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Life in Ambridge
(With apologies to Leonardo da Vinci)
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Life in Ambridge
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ReplyDeleteBasia - July 4, 2021 at 4:44 PM
I don't like listening to Joy and I'm not looking forward to finding out more about her, but will accept it as she is now a resident of Ambridge, I also assume her story has been written recently.
What I don't like is the past story of the old characters being told and written now, just to give some more background to suit the current storyline.
Miriam - July 5, 2021 at 5:34 PM
I still cannot work out the Lily + Russ relationship.
It seems that Russ is cooling off, and just doesn't want another full-on commitment. This is in case it messes up his artistic "skill", yet again.
All I would like is for Lily to realise, that she can have another life/relationship, which would be far more suited to her.
Miriam - July 5, 2021 at 8:25 PM
So Alice has categorically said, that she no longer wants any contact with, either her husband Chris or her daughter, Martha.
Is this entirely true, or is it just her excuse, to keep up her alcoholic usage...
I just cannot believe, that she no longer has any feelings at all, for Chris and Babe.
MrsP Ambridge - July 5, 2021 at 8:48 PM
A thoughtful episode tonight.
Alice developing some insight, Linda being slightly less than the bitch she can be.
Shula though being the bridge over the waters that might have become troubled.
Janice - July 6, 2021 at 9:34 AM
I noticed that Russ's artistic skills have been emphasised lately. Apparently his portrait of Lily was "exquisite" and really brought out her personality. Perhaps once he realises he can make a living doing this he will decide he needs to be living amongst other artists in a place like Brighton, and Lily will decide she couldn't possibly abandon Lower Locksley.
Joy's voice sets me on edge in the same way that Ruth's "Mam's" used to.
ReplyDeleteThe very episode In which Joy first featured I made that exact observation Gary that Joy sounded just like Heather pet!
DeleteOh Lily,! Is that you at the top of the page?
ReplyDeleteDon’t think much of Russ’s artistic prowess!
Iris referred to Lily’s hair looking like spun gold in Russ’s beautiful portrait of her, and the Mona Lisa cartoon above has dark hair. Which would you rather have - a tenderly exquisite portrait or a proposal of marriage?
DeleteMaryellen - neither.
DeleteI do like the image Gary chose though.
I expect Lily would rather have had an enthusiastic proposal of marriage rather than a patronising laugh!
DeleteMe, I’d go for an Oscar Wilde type portrait, one where I remained forever young!
I don’t remember any patronising laugh. Sol clearly can’t compete with the portrait!
DeleteI listened to that scene twice and when Lily suggested marriage Russ most certainly laughed the idea off. Maybe patronising was the wrong word but it certainly wasn’t very kind.
DeleteI don’t think Lily heard it that way.
DeleteMy guess is that Lily was relieved. The way she phrased the question didn't sound as if she really wanted to.
DeleteMay I refer Maryellen to my post on July 2nd at 2.56.
DeleteI described Russ laugh as condescending and added that I didn't think Lily heard it that way.
Patronising or condescending- either way, it seems it was clear to a number of listeners, that it was a put down from Russ to Lily, his girl child.
And clear also that she did not hear or view it in the same manner.
I also agree with Janice, Alice was proposing the ideas of marriage since she didn't know where to take the conversation next, having cheated on Russ and suffering guilt for so doing, and then to find he had created a portrait of her.
As for that portrait that took all of 48 hours, I always understood portraiture to be a long haul, not a sprint.
I think Janice is right. Sol was there to remind Lily of her guilt and she was testing Russ as to where he wanted to go next.
DeleteAs for the portrait, there was the photograph, he transferred the image onto canvas. As I said before, why did he need the decree of his divorce to trigger his creativity.
Certainly you may refer me, Mrs P!
DeleteI guess we all hear what we want to hear, so those who are prejudiced against Russ (“a number of listeners”) will register negative attributes, which those prejudiced in his favour (me) won’t recognise. I definitely didn’t hear a put down and think girl child is an inappropriate description of his perception of Lily. Muse would be better. But more important is what Lily registered which we all agree wasn’t negative.
