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Life in Ambridge
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ReplyDeleteMiriam - May 9, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Scroll past...NOW.
I am only popping in to express my thoughts, as to The Archers.
I was sad that the problem with Alice was revealed, so publicly outside the church, and that Martha was not christened. I felt it should have happened at the Tea Rooms, after the event, with Fallon + Harrison seeing + hearing all.
Susan and Jennifer seemed to bond and actually had fun together last week. They need to try to continue with this, but that is very doubtful now.
As to the minatures:-
a) Small amounts for a quick fix, but totally overdone
b) It would be easier to get rid of the evidence, in many ways.
MrsP Ambridge - May 9, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Miriam.
Not scrolled by but read, and I think I agree with you, it would have been better if it had all come out after the event of the Christening, and it could have been just as dramatic, if not more so.
My thoughts on Jennifer and Susan were that it could bring them closer together, by working in consort to look after Martha while Alice was sorted out.
But I also recognise that this situation might well drive a further wedge between them, and that of course will add further to the drama.
Spicycushion - May 10, 2021 at 10:38 AM
Sadly not many understand the problem of alcoholism, except for those who have been actually involved. The addicted happens to be under the influence of alcohol all of the time. Not just when someone fancies a drink.
Alice's needed desperately to get a drink while she was talking to Jennifer and made excuses to get away from her and get a drink. Whether that was from a drink from her handbag or from a larger bottle it doesn't matter. Probably it may be that she had a limitless empties on filling for a larger bottle.
But she is still lying to Chris and herself that she is willing to put the past behind her and start afresh. She is still lying to Chris!!!
I think Alice needed a quick fix to face the ceremony but she went too far. How would she manage to re-fill the miniatures, I'd need a funnel even when sober. She tried to persuade herself and Chris that small doses would limit her drinking, but if she couldn't put on earrings and nearly dropped Martha then she had gone too far. Chris must have made up his mind to cancel the christening before they arrived at church, so it was for the dramatic effect.
ReplyDeleteBoth of you Spicycushion and Miriam have lived close to a person with an alcohol problem.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I thought of you yesterday before the Sunday omnibus, I don't listen but go as far as the signature tune which is much more jaunty than on week days.
The actor who plays Chris did a good convincing job of his role. He sounded genuinely heartbroken and desperate. How sad.
ReplyDeleteAnnieveggie - yes wasn't it a very good performance. Chris really did sound heartbroken and very much at the end of his tether. He has tried so hard to cope with his and Alice's situation, but I feel that he still doesn't understand alcoholism as Spicey has said many times.
DeleteChris needs help just as much as Alice. Help to understand how Alice and her behaviour is very much part of her condition.
I feel that at the moment he views what she does as a personal affront to him.
I'm looking forward to All in the Mind tomorrow evening when the discussion on how ' soaps' including TA influence us as a society.
I hope the contributions help me to understand more.
That wordscape above is very clever Gary. Did you compose it yourself? I wouldn’t know how to go about doing something like that. I think similar things have been used in University Challenge.
ReplyDeleteI just found it whilst doing a search online for images relating to The Archers. No cleverness on my behalf at all.
DeleteIt is clever, but also looks familiar to me. I'm sure I've seen it before.
DeletePerhaps it originated from the Corporation itself.
I think it is a word map. A number of times a character is mentioned in a episode, film, book is recorded then a figure is created and appears in a map to show how many times that character has been mentioned!
DeleteI think I did it sometime when analysing a book.
The aftermath will be interesting tonight.
ReplyDeleteThis is :-
a) Who supports whom
b) Who has the feeling of- If Only Knew!
c) Alice, and where she is living - Kate moving in, or now with Jenny + Brian.
d) Harrison + Fallon. Too much for them..so how wiill they react
e) Basically - What happens next?
This latter comment relates, to all things Ambridge + TA related, which could show so many new developing relationships, plans, ideas and changes in characters, to suit future up-coming situations + circumstances.
Could go on, but won't...
Thats All. 🤗😁
PS On a final and very "silly" note .. How did Alice get rid of the empty minatures without Chris seeing - just wrap into one of Martha's dirty nappies and put into the bin.
DeleteAlcoholics know many tricks to hide the evidence...Now where has she hidden the rest???
You could be right about the nappies. Chris was hardly likely to open the nappy sacks and check them.
DeleteDidn't one of the Grundys find a whole stash of empties during the great village clean up? I don't remember the details but someone in here suggested they were probably Alice's.
So Alice is still in denial but at least she's not drunk, I was expecting something worse, as are her parents for that matter, their golden girl can do no wrong, I even thought they were still unaware until Jennifer said the dreadful word: alcoholic.
ReplyDeleteYour A to E questions, all relevant, Miriam, but the TA team are clearly intending to have a slow reveal.
ReplyDeleteBrian and Jenny in denial as usual and Susan and Neil balancing the practicalities.
Christopher still in a very emotional state, and yet again Alice lying through her teeth to her father, who is of course still coaching his favourite daughter in the art of lying.
Glad to hear Brian and Jenny are working on the ostrich principle.
ReplyDeleteNo, of course there can't be anything in Chris's accusations. Perfectly normal for the parents to have a blazing row outside the church. Their golden girl couldn't possibly be an alcoholic.
Or is Jenny desparately trying to suppress memories of her father in an effort to deny that history could be repeating itself?
I was amazed that. Brian and Jenny haven’t faced up to reality. You can see why Alice is the way she is as they dote on her. Brian will not be paying for treatment for her as he can’t accept anything is wrong. There is avast difference between liking a drink and being dependent on alcohol. Jenny was far too ready to agree with Brian that this is just a minor matter and will be quickly resolved. Doesn’t bode well! Susan and Neil are far more realistic!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that, much as I have disliked Susan in the past for her gossiping and interference in peoples lives, she has really Impressed me tonight with her readiness to help Christoper and Martha and offering to give them a home, to look after the baby, do night feeds etc. She sounded so different tonight, so caring and loving, so unlike her sometimes strident self.
ReplyDeleteI think Susan and Neil, with help from Emma perhaps, will do everything they can to provide a safe and loving home for father and baby.
The Aldridges, on the other hand, cannot perceive that their brilliant daughter could possibly be an alcoholic, have behaved appallingly and put her baby daughter at risk. I think Peggy needs to tell them a few home truths and make them understand that Alice is in desperate need of help. As OWIAS said, like ostriches their heads are truly in the sand. They need to pull them out and look at the truth of their daughters illness and what has been going on, under their noses, for months.
You're right Archerfile, Peggy knows about Alice and it's surprising she hasn't said anything to Jenny following the debacle of the christening.
DeleteOf course, we haven’t heard anyone else’s reaction to the proceedings yet.
