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Life in Ambridge

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  1. And may I too extend a warm welcome to both Janet & Jarrett...

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  2. Stunning house, wonder if that is Oliver coming back from a round of golf. It is so kind of you GG to continue administering this site. Best wishes to Ruthy, and hope she is okay.

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  3. Reply to Stasia's last post on the 'Post Office' Blog. I think Jakob knew both Harrison and Chris Carter before he came to Ambridge. He knew Chris from doing farrier's work so must have been reasonably local and Harrison would not be just covering Ambridge and Borchester so he could very well have come across Harrison as well.

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  4. How nice to see Grey Gables.
    Thank you Gary, how was your trip and did you keep dry ?

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  5. GG glad you’re home safe and sound we were a little concerned!

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    1. I hope you were doing your Hadrian’s Wall stint when the floods were affecting the Edinburgh /Glasgow area Gary.
      I trust you are back home now ,in the dry.

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  6. When I first heard Jakob I thought he had a sort of middle European accent .
    He spoke slowly too.
    Last night he sounded like all the other young men to me.
    I also thought he was probably not long out of University so possibly was in his late twenties
    I wonder how old he is?




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    1. If he's a qualified vet then he'd be late twenties at least. I think it takes seven years for a vet doesn't it? Anyway we know Kate doesn't mind hitting on younger men as she did have a one night stand with Toby when he was new-ish to Ambridge. (Just before the treasure hunt thing. ) Then there was the bouncy castle (with Toby again?) Can't remember exactly or even if that happened in TA!🤔

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    2. Spicycushion. I recall they were bonking in the bouncy castle, and whilst in the throes of drunken passion caused some damage to the rubber structure. 🏰

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    3. Jakob has always sounded like an Englishman, that was one of the first questions Alistair asked him, why was there no hint of Swedish in his speech, he explained that he was born in England.

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    4. I posted the same comment as Lanjan last night (?) re Jakob’s voice so pleased to read not just my thought!

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  7. Lanjan. Can’t always tell what age someone is in TA, they can be young and sound old or old and sound young. In real life the actor is 57. I am of the impression Jakob is more likely to be closer to Kate’s age or older. Alister gave the impression that he had worked for the Vet company for some time.

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    1. Thanks for that,Stasia.
      I just thought he was fairly newly qualified .
      I am amazed the actor is 57.
      I know when Shula married Mark Hebden they had to use soft focus because The actress is older than Shula

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  8. At least it's out in the open. I can understand Susan's outrage but hopefully Tracy will make her see sense. I do hope Tim has cleared out for good.

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    1. They might all come together when Joe departs.

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    2. I really don't like hearing Susan and Clarrie falling out. They were being so sensible and supportive of each other before that.

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    3. Basia I’m sure you are right ✔️

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    4. But Clarrie kept her temper and tried to ameliorate Susan's vituperation.
      Susan can give it, but can also be worked around when her temper has cooled and Clarrie will be able to get her to see what's what.

      Well........ I hope so !

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  9. Are we meant to think that when Philip said Do it! to his caller, that is what he was telling the caller to do?

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    1. Ah........... Maryellen.
      Clever you. You've joined the dots. This didn't occur to me, but you may be right.

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    2. I know it’s late at night but I don’t understand - please

      could Maryellen or Mrs P tell me what you are thinking about Philips remark. I just can’t work out what you mean!

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    3. We heard Philip say Do it! to someone who called him. Maybe he was telling the caller to retrieve the dodgy goods from the pole barn.

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    4. Archerphile, earlier in the week we heard Philip say, in a short and blunt telephone call, ' just do it'.
      Someone suggested that perhaps Philip was Mr Big and was instructing Tim to do something or other.
      Maryellen has now suggested that perhaps this was the case, and that the words, just do it, meant ' get the chemicals out and away from the barn '.

      Time will tell.

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    5. Philip was incapacitated so couldn’t do it himself??

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    6. Thank you both for the explanation. That idea hadn’t occurred to me, possibly because I still believe in Philip and find it hard to think Of him as a criminal - perhaps I will be proved wrong, but I do hope he is not involved with the pesticides scam.

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    7. Of course Phillip! Now it has been suggested it has to be right because his move went ahead and a bigger house possible due to ill gotten gains, Kirsty happy and in lurve as
      they say so the bubble must burst - as always no happy ending allowed, and should Tom’s marriage still end up going south in the future who knows....
      The “children”and others are all getting on now are we ever to have any relationships in Ambridge again!
      Pip, Helen, Debbie, Kate, Roy, Phoebe,Josh, Rauari, Dan, Shula, Lizzie, Jazzer so many unattached people let alone all the silent ones.