I don’t think the length of time spent on a portrait is an indicator of it’s merit. I was impressed by Russ’s humility In considering and agreeing with Iris’s suggested improvement.
'As for that portrait that took all of 48 hours, I always understood portraiture to be a long haul, not a sprint. '
DeleteYes, but when genius is at work we must expect to be amazed.
Or perhaps the residents of LL all need a trip to Barnard Castle.
I don't like this storyline at all. As predicted, Peggy portrayed as an arch villain, conspiring with Christopher to keep Martha away from Alice, and now grovelling before the whole family.
ReplyDeleteAlice renouncing all responsibility for her actions: they are better off without me.
I felt Peggy went far too over the top with her apologies. She did what she felt was right at the time and shouldn’t be castigated by Kate. OK Alice might have felt sidelined but it’s not up to Kate to interfere and almost rant at Peggy.
ReplyDeleteI thought she sounded like a sad and downtrodden old woman last night, not the feisty and confident woman we have become used to.
She should have stuck up for herself and told her 2 granddaughters to have some respect when speaking to her.
Did I mishear - I thought it was only Alice who spoke with Peggy, having stopped Kate from going?? It was a welcome change to hear Peggy apologising, she rarely does, even when an apology is merited. The important thing is that Alice understood and forgave her and ithen stopped Kate from going on about it - a sign of a less self-immersed and more responsive Alice emerging? (Isn’t it amazing that when one Ambridge resident goes to talk to another, they always find them in?)
DeleteIt may well have been me that misheard, or misunderstood. I assumed both girls spoke to Peggy but, listening late at night, I probably got it wrong.
DeleteIt’s true that Peggy seldom apologised in the past, but she has been doing a lot of it lately, including to Jennifer and Lilian about keeping the facts of their fathers death quiet.
She sounded so different last night, quite crushed with regret about what she had done.
Not like the Peggy of old who could be self-righteous and intolerant and always certain that she was right.
Perhaps this is what advanced old age does to you?
Kate wanted to have it out with Peggy before Alice decided to confront her and later when she got back. It was nice of Kate to have waited. Finding Peggy in is not surprising, considering her age. I was a bit confused about Kate turning up at the cottage and finding Alice there, who is staying with her parents.
DeletePeggy was sworn to secrecy by Christopher because Alice didn't want anyone to know.
Where she should have broken her promise was to refuse take part in a charade by pretending to have had a fall during Alice's baby shower. Now, towards the end of her life she is to supposed to take on the blame for everything that's happened in the family. 'Hind' is a very good 'sight'.
And so things go on.
ReplyDeleteI do not have any idea, as to how sincere, anyone is any more.
All I will say at this time is :-
1)Great Acting by all the cast
2)The SW's, for keeping us all guessing, with many red herrings.
I do not know who is, being sincere + truthfull.
GG. Again another blog heading.
ReplyDeleteThis I interpreted, as a true caricature of Lily.
Well sourced..🎨🖼
Missed a word, so this should read -
Deleteanother WONDERFUL blog heading.
At least Lynda was open with Fallon.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Kate with Jakob. She wants to move in with Jakob because she hates Peggy so much she can't stand to be near her. Peggy has enough money to fend for herself. What if they want to write Peggy out, the hateful member of the family will perish abandoned and they'll all be glad!
Wiĺl they?
DeleteTony, Lilian and Jennifer, will then lose their Mother.
That is not to be wished on anyone.
Miriam, please don't take me seriously, but Peggy's been portrayed recently as a villain!
DeleteShe may have been portrayed as such amongst her family but, though I’ve been very critical of her in the past, I don’t see her that way at all now.
DeleteI now see a very old woman full of regret for her past behaviour and longing to apologise and make peace with her family.
Some of whom might be prepared to forgive (Tony, Tom & Natasha for her generousity) but others (Kate, Jennifer, Lilian) who regard her with distain
Not a nice situation for her to be in, even if it is her own fault.
Personally I think it is time for Peggy to be gently written out of the story and sent to join her beloved Jack - wherever he is!
I expect that won’t happen until June Spencer herself makes the descision or goes to meet her maker.
Miriam - It is fiction! Peggy Woolley, Tony, Lilian and Jennifer are not real.