DeleteKate would surely have told Peggy about it, if Peggy had been too frail to actually go to the church. Alan’s reaction will be interesting, and Pip & Rex’s
But I am being impatient, I’m sure we’ll hear more during the week.
I agree with Archerphile,100%
DeleteWhat surprises me is that the people who do know and accept that Alice is an alcoholic haven’t (in our hearing) shown more concern about the effect this may have had on Martha, other than her physical safety in the care of a drunken mother. It is still too early for for symptoms of FAS to become evident - I think I said earlier that the distinctive facial features (not universal) didn’t become noticeable until 4 months old or later. Maybe Jenny will be the one to voice concern when she eventually accepts the truth about Alice. Not long now, I think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Archerphile about Susan, though it's not the first time she's shown her 'human' side. Heart in the right place as they say, but so is Jennifer's it's just that she can't overcome the class prejudice, drink belongs with the poor in the gutter. She'll feel upstaged by the Carters who stepped in and took over. She wanted to go and see Alice but I fear that even when eventually she sees her "hammered" they will both put it down to her reaction of Christopher walking out. Brian made no sense, he was talking about himself.
ReplyDeleteJennifer’s father, Jack Archer, Peggy’s husband wasn’t poor and in the gutter, so I don’t think it’s a question of class, more an understandable unwillingness to revisit the past in the person of her daughter. As loving parents, tCarters didn’t have much choice about harboiring their son and granddaughter when asked.
ReplyDeleteFor Jennifer, perhaps it’s an unconscious denial to admit that any child of hers could have inherited her father’s tendency.
ReplyDeleteI remember that Jack was too fond of the drink and drank his own profits at the Bull, but I don’t remember hearing him paralytic or abusive or being found unconscious, as Alice was.
But that might be because, back then, it wasn’t considered suitable to act out such things on radio so his addiction was referred to rather portrayed.
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DeleteI think you're right Archerphile in that back in the day things on radio were not graphically played out as they are now. Alcoholism would be hinted at rather than depicted when TA began.
DeleteBrian seems to be on another planet and beloved Alice can do no wrong. It's going to be so difficult for him and Jennifer to accept what is actually happening.
Well done Susan for offering sanctuary to Chris and Martha. Neil is more concerned about practicalities but both he and Susan are loving parents who want to help.
I also look forward to hearing the rest of the village's reactions.
Apparently Jack was a gambler as well, perhaps to support his addiction - according to science 40% genetic which leaves 60% for the environment and upbringing. Jennifer is a snob and I still think class plays a part in her attitude. She dismissed Emma's claim about Alice being an alcoholic as village gossip. When Brian revealed his betrayal to her her first question was: who knows?
ReplyDeleteSpot on Basia !
DeleteStrangely Jack Archers voice is one I can still hear in my head.
ReplyDeleteHe did have a nasty side, but mostly had a jovial element in his speech.
As for depicting alcoholism in the fifties, still so close to the war and the times before the war, people who drank to excess were described as ' drunks'. The term alcoholism came into general use much later.
I grew up in an alcohol free home, because my mother's father had been a drunk, and alcohol was something she kept everyone well away from.
Of course not all drunks are alcoholics.
I understand it to mean that the prime objective of an alcoholic is where the next drink was coming from.
As one of my school teachers told us: a drunk lives to drink, an alcoholic drinks to live. She also mentioned a dreadful custom of dipping a baby's dummy in alcohol, so it could participate in the christening.
DeleteJack Archer was before my time. I also grew up in a household with no alcohol, not even on special occasions and the same went for family and parents' friends, perhaps at some late night parties where I was not present. I discussed it with my sister how odd it seems now.
I W a s gobsmacked amazed at Brian and Jennifer eating snacks and totally unaware of what’s going on.
DeleteThey were at the church?
To be fair it was Brian gobbling up food while Jennifer looked on in astonishment. She was definitely there but managed to miss Christopher's lament. I think we were to compare two sets of parents, one very concerned, albeit in the know and the other glibly moving on. A hiccup in a relationship according to Brian, though Jennifer is not convinced.
DeleteI got the impression Jennifer was not as reassured by Brian as she appeared to be. Partly shed was falling in with him rather than dispute given he was so certain. But she is one of the brighter Archers and more than capable of putting 2 and 2 together. I wouldn’t because surprised if she paid an unannounced visit to The Nest.
ReplyDeleteSorry, ‘because’ should read ‘be’.
DeleteI agree with you Maryellen, Jennifer wanted to contact Susan and Alice. As a mother I don't think she wants to sit around in time of crisis and also her mother's intuition would prompt her that something is not quite right because Alice didn't want to speak to her, knowing in turn that she couldn't put some lies past her. Jennifer certainly didn't hear Christopher in all his rage and despair, I hope she meets him by chance. The Nest is such an unfortunate word in the circumstances.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
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ReplyDeleteMiriam, old habits die hard, I repeat carry on posting and stop apologising for nothing!
DeleteAre you testing my patience? You have personal experience on the subject.
Why don't you listen to "All in the mind" later about how we interact with soap operas.
Not all women are born to be mothers. There was 'Maternal ambivalence' on WH today.
ReplyDeleteYet Alice was very loving towards Martha when she started breast feeding. She sounded very controlled tonight. At least Jennifer is not ambivalent about anything anymore.
What is Joy volunteering for?
Joy called a loneliness helpline, but got by accident onto the recruitment arm of the helpline. It was inevitable Basia....... she's been recruited to become a helpline volunteer.
DeleteMust listen to WH today on sounds.
I had maternal ambivalence. I still have it.
I never wanted children.
My first was aborted, but couldn't / wasn't prepared to go through with that a second time.
I did love the decade that I had as a mother, but still feel ambivalent.
If I could live the same life again, I would not have had children.
Alice as acted is getting better and better.
She sounded so cold when she was speaking to Jennifer.
And so coldly honest when she said she had not wanted children but that Chris had.
I think she has accepted her situation.
When she said she needed to sleep, I think she meant it. She needed to sleep because she had been drinking and when she wakes up again she will drink again. What I heard is that is what she wants, and seems to be accepting.
Yes, see what you make of it MrsP, WH is now divided into sections like before.
DeleteThe ambivalence used to be taboo but many feel this way.
Thank you for explaining about Joy: 'All the lonely people, where do they all come from?'
For various reasons I don't post anymore, but I keep up to date with both blogs and am surprised at the continuous bullying (I don't think it can be termed otherwise) of one particular person by two or three bloggers. One in particular has posted seven times already today, but feels her "patience is being tested" when this particular person does the same, albeit over a shorter period of time.
DeleteThank you Patricia.
DeleteThe difference being Patricia, the person who posted seven times or more today, was responding to other posts and engaging in conversation.