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  10. Well, I suppose it had to
    happen sooner or later. I was so pleased that Clarrie & Susan were OK the other day
    but some very harsh words were spoken tonight and I couldn’t help siding with Clarrie.
    How are they going to get on with each other over the yogurt pots on Monday?







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  11. At least Tracey sees both sides, but can understand Susan's outburst & annoyance at being kept put of the loop.I can't imagine she & Clarrie won't make up.
    Eddie's pretty philosophical, isn't he; van"s gone, but, hey, at least the pesticide & incriminating evidence has gone with it.
    Last night, oh dear, the beginning of something between Jakob & the ghastly Kate, M & B, as Stasia said My heart sank when the socially inept Jakob admitted that his shoulder was better after the massage. A sure sign of being smittan the world of romantic fiction. Maybe they'll make a mockery of it like they did with Lil & Crawford's brother, giving them a Brief Encounter scene. A very faint hope. Kate is such a screeching harridan that it's suspending disbelief too far if someone as unflakey ( if you see what I mean) & straight as Jakob we're attracted to her. Still neither of them has any sense of humour or irony even by Ambridge standards, so maybe ...

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    1. Ah missed that the van taken in order to move the stash, is it going to be left somewhere though so that it can be traced back to Ed, although a phone call could have had it found in situ 🤔

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  12. This is the second mention of M&B Carolyn.
    I must be thick. Can someone please explain.

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  13. The possible link between Philip and Tim? I too think it's looking like 2+2=4. But then, he was never right for Kirsty, so I won't be upset if it does turn out to be true.

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  14. From what Philip said to Kirsty after the phone call about the time he had to look after his wife and baby when she had post natal depression thus leaving his business to others and then it taking a further year to sort it out I think it more likely that in the phone call he was just instructing Gavin to just get on and do whatever in the current building job. The explanation that Philip is Mr Big would of course have more dramatic appeal!

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    1. I think it’s what we are meant to think.

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    2. Then I must be very gullible because I thought exactly the same as Ev! Perhaps the SWs have successfully pulled the wool over my eyes.

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    3. The boot may turn out to be on the other foot!

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  15. Kate and Jacob? Well if they do get together he will have his hands full!

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  16. You got in before me this morning Ev.!
    THE phone call

    Gavin-Dad ,you know I am doing that painting job in Penny Hassett
    The one where that woman wanted her Utility room wall emulsioned with “chalk stone,” well I got the paint colour wrong and bought “white chalk “ instead .
    D’you think she’ll notice?

    Phillip- Just get on with it.





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    1. I don’t think Philip’s tone of voice fitted that theory.

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  17. Re Clarrie and Susan.

    Joe will probably die this week and Susan, encouraged by Neil , will go round to support Clarrie.

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    1. ✔️ Yes it is ambulance time this week.....

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  18. I have thought of a problem for Eddie and the disappearance of the van and illegal chemicals.
    Tim and Mr Big are about to set up a sting that will incriminate Eddie as the culprit.
    The van will be discovered in a field somewhere, and as it is in his name with his fingerprints all over the bodywork , the police will finger him for the crime.
    Sargent Burns first big investigation, and as he is a bit of a dogged plodder he won’t leave any grass unturned until he puts Eddie in the clink.
    Remember the bunting.👮‍♂️🕵️‍♂️ He hasn’t forgotten Jim’s involvement.

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  19. Lost the plot over the van and the chemicals
    Has Eddie reported the van stolen?
    If he hasn’t then I can see that your idea could be correct, Stasia.
    On the other hand I really don’t think there will be another jailbird in the village.
    I haven’t paid enough attention to the chemicals either .
    Were they to be sold on or dumped like the chemicals on Brian’s land?

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  20. It looks like Tim had a spare set of keys and took the van while Eddie left it momentarily outside the house, Eddie said he couldn't exactly call the cops now. Ed said everything about Tim was dodgy from the start (hindsight...). Ed was worried that the van and the boxes have their fingerprints on them, Tim might have used gloves, but Eddie thinks he's done them a favour. *I am* inclined to think that they'll leave it at that. When Susan was hanging out the washing she said: what would I do without you Clarrie - famous last words.
    As to Philip and Kirsty - I'm not a fan, but now she has a new home, a new job and her new (old) man is supposed to be a crook? Trouble with Gavin though, families.

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  21. I haven't paid much attention to the dodgy chemicals either, but I seem to remember that when Ed tried to deliver said chemicals to the designated 'meet', the other party failed to turn up. Ed was then left with the dirty laundry in his hands and needed to get rid of. Hence them finishing up being hidden in the Pole Barn.

