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Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 18/April/2019
Life in Ambridge: Comments week of 18/April/2019
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
What are we to make of Natasha? Any thoughts? There seem to be conflicting interpretations of her behaviour!
ReplyDeleteRe the comments on the last closed post. I thought that Elizabeth was really giving Russ the 'come on' - if you know what I mean! 🙂
ReplyDeleteI know she does use a lower than usual register when speaking ( in what I call ,as many of you know, her Cadbury's Caramel Bunny voice) but last night - really? I definitely thought the scene was going to end in a clinch between the two.
I was listening on Catch up with headphones but was there any mention by Elizabeth that Russ's decision to move was connected to Freddie? All I heard was 'Is it because of me?' and 'Have you broken up with Lily?' Perhaps Elizabeth has not witnessed any of Freddie's obnoxious behaviour and Lily hasn't mentioned it? Who knows?
Also, as mentioned on the other post, I am getting very cross with the soundalikes. Like PtbY (?) I had no idea who it was at the beginning of the episode,- either of them! I suppose the Director took note of the new Chris Carter's newly acquired 'Mummetshire' accent and has asked the actor to tone it down a bit. Now there is just a subtle hint of a regional accent occasionally.
It was very strange originally that Susan, Neil and Emma all have accents ( sorry have no idea whether they are really appropriate to the area) but Chris, when first married to Alice had a RP voice. Oh well poor director and actors - damned if they do ........... 🙂
I foresee extreme financial trouble for Tom if he doesn't put his foot down and stop kow-towing to Natasha. Strangely enough the 'sounds' app plays immediately after TA the serialisation of Adrian Mole Diaries. Tom ought to do what Adrian's friend did. He came round to the new 'loft' type flat, picked up a pair of scissors and cut Adrian's new store card in half! Just do it Tom!!
Just another thought. If Jakob had had a fling with Tandy(?), he is an equine specialist vet but in the area, how come Alistair knew nothing of him. Chris Carter is a friend of them both, via cricket and work? You'd have thought a mention might have been made before? 😏
Oh, how exciting! I’m the first to post on a new blog, that’s never happened before!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Natasha, I see she is still blaming Tom for anything she dosen't like and complaining he doesn’t back her up with the locals.
In fact she seems to do nothing but complain. Tom sounded very henpecked last night and I wonder how long he will put up with it.
Trouble is, he seems to be in thrall with her and after raising the credit card loans affair, which she brusquely brushed off, I don’t think he has the guts to confront her over anything else.
Well, I was the first, when I started typing!! Now I just look foolish 🤪
DeleteNever Archerphile! I thought I was the first! Then when I posted my screed Nemo was there! 😃
DeleteAll good fun!
Hi Nemo! I think (for what it's worth) that Natasha is an immature personality, and kidding everyone that she is a dynamic 'business woman.' If she were a business woman she would know that spending on credit cards, even for business reasons... nice clothes, flash car etc is the most expensive way to get a business going.
ReplyDeleteAs for refusing Tom's original pillow cases that he's been using at No 1 and Pat's gift well all that points to , as Lanjan, says she has a problem i.e. shopaholicism (my coined word!!!!)
Certainly no 'business woman!'
Elizabeth knows of Freddie's rudeness because she had apologised (!) to Russ for it but chose not to mention last night. What she doesn't quite know is that Lily and Russ came back because of her but not to help out but for lack of funds which only she can provide. I just hope Lily finds another boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteWhat an opportunity for Russ to find his mojo and fill the gallery with his paintings. How old is Lewis, he must be as old as Peggy, my encyclopaedia doesn't give his birth date, but he was Julia's
ReplyDeleteConsort/friend, and she was born in 1924. Freddie isn't going to appreciate Russ getting a job, with free lodgings and good food, while he is searching for employment.
Natasha's carrot and stick approach towards Tom is becoming a bit boring, along with her endless shopping, Tom didn't comment when she said she had been to Underwoods. I do wonder how much of the fruit business is really hers and what is controlled by her ex?
Tom is not responsible for her credit cards, she had these before she married him, so it is not his responsibility to cut them up. If she was spending his money that would be a different matter. I don't like the character Natasha but she was seemingly an independent woman, so she is never going to be a Jill/Jenny, docile to her husbands wishes. It is not the 1950's.
Yes but neither should the husband be docile to the wife’s wishes. As long as she clears the debts herself but somehow I doubt it!
DeleteEv. Your prediction might come to fruition. Elizabeth sounded rather sultry when offering Russ a job and home.😾😾
ReplyDeleteIf E and R get together and marry Lily’s boyfriend becomes her stepfather! What a tangled web! Difficult too if Lily splits up with him having him on her doorstep.
DeleteTrev texted Natasha about the receipt for a juicer of all things!
ReplyDelete😄
DeleteBeen expecting the Elizabeth /Russ combo for a while now .. yeuch ..
ReplyDeleteYes, it’s on the cards, she liked him when she first met him to ask for a reference for Freddie, and several of us predicted Russ would take over running the gallery. Lily will either find a new boyfriend at her work place and lose interest in Russ, or run back to university to get away from her mother and Russ being together. Conversely I think Freddie will find Russ a source of “father figure” support.
DeleteAs for Natasha,
I have already sickened of listening to her, and to Tom. Perhaps her next grand idea will be to leave Ambridge with Tom in tow. Please.
Good to hear from Nemo.
ReplyDeleteBut Nemo, have you seen the anniversary blog ?
Would be nice if you added to it with your comment.
Perhaps you don't look in regularly, anymore.
I do not think that Elizabeth has a desire for Russ. He was around when she was at her lowest. He supported her, as he new he had a comfy billet, but she relied on him for talks, help etc. a prop she doesn't want to lose, as it could jeopordise her progress. She wants him to stay, as she can talk to him, as a non family member. This does help at times.