DeleteIntelligently !
Complaints or bullying as you perceive it, were regarding the inane one liners addressed to no one other than the poster herself. Invariably accompanied by passive aggression.
And the remark made this morning by the ' seven up ' poster could also be perceived as being ' tongue in cheek ' !
If as you say you read regularly you will surely have noted the degree of frustration for a very long time, from many bloggers who have gently asked, again and again for a particular poster to refrain from simple thoughts to instead read and respond to other posts, some of which have been directed, kindly, at her.
Equally, on occasion those who have complained directly to that person have also encouraged her to continue posting whilst asking for some modification of those one liners, and have suggested ways to do so. And when posts have been written directly to show interest in her passions - Chester Zoo - she has ignored them.
There may well be contributors to this blog who live in relative poverty in contrast to that particular blogger who frequently informs us of her financial good fortune, her lack of any payment to HM tax office, her need to have a brand new car ( in the middle of a pandemic ! ) and the buying of a new wardrobe each spring.
This is an open blog, we can and do discuss all sorts of subjects, but I would suggest that most contributors are sensitive to the feelings of others on the whole. And if feelings are hurt, apologies are freely given.
Oh for heaven's sake.
DeleteI think if I were accused of 'inane oneliners' I would be inclined to stop posting.
As for the posts about Chester Zoo, the original comment was about the second most visited tourist attraction outside London. Call me stupid, but it was not immediately obvious that it was Chester Zoo. No wonder Miriam was confused by the cryptic references later on telling her she ought to be pleased about something posted earlier in the day.
Yes. Miriam has perhaps said too much about her finances in the past. It was suggested that this was not appropriate and she stopped. Yes, she bought a new car. People do. Some people get excited about new cars. Others get excited about possibly expensive holidays. Are these not to be mentionned either?
Hurtful things have frequently been said to Miriam, and she responds by retreating into her shell. Then, when she dares to come back, she is greeted by comments such as 'Your prediction was right' ie: that she would not stay away for long. Was that post in any way necessary?
I mentionned a few days ago about the 'weedy' girl at my school and how she blossomed when she moved elsewhere. The point I was trying to make was that perhaps the problem lay not with her but with us, her so-called friends.
Miriam does not always post in the way you feel she ought to. I think she gets that and is trying to adjust her behaviour accordingly. However, whatever she does, she seems to have been cast in the role of the leopard who cannot change his spots.
I post horrendously long posts, on topics that i think are interesting, but may well bore the pants off the rest of you. If you want to criticise someone, criticise me for a change. I'm b****y-minded enough to take it. And if it does get to me I've got OMiaS here to pick up the pieces. And, please, give Miriam a break.
I don’t like seeing the word ‘inane’ applied to any post here. It reflects poorly on our blog. Better to skip posts, than to rubbish them, imo.
DeleteIf one liners are the problem in that they waste blog space, that includes all the apologies for typos (of which I am often guilty) and posts consisting solely of icons plus a single name. Several one liners on the trot can take up less blog space than some of the longer posts here. Personally I find them easier to handle visually than long densely worded posts, where I’m afraid I sometimes give up halfway, intending to reread them later.
I think we should all be free to express thoughts about The Archers as and how we want to - either addressed to individuals or to the blog as a whole - bearing in mind that if we also want people to read and not skip them, we need to present them in a way that readers find easiest to handle. (I can’t speak for the other, free range, blog.)
My apologies in advance if this post has offended anyone.
Maryellen - I may be wrong, but I don’t think the posts that were called ‘inane’ were the ones posted on this Ambridge blog, but on the other non- Ambridge blog which covers so many other subjects.
DeleteAnd the complaint about many very short posts (again on the other blog) were because it uses up the number of blogs allowed on one page very quickly and Gary was having to open new ones frequently. Although combining several thoughts into one post makes for a long read it, strangely, means one page can stay open longer.
Not sure if I have explained that very well!
Archerphile - as Mrs P’s reference to ‘inane’ posts was cryptic and made on this blog, I assumed it was to posts made here. It doesn’t make any difference to my points about not rubbishing posts, and the spacetaken up by the other one liners that many of us post.
DeleteI hadn’t seen OWiaS’s preceding post when I wrote mine, but heartily concur with it, especially the plea to give Miriam a break. I think PatriciaC’s wake up call was very. timely
Basia
ReplyDeleteYour post at 2 o'clock today, quotes that old saying finishing ....' an alcoholic lives to drink.
That really sums up Alice as we heard her this evening.
It will be really interesting to hear Lillian tomorrow who of course is a drunk ' living to drink ' but not an alcoholic, and to see the course the SWs have chosen for her input to the situation.
And as others have said, where is Peggy, who has had her beady eye on Alice for months now.
Interesting insight into Joy this evening; although we've had glimpses before, such as when she admitted (to Tony I think) that Raquelle had no plans to bring the children to visit the other Christmas.
ReplyDeleteShe wants to be friendly and helpful, whether by nature or to guard against deepening depression, but has struggled to find her niche in Ambridge. I hope she find working for the helpline fulfilling.
I'd also like to hear more of her and Elizabeth together. There's the possibility of a good friendship and mutual support there.
As for Alice : (
Not sure what to make of her feelings for Martha. I know she was adamant she didn't want children, and the pregnancy was certainly not planned. But, especially when Martha finally started feeding properly, there were signs of real tenderness and love. I think she's deliberately suppressing any feelings she has for the child in order to shield herself from pain. She knows it's a choice between baby and drink, and at present the drink is shouting louder.
Brian is, so far, proving worse than useless. Let's hope Jenny steps up to the mark and ensures Alice gets the help and support she so clearly needs.
She knows it's a choice between baby and drink, ......drink is shouting louder.
DeleteThat's a really perceptive description OwaS.
And ' at present' suggests Hope !
Spicycushion ,did you notice Elizabeth made a grammatical error last night?
ReplyDeleteWhen she was talking to Joy she said ................."to" (or it may have been "for") Nigel and I.
Yes I did! It's is something that David and Tony do to! Perhaps it's the scriptwriters or they think we all do it!
DeleteThe 'Mustardland' webste had a whole 'thread' of complaints about it!
Spicy: Is the Mustardland blog still open?
DeleteYes I follow it up with my Archer's Blog every morning. However the main complaints is about how many mistakes they make about character, real life procedures and scriptwriting. But it is always nice when I agree with someone!!
DeleteIt alwaysseems something of a contradiction to me when listened say they want the programme to be a breather from real life - then complain when it doesn’t follow real life procedures!
DeleteSpicy, I just went and had a look at Mustardland but it seems very complicated to use and full of different things to do and rules and regulations. So I don’t think I’ll go any further. Should probably have joined years ago and would be used to it by now!