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  22. Sadly, in the manner of soaps nowadays, nobody is what they seem. I suppose the S/Ws have to that to keep the characters 'interesting. After all an 'ordinary' person's life would be so boring to listeners.
    Add to that the fact that characters' personalities (and back stories) have been altered to add more drama and storylines, who can tell who will do what and who is good/bad?
    I think Joe's death will bring Clarrie and Susan back together again, especially if Emma comes to her senses and admit her faults.
    Mind you I cannot see Ed putting up with her after the vicious, spiteful things she called him and said to him. If he does then he will seriously go down in my estimation.
    At the present time only Tracey is behaving sensibly. But I am not sure that Emma would have told her what she had said to Ed so Clarrie and Susan are behaving as most mothers would I suppose, sticking up for their respective 'children.'
    I just wish we didn't have to have such shouting and arguments every Friday evening. Surely you can have a cliffhanger without the aggro? 😟

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  23. Like Ben, Emma seems to have taken to staying in the bedroom!

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  24. I realise that I am not quite up to date as to TA.
    What I would like is the improbable + unrealistic situation. This is that Ed + Emma tell all to Clarrie, Eddie, Susan, Mike + Will, calmley at a family meeting.
    Perhaps then they will all understand everything, and unite together for support, try to sort things - which to me, means they have to bring in Sergant Burns. He needs to earn his stripes and prove himself, worthy of them.
    I still think that Oliver could be of help, as he introduced Ed to Tim, who knew him.

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  25. As I've been away for a while, I've had a bit of catching up to do. So many plots to wise up on, I feel quite out of touch. Maybe I'll listen to the omnibus to get everything clear. Nice to see all the familiar names commenting again.

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    1. 🌻 👏🏻 🤗 Anneveggie! Await with interest your comments 🤔 when up to date with Ambridge goings on.

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    2. Welcome back Anneveggie. 🙋‍♀️

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    3. Thank you so much for the lovely welcome back.

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  26. It strikes me that Ed was groomed by Tim. At first the friendly obliging guy and then the van for Eddie making Ed beholden to him so that when it came to proposing Ed’s involvement in the movement of the pesticides he had him in the palm of his hand. This together with Emma’s ambitions and the promise of more money to satisfy them meant that Ed was caught. He is a victim not only because of these two influences but also because of his own weakness. Hopefully the thing will blow over now unless Tim is planning to frame Ed and Eddie to deflect interest away from himself. Hope not!

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    1. Sounds just like what happens to youngsters who are trapped into working for these City Lines that are so prevalent, sadly.

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    2. I don't trust Tim, as he has and is now involving Eddie.
      Ed is far better going to the police now and informing on Tim.
      It must not just blow over, as Tim needs to be caught to prevent an incidence which might end up a deadly, or a life-threatening one.

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  27. The only way to get away with a crime in Ambridge is to die (Nic Grundy) or leave the country (Matt Crawford, Rob Titchener). Ed has to pay the penalty like others before him.

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    1. At least it won’t cost Ed over a million pounds and the loss of a house he never owned in the first place.
      Susan didn’t get away 🏃‍♂️ with her crime and didn’t Clarrie let her know, like a slap in the face.

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    2. Yes it was a slap in the face for Susan, but justified I think for Clarrie to mention it.
      I didn't here the Omnibus this morning but did note that Susan was declaring the likely shame of having Ed in prison, not for what he had done or not done, but simply for being there.
      I think Clarrie was responding to that, by saying ' just like you ' ( or similar words) to Susan.
      And those words were said in a calm voice, unlike Susan's really shrill voice at the time.

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    3. Matt had served a prison sentence and so has Freddie. As I said, I am inclined to think that Ed will not go to prison and am prepared to be proved wrong.

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    4. Basia - I agree, but he needs to lawfully admonished - a suspended sentence or a big fine - so bye-bye house deposist (which wasn't used).

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    5. That was my point - Matt paid the penalty once and left the country to avoid paying it again. The penalty isn’t necessarily prison - it wasn’t for Brian Aldridge - but Ed should pay it.

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  28. Christine living at The Laurels, has been mentioned a lot recently. Is Peggy still paying for her?
    I would love to hear her appear + speak again, or is this a gentle build-up for another more serious S/L involving Peggy + monies - so Peggy's Prize has to be postponed??

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  29. No Cristine did her homework and she is paying herself.

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    1. Thanks. I just wasn't sure if Christine was still in the main home, or did move into an independant unit, as she planned.
      This shows how S/Ls are just not concluded, unless it is my memory. 😣

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    2. I think Christine did move into an independent unit at The laurels or attached to it. As CowGirl said, Christine did her research and discovered that she was in a position to afford it.
      Since we do not hear from her I suppose this is another actress who has decided to retire, or has been ' let go' as she had nothing further to say.