DeleteI feel about Peggy, much as Archerphile has written.
DeleteAnd I certainly agree that the time for her to be gone is more than with us.
But like AP and probably many others, I don't think JS will go until SHE decides to do so.
Just think though, she could and probably would be allowed to almost write the script for her own demise, as well as the emotional and financial fall out.
Wouldn't that be a magnificent way to say goodbye to a lifetime career and the legacy to leave behind.
I just wanted to say that Russ had an affair with a student of his (Lily) if I remember right. That is definitely wrong plus he was married at the time. He was also involved in covering up something about drugs. Sorry I can't remember all the details now. In my opinion these two facts make Russ a bad'un and, besides all that, he is so pretentious about art.
ReplyDeleteThe evil drug pusher was a certain F Pargetter.
DeleteI think the Vice-Principal turned a blind eye because he didn't want to upset the miscreant's sister.
I think that Peggy now needa a live-in housekeeper/cook. This person will also be her companion + carer, but must be a cat lover.
ReplyDeleteI know that this S/L has been done before, but this time there is a twist, of some sort.
This person might be male or female, but has a youngish son or daughter, with them.
Additional thoughts are that:-
Kate will then have to start paying rent
The housekeeper is not honest and so things start to happen.
This last scenario is often an occurence, when senior citizens can fall victim to their carers.
It would be a slow build-up.
Miriam - sorry to be pedantic but Kate already pays rent. Peggy negotiated it when Kate moved into The Lodge.
DeleteSorry. I thought that she was living rent free..as a kind gesture from Peggy.
DeleteMy brain cells, are obviously not working today..
As I remember, that’s rather what Kate was expecting. She was taken aback by Peggy’s more businesslike approach.
DeleteWhere are Jolene + Kenton at The Bull, with their themed Wimbledon afternoon strawberry teas, to then be followed by the football matches, with pie + chips??
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have heard a short interlude of these events or chats about these, rather than LL's Love Actually event, with Lily, Vince etc.
It is more normal Ambridge life in The Bull, which so needs to be heard.
And where are David + Ruth?
Oh, I don't know what to say, I think Brian did the right thing, but it was so hard for him and Alice too. I await further developments.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard, for both of them. I so agree.
DeleteI thought the voice of the Sandra at the rehab. place sounded a bit like Usha.
DeleteI am glad Brian didn't weaken and take her home.
I was surprised that Brian didn't give in and take her home.
DeleteA very well written and well acted, but very difficult to hear and act episode. Well done to both of them.
Janice I thought it was Debbie at first, then I thought it was another cast member that I couldn't identify, then finally I came to the conclusion that it was the actor herself ( Alice) doubling up.
I presume it was someone completely different.
I didn't like the notion that Alice was given the window with the best view.
I imagined a very large plate glass window.
I've had experience of being incarcerated in such a facility ( no not for being an alcoholic) and I know what sort of temptation can arise from having them in ones room.
Ohhh !
Huge joy emanating from the pub...... a close goal ? It's 8.40
I'm going shopping.
I normally prefer tennis but must admit the football was absolutely nail-biting with its extra time. I was puzzled, do you do your shopping at night then, or were you joking?
DeleteJanice
DeleteYes I go at about nine o'clock, very few people about and I'm able to whiz round with my list in my head.
I was surprised last night to see several men, no women though.
So those there probably not interested like me, in the football.
That was a very hard listen. I expect it was well researched and therefore an accurate description of what can happen when a reluctant patient is taken to such a facility.
ReplyDeleteVery well handled by Brian and another example of how devious an alcoholic can become in their reluctance to give up drinking. I kept thinking, thank goodness Jennifer didn’t go with them, she would have become distraught.
Now we have to see whether Alice will stay the course or will find a way of escaping and returning to her alcoholic addiction.
ReplyDeleteThere may be a few set backs but I reckon eventually things will work out well for Alice.
There may be a hiccup when she is much older but that'll be after my time so I don't need to worry about that.
Sandra was played but Hannah Young and I suspect she doubled up as the other woman who took Alice to her room, because there is no one else listed. We haven't heard from Usha and Debbie for a long time, but they both have very characteristic voices which I would recognise straightaway.