DeleteLanJan, it's an example of hypercorrection.
DeleteElizabeth knows she shouldn't say 'Me and Nigel loved hiding in his Mr Whippy ice cream van' and from that has deduced that it is correct to say 'The Mr Whippy ice cream van was a very special place for Nigel and I'. I'll leave you decide whether either sentence should ever be said, even with the correct pronouns.
She belongs to the generation that was not taught English grammar at school - at the time we were moving from the prescriptive grammar or Fowler and his ilk to the more descriptive grammar favoured by David Crystal.
Fortunately, these days children are once more taught how to use language effectively and clearly. This, I hope, includes a clear understanding of 'subject' and 'object', together with their correct pronouns.
(Come to think of it, Elizabeth was never the model pupil, was she? If she had been taught English grammar, she probably wouldn't have paid much attention anyway.)
PatriciaC, OWiAS, Maryellen, I concur.
ReplyDeleteAlmost a one-liner.
😉
Me too! 5 letters, almost!
DeleteI agree.
DeleteI have just listened to last nights programme on Radio 4 “All in the Mind” (via Sounds)
ReplyDeleteIt had a discussion about the psychological aspects of listening to, or watching, soap operas, with The Archers taken as a prime example.
Archers listeners were interviewed about how and why they listen and what they get out of it.
Very interesting but I don’t think it had any world shattering insights.
Agreed Archerphile, interesting but a little disappointing as so much puffing about it on R4.
DeleteSo did I Archerphile and I don't fall into the categories outlined.
DeletePatriciaC - I have read your comment about me and will reply later.
PatriciaC - This really belongs on the other blog, but you posted here. In answer to your accusation of "bullying" - if it is such then I expect to be reprimanded by the blog administrator. I believe he can access posts removed.
ReplyDeleteHere are the facts: Miriam posted about Jennifer not seeing her grandchildren who are in South Africa and now the situation with Martha, she later added Xander, being the son of her first born. She later posted for the third time with the words to the effect: sorry, forgot not to post, apologies, it won't happen again.
"Old habits die hard" was meant that she should carry on posting without apologising. I had no issue with the content, format or the NUMBER of her posts.
I welcomed her back here and on the other blog addressing her by name which she said was greatly appreciated, you can read for yourself. I also said there was no need for warnings or excuses.
I counted 8 posts under my name yesterday which is unusual.
For some reason I sensed on the BBC blog that we didn't get on. I think it goes back to the time when Emma visited the Dower House, was impressed by the curtains and asked Justin what colour they were, he replied that to him they were brown but Lilian called them taupe. I made a comment to the effect that I was glad Justin told Emma what's what. You wanted to know what I meant by that. I didn't reply. You persisted, something about being dense not to understand my point, by then I felt slightly irritated, so didn't reply. Let me tell you now. I had no idea what taupe was, something to do with a mouse, which is correct, so I was glad Justin called it by its proper name.
I don't receive replies to all my questions here and I move on.
I don't know why you singled me out but don't expect a reply.
I don't expect others to comment either.
Miriam, carry on posting.
Oh, for Goodness sake everyone, get a life and stop being “sore affronted” as they used to say in the Beano!
DeleteArcherphile- The Mustardland sight has recently been altered, about Christmas time I think.
ReplyDeleteit seemed very difficult at first but I just post and sometimes answer but I haven't yet edited anything . I wouldn't know how. Many more men post there and sometimes they have knowledge of court proceding and solicitor things. I also prefer facebook if I am bored. Sometimes they are a bit hyperactive in following the story but they all seem to enjoy it!
Thanks Spicy, I might have another look. I’m got a bit fed up with the FB site I used to use, so just stick to the Official BBC Archers page nowadays.
DeleteUnbelievable, father and daughter in unison!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Rex is not aware that it's mainly thanks to Vince that his pigs are where they are.
Vince was indirectly getting one up on David Archer. Plus he now has Rex in his clutches.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s episode, with two of my most listenable-to characters, Kate and Emma, and the satisfaction of Brian Aldridge being forced to hear some home truths - first by his daughter with her riposte about poisoning the Am and then, in a brilliant performance, by Emma. More, please!
Well done Emma.
ReplyDeleteLoved it.
Christopher is lucky to have such a strong woman as a sister.
I think Brian was starting to think there might be some truth in what Emma was saying, but Kate persuaded him otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI've never before heard such on TA !
ReplyDeleteMaryellen is this one of the new writers ?
( I rely on you for knowing this sort of thing)
It was BRILLIANT !
At last Emma, at last.
I'm very pleased she kept a lid on it for so long, because right now it's far more effective.
________________________
Despite Ev's plea above, .......
I do think I need to justify my use of - inane - since so many objected to it. Miriam often finishes her posts with the words ' just my silly thoughts ' which is one of the habits that many of us ( Basia in particular) have told her isn't necessary, because she should have the confidence to post her thoughts as the rest of us do.
Well folks... I'm sure you all know very well that - silly - insignificant- inane - all have the same meaning.
Same meaning, different words.
Miriam chooses to use silly, I chose inane.
...and I described the one-liners as 'inconsequential', by which I meant a propos of nothing in particular.
DeleteThat’s an ingenious argument, Mrs P, but a hollow one. The words you quote have different nuances, and besides,, there is a considerable difference between calling one’s post silly oneself, and someone else calling the post inane. The first is diffidence, the other is an insult.
DeleteRe the scriptwriter for Emma’s magnificent outburst last night, it’s Spicycushion who I regard as the expert here, although I’m sure others are equally clued up. I felt Brian was in the same position as Jennifer previously - wanting to believe there wasn’t a problem but not quite able to......
What a wonderful performance from Emerald O’Hanrahan - to keep true to Emma’s distinctive accent throughout a really blistering outburst was acting at its best.
ReplyDeleteAs Emma said, she had been quiet for too long and everything she has been bottling up burst forth in a heartfelt attack on Brian and then Kate.
Thoroughly enjoyable and I too thought Brian was starting to have doubts about Alice until Kate intervened. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
I felt sure Brian was having second thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAnd if he had those thoughts once, but was persuaded otherwise by Kate, he can, and likely will, have those thoughts again.
The two scriptwriters this week are Helen Aitken and Sarah Hehir.
ReplyDeleteThere's a feature about Helen on the website.
Together with Emerald O'Hanrahan she takes credit for Emma's performance yesterday.
"I see Emma in 50 years as the new Peggy Woolley of Ambridge."
Thanks Basia.
DeleteI will look at the website.
I have been noting the new names of scriptwriters, and on the whole am pleased with how they are taking the storylines forward.