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    3. I must have missed her moving, so appreciate the update.

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  30. I reckon that once Ed tells Oliver the whole story they'll find a way to put a stop to Tim's dangerous activities and Ed will have to pay the price, unless Tim tries to drop him in it, it's all open ended.

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    1. I also think that Ed + Oliver need to talk.
      I am not sure if, or how much, it will help, but who knows.
      One thing I would like to hear, is Tim is stopped, somehow.

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  31. What I find strange is that, Emma went around basically "begging" for money. This does not seem to have been mentioned in all the Ed/Emma intrigue + gossip, going on between the Ambridge locals.

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    1. I certainly heard one instance of it being mentioned, though I cannot remember who.
      It might have been Pip talking to Alice ?

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  32. Chick lit rampant tonight. How tedious, & what a pain those sisters are. Their cackles will be worse than Lilian's when they get to her age.
    Neat scenes between Lil herself & Jim compensated a little. She's got him hooked !

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  33. Alice's concern about Emma came across as utterly spurious - she's just being nosey. Chris is genuinely anxious, I think, but probably visited a 2nd time just to get away from the wife's shrill nagging. So many hen pecked husband's in Ambridge.

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  34. I hope they don’t have quiz nights like Lilian suggests.
    I realise that most people will possibly not agree with me but one of the programmes on BBC I watched once and only once is “Eggheads”
    I suspect that Lilian is basing her idea on that programme..
    People like that are not “Brainboxes” they are people who learn facts just for the sake of knowing them.

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    1. The TV quiz show I like, is The Chase - probably as it is more my level of knowledge and it is more light-hearted, than others.

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    2. Love Bradley Walsh. When is he going to be in TA?

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    3. He could host a charity quiz night at The Bull 😂

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  35. Alice and Christopher are meddling too much. Kate will take one look at Jakob, hit him with her handbag and stalk out of the restaurant shrieking loudly! Can’t believe Chris who is as sensible as his dad would suggest this ruse!

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  36. No Ev, I thought it very unlike Chris to suggest the blind date lark too - he is usually very sensible and not one to play jokes on people. Alice and Kate yes, but not Chris.

    And as for Lilian’s new Quiz idea, I too immediately thought ‘she’s copying Eggheads format’. I’m afraid I can’t stand that particular show and the smug know all's on the regular team. It gets switched off very quickly in our house!

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  37. If it turns into Pointless I will definitely switch off!

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  38. Clever Lilian to go for Jim’s Achilles’ heel - his schoolboy rivalry with Robert Snell - to get him to do what she wanted. He may have the academic qualifications but she several degrees smarter!

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  39. Didn’t enjoy any part of last night’s episode.
    I thought the conversation between Lilian and Jim was ridiculous .
    Is Jim really that petty?
    I suppose the answer is”yes”.
    The person who annoyed me most was Alice.
    Dreadful voice,dreadful attitude.

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    1. Maybe 'petty'is a touch harsh ? He is very competitive, there's a long standing rivalry with Robert, which Lil used cunningly to her advantage. ( incidently, to Jim's advantage as well, if it helps to restore him to himself)
      With you on Alice, silly, unpleasant.

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  40. There is a programme worse than “ Pointless” in my opinion and that is “Celebrity Pointless “,Ev.

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    1. These programmes are created for an old boy Cambridge network. And they are really pointless but cheap to produce.

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    2. Pointless celebrities?!!😊

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    3. Oh I am not convinced that such programmes are created for an old boy Cambridge network ,Stasia .
      I am not sure who they are supposed to appeal to .
      Give me the good old favourite University Challenge and the newer Quiz programme Only Connect.

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  41. Silly, absurd, ridiculous, an episode without meaning or purpose.
    How to eke out nearly 13 minutes with ‘airhead’ Kate as central to the plot.
    Grrrrrrrr.

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  42. I’m looking on the bright side - the episode was mercifully Jazzer-free. Give me Kate any time !

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    1. I only enjoy listening to Kate when she spouting new age rubbish. I concede Jazzer has become very tedious of late. 🚷

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  43. I found the conversation between sisters Alice and Kate very hard on my ears! I don’t like either of their voices, one shrill and ridiculously RP considering her background, the other very hard edged and mostly angry sounding.
    What a pair!
    How unlike their sister Debbie’s dulcet tones!

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  44. So far everything suggests that Kate and Jakob will end up in bed together, can't say I'm looking forward to.