ReplyDeleteAs to Natasha. Tom isn't responsible for her debts (or is he, not sure as now married), but surely she must realise that her husband isn't comfortable with this. But we the listeners, have no idea what she earns, so how can she be criticised.
PS I still think she is out for all that she can get - and that is Bridge Farm and its business.
Watch out Helen.
Tò add. If Natasha changes her name on her credit cards and therefore statements, etc. to Natasha Archer, does Tom become liable for her debts, as her husband?
DeleteI have no idea.
If anyone one does know this situation, please enlighten me.
No. Even if two on a card usually there is a primary card holder who would be liable.Tom would be liable on a joint loan though.Consulted daughter on this. She said if changing name made someone else liable she could change surname to Windsor and make the Queen pay!
DeleteEmma is a rancid sort of a person don't you think? So consumed. "The house, the house, the house, the house..." I don't know who's more annoying between her and Little Lord Fauntelroy. Both are absolute horrors.
ReplyDeleteGary, I fluctuate with how I perceive Emma. One minute she is kind and empathetic, especially with Mia. Agree about Freedie's endless whines about life "being unfair". Maybe owning a stately pile is unfair on such a hard done by lag.
DeleteI can understand Emma wanting to buy, what will be hers + Ed's first step on the property ladder. She will continue to do everything possible to acheive this, working long hard hours - which can't be nice in the chicken factory. If things go wrong, then that will be as she egged Ed on (it is Easter) to take dodgy work, thanks to Peggy letting her go.
DeleteCan’t agree with you about Emma,Gary.
DeleteShe is working all the hours God sends to get a house for her family and I admire her for it.
I would hate to have to live with Clarrie,Eddie and (particularly) Joe.
I would hate to work in a chicken factory.
I would hate to have to clean someone else’s home .
Emma is prepared to do that and more ie trying to help her former husband’s step daughter.
I don’t see how one can compare her with the nauseating whiining Freddie.
She never leaves ANYONE in any doubt about the fact that she has multiple jobs! AND she sits on the Parish Council - she appears to have literally no hobbies or interests. Her house obsession bores me - I couldn't care less about her "having" to live with her appalling family or her crappy jobs. Maybe she should have thought about matters like that before she decided to have a child. Always annoying to hear people whinging on and on about their mostly self inflicted "problems". And now she wants Ed to do work he feels deeply uncomfortable with because of HER never-ending quest for money, money, money. Yukk!
DeleteGary I couldn't agree more!! Rancid - love your description. Emma has a massive chip on her shoulder about her position in life which is largely due to her own choices to have another child with Ed. She's a moaner and is very unwise in her encouragement to Ed to do dodgy work. She should know better, being a councillor specially.
DeleteCan understand Emma taking her eye off the moral ball, asit were. There's nothing shady about her, but her desire to have an independent family life makes her unable to see the risk that Tim represents. Ed wants to please her, despite misgivings, so trouble ahead....
ReplyDeleteRuss has feet well & truly under the table now. However, Elizabeth doesn't really know what she's doing, & responds to the support he appears to be offering her. She's ever been a prisoner to her own desires, but does stop short of cheating on people she,'s actually close to Take the almost fling with Dr. Locke, from which she retreated when she realized Shila still had feelings for him. I don't think she'd shaft her own daughter.
Goodness, why would anyone see that prat as a catch !
I so agree with you about Lizzie + Russ. She somehow, thinks he is helping + supporting her, so she
Deletewants to keep him close to continue this extra therapy.
How little does she know, that Russ only wants to oust Freddie (who I think he still has control over somehow), marry Lily and take over LL.
But it won't work - does he know LL is held by Trustees for Freddie? Nigel will have the last laugh.
Elizabeth cheated on/with her employee and they both resigned as a result but it may be Lily who finds someone else.
DeleteI hope so ! Or not necessarily, but is able to cherish her freedom !
DeleteAs for E. Yes, she behaved appallingly towards Roy, but far, far more towards Hayley, but they were not ''family', just minions. Think of the way she treated Geraldine. It doesn't manifest in an obvious way, but she's probably a nastier type of snob than Jennifer.
Miriam - it’s. Freddie that Russ would have to marry, not Lily, if he’s planning on taking over Lower Loxley.
DeleteI’m sure I heard Tom advertising Seat cars on Classic FM this morning. The same sibilant ‘ss’ at the end of several words. He was much more upbeat and cheery in the advert than Tom usually is, perhaps he’s moonlighting to pay off Natashas debts! 🚗
ReplyDeleteA drop in the ocean, when Tom learns about her business loans + debts/car lease payments and so on
DeleteI think that like the Titanic, only the tip of the iceburg is being seen.
Right or Wrong, these are my controversial thoughts only.
So stadia comes from Birmingham?
ReplyDeleteYou could have fooled me.
What was all this about? We've already had Ruairi and Ben joy riding but it wasn't enough. Do they write/adjust the scripts according to who's around and for lack of others bring Sadia in? We've had Chris all week. There was Lily swooning over Russ, Lord of the Manor but she was honest and helpful with Freddie. She and Russ sound like father and daughter, what time will you be back after hanging out with mates?
ReplyDeleteTonight's episode was quite possibly the worst I've heard in years, and there have been quite a few contenders of late! All those young folk over-enunciating garbage about nothing. And as for the "yoof-speak" the girl from the "big city" was forced to say! It was excruciating in the extreme. #badwriting #terribleacting #losingmeasalistener
ReplyDeleteBut not as an Archers blogger, I sincerely hope, Gary?
DeleteIf you stopped listening, we would miss your comments , so...…….