ReplyDeleteI have just read on an Archers Facebook site that Carole Boyd (Lynda) has been coping with Cancer. Does anyone know if this is true? Apparently she mentioned it during an interview on Radio 3, but I didn’t hear it myself.
ReplyDeleteAll I 've found out is that she'll be on Private Passions with Michael Berkeley on Sun 18 July at 12:00. The script says what we already know, that she's a carer for her husband Patrick after a major stroke. I'm not very musical and don't listen to Radio 3, but if true perhaps she'll talk about it.
DeleteI am not, nor ever have been a fan of Brian, but last night, had my total admiration
ReplyDeleteThis must have been so difficult for him, but his head ruled his heart + emotions,
but then, he has done this many times before.
It was different this time though, as it was so very personal affecting his "princess", rather than a business deal or decision.
I wonder if this will affect his attitude towards Adam?
I remember when Brian stepped in and sent William to Gloucestershire, so he wouldn't have to see the happy couple getting back together.
ReplyDeleteThey keep pushing Shula and Neil together, he's her handy man now. No wonder Susan is annoyed.
Susan needs a quiet work time, in The Dairy with Clarrie, her close friend. Clarrie can talk to her, in the same way that her hubbie Eddie, did with Brian.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the conversation between Brian and Eddie with Eddie being so sympathetic and understanding. He tried hard to reassure Brian and Brian really sounded heartbroken.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity that Susan's got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Neil's just desperate to get away from baby care for a short while and now all hell's breaking loose with Susan over that. Both Neil and Susan have my sympathy in such a difficult and demanding situation.
....but why is Susan still limiting access to Brian + Jennifer, seeing Martha, their only grand-daughter, particularly that Alice is now away.
DeleteSurely, as Martha's father, Chris should be making this possible.
The share of child-care, should be made more open to suit them all.
Then there are Aunty Kate + Aunty Emma.
Susan, is just being selfish, even though she seems to be struggling, along with juggling her many jobs.
I wish Susan would stop being so dictatorial, with regards to Martha.
At least, this means, Joy has her chance as to the Ambridge Fete.
Oops. I forgot about Nollie, a grand daughter from Kate.
DeleteI correct myself 😂
And Phoebe : )
DeleteChristopher is the one and only reason why Susan doesn't Jennifer involved. He has said that Martha shouldn't be with Jennifer and that's the way it should be.
ReplyDeleteIf I left my child with a relative and they introduced her to someone I didn't like then I would be furious too.
Anyway probably a fourth month old baby might very well stop feeding in the middle of the night.
Apologies. I obviously have missed that bit of information. I just thought, it was just Alice, Chris didn't want to be involved with Martha.
DeleteThank-you for correcting me. I always get things wrong!
I wonder if the residents of Ambridge know that the England 🏴 Football Team are playing in the Euro Final this evening! As previously questioned will The Bull be showing THE match….
ReplyDeleteEither way I think one of two different outcomes have or will be slotted in for tomorrow nights broadcast!
Yes, and I can imagine Lynda watching Wimbledon. It was such a good match I hope they do comment on it.
DeleteAn "up-to-date" slot in??
DeleteI have my doubts, but who knows.
I say this, as other momentous and recent occasions, have not been included.
Let's hope, that this time it will be very different.
How sad that Ruthy's original blog idea, is not as used, as she intended.
ReplyDeleteBy that I mean, where are the interesting discussions about TA.
I so agree in that, the episodes are not as they were before Covid, but there is still plenty to discuss + enjoy.
This sadly is not now happening.
May I also make a comment that, all are entitled to their opinions as to TA.
Replies and comments are expected + so accepted, even if critical.
These are always constructive.
It’s always seemed to me that the blog reflects the programme. When TA loses its interest, so does the blog. Hopefully the blog will pick up when the programme does.
DeleteMaryellen
Delete✔️✔️
So no one in Ambridge watched The Euro Final just 31 million other people. When our Queen passes 😕 I wonder if even then an insert into TA will be managed !