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    1. At least Jakob’s body parts should receive a good hard massage. I don’t fancy being a voyeur to their coming together. Mr Concrete and Ms Darling-Sweetheart.
      What a combination!!

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    2. Yuk - that would certainly have me reaching for the off switch! 😖

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    3. I doubt this will happen - as it is just too unrealistic.

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  45. I am a Jazzer fan, who can do no wrong IMHO.
    He is of a mind, who only sees what is going on at that moment in time, and does not understand the broader picture. He just he wants to help those he knows + loves - previously his piggies, now it's his little fishes, not forgetting Jim, Alistair + Fallon.
    I like his genuine blundering around, without thinking, unlike so many other Ambridge residents who are so scheming + are intent on outdoing each other.
    I often give Jazzer the benefit of the doubt. To me he is a quite naive character, who was affected by the ketamime episode at Alistair's surgery, many years ago (along with Fallon).

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    1. I wonder what he has done with the K5, or whatever it was, payoff, he was paid by Tom?

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  46. Lilian is continuing her reshuffle of the bull with changes to the quiz night.
    To create a team called Brain Boxes, requires there to be something in the 📦 box.

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    1. Also she needs to remember, that quiz nights are just fun, light-hearted and have to appeal to all ages - from Bert to Ben. This is the best way to fill The Bull on a normally quiet night and so gets the profits up. She needs it to pay for her renovations.

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  47. I've finally caught up I think though may have missed some finer points. Re Ed and Emma break-up I do think that Ed made the right decision. He realizes that Emma does not love him, warts and all, and is just a dissatisfied person constantly complaining about 'people like us never getting what we deserve' etc. Ed was a fool to get involved with Tim but it was at Emma's urging. I like Tracey, she is always entertaining and you know immediately who is speaking, unlike some other characters. The Alice and Christopher setting up Kate and Jakob story is ridiculous and unbelievable. It seems K and J are being set up to end up in bed together and I can only hope we don't have to listen to it in detail.

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  48. Have Tom + Natasha left for their Cuban "honeymoon" yet? It is now August and yet, nothing about this has been mentioned, for quite a while. Also who is/are taking over their respective enterprises, both singular + joint.
    I hate this lack of continuity as to previous S/Ls, which have now disappeared into the ether.

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    1. I realise that actor/actresses do a stint then are rested. Why though, aren't these characters mentioned in passing, eg someone at the cricket or in The Bull wishing them a lovely time away?

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  49. Well I have to say I agreed with the Continuity Announcer when he said after tonight’s episode”Well that’s the best news we’ve had for a while.
    However I do not think that Lynda would have behaved so rudely to Tracy whatever her feelings.

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    1. Lynda is a terrible snob but Tracy will win her round, she also retorted that she might think of retiring.

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  50. Lynda and Tracy will be great together and she'll sort out Emma an'all.
    Just like Kate and Jakob just you wait and see.They're doing it on purpose, thinking it's funny.

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  51. Does Oliver fancy Tracy then? Only possibly reason for such a potty descision.

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    1. Hardly likely though Maryellen is it ?
      How much more of a contrast could there be between Tracey and Caroline Bone.
      Except of course what Oliver might be seeing is the similarity in honesty and openness which both women share.

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    2. Remembering Caroline Bone’e previous reputation as the village bicycle, I think you could be right about the two women having something in common, Mrs P!

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  52. We don’t know what the other candidates were like .
    She was a better prospect than Freddie.
    She will be pleasant ,cheerful and friendly.
    She has a lot of common sense and is thoughtful and kind.
    Good luck to Tracy.
    I am delighted she got the job.
    (It was on the cards though ,wasn’t it.?)

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  53. As for Linda..... she was at her most vicious and undermining towards Tracey at the interview, quite horrible.
    But Tracey gave back as good as Linda and wasn't at all undermined.

    Agree with Basia, it's a marriage made in heaven. Linda will very quickly realise that Tracey's strength lies in her practical common sense, and together they will make an excellent team.

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    1. Why did Lynda not realise she would need to show the new receptionist the ropes? It’s standard practice. Oh, I know - it was so we could enjoy Lynda’s shoch-horror when Roy spelt out the obvious to her.

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  54. I also thought that the two scenes between Shula and Kenton were both very well done. They sounded very natural together.

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  55. Very entertaining episode !
    Tracey to the fore, eh - Oliver's got foresight & instinct, I see. Didn't,t like her flinging insults during the cricket match, or her earlier behaviour to Roy, but they're making her less one dimensional, & she'll be a breath of fresh air at GG ! She & Lynda will make a great team, once they've sorted each other out ( Tracy won't put up with the airs & grace's; Lynda will ensure efficiency & punctuality). They will eventually have a mutual respect, even a grudgingly liking.
    So Shula has run the gauntlet of maternal disapproval & fraternal quips. All par for the course, but she's SUCH a sensitive soul....