I like the idea of Emma taking on the baton from Peggy, as she took it forward from her mother Mrs P of course.
Basia, I've looked on the website but I can't find the feature. Could you tell me where to find it, please? Thanks in advance.
DeleteYes Sarah Hehir has only been writing 8 episodes in 2020 so she must be a newbie. She has one several awards and has written some episodes for Doctors on BBc1.
ReplyDeleteExcellent performances.
Sadly Brian was just about to believe in Emma's ranting but then Kate changed his mind!
Sometimes I use substitute words when I can't remember the exact words. 'Inane' and 'silly' although they have similar meaning, they can have slightly different reasons. However one is acceptable in place of another. I Have just looked up inane and the meaning is "silly, foolish, stupid etc"
So MrsP was certainly correct in her assumption.
Thank you Spicey.
DeleteI agree with others that Emma's rant was well acted and certainly valid. Brian was indeed just beginning to listen and have doubts when Kate inserts herself and disregards Emma's speech totally. What I find difficult to accept is that Jennifer, who has moved in with Alice, has not had a serious conversation with her husband to put him in the picture as to the seriousness of the situation.
ReplyDeleteOwias and anyone else interested: From avid fan to Archers writer, if you scroll down, on the right side of the home page, cakes and teacups, you can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you Basia. I assumed it was a more recent article so would be near the top.
DeleteThe cakes look nice - are they Jill's, do you think?
Could be Emma's too, she is to become the next matriarch apparently.
DeleteAt first it was concerned Jennifer but Brian talked her out of it, then the repeat performance, Brian having doubts and Kate stepping in.
ReplyDeleteAnneveggie, I think it'll be a long process before everybody understands the seriousness of it. As MrsP said, Christopher takes Alice's behaviour as a personal affront. First it was Alice's alcoholism, which is an illness in itself and now her rejection of Martha.
Kate and Brian were taking it lightly last night, Jennifer moving in with Alice and he's the one who needs looking after. We are still to hear from Peggy.
I’m not quite sure about Alice rejecting Martha. I know she never wanted children and was not happy to find herself pregnant, it was quite a shock I think.
ReplyDeleteBut she did seem to find her maternal instinct once feeding Alice was successful. The move onto formula was presumably so that she could drink without harming the baby but I find it hard to believe she truly wants nothing more to do with Martha.
So do I, but she's said Martha and Christopher are better off without her, at least for the time being. Will she have enough will power and help to overcome her addiction or will she succumb to it?
DeleteWhen Alice said to Christopher that he and Martha were better off without her, I heard defensiveness in her tone. Loud and clear.
DeleteShe believes it when she says it, because it lets her off the hook, and offers her an escape hatch
And believe you me, I'm understanding here, not being unkind.
As for Archerphile's point, twice made now, ( yes, I heard you AP ) I agree, there was a softness and gentleness in her when Martha finally latched on.
I wonder if this was written with a mind to a future reexamination of Alice's attachment to the baby.
Thank goodness Alice has told Jennifer, it’s not the end , it’s not the beginning of the end but it is the end of the beginning. Hopefully she can start moving towards recovery with the help of her family. But I am not sure if Chris will give her another chance, I think it will get very acrimonious between the Aldridge’s and the Carter’s.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed listening to Rauri with Alice, maybe there is still hope for him.
I agree with KP above, hopefully the end of the beginning.
ReplyDeleteJennifer is not known for her tact, but it will be interesting to see how she tackles the Carter family, who will be out in force to protect Christopher.
And they have Martha too. What's the expression ? Possession is ???? Of the law ?
However IMO Neil Carter is THE most wonderful caring man, but he is also a pragmatist and I shall hope that he will bring all the heads together and gently knock them into shape.
All I want is for the Carters + Aldriges to totally unite. This is to give Alice the help she desparatley needs, along with the much needed support for Chris.
ReplyDeleteAlcoholism affects all family members in differing ways. These need to join together in an amicable way.
I so wish for a lovely new Ambridge family - Chris, Alice + Martha together, and going to the IOW on holiday.
Miriam, I agree that in real life we would hope both families could work together. But I suspect the script writers will want to wring a lot more drama from the situation and conflict will flourish for a while yet.
ReplyDeleteWell done Rauri! I'd never have predicted he'd be the one to seek to help Alice. Although he was supportive to for Ben the other week when he was worried about telling Ruth and David of his nursing plans. He seems to be growing up with a wise head on his shoulders.
ReplyDeleteSo Alice has finally admitted to her mother that she has a problem. The challenge now for Jenny will be to be supportive and encouraging without going in like a bull in a china shop and trying to run Alice's life for her. She does have a tendency to take over somewhat.
Not only has Alice admitted to her mother that she is an alcoholic - I felt that it was the first time she had admitted it to herself.
ReplyDeletePerhaps now she can start taking the many small steps to recovery...
The other good thing tonight was hearing how Rex and Josh buried the hatchet and actually seemed to get on well, with them ending up helping each other.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, it was a very satisfying episode all round.
An episode full of support and kindness tonight. Although it won’t be easy to get Chris, Susan and Emma on board. Neil? well he may well be the bridge builder over time 🤞🏼
ReplyDeleteUm, it's just a thought, but what about the legal aspect of all this and Alice's access to Martha? Do social services have to be involved? Would Alice's connections with Martha have to be supervised? Chris has said that Martha is not safe with her in the hearing of others - could this lead to something more official?
ReplyDeleteYour correct bufo9 I would think.
DeleteNot sure, but I would think that families are not legally entitled to take these sort of decisions without some form of supervision or acknowledgement of the situation from the local authority or a court action.
But then, who informs these authorities in the first place ?
The only personal experience of this sort of situation I've had, was when the headmaster of the child's school contacted the grandmother, my friend, and the headmaster contacted social services. The formal arrangement for the child to be transferred to the care of grandmother was then supervised by them.
But this is a baby.
If Christopher is making the decisions and Alice does not agree to those decisions then I suppose some authority is required to intervene and supervise.
Others on this blogwill know more, I'm sure.
I think, as you say Mrs P, that the family can make their own arrangements. If they were to let Alice have contact with Martha on her own that would be very worrying, but the way this storyline is going it is unlikely the Carters would allow that.
DeleteAt least Jennifer now knows about Alice’s problem.
ReplyDeleteIt will take her some time to realise what she can do to help and what she can’t do.
At the moment Jennifer thinks she can make everything ok.
This is not so.
Good luck Jennifer finding out how you can actually help Alice
I should imagine contacting an organisation such as Al-anon (hope that’s right) would help. And Chris should join too. I believe they help relatives of alcoholics.
DeleteOf course Jennifer might not want to do that as it would be admitting Alices’s problems outside the immediate family.