DeleteI have a good feeling about Lower Loxley. I enjoyed the scene in the art gallery and am glad the scriptwriters have rediscovered it as it has been neglected for a long time, also that they have rediscovered Lewis even if he is only going to be referred to. No doubt they have their imperatives, and don’t feel the need to give Voice to another elderly character. Now I come to think of it, they could have recycled Lewis as Jill’s manfriend.....
ReplyDeletePartly why I enjoyed the gallery scene is that it was so refreshing to hear paintings being discussed rather than horses, for example. Not that horses are boring in themselves, just that I find them so - my heart sinks every time an episode starts “Steady on [add horsey name of your choice]”!
DeleteMrs P Have you had any more viewings since Monday ? Easter used traditionally the time for house hunting, so hope is all going well.
ReplyDeleteJanice, make the most of this glorious weather, forget your troubles and enjoy watching every flower grow and the leaves unfurling. you may never get another opportunity .Enforced idleness makes us realise what we are missing. All good wishes.
Yes indeed, and thanks. Haven't had such a peaceful time for years! 🕊🌷🌼🐥🐇🦋🦔🌱🌿
DeleteGary. I'm with you on last nights episode. Boring, boring and more boring. Two stupid country boys, playing with an air rifle just to impress a silly girl, shipped in from Birmingham without an accent to illustrate her origin. This sort of trite writing does not, IMO reflect the young of today it is insulting.
ReplyDeleteLily and Russ also boring, wandering around the gallery making inane conversation, her buttering him up and painting his future curator role as brilliant. PLEASE. Then Lily resorts to her usual role and rescues Freddie by promising to write his CV. Will she make him out to be something he isn't?
I do hope we do t have much more of this lazy writing.
I think you are being a bit harsh there Stasia. The gallery scene may have been a bit boring, as you put it, but scenes like this are needed to reinforce the story. Showing that Lily is still in thrall to Russ and happy for him to stay at LL.
DeleteAt one time TA was full of ‘boring’ scenes of people chatting in the pub about nothing in particular, it’s what happens in village life and many listeners say they miss the more mundane episodes. Surely we can’t expect every scene, in every episode, to be full of dramatic impact or Big Happenings?
As for the air-rifle scene, it did flag up how stupid those two boys can be - first the car chases around the village and now mucking about with an air rifle trying to impress a girl. I just hope it isn't a pre-cursor to them trying something more dangerous when somebody
gets hurt. Chris’s intervention was very justified. As for the girl, why should she have a strong accent? She sounded like a typical young teenage girl, too full of herself, to me!
I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the episode but I certainly didn’t find it boring or badly written. either
Me neither !
DeleteBut then I love TA BECAUSE of the minutiae.
What part of Birmingham is she from? Islington? 😉
ReplyDeleteShe could have been rehoused from London (or elsewhere) to Birmingham, or just moved there.
DeleteCurriculum Vitae
ReplyDeleteFrederick Pargetter
Lower Loxley Hall
1999 - present
Whining Child
Hobbies and Interests
Whining
Skills
Whining
GG, you have made me literally laugh aloud - a rare thing in the morning.
DeleteI like it Gary.
ReplyDeleteShe obviously comes from the non acting part of Islington too.
Already I don’t like her!
Somebody should tell the editor that he is not going to get more young people listening to a programme which they associate with their grandparents by introducing younger soundalikes that in the main are poor actors.
The story lines involving them are rubbish anyway.
Will we be hearing Barmaid Bella soon?
Bella (presumably short for Isabella. ) sounds like a buxom comely wench with rosy cheeks and sleeves rolled up readY todo a day’s pint pulling.
He doesn’t aim high doesn’t our Johnnie..
On the other hand she too may come from Islington.
I assumed Bella had Caribbean roots?
DeleteOh harsh Lanjan! We know nothing much about Bella yet and you say Johnny doesn’t aim high? She might be a lovely girl for all we know, working shifts to pay her way through college or something.
DeleteWhat’s wrong with everyone today? Moaning and criticising - can’t we just accept TA for what it is, a daily soap about folk in a village. It’s not Shakespeare I grant you, but it’s our Archers and I love it, warts and all! 😊
It is being so miserable about the programme that keeps me happy ,Archerphile.
DeleteI have a good laugh when people like Gary write something witty.
I don’t know why you think Bella has Caribbean roots,Maryellen
I think Dorothy ,Dan’s girlfriend has.
You may well be right about Bella but I still visualise her as the buxom blond ,down to earth bar maid who to me would be preferable to the Sloane who is doing a gap year. I still think that Johnnie sadly has a low opinion of himself .
Give me a down to earth working class wench any day.
I don’t know why I have always assumed Bella the barmaid is black either, LanJan! All I can say it that it’s entirely feasible.
DeleteRegarding Russ’s new job.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth was not likely to be paying Lewis much .
Has he a room in the attic?
Does somebody take him his meals?
As a teacher Russ was on a good salary with a pension.
He didn’t even ask Elizabeth about what she was prepared to pay him.
What about his pension?
Stupid story line
Feel much the same about last night, pretty inept, except for the dialogue between Lily & Freddie. It was honest & convincing. Did have the sense, also, that Lily is struggling with the fact of a Russ in her life. She enjoys the escape to work far more than hanging around in the LL environment...
ReplyDeleteOh cheer up everyone! It’s a holiday weekend - Easter for most of you lot and Passover for me.
ReplyDeleteIt’s supposed to be a happy time, the weather is going to be gorgeous, enough with the grumbles already.
Be happy and have a great weekend. 🏥 ✝️ 🐣 🐥 🕎 🕍
It's a BEAUTIFUL day !! 🐔🐓🐣🐑🐇🐰🌞💐
DeleteActually today is the most solemn day in the Christian calendar. I wonder what Shula is doing today.😌
DeleteIndeed it is - but it IS also a very lovely day . 😐🌞
DeleteAs for Shula - 🙏
with plenty of hand-wringing. .