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    1. Please spare us from that sanctimonious, self-obsessed Shula. Still, looking on the bright side, the sooner she becomes ordained the sooner the Bishop can move her away because, of course, the Ambridge incumbent is Alan Franks. But, oh dear, he will probably do the decent thing and volunteer to re-locate.

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  56. Lynda at her very worst - snobby, condescending, cruel and extremely rude to Roy, who is, after all, her superior in GG heirachy.
    How does she get away with such behaviour?

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  57. This lighthearted S/L is to be a relief after all the drama of Ed & Emma. I agree that, once they've had an adjustment period, Tracey and Lynda will end up being allies.

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  58. Nee...el, Su..... nnn, humph, puff, grunt, growl, and so on it goes amid the pots, pans and boxes!

    I was left exhausted listening to Emma last week, a few more days in her room should give me time to recoup and focus for the next instalment.

    I will say it even if Lynda can’t, Congratulations Tracey on your new job.

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  59. I do wonder who is actually in charge at Grey Gables. I would have thought that the manager would want some input into something as important as front of house staff, but Kathy seems to be paid for doing nothing.

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    1. That's because they have forgotten her.
      I think she might be stuck in a cupboard somewhere in the building.

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    2. It reminds me of Alan Bennett”s comment on playwriting - easy to get characters on, harder to get them off. Getting characters off seems to be a perennial problem for TA’s scriptwriters.

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  60. The Grey Gables situation is ridiculous.
    If the actress playing Kathy is unable to continue with the role they could send her off to live with Jamie wherever he is .
    Same with Carole Tregorran who is never even mentioned.She could go and live with or near to Anna.
    Characters like Richard Locke who are never heard could be mentioned too in passing.
    It is as if the newer scriptwriters don’t know they exist.
    Lynda is a snob but she is extremely kind hearted and thoughtful-like when she spoke to Jim after his rudeness to her.
    She would never have behaved in the way she did to Tracy and Roy.
    Very poor writing.
    Totally unnecessary.

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    1. Mmn... Lynda certainly can be kind but is often bossy, rude & superior as well. ( The fetes, pantos, etc)
      Don't mind about erstwhile characters not appearing, not even referred to. If there isn't an SL for them, there's no point. Kathy gets a mention now & then, seems quite possible to me that her role at GG is backroom management, no involvement in front of house staff.

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    2. Surely as Manager she would be involved in the Interview of staff.
      I don’t know why they didn’t say she was on the interviewing panel.
      We didn’t hear any of the interviews so it wouldn’t have mattered that we didn’t hear her.
      She hasn’t been heard for years and I wonder why they haven’t just made Roy the Manager and sent her off to pastures new.
      You may be correct that Lynda can be rude but she reached a new level in rudeness when she spoke to Tracy .

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    3. And also to Roy, I don’t know why he puts up with it. She was even somewhat scathing with Oliver I thought.
      The situation with Kathy is, indeed, ridiculous. I would have thought she would be at about retirement age. Perhaps we shall soon hear a retirement party has been held for her and that she has gone off to live near Jamie. Then Roy can step up a level and be directly responsible to Oliver.
      By the way, Oliver said he wanted to take a more active role at GG, I wonder how Kathy would feel about that? It might be the catalyst that gets her to move on.

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  61. I wonder if Tracey, gaining the vacant post at GG, so she is now employed, with possible future prospects, will effect Emma.
    Emma works hard, but her work-life does not give any security.
    Will this news cause more angst for her?

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    Replies
    1. Perhaps if Kathy were written out, the actress may behave like Sister George in “The Killing of Sister George” or like Tony Hancock in the take off of “The Archers.”
      They refused to go ..
      Didn’t the character played by Tony Hancock ,when supposed to be dead. keep sitting up
      and grinning or winking at the camera?

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  62. It is lovely hearing Oliver + aspects of GG appearing again. What about LL with Lizzie, Russ + Lily? This is long overdue for a up-date, esp. as LL has had its alcohol licence re-instated, a while ago.
    I would much prefer to hear this, than about Peggy's Prize, and Shula with her "vocation", which both still seem a bit OTT to me.
    But what do I know....😭

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  63. Lanjan - Regarding the character Kathy. I can't think of another character who has been treated as 'Kathy' has been. She played a major role in many storylines during the past fifteen/twenty years as the new love interest of Sid, his wife and the expansion of The Bull's restaurant, her affair with Dave Barry, her divorce as the wronged wife of Sid when he 'took up' with Jolene, the raising of Jamie, the rape, the Golf Club, then Manager of Grey Gables, yet she has disappeared but is still referred to as if she were there!
    I did wonder whether there was a problem with SOC as he was rather rude about some of the actors on TA. (He did go on to EE then and upset so many there he was 'booted off' as one Mustardlander put it) However the very last time we heard her speak some years ago now I thought she sounded frail so I wondered if there was another reason for the character to remain but not appearing in any episodes? Very peculiar situation altogether.

