteI hope he comes back embittered, angry & spoiling for a fight - would be both more realistic AND entertaining to my mind!
Why not say that Helen was in the middle of something complicated and could not remove her protective clothing, oh well. I was thinking that we've not had menopause in Ambridge and now we have, apparently early as well, because that's what makes women complain unnecessarily.
ReplyDeleteI do get irritated by Helen’s tendency to lie, and to pressure Clarrie into lying on her behalf is totally out of order. I can understand someone refusing to answer questions or explain their behaviour, but lying really does upset me.
ReplyDeleteIs it blatant lying - or just "white lies" trying to hide the truth?
DeleteA thin line- and very debatable.
Irritated KP ?
DeleteI'm downright disgusted by her.
But no change there, as FOSO would be pleased to point out yet again, were he to be looking in.
Lee - your hitting your head against a brick wall mate. Move on, she's not worth it.
FOSO if you are looking in, did all go well?
DeleteHelen lying herself is bad enough but asking Clarrie to lie for her is out of order. She's the bos and put Clarrie in a very difficult position.
DeleteSo H & L will be the Friday showdown no doubt 😡
ReplyDeletePip should have stuck with the allotted 1 yr maternity leave then she wouldn’t need to go to to bed during the day and have 80 / 90 yr old babysitters
😱
If Jill and Leonard are spending their time sitting in the kitchen giggling ,I wonder how long it will be before Leonard gets tired of Jill’s irritating laugh?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Miriam.
I don’t see why Carole doesn’t move out of Glebe Cottage.
We haven’t heard from her for ages.
It would be so simple for the script writers to have her going to live near or with her daughter.
Well, there's always potential in Carole, ever an interesting eoman, so they may be saving her up for future SLs ( when the equally interesting actor is available...) Leonard lives somewhere, why couldn't Jill move in with him, in due course ?
DeleteEoman ? Woman !
DeleteAgree with all comments on Helen, she's a pain. A pity both the characters suffering mental illness are so unsympathetic, intrinsically. One should expect people struggling in various ways to be 'difficult' for others of course, but Helen & Elizabeth have always been hard to like even when their lives were easier.
ReplyDeleteI do like the Susan/Clarrie duo, though !
Lee did sound pretty cross, in a controlled sort of way, when he was obliged to leave a message. If only Helen would take Kirsty's advice, be brave & do the right thing. Yes, when he knows, if he ever gets the truth, he may well turn away, & this might be what Helen needs to propel her into seeking professional help.
I do so agree with your second sentence,Carolyn.
DeleteIf they had wanted to highlight mental illness perhaps they should have realised that Kirsty might have suffered a breakdown when she was jilted at the altar.
Instead they shipped her back to the Wirral for a time but I suspect,realising that she was one of the few characters liked by many listeners ,they decided she should return to Ambridge.
I am pleased she is back but I find it hard to believe that that is what she would have done.
I agree with Lady R regarding Pip. How do other working, single parents manage? Even with babysitting help from family they probably have to go out to work at regular hours and care for their baby. I expect they have broken nights sleep too.
ReplyDeleteIt irritates me how mollycoddled Pip is and how she seems to just expect her family, or Toby, to step in whenever she decides she’d rather being doing something on the farm
My daughter has her own successful business, and only took a week or so off after her first baby, then I stepped in and baby sat while she worked from home for the next few weeks. After that she was lucky in having an excellent child minder recommended to her, so was able to keep working, even when the baby was only a few months old. By the time her second child was born, the child minder was already on hand to help out and her husband changed to working part-time, so between them they coped very well. It seems to me that Emma is missing a chance in the child minding line. She is reliable and experienced at looking after children, and she is keen to earn money for their mortgage. With Rosie needing sensible care and Adam and Ian's baby soon to join her - not to mention any more babies that may appear, given the current story-lines, I should have thought that she could have a much more pleasant job than working in the chicken factory and still have a reasonable income.