Come on Archerphile,when was the last time the majority of bloggers said what a good episode we have just heard?
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last episode you could say that you actually enjoyed what you heard?
We had a lovely one ages ago between Peggy and Helen and another one between Emma and somebody(was it Robert ?)
Then we had a conversation between Emma and Mia recently.
Most of the time conversations are between the young males and apart from the Whiner and Oohahh Christopher I can’t really tell them apart.
I read an article in the Spectator by someone who wondered why he still listened to the programme when he couldn’t stand most of the characters. and I feel cheerful in spite of moaning about the poor scriptwriting of the programme.
A Guide smiles and sings throughout all difficulties.
Oh yes, a guide is always cheerful, I remember that!
DeleteI know there have been some duff episodes recently but then there always were, weren’t there?
But we still listen and are sometimes rewarded for our loyalty by the fun characters and amusing episodes. I think there haven’t been enough of those recently.
I suppose I am, perhaps, too attached to Ambridge, the folk who live there have become a sort of second family. Coming from a very small and rather isolated Jewish family living in the countryside with nobody else like us around, I have always felt the characters are substitute friends and I won’t abandon them ......though I came very close during the Helen/Rob saga. It will improve and would do so more quickly with the return of Lynda, Lilian et al. Too much teenage angst at the moment perhaps?
Archerphile, it is de rigeur to moan about how we experience an episode of TA, thats what keeps this blog going. The content is witty, insightful and humorous and long may it last, our thanks to Ruthy for providing a platform to laugh and express our angst.
DeleteI wish you a happy Peasch and a joyous week, and I shall raise a glass of wine to you and all who contribute to the conversation.
The weather is wonderful.
I am going to have dinner in the garden, light a fire, have a pint or two of wine - and then post only positive posts about tonight's episode...! 🙈🙉🙊
ReplyDeleteThe wine should make you feel more positive or at least make you not care if you don't.
DeleteI take it you are abstaining from abstaining for lent then Gary. 🤔😁🍷
DeleteGood luck GG!
Delete100%!
ReplyDeleteTchin ! 🍷😊
DeleteNo negative waves ... ☺️
DeleteI am positively looking forward to your positive comments Gary.
DeleteWatching Kelly's Heroes for the n'th time..!
DeleteI am an Archers Addict, I admit it, and I am proud to do so
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens in each episode:- I enjoy, criticise, rant, listen in disbelief, but I still wouldn't miss it.
And as Stasia has said -
where we would be without Ruthy.
What I get annoyed about, which LJ has got spot on, is the non appeareance of characters for a length of time, as the S/Ls only focus on a small % of Ambridge Residents at a time.
Why not even have a mention, or a one or two word interlude from others (which could be pre-recorded) + then slotted in accordingly.
One son driving himself mad the other into the hands of the law, poor Clarrie.
ReplyDeleteI'll pretend I didn't hear anything about horses...and the rest of it...
Yes, she does wish they had not got married. What’s the betting she goes back to Trev! My mum had a next door neighbour whose son married and they parted before the wedding album was ready. He then took off for South Africa! Can see this scenario for Tom and Natasha. She certainly isn’t too happy. On the other hand the first year of marriage can be hard. I remember having to adjust to making joint decisions where I had for 8 years been able to do my own thing between school and the marriage. Could go either way I suppose!
ReplyDeleteAnd Shula wishes she hadn’t got divorced? Second thoughts, she said - has there been a second marriage in Ambridge of two people who were previously married to each other?
ReplyDeleteAnd Miriam, I believe you said you thought Natasha was still involved with her Ex. Looks as though you were dead right.
DeleteI don't trust Natasha.
DeleteThe theme tune was nice...
ReplyDelete😆
DeleteNow the theme tune was the very thing that made me yawn tonight....
DeleteGG - Keeping drinking!!!
Delete🤣🤣
DeleteGood one Gary.
DeleteJust for once, Shula was close to making sense tonight. Was it you, Seasider who suggested a retreat of some kind might be the very thing for her ? Yes, it did sound as though she was having 2nd thoughts about the divorce.
ReplyDeleteWho did the horse picture then ? Have I missed something ? Assumed Leonard bought it & Jill was prepared to pretend it was his own work. If so, bad idea, he'll be asked for cat( Hilda) or dog ( Bess) portraits next. Could prove expensive. Perhaps Russ, who's the local saviour these days did it. Sorry, rambling...
Yes I did suggest a retreat. I wonder what Alan will suggest...
DeleteShula could retreat to Quarr Abbey here on the island and I could meet her at the cafe and tell her that Alistair deserves a second chance that is if he is willing!
ReplyDeleteBut does she deserve a second chance ? Does Alistair deserve the punishment ?
Deletecarolyn - great comment!
DeleteIndeed she does not
DeleteIndeed he does not
Am with you all but wonder whether Shula has changed her outlook. Only time will tell. I do think she acted very badly and it was so undeserved, the dumping of Alistair.
DeleteAnd now the cracks are beginning to show already! Natasha is still in touch with her ex, without telling Tom, and she complains about him keeping things from her. Pot, kettle, black I think.
ReplyDeleteI don’t give this marriage very long.
Nor do I give Ed very long before he finds himself in serious trouble. Silly chap!
I misread your last sentence, Archerphile - and thought you meant the Editor! I agree either way.
DeleteWell they did marry in extreme haste. How underhanded of Natasha to be confiding in her ex about her marriage. Tom will have every right to be angry about that.
ReplyDeleteEd will indeed end up in trouble and his nagging wife will be largely to blame.