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    Replies
    1. I picked up (I can’t remember where) that the actor who played Kathy was in ill health. I think she also ran an Archers fan club or similar for many years. I wondered if the team were perhaps too sentimental to finally.pension her off. I don’t know if she would still qualify for the retainer fee that I understand the BBC pays.

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  64. Heidli Niklaus was on the BBc blog when Alan Devereux died in 2016.
    There's an interview in 2017 and in 2018 she speaks about Ataxia awareness but not as sufferer.

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    Replies
    1. I seem to remember that Heidi Nicklaus was the power behind the Archers Fan Club.
      Perhaps Maryellen is correct in her supposition.
      If so it would be so nice to think that the team still keep her ' in mind' as it were, retainer or not.

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  65. There was a Group of Archers characters who went on Cruise Ships (I read about it.I have never been on a Cruise Ship).
    One of the characters named was Clive Horribin.
    They weren’t all involved but Jill,Eddie and Clarrie were and I saw them at The Watermill in Newbury and I saw Kathy in Crosby near Liverpool when they recorded the Christmas Panto.
    I think Jack Woolley was involved too.
    Maryellen,I too thought that Heidi Nicklaus had not been in good health .
    .
    .

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    1. I have just read a guest ‘post’ by Hedli on a cancer charity site in which she talks about her husband’s progressive illness, and about his last birthday they spent together. I am not sure when it was written but Hedli says he was diagnosed in 2011.

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    2. I was actually a proud member of ‘Archers Addicts’ the fan club run by Hedli and others. My daughter bought me membership for my birthday one year. I still have my little gold and green enamel badge and several souvenirs like a Dum di Dum mug and an Aldridge’s Millennium Wood cream jug.
      There was a regular magazine sent out with news and gossip about the programme, lots of photos of Archers events across the country and loads of memorabilia to buy. Each quarter we were sent a copy of the Borchester Gazette with lots of interesting articles and photos.
      I was very sad when it wound up.
      I did hear that Hedli had had a major row with SO’C. possibly about the sacking of several regular cast members and they did not see eye to eye about the programme. This probably explains why she was never heard during the big crisis at Bridge Farm with Helen and Rob. I think she was also unwell for a while and couldn’t perform - but then she never came back, save for one episode a year or two ago.

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    3. That should have been the Borchester Echo, of course, which always had a message from the proprietor, Jack Woolley!

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  66. In the 1990s I was briefly a member of the Archers Anarchists.
    They were /are? a group of people who “believed” or wanted to believe that the characters were real and were not played by actors.

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    1. I was at a play last year in which one of the TA actors was performing. During polite conversation with the woman next to me in the interval, she suddenly turned to me and said I’m a great fan of The Archers! There was a mad gleam in her eye so I said Oh, really! and buried myself in my programme. ...

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  67. Sounds interesting Lan Jan, and fun. I was an Archers Addict member and Mr S renewed for Christmas. My map helps out from time to time.

    Emma and Will - someone said the other day they could see them getting together again. I thought Will sounded like his gentle self last night, as I remember him before Emma left him.

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    1. Hello, former co-member of Archers Addicts! Yes, the maps are very useful for understanding what’s going on sometimes and I always bought the calendar too.

      I also noticed the calm understanding and depth of feeling between Emma and Will last night. As you say, he sounded much more like the Will I knew and liked before he was turned into a bitter, bad-tempered curmudgeon after Emma left him for Ed.
      I can really see them getting back together, eventually.
      Everything seems to point to a sensible solution to their problems, a home for Emma and her children, someone to look after Poppy for Will and perhaps even a re-kindling of their love?

      But what about the effect on Ed and the rest of their families?

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    2. We've been led down that path for a while now, though I hope it doesn't happen - what a mess ! Neat, practically, Emma has a home, all three children under one roof, but the emotional fall out doesn't bear thinking about.....
      Must be missing something obvious, but didn't see why Clarrie was so cold towards Emma ? It was Ed that did the dumping. I know it's more complicated than that, but still, Emma is not involvrf in the row with Susan.