Or, more privately, she could speak to Peggy who had personal experience with Jennifer’s father.
Alanon is one very useful W ay for families to understand what they can do to help.
DeleteI understand that it helps people to keep them self safe, so they don’t get drawn into the drinker’s games/nonsense/downward spiral.
There are other support groups too.
SMART is very helpful for anyone who doesn’t like the AA model.
I understand that there are groups for addicts but also for their supporters
Jennifer’s positivity balances Christopher’s negativity. She is essentially a pragmatist, and well equipped to research and take advantage of the various sources of help available to alcoholics and their families.
DeleteI am not sure what help Peggy can be, other than offering moral support. She didn’t succeed in helping her husband turn his life round back in the day. That may have been because he was impossible to help, and/or because all her energy was directed at keeping the family afloat by taking over the running over The Bull, and bringing up her daughters. At least Jenny doesn’t have those preoccupations.
Why wasn't Alice, after the birth of Martha and on being discharged from hospital, where all was known, referred to the local CDAT?
ReplyDeleteThis is the NHS service, known as the Community Drug and Alcohol Team, who visit clients in their homes to support + help. They do brilliant work.
DeleteChris, Alice + Martha might not be in the situation that they now are.
Two possible reasons, Miriam.
Delete1. Lack of funding or personnel
2. The script writers thought it would make a more dramatic storyline for Chris and Alice to cope alone.
I imagine 2. was the correct answer. I suspect 1. is true for many real-life families : (
The script writers might not have known about it Miriam
DeleteWell they certainly should have known about it if the research had been done properly.
DeleteI would think the answer has been given correctly by OwiaS. A far more dramatic SL without intervention.
But it would be informative to those listening who might be in a similar situation to have heard about it the service available.
Just occurs to me that we haven’t had the ‘if you have been affected by anything you have heard’ message after an episode as we did during the Helen/Rob saga.
DeleteI wonder why?
It came after Thursdays episode AP if I’ve remembered correctly but I have definitely heard one.
DeleteHmm, that doesn’t sound like Ambridge!!
ReplyDeleteINTERLOPER ALERT, GARY!
Oh my! That brought a smile to my face AP! Hysterical.
DeleteHmm. Shall we all get back to talking about pigs and life drawing? ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I’d go to that class. I don’t think Russ has the imagination.
DeleteAnd I don’t think he would be able to get the pigs to cooperate with him over the pose he would insist upon
Delete****************************************************************************************************
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who has seen the "This may be a deceptive site and a phishing risk" when logging into the blog recently - it was an error by Blogger and we aren't/weren't alone. It was an error that they are aware of and have now hopefully fixed.
The consensus on the help/community section of Blogger Support appears to be that it was a one off and it eventually let everyone in afterwards without any problems, although quite a few other administrators reported the loss of one or two posts. I hope that this hasn't happened on our pages.
I registered with Mustardland but on inspection found it too complicated compared with this one or the old BBC blogs. I left an experimental post suggesting it was Joy’s tights, not her knickers (which seemed to be the general assumption) that Russ found in the changing space, but I think it got lost.
ReplyDeleteJoy said about ‘going commando’. That strongly supports the idea that it was her pants that she left behind
DeleteJust as well my suggestion got lost then. I find it difficult to believe but suppose the scriptwriters were playing to the gallery again.
DeleteI listened very intently to today's omnibus.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I picked upon, was just how supportive and understanding, Jennifer was with Alice, finally.
The other was that Alice, finally said "I am an alcoholic" and then decided that she was desparate, to hold + cuddle Martha again.
My only negative thought, is Vince. This was with Rex now at LL. I think Vince can see some-one to exploit, a mile off - and this includes Elizabeth.
Is Vince's daughter still planning to get married at LL?
I think the biggest problem of any and even simple, contact between Chris, Alice + Martha - will be Susan, or then feisty Emma.
I still hope Shula can help.
Yeah, I'm really not sure about Vince.
DeleteCertainly at the beginning it was clear that his interest in Elizabeth was sparked when David told him about her stately home.
But he doess seem to get on very well with Elizabeth. Perhaps she brings out the best in him.
After my 'highly accurate' assessment of Philip's character and sitting firmly on the fence on this one.
Ambridge hasn’t got a resident villain at the moment, so I think Miriam is right and Vince Casey is next in line for the job.
DeleteAah, but he could be a gentle villian, scheming but not too vindictice nor manipulative.
DeleteCould this be exit Ross - enter Vince?
All I hope is that Lizzie + LL, both go forward and not backwards.
But then, the SW's can be so cunning.
Hello Miriam, I also find the omnibus a good time to listen carefully.
DeleteI think that Ruairi talking with Alice was the reason she realised she wants to see Martha.
Ruairi was very mature and sensitive, well done Ruairi.
I’m not sure about Vince either. Maybe the SW are just toying with us.
I think the Beeb might have read my post on the 14th about there not being any help line numbers given out, as there were after Helen and Rob episodes
ReplyDeleteBecause, at the end of the Omnibus this morning, there it was. A help line number for people having problems with alcohol. If they were going to do this, it seems a bit late in the day to me.
Surely:- It has to be "Better Late than Never".
DeleteThings have been very strange over the last 16 months. It is encouranging that this has finally been done. The help-lines are now probablely in the position, to be able to help and give full support, once again.
This is my view only.
This is not TA related per se, but does highlight alcoholism, which relates to Alice.
On your original post I was going to re- post but got thoroughly confused about mixing words so I abandoned this!
DeleteI listened again to the repeat on Thursday about 8.00pm as we were having dinner and there was of the 'Warning and telephone line' straight after the Sounds listen.
Wonder if they are noting comments/suggestions from listeners.
I may have missed it because I don’t listen ‘live’ to the episodes, but late at night via Sounds. They rarely include the continuity remarks after the programme. Or maybe I just switched off too soon……or fell asleep! 😴
DeleteI meant to reply to Archerphile previous post re the 'warning'
DeleteI had heard it after the evening broadcast, I think more than once. Probably after a broadcast where Alice had featured, but certainly not every evening.
Perhaps it's an option open to the continuity on duty to broadcast or not.
Poor Neil, he and Susan are exhausted then having to listen to Emma in full flow, whilst I accept what she was saying she was haranguing the wrong person. That’s what husbands are for;)
ReplyDeleteThe three day break from Thursday to Monday means that the story progresses in our absence which makes it slightly harder to keep up IMO. Hopefully we can get back to five episodes soon.
Bravo Neil! Emma needed telling, she is not helping anyone by constantly haranguing Alice or anyone else. One big row on Brian’s doorstep was enough, now just get on with helping Chris, and your Mum and Dad to care for Martha.