DeleteIan seems to have followed the advice of those who said he should go to Bulgaria alone.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right Basia. Let's hope he also followsthe advice of those who said he should stay there.
Delete✔
DeleteExcellent idea ,Pierre.
DeleteIan used to be a blog favourite - what went wrong?
DeleteHe is a bossy whinger
DeleteCan’t be doing with him.
He is another one who has done well financially by marrying one of the Aldridge| Archer clan.
How do you come to that conclusion LJ ?
DeleteIan is a chef, do you know his salary ?
He might be bringing greater financial clout to his marriage than Adam since we do not know what either of them earns.
I dare say Ian is a good chef Mrs P but Grey Gables isn’t The Ritz,
DeleteWherever one goes to eat now the bloke who cooks the meals in the kitchen is called “The chef”
I doubt he is being paid a massive salary but I may be wrong.
I think Roy has some sort of qualification in Hotel Management but I am not sure what the qualifications are of the rest of the staff.
Kathy was a Domestic Science Teacher.
I don’t know what Lynda was before she came to GG and I doubt if Kirsty has many qualifications but again I may be wrong.
As you are probably aware since I think a lot of these places have overpriced meals which are smaller than the meals one gets in less grand places I haven’t a lot of time for them at all.
I dare say Ian is a good chef Mrs P but Grey Gables isn’t The Ritz,
DeleteWherever one goes to eat now the bloke who cooks the meals in the kitchen is called “The chef”
I doubt he is being paid a massive salary but I may be wrong.
I think Roy has some sort of qualification in Hotel Management but I am not sure what the qualifications are of the rest of the staff.
Kathy was a Domestic Science Teacher.
I don’t know what Lynda was before she came to GG and I doubt if Kirsty has many qualifications but again I may be wrong.
As you are probably aware since I think a lot of these places have overpriced meals which are smaller than the meals one gets in less grand places I haven’t a lot of time for them at all.
I dare say Ian is a good chef Mrs P but Grey Gables isn’t The Ritz,
DeleteWherever one goes to eat now the bloke who cooks the meals in the kitchen is called “The chef”
I doubt he is being paid a massive salary but I may be wrong.
I think Roy has some sort of qualification in Hotel Management but I am not sure what the qualifications are of the rest of the staff.
Kathy was a Domestic Science Teacher.
I don’t know what Lynda was before she came to GG and I doubt if Kirsty has many qualifications but again I may be wrong.
As you are probably aware since I think a lot of these places have overpriced meals which are smaller than the meals one gets in less grand places I haven’t a lot of time for them at all.
The surrogacy story....simple
ReplyDeleteExactly and his broodiness is so irritating!
DeleteMaybe that says more about bloggers’ attitudes to surrogacy than their attitudes to Ian. Exile seems rather a harsh punishment for his crime....
DeleteSo what if bloggers have an attitude to both Iain & surrogacy ? I think of both as opinions, not with the slant of prejudice that 'attitude' implies.
DeletePersonally, I think it is perfectly natural that he is off to Bulgaria, & equally natural that Adam isn't at this point. As for the surrogacy, I object on account of their respective ages, & also that was why they found it so difficult to find a surrogate.
Both of them were insensitive to Roy, but changed after he was accused. Like many couples in a childless situation, they became obsessed. That is completely realistic.
Well said Carolyn.
DeleteSounds like an argument for the compulsory sterilisation of all males when they reach 45 on the grounds that they are now too old to rear children.
DeleteMany of them have voluntarily done it by then anyway!
DeleteHow many?
DeleteNot many women have their first child when they are over 45
DeleteMany men have younger wives or partners so that men of 45 may well have a wife or partner in her early thirties or even younger.
For two middle aged men with little knowledge of babies to bring up a child whilst both have full time jobs with different shifts is ludicrous and irresponsible.