✔️ to the first Anneveggie & will Ed & Emma ever get that house to the second - not looking too likely at the moment!
DeleteScript writers meeting
ReplyDeleteSensible scriptwriter-“Don’t you think we are rather over egging the pudding with this Natasha business?
Surely our listeners have got the message by now.
We are not exactly being subtle.
Editor- “Ah but what you seem to forget is that we do have a lot of elderly listeners so we have to spell things out to them and constantly drip feed information so that in the end they realise what has happened.”
S Sw - I am not sure it is exactly drip feeding .
We are laying It on with a sledge hammer .
There is one person(I think she is called Miriam but apologies to her if not) who wondered if perhaps Natasha was still married to Trev and now we seem to have brought him into the situation.”
Ed- Yes I picked up on that and it gave me a idea .
Also because he is Welsh we can use the actor who plays Phillip to play Trev
Don’t worry about it .
What Sean O’Connor did for Coercive Relationships I will be able to do for the problems of getting into debt.
Watch this space!”
Exactly Lanjan! You must have been a fly on the wall! 😊
DeleteHappy festivities everyone!
Shula did have some reasons for being unhappy in her marriage although she hasn’t articulated them at all well and therefore doesn’t engender sympathy. I would not have coped with Alastair’s gambling and she was very loyal to stay with him, and I think the worry of him gambling again ate away at her. Then she lost her best friend and Alastair was pretty unkind to Shula about her grieving, although he did regret this.
ReplyDeleteShula had a book - 'Growing old together' - by her bedside but she told Alistair: I don't love you anymore, it all may have been something about turning 60. She wanted to get away, they could both go on a retreat (not the same one) and see how they feel afterwards.
DeleteDreadful Tim moralising in the churchyard - Ed, you're on your own mate.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Tom has a supply of Poptarts in the cupboard. Beef Tournedos ruined at just the right moment, Natasha's taste buds would have gone into shock. Perhaps She has realised that dimwit Tom is definitely boring with his eagerness to constantly please. A case of realising the grass was greener on the other side, with the ex Trev.
ReplyDeleteI have two friends who are priests, one Anglican and the other RC, and if either spoke to me like Allan did with Tim and Shula I might head for the bathroom.
Bits of last nights episode where much better on the ears. Cracks in relationships, can't wait for the divorce shanningons.
I am trying to be positive.
The divorce law was simplified recently.
DeletePersonally, I wish Natasha would go back to Trev and leave Tom to stew in his own juice.
DeleteSome sort of retribution for what he did to Kirsty. Justice has been a long time coming.
👍😀
DeleteHang in there Trev, we need you. And once the pigs are gone, Tom can go away as well. Just a pity Pat will then suffer and we will have to hear about it. What’s so good about Ambridge that only Brenda managed to escape?
DeleteIt’s certainly looking as if there’s hope for Hannah yet!
DeleteSo I’ve been thinking this morning and have decided that this all new “teen dilemmas” , that are presumably to try and get younger people to listen, that the SW are pushing on us is never going to work.
ReplyDeleteBUT........I’ve got a solution.......
Bring out an archers computer game where you can either be a vet ...spend your evenings with your virtual arm up a cows arse, a gamekeeper.....spend your evening massacring pheasants or for the girls (I know, politically incorrect, but there you go) how to bake a lemon drizzle cake with Jill, or try your hand at seducing a Lower Loxley toff.
I’m sure they’d start to tune in then.
😇
😅✅✅
Delete😁
DeleteI’d definitely download it, sounds great - even better than my Ambridge Jigsaw! 😉
DeleteP tb Y.
DeleteIt is a great idea but I think you might need to spice it up a little bit more.
How to be a con woman and persuade a rather dim bloke with a bob or two into marrying you when he doesn’t know anything about you.
How to be persuaded into breaking the law in order to earn a dishonest penny.
To lighten the tone a bit could you have a “Guess who is talking “ question?
I know nothing about computer games but you could get extra points if you guessed correctly.
Oh what fun.
Oh what fun...not! Love that I wake up 5 ours later and see these witty comments.
DeleteLJ. The "Guess who is talking" question, definitely gets MY vote. ✔✔✔
DeletePtbY. How about including a, go to jail, with the lovely Freddie Pargetter.
ReplyDelete...and Susan.
DeleteOh yes I like that one Stasia
ReplyDeleteWhat will you call the game,P tbY?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLast week, one of the Facebook Archers sites suggested a new Archers version of Monopoly, based on Ambridge rather than London streets. We were asked to suggest Chance or Community Chest cards topics, prizes and forfeits.
ReplyDeleteI suggested ‘Jill’s oven breaks down causing delay in baking flapjacks - miss two turns’
And, Toby invents a new flavour gin - go straight to The Bull, if you pass Go collect £200.
It was great fun and members of the site came up with some hilarious rules, properties around the board and suggestions for playing pieces.
I'm not on Facebook, but looks like great Archer fans think alike.
DeleteA week being pampered at Greygables would suit me. 🏊😎🍹
Happy Easter everyone 🌅 🙏🏼 🕯 💐 may it be filled with joy and peace for you and your family and friends. Special thoughts to those who have experienced recent loss 🥰
ReplyDeleteSorry wrong blog but message remains the same!
DeleteSeems clear to me that Natasha and Trev are still 'coupled', relying on each other for emotional support.
ReplyDeleteMiriam's theory that they are still 'married' being correct.
Agree with Maryellen. Don't give up hope Hannah.
Natasha still being married, having a scheme/scam with Tom + Bridge Farm to gain monies, was just my vivid imagination in overdrive, yet again.
DeletePerhaps, i am not so far away, after all.
I notice that whenever Tom talks to Nat. about something, she immediatly changes the subject and denies any "drip feed" she has fed to Tom eg. the pigs, kefir etc.