ReplyDeleteEmma immediately apologised to Neil and promised to be more constructive - knowing Emma, she means it. At last FAS has been mentioned.
DeleteOn a lighter note, Neil’s office skills seem to have made a remarkable improvement!
We have talked about FAS on here so much, I hadn't realised that it hadn't actually been mentioned in TA itself Maryellen
DeleteThanks for pointing that out.
Brian really has got his head stuck in the sand, hasn't he? He simply won't, or can't accept that his golden girl has a problem with drink.
ReplyDeleteJennifer needs to talk to Brian about alcoholism and how it affects so many. After all she knows all about personally, as with her Mum + Dad - Peggy + Jack.
DeleteThey need to talk about the consequences, and what these will mean to both Alice, and to their newest grand-daughter.
I bet Alice will soon be in an expensive re-hab unit, paid for by her doting dad, Brian.
I thought that FAS had been mentioned before.
ReplyDeleteIn my recall, this was with the midwife, in their first video call, soon after Alice knew she was pregnant. The midwife, mentioned and discussed this.
My other thought is, can Chris, Susan, Neil etc actually prevent Alice from seeing Martha?
This seems harsh on Alice, regardless of her alcoholic syndrome.
If they are so worried, then they need to get advice..
I’m sorry I didn’t make myself clearer. I meant any reference to FAS in relation to Martha by peope who knew the situation ad the risk, otherthan her parents and healthcare professionals.
DeletePoor Neil. He did sound broken hearted and he was right to tell Emma to stop the ranting. Poor Susan too, trying to cope with everything and then making mistakes in her work.
ReplyDeleteBrian really does seem incapable of confronting anything difficult concerning Alice.
Brian not confronting anything difficult period Anneveggie.
DeleteHe didn't confront his affair and the difficulties arising when involved with Siobhan, and I'm sure I can recall certain difficulties with another daughter Debby.
Charming men eh !
I wonder if Clarrie knows, that she is now working alone in The Dairy?
ReplyDeleteSusan is now on extended compassionate leave - at the same time Helen is busy moving home.
This doesn't seem realistic nor fair, as Clarrie is involved with her + Eddie's Wedding Renewal ceremony, which has to be imminent.
Well done Helen (of course it is mental health week) so I guess this SL has been leading up to it.
ReplyDeleteEven so nice to hear her compassionate side. Also good to hear June Spencer now only 3 weeks away from her 102nd birthday!!
Just heard on the news that the Government is considering paying older farmers to retire because they are unlikely to adapt to new greener methods of farming. A £50,000 lump sum has been mentioned.
ReplyDeleteAre the any farmers in Ambridge who might qualify, I wonder?
The older farmers like Brian and even David have young family able to take over their farms as in Tony’s case when he “retired” and I think Brian has retired too (?) so I can’t think of anyone else but others may be able to name some 🤔
DeleteI know it applies to tenant farmers but not sure about those who own their farms.
DeleteThis was an item discussed on the World at One today
DeleteApparently most farmers would be eligible for around £50,000 but it’s capped at £100,000for farms with huge acreage. It’s supposed to compensate for the EU farm subsidies that they will no longer get.
DeleteIf the farmer and what family still living at home are in tied property, 50K or 100K would be unlikely to buy another suitable property.
DeleteQuick test only, and know I am on wrong page, but didn't want to interrupt the ongoing chat.
ReplyDeleteStill testing, so ignore.
DeleteI will be listening to TA tonight, as normal, and can't wait to see what the SW's will tease us with next.
ReplyDeleteMiriam your picture has gone now to be replaced with the orange B. Bup had been seeing the photo of what I had thought was a doll for several weeks.
DeleteWell that Alice is going to solve everyone's problem.
ReplyDeleteThrowing a brick through the shop window will ensure your arrest for criminal damage.
Harrison ?
Brian, get your check book out. It will be a heavy fine !
Surely Alice would not have tried to get vodka from the village shop where her mother in law could turn up as well ,as other family members , at any time.
ReplyDeleteShe had the car .
She would have shopped somewhere she wasn't known.
Incidentally why has Christopher not taken the car keys from her?
Sorry it doesn't add up to me
Lan Jan - I think Alice was high on the lack of drink! She was perfectly sensible when speaking to Jim but she then started raving (as with when she left in the bathroom at the cottage.) She was also nasty to Emma and at Joe Grundy's funeral tea.
DeleteShe gets really wild when her wishes are not fulfilled.
I do wish that Brian will sometimes catch her at it, also Jennifer too,
as she told Peggy that Chris 'enabled her' to drink.
I wondered if she drove the car and hit someone or whether she drove the car into a shop or threw a brick.
But now Jim has witnessed it someone else apart the Archer's and Carters have seen what a nasty piece of work that Alice is!
I thought it sounded like Alice driving her car into the shop, no doubt we’ll find out tomorrow. I hope the shop has CCTV.
ReplyDeleteI think it has been mooted here that Alice might harm or even kill her self, which I hope doesn’t happen. I would expect Brian and Jennifer to pay for more re-hab and ongoing support, there is an opportunity for a real time story here, which could also explore Chris’s difficulties as a single parent.
Alice used to buy her vodka in the way LanJan suggests, so I suspect this scene was intended as ‘ dilemma drama’ and bring Jim back into the frame (yet again!).
DeleteMaryellen - dilemma drama ? - never heard that one before, but it certainly fits the bill.
DeleteAgree absolutely !
Goodness! What on Earth happened at the end of the episode?
ReplyDeleteI thought Susan had collapsed and brought a shelf of bottles down with her, but now I read here that it might have been a brick through the window, or even Alice driving into the shop!
Hopefully, if it was Alice taking revenge, it will bring matters to a head. Alice will be taken away, either into custody or into a rehab centre and her half-believing family will finally see how bad the situation is.
And surely somebody should be taking steps to ensure Martha’s
safety and decide officially where and with whom she is going to live until Alice is safe enough to look after her again. Should someone be contacting social services?
Both father and mother have parental responsibility, so as long as the child is being cared for by one of the parents there should be no external interference. If it came to a divorce the court might want to know about custody arrangements. An amicable arrangement is always the preferred one.
DeleteI think that there would only be outside involvement if Alice or her parents pressed legally for set contact times when it would quickly become apparent that Alice could only have contact if there was a responsible adult present as well, and Jenny and Brian would not be suitable because they would let her take Martha out by herself.
In my earlier life I sometimes had to facilitate and accompany the visits of children to an unstable parent or parents, but there must be many many cases where families just get on with it and make their own arrangements.
P.s. I haven't listened to yesterday's episode yet, but it sounds dramatic.
DeleteThank you for your reply Janice. You sound very knowledgeable and have clarified some of my thoughts. I was thinking back to Helen’s battle to look after her children and how social services got involved, but of course the circumstances were rather different.