I hope that if and when Ian returns he tells Adam that either Lexi isn’t pregnant,that she will not return to Ambridge or -this is fiction remember - that she has unfortunately miscarried the baby.
LanJan, any other groups of people you think shouldn't be breeding? Do tell...
DeleteGary ,with respect I think your comment is uncalled for.
DeleteI am not talking about “breeding “ as you call it.
In fact I don’t know what you mean
I would only use that word when talking about cattle or sheep
Who will Adam and Ian call upon when they both have to work?
Jennifer is a woman in her seventies.
Most women become grandmas in their 50s or 60s but Jennifer might be called upon when she is nearly 80 to do the school run or to look after a sick child
When you hear Adam and Ian talking now one or other of them- usually Adam is exhausted.
Also Adam is not as enthusiastic about it as is Ian.
How much worse will it be if they have a little child running around.?
Will,who is much younger is finding it hard bringing up two girls.
(Yes I know his circumstances are different)
Sorry Gary.
I do not like the situation at all.
Adam & Ian will call upon the exact same people that anyone in their situation would - namely family & friends! Why do you think that Jennifer would be the prime carer for their child? Would you think the same if Alice & Chris were to have a baby? I don't think they, like millions upon millions of people, would have any problem affording appropriate childcare when required.
DeleteEvery couple I know that have children had varying degrees of enthusiasm at the outset, and indeed still do. Adam & Ian are in no way different.
May I ask if you found it wrong in any way when Pip, Kate, Jennifer or Helen had babies when they were single/teenage/unwed?
Gary it is the ages of Adam and Ian that concern me plus the fact that they are both working and often unsocial hours.
DeleteWe have heard what Pip is like when she has her sleep disturbed and she is younger than they are.
Would either or both be given leave?
Probably but would either of them want to take it?
Would Adam really want someone else taking over?
Neither of them is used to little children and babies in particular.
The women you mention are all younger than Adam and Ian.
Helen is older than the others but has had experience in bringing up two children.
Gary,I really do not know why you are having a go at me.
Many people have said what I have said.
Several have suggested that they would have been better to adopt an older child .
You are of course right about the fact that should Alice have a baby then the situation with Jennifer would be the same.
I hope she would tell Alice that she would be too old to be doing the school run.
Alice could call upon Kate.
Ah now that’s an idea ,perhaps Adam will be able to give Kate a home and she can be the live in Carer for the baby.
Do you think that might work?
She can have Lexie’s room.
Butting in here, don't think it was wrong of those three to have babies for reasons of youth or status ( single or partnered). Presuming all those pregnancies were definitely unsought, I respect their right not to choose terminations ( except for Kate, basically because she's always in the wrong ! Flippancy aside, she doesn't look after her children as the other two do & did, but evades responsibility like she always does, over everything)
DeleteAdam & Iain, seems to me, have the potential to make great parents - two intelligent, caring, hardworking men - excellent role models, comfortably placed, sensible, with decent values, & probably fun to be around - I think they spent time with Henry, for instance, & Ruairi when he was younger. But, why, oh why, a baby ? Better an 8-10 yr. old who's been in care, or fostered, or both. One parent starting in his early fifties, the other, mid to late forties seems unfair on the child to me, both being very much in the grandparent category when the 'baby' is twenty. Man/woman, same sex, makes no difference. It's sad for someone to lose parents they are close to relatively early in their adult life, say, late thirties, at most, early forties.
Could be another reason for compulsory sterilisation of all males and females when they reach 40, and not already sterile, so they don’t selfishly produce children who will suffer from having one or more parents old enough to be their grandparent.
DeleteUnpleasant, nasty, and uncalled for reply Maryellen.
DeleteCarolyn has a point.
My father, eleven years older than my mother was 35 when I was born.
He died at 75.
Just after my fortieth birthday.