What has Natasha done to help sort the flat out, which is after all, their first marital home? It appears that Tom has done it all, even providing the evening meal, ready on the table, for when Nat. appears "home".
ReplyDeleteI am waiting, in eager anticipation, when Helen realises the costs and implications, with the new food box scheme. But will she in time?
MrsP - Was Natasha and Trev married? I thought she was with him for 10 years and when he wanted to start a family, she balked and ended the relationship. She might be feeling the grass is greener?
ReplyDeleteWho knows what their relationship actually is. They still seem close though, so it's up to the TA SW's to tell us all.
DeleteNo Ruthy, not married, but Miriam had suggested that they were, and I am suggesting that after ten years together they are still emotionally attached, as though they were ' still married '.
DeleteIt is known that many couples, after splitting up, continue their relationship in some way, either sexually, and or emotionally, remaining dependent in some way to that long relationship.
This marriage is doomed as they are at odds about such basic things & neither gets why the other is upset & annoyed. It's not simply the mInor irritations which couples can work through/tolerate in time.l
ReplyDeleteShula saying to Alan, on Good Friday, that she would not be frequenting St. Stephens again - didn't she do this before, preferring to go The Cathedral in Felpersham, or have I remembered wrong?
ReplyDeleteIt was because of Usha displaying pagan statues at their home.
DeleteIt is 6.55pm and I would like to predict, that Freddie becomes the Easter Bunny instead of Russ. I could be so wrong though.
ReplyDeleteGot that wrong - who would have thought Tom.
DeleteNatasha's always running a nauseating commentary of the relationship and they keep reassuring each other about having a good time and then she says she's going to see Trev.
ReplyDeleteTom deserves all he gets.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pathetic whimp
Natasha will not be told who she may or may not see even when it is her former long term partner!
Who in their right mind would even contemplate doing so a few weeks after their wedding.?
Why does she have to see Trev anyway?
If everything is above board which it obviously isn’t then why doesn’tshe suggest that Tom comes as welL?
I am afraid it is all to do with money.
She and Trev owe a fortune to someone or -and I think this is the more likely scenario-Natasha has used Trev’s credit card unknown to him and he has just discovered what she has done.
She will now try to use Tom’s to get herself out of this trouble since no doubt she has reached the limit on her cards.
Natasha & Tom 😳 🤔 😡
ReplyDeleteNatasha now has Tom's permission to go meet up with an x for lunch. Whatever is going on, I don't trust anyone to tells me you can trust them. She is hiding more than credit card debts - thinks she still has the hots for her x-Trev. Tom - you should invite yourself to the lunch and see what is really up with the two of them.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think so,Ruthy.
DeleteI still think it is all to do with money
Perhaps Trev has only just found out that she has been using his credit card.
Maybe he is blackmailing her.
That's an interesting thought.
DeleteHonestly I'm not a prude but has anyone else noticed the third 'smutty' comment by Shula recently? (Not that I'm counting or anything! )
ReplyDeleteI'm not making a complaint just think it's very odd!🤔
I noticed that one, too! Kind of odd, agree, it hasn't been her style, has it. Secret, illicit lusts, yes, but ever the bland exterior, little more than small talk. Perhaps a side effect of her current self questioning ?
DeleteI found it a pity that it was the one thing that made Elizabeth laugh.
DeleteYes, Shula is definitely moving away from the church in more ways than one.
Why on earth does Natasha want to see her ex? Seems strange, if you've only just got married, to meet up with an ex.
ReplyDeleteAm I alone in thinking that it isn’t that Natasha still feels an attraction for Trev but that, as I have said before ,it is all to do with money?
ReplyDeleteI maybe way off beam in this but too me it would seem to be obvious.
Mind you as the scriptwriters and I don’t agree often I am probably wrong.
Hearing about Russ's discomfiture brought a smile. Better still if he'd heard him squeak...
ReplyDeleteCertainly spikey between Tom & Natasha. Can't keep away from conflict for a moment, can they. No idea if you're on to something or not, Lanjan, but her mounting debts & continued spending is being highlighted & is clearly leading somewhere.
“to me “not “too me “ in earlier post
ReplyDeleteTom, you are not listening you did not give "Tasha" permission to see Trev. She made it very clear she will see him whether you like it or not. She has been seeing Trev since the marriage , and Tom is so gormless and dim that he fails to recognise how she so confidently plants ideas into his head. She is more than assertive, the constant "I love you" is a buttering up before she hits him with the next you, never listen to me. When her tone of voice changes he crumples like the bunny suit he has just taken off.
ReplyDeleteLanjan you could be right, its all about the money, credit cards and other nefarious debts. Accumulated by her and Trev. £££💷💳🏧
✓✓ rings true !
DeleteCertainly seems plausible.
DeleteShe is definitely up to something, and it doesn't seem to be positive for daft Tom.
Has Natasha cottoned onto and “married” Tom to get her hands on a good settlement in a divorce (including part of the farm) and will she then return to Trev who may or may not be her real husband, although if bigamy proven she would not be eligible 🙄 confusing my brain now....
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely something underhand going on and it’s driving me mad not knowing what! Natasha’s behaviour at the moment is very Rob 😈 like to day the least - control, control, control!
I was impressed by Russ being back on the job asap with the minimum of fuss, especially as it was so uncomfortable and unrewarding, going by Tom’s account. On three occasions Kenton has been asked point blank if he could be Easter Bunny. And has run backwards. So I think it is mean of him still to be making snide comments about Russ’s original reluctance to do it.