DeleteI found the talk between Ben + Ruth, very sincere, heartfelt and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteRuth telling her son, about her problems, and the how the nurses cared + helped, was just lovely.
Ben should do well. I hope so.
It seems that Ben now has a true and meaningful, vocation.
DeleteIf Shula is going for ordination, then Ben can do the same with nursing. It is a tribute to the NHS...
...and to think, this all began when Leonard showed him the photo, when he got his 1st covid vaccine.
DeleteOut of acorns....etc.
I thought the simplest solution was to let him stay at Grange Farm and take him to the wedding on time.
ReplyDelete...but why didn't Eddie check the limo, after the last drop off?
DeleteThat'll teach him a lesson - there's no such thing as easy money!
DeleteWas it really 21years since Ruth had breast cancer? It hadn’t occurred to me that was before Ben was born.
ReplyDeleteI sort of enjoyed that episode. A little bit over the top with the ‘aren’t our NHS nurses wonderful’ theme, which almost felt as if it had been inserted because the SWs wanted to join in with all the tributes to the NHS - but good to hear a young Ambridge Archer genuinely interested in doing something other than farming, which is becoming the norm in farming families today.
As for the Eddie and the bridegroom schemozzle, just the sort of thing that would happen during one of his money-making schemes! A bit far fetched but typical of Eddie and it added a little humour to a more serious episode, I thought. No mention of any football results which, previously would have been the main topic of conversation in The Bull.
Sorry to sound disputatious, Archerphile, but I can’t recall football. Ever being discussed at The Bull (admittedly I might have subconsciously switched off!) and Ambridge seems to be a remarkably unsporty place. My book mentions cricket, of course, and the pub darts team, but nothing else. Whereas the village I grew up in had a Council-run Recreation Ground with facilities for football, rugby, lawn bowls, tennis, river swimming, all with changing facilities, and hockey too, For the listener wanting an escape from football dominated real life, Ambridge isideal!
DeleteAs Miriam said, that was a heartwarming conversation between Ruth and Ben which proved that those listeners who initially felt she was unsupportive of him, and disappointed he wouldn’t be following in his parents’ farming footsteps,got the wrong impression.
As for Eddie and the limo - another ‘character led’ storyline or sitcom about which the less said the better in my opinion!
I wasn’t meaning that football itself was high on the list of conversations in The Bull, I don’t think Ambridge even has a team. It was simply that it was a National event widely discussed elsewhere, constantly onTV and radio and in the papers, about which even people not interested in the game had been talking and I thought someone might have alluded to it, somewhere during in the programme.
DeleteHowever, as I think Miriam said, the way the programme is being produced at the moment probably doesn’t allow for any topical inserts, however momentous!
I was mentally comparing the Euros final to the Covid/lockdown situation - a global pandemic with huge implications both nationally and individually - which TA notoriously managed to ignore entirely until well into lockdown and then with only ‘soft’ references to masks and social distancing, not the mounting death toll etc. (think only a distant character from long ago (Debbie’s father) actually caught Covid.) Yet some listeners welcomed the lack of topical inserts because they enjoyed escaping from real life into a Covid safe world. I’m saying there are listeners who’d like a similar escape into the football free world of TA.
DeleteBut I agree the real reason for lack of topicality is that the current editorial doesn’t have what it takes - unlike previous editors of TA. Presumably they are operating on a reduced budget.
Reading my History of The Archers recently Maryellen, in the first couple of decades there was NO budget for TA at all. It was all done on a wing and a prayer by Godfrey Basely.
DeleteAt last, some interesting topics being debated. This is great to see/read.
ReplyDeleteNow my input is this:-
The recording of TA has probably been very difficult, due to abiding by the rules, such as the number of characters per episode without wearing masks. I for one, would have hated, if there had been more characters but "muffled" ones.
I think that as been so well done, under the circumstances.
Surely, The Bull has previously shown fooball matches, Wimbledon etc. on Kenton's big screen TV, serving food to suit.
In my opinion, the TA editor, producers, actors + SW's have done extremely well, considering that they record, in a relatively small, inside studio.