It would have been wonderful to have him longer and I have missed him enormously, my sister even more so I imagine since she would have been 35 herself when he died.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI think your response to my comment is out of keeping with the general tone of this blog, Mrs P, some might call it downright rude. I was using the reductio ad absurdam approach to illustrate the point that decrees were being applied to Ian and Adam that are not applied to the rest of humanity. I think that’s prejudiced and unfair, others may think it’s perfectly okay.....
DeleteYour comment was the one that was out of keeping with the mutual civility & respect which is the agreed standard here, Maryellen. Of course Iain & Adam aren't being singled out, they just happen to be the only middle aged couple in TA planning to have a baby. The objection applies to anyone, male, female, single or not, & it is an unwarranted leap of several stages of logic to assume that such an objection is linked to a belief in enforced sterilization
DeleteCarolyn (and Mrs P) ✔✔
DeleteI am beginning to feel what it must be like to be trolled. My comment was impersonal invoking an entirely hypothetical scenario so uncivil and disrespectful to no individual(s) here - unless you feel I was being uncivil and disrespectful to the human race in general, or Western civilisation perhaps? Obviously I don’t personally support enforced sterilisation - how could anyone have possibly thought that? What I do personally support is equality of opportunity in all aspects of life including couples, or indeed individuals, wanting a baby of their own, whatever their age or gender.
DeleteAll I want is for Helen, to summon the courage to tell Lee all about Rob, and the parentage of Henry + Jack.
ReplyDeleteIf, and it is a big IF, Lee is the person I think he is, he will step back, digest, accept and then start again with Helen.
To me, they seem suited together.
Obviously his "step back" will be when Freddie returns back to Ambridge.
It would seem in this modern world babies can be conceived by many methods. Age, gender, race ethnicity should not be a barrier. Love should be the prime motivator.
ReplyDeleteTrue stasia but in this case guilt was the prime motivator initially and even now, when the baby is not just an idea but a reality, the biological father is still the one taking a back seat in this undertaking.
DeleteThank you Carolyn
ReplyDeleteYou have made the point I was trying to make more succinctly than I did.
LanJan! I in no way meant to have a go at you! Would have said the exact same to anyone else. Please forgive me - just thought for once I would be a bit more "robust" in my posts. See where that's got me...?
DeleteStill friends?
Of course Gary,
ReplyDeleteI don’t bear grudges.
Perhaps Kate could join Lily at the call centre. She was rather good value tonight: aquaponics or fish-pooh salad. £25 for a return fare from LL to the Bull, I don't know the distance, a London black cab is the same for 3.5 miles one way.
ReplyDeleteIan and Adam could do what a lot of people do and use a nursery/childminder/nanny.
ReplyDeleteYes CC - wIth their two-income advantage, I guess they can afford a full-time nanny which would take care of virtually all the problems bloggers are foreseeing for them if indeed they happen. My district-nurse-and-midwife mother always said that older mothers made the best mothers and I imagine that applies irrespective of gender.
DeleteI just love the input about Aquaponics.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an enviromently friendly system, self-sufficient,
producing constant great yields of veg. often out of season.
Also the water does not need to be replaced, thanks to the fish.
It seems so cost effective and so productive. What is not to like.
Kate was good tonight. Good for a good moan by me as it finished......fgs, a grown woman of about 40 acting like a 15 yr old.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to promote a tension releasing shout at the radio.
Feeling a little calmer myself after this listen to.
Namaste everyone, namaste 🙏
And your good for a laugh PtbY.
DeleteThank you that woman.
GG - your being 'robust' is OK.
Your not 'nasty' with it !
You have to laugh - that woman is not for real ! Adam was great - kind, but pulling no punches, & wringing a little truth out of her, unappealing to say the least, but an honest admission : she only left SA because she was running out of dosh, not to see her daughter, not to see how her parents were coping, not to make any contribution, just to take...it's pretty ugly, actually.