ReplyDelete✔️✔️
DeleteI think Natasha has to see her ex because she has left behind a mountain of debt and they need to sort it out between them.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that is strange is that The Bull has money-flow difficulties yet Jolene is away 'touring' and Kenton went to watch her perform on Easter Saturday evening and then spent the day at LoLo on Easter Day! Who, I wonder, was being rushed off their feet at The Bull on what would have been an exceedingly busy Bank Holiday weekend?
Good point
DeleteLady R and Stasia I think we may be on the same wave length
ReplyDeleteThis is what I now think may have happened.
I have been working on this all morning whilst getting summer clothes out of their winter quarters!
2018-
Trev-“Listen girl,you are going to have to cut down on this spending habit of yours .
We can’t go on like this .
You must owe thousands.”
Natasha- “It’s not just me.
What about that car you just had to have and the trip you had with your mates toCroatia for the Stag party and then there was.......”
Trev-“Well I have run out of ideas of how to deal with this .
Can you come up with something ?”/
Natasha -“Well yes actually I have.
You won’t much like it because for the next twelve months or so you won’t be seeing too much of me but then we will be in clover!
Trev-“Tell me more.”
N atasha- “Well there is this man on the Course who is besotted with me .
He is a farmer’s son and is loaded .
They have just sold a packet of land that is worth a fortune.
My plan is to marry him quickly and after a month or two he will realise that things are not working out .
I will not be particularly nice to him.
I will admit to him that we should not have been in such a hurry to marry and suggest that we get divorced but of course I will be entitled to half his money so when we do get divorced we will be quids in.”
Trev-“ So I just sit here twiddling my thumbs while you are away ?”
Natasha - “Not at all .
We will be able to meet up regularly and eventually I will tell him that I realise I have madea mistake and that I need to come back to you.
Trust me.I have got him twisted around my little finger “
Things will work out.
You’ll see”
Just seen your comment too Spicycushion.
DeleteWe were posting at the same time.
Brava Lanjan!
DeleteLan Jan, I think you have hit the nail on the head! Several of us were puzzled at her rushing into another relationship never mind marriage so soon from splitting from a partner of 10 years. Also her rush into matrimony was suspect. I would have thought though that the marriage would have to be considerably longer to effect a good cashback! However in Ambridge land all things are possible!
DeleteI'm enjoying the Natasha/Tom story - I go along with money being behind the back story. I think credit should be given to Mali Harries who plays Natasha; I find her convincing and she always keeps my interest. I see that she's an experienced bilingual actor. Can we look forward to conversations with Trev in Welsh?
ReplyDeleteI also like the Natasha acting - not sure what a Welsh accent sounds like - but I do like it.
DeleteI still thinks that Natasha still has the hots for Trev and they will be having an affair because she finds Tom boring and dull.
ReplyDeleteListened again late last night - Leonard and Jill did lied about him doing the horse painting! Wonder who painted and how much did they have to pay.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about this earlier, & likewise wondered how they're going to extricate themselves, as it could become very expensive if he suddenly attracts commissions !
DeleteI have just listened to last night’s programme againAcouple of things struck me.
ReplyDeleteNatasha says she loves Tom very much not that she is in love with him.-but she will not have him telling her who she can and cannot meet but more to the point ,why did Tom not ask Natasha why she had to meet Trev and say that he too would like to meet him so perhaps he could join them.?
I don't doubt that Natasha is in deep with money problems & that the ex has some involvement there, either bailing her out or pressurizing to be reimbursed but can't buy into the idea that she got the hang of Bridge Farm & imagined they were rolling in money. They quite obviously aren't.
ReplyDelete
DeleteIt is all relative.
They seem to be doing OK to me,Carolyn and we don’t know what tales Tom spun to get her interested in him.
What about the money Bridge Farm received, when they sold land to Justin for the Beechwood Houses??
DeleteInteresting theories about Natasha and money problems involving ex.
ReplyDeleteDaft storyline about the fake painting not done by Leonard - bit silly to put it mildly.
If and when the divorce happens, Natasha can claim investment in Bridgefarm, eg business knowledge with branding of vegetables and creation of website plus online ordering. Intellectual and physical input on fruit trees and planting. She has been key to reforming one side of the farm, although hasn't as yet had any input into the cows and cheese making. The stumbling block here will be Helen. Will she be entitled to Tom's portion of the farm?
ReplyDeleteBunny and bugs come to mind, buzzing into, thanks to the AO, Russell Burn- Jones rabbit suit.
Surely the bank loan for the food boxes, is between Tom + Nat. with Bridge Farm paying them as a commision.
DeleteI am waiting for Helen to realise the financial consequences, esp. when she produces an award winning Borsetshire Blue Cheese...thanks to her expertise, the Montys with Johnny in charge.
Why should Tom + Nat. cash in on this?
Natasha said once that the bank loan was 'enormous' but what security did they have for it? I'm not sure the bank would offer an enormous unsecured loan even wth a business plan (which we never heard about) Did Tom offer his share of Bridge Farm as security?
DeleteI think that Natasha could well still be involved in with Trev.as to previous debts and seems very feasable.
ReplyDeleteIf it was just personal, why hasn't she just blocked his number, so he can't contact her directly.
This leads me onto - it is to do with her so-called business, so can't ignore his calls. I don't think for one minute, it is her own enterprise, she is just a manager with "perks" of many kinds.
The entry for Natasha in the Characters pages of the BBC TA website states that it is her own business.
DeleteThanks maryellen for letting me know. I never look at the BBC TA web page, so I didn't know that fact.
DeleteThank- You.
Well the Continuity Announcer isn’t an Archers listener.
ReplyDeleteWho is Myer?
She pronounced Mia as Maya instead of Meeya.
DeleteIndeed she did.
DeleteThe male continuity announcer before the afternoon repeat pronounced Mia as Me-ya.