DeleteWell I didn’t expect that ending! I thought Alice would get in her car and at some point have a crash and then Susan and Jim would be “riddled” with guilt. I can’t believe Alice is not having any home visits for baby / her following all her known problems, but maybe home checks don’t happen anymore (?) maybe she will have to be sectioned in order to get the help she clearly and seriously needs.
ReplyDeleteI know it’s been difficult for Chris but his offhand attitude and the confrontation they had ending up with Alice being thrown out has precipitated her demand for vodka to soothe herself down. It has become a must have hence her belligerent attitude to Jim. The relationship between Chris and Alice seems at present to be at the point of no return and it is a pity he can’t see that she needs his help to get out of this pit and not continued criticism.
DeleteSorry Ev, I can’t agree that Chris has been off hand with Alice at all.
DeleteMaybe his fault has been being too gullible when she assures him she has stopped drinking. It would be extremely difficult for Chris to remain working ( which he must do, or risk loosing his business), caring for Martha and keeping a constant check on Alice to ensure she is not drinking and endangering the baby.
I think he did the only thing he could by taking Martha to his parents house.
Yes, I agree that he did the right thing by taking Martha away and maybe giving himself a break but I just think he could be more helpful and encouraging to Alice now. She is trying but is still extremely gullible.
DeleteI am in sympathy with Evs opinion that Chris was offhand with Alice. He was cold to the point of ice, but I do understand why. He is steeling himself every time he has to confront Alice.
DeleteAnd confront is the key here IMO. Because he is so fearful of how and what A might do. But he is also protecting himself emotionally as clearly Chris is in turmoil.
And Archerphile, yes, he realises that he has been gullible in believing her in the past and now cannot trust her or his own feelings towards her.
Add to that the guilt he must feel knowing that Alice is correct when she says he enabled her to drink whilst in their happy ten year period of a convivial lifestyle.
It is not at all difficult to understand that every meeting between the two of them will be confrontational and Martha will pick up on the emotional charge in the atmosphere and cry.
Alice's behaviour yesterday reminded me of a friend who had a problem with alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI suggested once that she should ask the local shops and off license to refuse to serve her. Her response was that the state she got herself into meant that the shop keepers would be putting themselves in danger by refusing to serve her.
Yes, Spicy, Alice is nasty and spiteful. But I'm not sure how much of that is Alice and how much is the addiction that has got hold of her. Either way, she needs help, pdq.
And so does Chris. The poor guy is struggling with so many worries - safety for his daughter, first and foremost; pain at the car crash of his marriage; exhaustion trying to look after Martha and hold down his job; anger at Alice; probably guilt in that, as Alice said, they both were inclined to drink too much; fear about potential FAS; and goodness what else besides. Probably there is, under all that, pity and love for Alice too, but at the moment those feelings are being smothered. As has already been said, he needs to sign up to AlAnon or similar. He needs support and peace of mind, for his own sake, for Martha and, hopefully, so he can know how best to respond to Alice.
Absolutely agree. He needs support so that he can give her support. I’m not underestimating the effect on him. Marriage is all about mutual support or it should be.
ReplyDeleteOWIAS
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and I agree.
Chris does need to understand so much more, as do many others.
About a year ago, all TA was broadcasting were the Monologues.
ReplyDeleteNow we have this distressing, disturbing and upsetting S/L
It is certainly one extreme to another.
Isn't Neil a lovely man?
ReplyDeleteHe'll be a much better support for Alice than Brian 'Where's my chequebook?' Aldridge.
Totally agree with both points.
DeleteYes, Neil is a good bloke (though he’s fallen from grace on a couple of occasions in my estimation), Just not got a GSOH.
Deletemaryellen, he's married to Susan - I suspect a GSOH is a necessary survival trait! Perhaps it all gets used up in forebearance, that's why we rarely hear evidence of it.
DeleteSo it was a brick.
ReplyDeleteAnd now at last...... Social Services.
I wonder ?
Would it have been the police to have reported it.
Or Jazzer. Who has first hand understanding of the child's position.
Sickening damage limitation. Poor Susan (and Jim).
ReplyDeleteOk so everyone has forgiven Alice who right now seems genuinely appalled by her own behaviour but without ongoing professional help this will not last as of course she will always at best be a recovering alcoholic. Thursdays ending of course has either ensured her next no drinking challenge is with her right now or a wake up call to get said help. Brian would be better spending his money for this and let the shop insurance pay out for the broken window. Obviously not a double glazed one by the sound of the breaking glass and where did the handy brick clone from?
ReplyDeleteGood point Lady R - I shouldn’t have thought there would be any handy bricks laying around outside the shop!
DeleteCould that have been the Thursday cliffhanger? Was the brick lying around or did Alice bring it withher???🙂
DeleteI too was wondering who informed Social Services.
ReplyDeleteIf it was the police, how would they know that Alice, in the police station for chucking a brick, had a baby?
Might it have been Harrison, who informed his colleagues of her situation?
Or was it some other bystander or do-gooder in the village
I realise I am being picky here, but there are several aspects of last nights episode that haven’t been explained - yet.
Or maybe someone had repoted her earlier and the timing was just coincidental.
DeleteYes Archerphile it was a Friday cliffhanger on a Thursday 🤣
DeleteAnd a good one.
DeleteI am looking forward to a true FRIDAY cliffhanger again. 🤞
Fallon??
ReplyDeleteIf it was Fallon, well done that woman.
DeleteI was also confused, as to how the window was broken. Now all is known.
ReplyDeleteAlice must have found that brick very quickly + easily, to have thrown it, in such a short time-space.
I wonder where it came from. It was obviously laying around and yet no-one saw it, as it was a trip hazard or similar.
Am I right in that, Tom + Natasha are stilling living in the flat, above the shop?
Not sure.
As to the alert to Social Services - my suspect is Emma or Susan.
'Tis obvious - the Ambridge Building Fairy left the brick there in case it was ever needed ; )
Delete....but could it be Jim?
DeleteI realistically don't think so, but after his experiences as a youngster, would he have done this as a type of help, for Alice, Chris + Martha?
That Ambridge Fairy, certainly loves to stir things up, to suit her ideas! I bet she has a great big wooden spoon to stir things up, along with her magical wand.
DeleteHer Wand needs to be used, to give happiness to some, and unlock those, who have not been heard from for ages.
Pat, Hannah, Bert, Oliver, Tom - to name just a few.
...and where is Toby, with his future plans, now that he has sold his "Scruff Gin" enterprise (poor Lilian)..
DeleteThis is not important as to the current problems in Ambridge, which is very realised.
This person, as the father of Rosie, seems to have just vanished.