ReplyDeleteI don’t understand why no mention at all has been made of Kate’s cottage. Perhaps it’s suffered the same fate as Peggy’s disappearing downstairs cloakroom, both victims of a newer storyline.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was thinking throughout this evening's episode
DeleteSo Kate's short of money and Spiritual Homes is not doing very well. What a surprise!
ReplyDeleteIt appears she has one person working for her (can't remember the name.} I presume this lady has been working alone during the weeks that Kate was away.
What guest (half sister or not) helps themself to an unopened box of chocolates they find in the house?
Kate was a selfish. thoughtless teenager and she has not improved her manners, behaviour or her me-first attitude during the past twenty years.
'Guest' is putting it kindly - most guests are invited, they don't let themselves in unannounced then hide from the legitimate occupants.
DeleteMind you, anyone who's prepared to leave an unopened box of chocolates around since Valentine's Day is asking to have them scoffed ; )
Second point about tonight. I had no idea whose car Lily was in at the start? I thought it was Lee. But no! It was Rex.... so how come one of Henry's toys was in Rex's taxi? Helen has a car, Pat and Tony have a car, maybe one each, so why was a taxi needed at any time?
ReplyDeleteBTW What chance the drink she filched from Brian and the chocolates bought by Ian for Adam were vegan yet both consumed by Kate?
Oh, me too Spicy. I was completely confused about who was in whose car! I admit I had totally forgotten about poor Rex, or the fact that he is a taxi driver.
DeleteAnd I now think the SWs are taking Kate a bit too far, she is becoming a total caricature of a selfish, thoughtless, useless, demanding character. It may be amusing to listen to, with open mouth and raised eyebrows, but it is really no longer credible.
They have over-egged the pudding, in fact.
✓✓✓ to both AP & Spicy. ( I think she's only vegan to impress & to embellish S.Homes credentials, but not as a consistent way of life. That takes a different kind of person entirely !)
DeleteI assumed Helen asked Rex to taxi Henry so she could avoid having to speak to Lee.
Delete(After I, too, had thought it was Lee talking.)
If she's too scared to speak to him perhaps she should write a letter. Mind you, wasn't Tess of the D'Urbervilles mentionned some time ago? The vital letter in that slipped under the doormat and wasn't read until it was too late ...
Sean O'Connor said that he'd based loosely Helen/Rob story on Tess, yes, so Helen carries her past with her.
DeleteThe SWs just had to get Lily in Rex's taxi again, didn'they ?! Each time, he's been very helpful, more than than the drip Russ, who's only good for coffee, walkies & telling her to ignore 'Uncle Kenton' ( who, unusually, was right about the licence being threatened by Freddie's return, & should have been heeded)
ReplyDeleteRex is, what, 8/9 yrs. older than her, but they could do very well together, both at some kind of crossroads, both burdened by family.....it's being set up, so we'll see...
I noticed Rex managed to get in his usual gratuitous dig at T❤️O❤️B❤️Y behind his brother’s back. His jealousy is getting pathological. I was surprised to find Lily less sympathetic, both in her conversations with him and Phoebe in the pub. Maybe my imagination, but she was literally beginning to sound like her twin. Or will he come out of prison with anew voice and new outlook to match.....?
ReplyDeleteBound to come out with a new voice.......as absence is not fonder but the chance to change to another sound alike......Sheesh! 🙄
Delete😄
DeleteHardly a dig. He was comparing his situation to Lily's. Like her, he has always been the dutiful, hardworking child. But both her mother and his father seem focused on the other, wayward child. Remember when Robin came to meet Rosie - gushing with pride at Toby who had managed to father a child and have a 'thriving' gin business. ❤️R❤️e❤️x❤️'s venture into pig keeping was brushed aside as dirty, outdoor work at someone else's beck and call.