DeleteAre they getting confused with Emmerdale’ s Maya the schoolteacher having a full (clandestine) relationship with a schoolboy - the son of her boyfriend 😣
DeleteRe Ruari's concerns about boys looking at his phone and making assumptions about his relationship with Mia - surely if he is answering math questions for her and nothing personal, it's quite a stretch to assume there's more to it than that. Maybe that's expecting too much for immature male youths though.
ReplyDeleteProbably is, with many of them!
DeleteI am with Ruari on this one.
ReplyDeleteI think he was genuine in his offer to help Mia with her maths but she like Will read more into it .
I don’t blame him nipping this in the bud.
No doubt in a few years time they will get together.
It won’t be quite like her taking off her glasses and shaking her pony tailed hair so that it cascades down the side of her face in a golden haze so that Ruari will be heard to say.
“Wow ,Mia you are beautiful” but the scriptwriters will pick up on this story later.
Yes, I think they’re made for each other but of course far too early at the moment. We hear a different Ruario when with Mia from the one we heard with Ben. She will bring out the best in him and he will give her confidence. She is very impressionable at her age and he is wise to distance himself just now.
DeleteEmma & Mia we're the stars last night. Will was so ungracious to Emma, & unhelpful, after the way she's supported him & the children, but he's yet another who 'needs help' - unfortunately the last to recognize the need, let alone accept it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible vicar, he must be desperate if he has to harass Shula, and then intimate touting Natasha to be a member of his congregation, as he did Tim. She has already made it clear she is Welsh chapel, but never attended. However, she might be key to helping him rebrand the church, for a fee of course.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why the S/W's portray teenagers as stupid sex obsessed idiots, especially the boys, when many are taking events in the world seriously. I have just listened to a sixteen year girl talk about the need to panic about climate change, and the consequences for the environment. We know many species of life will eventually become extinct and that is why so many young people are demonstrating a cross Europe. But then Ambridge exists in a parallel universe.
Emma was kind and caring with Mia. Although she did lie to Will about Ed's little job.
Teenagers have different sides, like anyone else, but they're more accentuated going through this difficult stage of life, neither child nor adult, savouring independence yet still dependent. Peer pressure is pretty horrendous, too.
DeletePoor old Alan, guess he has a job to do, attracting the punters...at least Shula made it clear that she hasn't changed her mind about the divorce ( or has she ? May be trying to convince herself) She really did make clear, for the 2nd time, Alan, do listen, that God isn't the problem ( who is almightily relieved), but her own confusions, guilt, self doubt.
Note to self :
ReplyDeleteIt is incumbent upon Christians to evangelise.
However uncomfortable it may be for the recipient.
It's Alan's job to recruit.
I've realised that in my minds eye I see Alan in the form of a much loved Major in the SA Citadel of my childhood.
However, I am still uncomfortable as the recipient even after seventy odd years.
Mia tires to be a little mother to Poppy, taking her for a haircut and also looking after Will, who is so obsessed with his job he can't even check if there's enough food in the house, so when Mia comes back hungry she has to go out shopping. Will also relies on Emma to give moral support to Mia. At least Jake can stay with his father. It's been a year, I wonder how long it'll all last.
ReplyDeleteMia is likely to be pulled between her dad and Jake, and her love and loyalty towards Mia.
DeleteBut her loyalty to Mia means having to cope ever more with Will.
Clarrie needs to become closer to Mia in order to understand the need to protect Mia from Will and his obsessive behaviour and in doing so keep Will in check.
Poor kid.
But there must be many like her in similar situations due to the fractured family unit that many of today's children are subjected to.
Whatever each and everyone thinks of Natasha, she certainly has made her mark.
ReplyDeleteOne moment I think she is just a scheming madam, and on others she appears a normal young person, just out to be noticed, appreciated, desparate to fit into Ambridge and so appear normal.
It will still take a lot for me to
start trusting + believing in her though.
I am still confused as to why she spent 20mins on 'phone to Trev. As Tom had cooked her a wonderful meal, what was so important that she just didn't say- "I am off to eat with my husband, so I'll ring you back".
DeleteMiriam. Natasha is a culinary philistine, she is only happy burning money and her tongue on poptarts. I doubt she would understand what beef tournedos was, maybe something a French cow would wear round its neck. 🐂📿
DeleteStasia,I love the expression “culinary philistne”.
DeleteI am definitely one of those.
I am so unimpressed by fancy food and would happily live on salads if forced to do so.
Where is George? Is stays at Wills, so why is there no interaction between him + Mia, and him helping out in many ways?
ReplyDeleteOr is this too idealistic, and it doesn't fit in with the SWs future plans for Mia.
I hate the lack of continuing contiuity at times.
Yes, has George vaporised ? When Emma listed the family children, George was not named. Doesn't he count as a child any more, don't know how old he is these days.
DeleteEmma mentioned both George and Keira when suggesting a joint family outing at Easter.
DeleteShe didn't to Mia, maybe she did to Will, earlier.
DeleteCorrect.
DeleteSomehow Emma omitted to mention her earlier marriage to Will, as for Ed, Tim is bound to up the stakes next time.
ReplyDeleteWell I thought that was a peculiar non-episode! Jill and Leonard babbling on in the churchyard then Emma having a heart to heart with Natasha. Emma did rub it in a bit about knowing someone really well before marrying them.Then when Natasha got back to her flat, agreeing with bad grace to accompany Tom for a proper lunch (wot? no soup !) on Wednesday and ' Tea' with Peggy on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteObviously Tom is not at all busy if he needs only to work half days twice in a week!
Bit boring tonight. Too much reminiscing.
ReplyDeleteI was almost waiting for Natasha to be defensive about Emma's theme of knowing your partner really well before marrying but she wasn't.
ReplyDelete