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  68. I agree Carolyn.
    I really hope that Emma doesn’t get back together with Will unless-and I really do not want this unless -which I do not want-something happens to Ed.

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  69. No, I don't want them back together. As for Clarrie with Emma, Susan said she thought Ed was never good enough for her and Clarrie thinks Emma pushed him too far.

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  70. Emma, George and Keira move in with Will and Poppy. Housing problem and child minding sorted.
    Another round of happy families. Just like the 👨‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 game.

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  71. I think Emma and Will back together has been signposted for several weeks now.
    Not sure how I feel about it.
    Certainly there was a genuine warmth from Will in last nights episode. Quite a change from his recent performances.
    They know something we don't !

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  72. I sincerely hope there will not be a re-uniting of Will and Emma as a couple. That would be such lazy storyline plotting and I probably would give up altogether!
    Has anyone thought about the effect it would have on George, Keira and Poppy? Cousins and step-siblings at the same time? How much more confusion and disruption will these poor children have to put with?
    Anyone who has dealt with real children, having experienced the mixed up feelings they have and which often manifests itself in anti-social behaviour, will know that children require (and often long for) a secure and stable home life.
    Mind you in TA the three 'children' of Brookfield are, I think the only ones not to have experience trauma in their lives and I am not sure they having winning personalities and are well balanced individuals!

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    Replies
    1. Ben & Josh seem pretty well adjusted to me. Pip's a pain, but she's always been indulged.

      Delete
    2. Yes carolyn, I like the boys of Brookfield but I think many don't. Josh is a far pleasanter person than his sister and I don't think he treats his parents badly. I have picked up many comments here, on fb and Mustardland that he is very rude to D & R.
      I like Ben too and he although he is easily led he does know right from wrong and tries his best to curb Ruairidi's bad behaviour.
      Wasn't it Josh that got into trouble some years back for posting graffiti somewhere along with Jamie Perks?
      I too cannot understand David's antipathy towards Josh though. Seems very unnatural to me!

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  73. The BBC have brought out an Archers recipe book apparently .
    I think it is called something like”The Archers:Year of food and farming.”

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  74. I quite like Josh who although has been known to be quite rude to at least one person ,seems to have something about him but I find both Pip and Ben annoying.

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    1. I like josh too. He has some get up and go about him. Wants to branch out and make some money. Not handed a farm on a plate.
      Daaaviiiid treats him very poorly in my opinion. He should be proud his son has some entrepreneurial skills. His ruddy daughter hasn’t!!!!!

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    2. What happened with David + Ruth charging Josh for using barn space in a barn?
      Is it the same one, in which the weddings will be held?

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    3. Typed that wrong! To clarify I thought Josh was going to have pay rent, for barn use for his business.

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    4. I also like Josh, he has a sense of humour and has managed to find a role and career best suited to his entrepreneurial talents. His sending up of ‘I’m up myself 👩‍🎨 Artiste’ Russ at Christmas was wonderful and funny.
      I clench my every limb when I hear the actress who plays PIP speak. She has certainly jaundiced my view of the character.
      Ben should be reconsigned to his room and kept well away from Ruairi who would benefit from a spell in 🇮🇪 Ireland. They Dubliners would take him down a peg or two.

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  75. I like Ben, Ruairi and Josh. These, as others have said, are the new generation who will have some sort of control and input, in the futures of both Brookfield + Home Farm. They are now just 3 happy-go-lucky lads, with raging testoterone levels, and why not?
    Look at Kirsty + Fallon, and what they got up to - destroying GM crops, raiding the vets for drugs etc. These are both now two "house-wives" content with the life they have now, living with their partners.
    Another generation of feisty and clever scheming youngsters is just normal. Where are George + The Gills sons, who must soon be of an age to join in, as is the sudden appearance of Billy Button. PS Why do I think of a holiday camp whenever I hear his name?

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  76. Jazzer needs his head examined but it's too late for that.

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    Replies
    1. Many would want to do what Jazzer had done, but very I'll advised in Jim's case. Jim is 80, he's lived with the past for over 70 years, & he's actually getting a grip on his life again. He may need help with flashbacks & nightmares, but I feel he will probably cope on his own. He certainly doesn't need the heavy hand of the law. However, I guess we've said all that before.

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    2. Yes ! They do seem to be overly dependent. Now Will is back to panicking paranoia AND depependence, after a brief moment with Emma when he behaved like a caring adult.

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    3. Sorry, that comment above was meant to be in response to Esscee just below.

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  77. It's quite clear that Susan & Clarrie won't be bitter enemies for long, glad to see !
    Didn't like the sound of Helen giving them a rollicking - accidents happen

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