DeleteHow many times has ❤️R❤️e❤️x❤️ taken on more than his share of chicken / geese / father care or housework because Toby had 'more urgent' tasks to do. I'd hardly call his reponse pathological jealousy. (But to even things up a bit, I've awarded him a few of Toby's ❤️s : ) )
You’re quite right, OldWomanIna Shoe - I’ll substitute “dead jealous” for “pathologically jealous” and “totally unnecessary and excessively disparaging reference ”for “gratuitous dig”. Also about the number of times Rex has stood in for Tobes on their joint enterprises - I reckon you could count them on the thumbs of both hands. And then there are all the times Tobes has downed tools to help Rex when the latter’s solo enterprises were in trouble - pigs escaping through a poorly-maintained fence, for example.
DeleteIn fairness to Rex, he’s not the only one. David takes every chance to cast aspersions too. Pip only has to indicate she had a sleepless night, and it’s “Where was Toby?” I wonder if he will be allowed a look-in on his daughter’s first birthday.....
”
Carolyn said that Kate's character stretches credibility and Russ's breaks it, it looks the other way round now, please let them collide!
ReplyDeleteThought that, too - terrific, they'd kill each other. The clashing of egos would be something to listen to..
DeleteI like these moments between Rex and Lily. Maybe we see them as close friends. We don't have much of these relationship on TA.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, we don't, but I suspect the SWs are making the predictable signals !
DeleteJolene, don’t give up the day job! Thank goodness we only had to suffer the first line of the song! She should have been dubbed!
ReplyDeleteJolene is no Dolly Parton - almost ruin that song for me. Will have a listen to Dolly now.
DeleteJust looked up narcissistic personality disorder: "a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others". Seems the scriptwriters have been doing the same research!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest Ex-Londoner, that description fits almost all of the residents of Ambridge. With the possible exceptions of Peggy & Bartleby...!
DeleteI seem to remember that description being given to Rob as well, at one point.
DeleteAll I want is for Kate to close down Spiritual Home, and then to just disappear.
ReplyDeleteShe does not give anything positive to Ambridge village life or family problems. Her only positive production is Phoebe, who I like.
Ay caramba! So much going on...
ReplyDeleteWhere will the Fantastic Four move to in the Summer? Is Hannah soon to be off?
Do people in Ambridge really believe that Jolene can sing? Extraordinary!
Cannot believe that Tom hadn't spoken to Natasha about Helen. That's nuts!
Thought Susan and Emma were very, very thoughtful with regards to Mia - very nice indeed!
Emma you are the absolute tops. Mia, she has your back. You are a lucky young girl.
ReplyDeleteI do hope no one complains.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was handled very well indeed.
Well done Susan and Emma.
No you won't be alone MIA and Poppy neither.
Emma at her absolute best..... but didn’t she sound like her mother when she answered her phone?
DeleteEmma was indeed lovely but then it was a Susan who alerted her to the problem.
DeleteSorry Mrs P.
Not with you.
Who is likely to complain-and about what?
The mention of periods I think! There are some strange people on this planet remember LanJan...
DeleteThanks Gary.
DeleteCorrect.
Yes, they did pack a lot in. If Lee had spent more time in the shop he might have known more about Helen, perhaps Natasha will fill him in.
ReplyDeleteInthought Will was good this evening too.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I dslike Hannah I feel a bit sorry for her now.
Obviously that situation couldn’t continue though.
Will Johnnie move back to Bridge Farm when Helen moves in with Lee?
Poor Henry won’t know whether he is coming or going.
Lan Jan, I certainly and sincerely hope that Helen does not make the mistake of
Deletemoving herself and her children in to any mans home, quickly or otherwise, AGAIN
If there is only one lesson learned by Helen, I hope it is that one.
Everyone at their best tonight - smashing! I felt the scripties were playing to the gallery rather with Susan as the CIA, of Ambridge, but this bit of the gallery didn’t mind!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely episode. Well done Emma (and Susan for noticing).
ReplyDeleteBut Susan couldn't wait to spill the beans to Natasha 🤔
But there we have it Zoetrope, both sides of Susan in one episode.
Delete