Opinions differ wildly on how well TA performed during lockdown, but now all legal restrictions are about to be lifted, the BBC has no excuse for not returning to six weekly episodes, enlarging the range of characters, reintrocing sound effects (we’ve only heard some occasional birdsong and baby gurgles), and please.oh please, giving us some credible, present day storylines instead of last-century, going nowhere sitcom!
DeleteI wonder, with Alice now in re-hab for 4 weeks, can her family visit, or have some other sort of contact?
ReplyDeleteIt would so help Alice, if she could see photos of Martha, to spur her on.
I also think that Jennifer + Brian, should have quality time, looking after and caring for Martha.
DeleteAs it has been already pointed out though, that it is Chris who is not allowing this to happen.
Perhaps Susan, Niel, Jennifer, Brian + Chris just need a get together, purely for Martha and her welfare. She does after all, have 2 sets of grandparents, along with so very many other caring family members, who she has to be involved with.
This includes Great Grandma Peggy, as after all she seems to be helping pay for the re-hab stay (not sure though - but I thought I heard this somewhere).
Martha should not become isolated..
Dare I comment again...probably already have done too many, but I need to do this last + final one.
ReplyDeleteI miss the animals!
I would so love to hear about:-
Cats - Hilda O with Peggy, Stan with Joy.
Dogs - Holly with Ed, Bess at Brookfield (can Ben still train her?) plus Tigg, Monty with Linda,
Ponies - Gem + Bartleby with Eddie + Clarrie.
Cows - the Montpeliars with Johnnie, at Bridge Farm
Spider - Webster with Jazzer 🕷🕸
...plus many others.
To me these are also inhabitants of Ambridge.
I wonder how Tom + Natasha are doing, along with Jolene + Kenton. These are missed, well in my humble opinion.
Dreadful. The two extra people appalling, each in their own way, just like the woman at LL.
ReplyDeleteI could weep.
DeleteI'm weeping with you Maryellen
DeleteShare my Kleenex, Mrs P!
DeleteCan you spare a corner for me?
DeleteI was mildly amused by the groom being Ed’s former PE teacher, and relieved that he was ok as I had been slightly concerned that he’d had his drink spiked as “a prank “
ReplyDeleteI sniggered at Gormless Grundy 1 & 2 along with sweary Carter, but I am unsure if teachers remember all their pupils 15 - 20 yrs on.
The admissions tutor or whoever it was interviewing Ben didn’t ring true, too mumsy in her manner, but maybe these things have changed?
I have to confess to not feeling very engaged with TA at the moment, not sure whether that’s down to me or the program.
Oh dear! What an episode.
ReplyDeleteThe PE teacher just didn’t sound like a senior teacher and surely would not have spoken to a former pupil in the way he did. Totally unbelievable and not even amusing.
The interviewer, as KP said, was far too Mumsy (lovely description KP) and did not come over as a senior college teacher interviewing a prospective student for such an i port amp to course.
Both roles were badly cast in my view and spoilt what could have been an interesting episode, at least Ben’s interview. Eddie’s bridegroom dash should have been cut out altogether.
Apologies for above double entry - having to clear history before every comment now, sometimes it does this and don’t know how to stop it. Also, don’t know what corrective spelling did with my ‘important’. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteWas Ben’s casual mention of his grandmother taking his arm meant to tell us something about Jill’s health, or just to demonstrate to the interviewer how responsive to people’s needs he is?
ReplyDeleteI should think it was the latter Maryellen.
DeleteMaryellen, 9pm, I second what you say, but there have been cuts in drama on radio 4, notably 15 mins in the morning and on Friday afternoon it's been reduced to half and hour. There's still a full hour at weekends. It's has been mentioned on Feedback that as a result the Archers may not return to six episodes. Personally I can do without the Sunday one, but do miss Friday's, it leaves too much of a gap.
ReplyDeleteBen did mess up by practically going down on his knees pleading to be taken on, not dignified! The rest of the interview seemed to go well so hopefully he will get on the course. Good job they have Pip and to a lesser extent Josh to take on the farm later!
ReplyDeleteI think Ben did enough, and showed a different side of himself. He sounded sincere.
ReplyDeleteIf I had been interwieving him, I would bring him back, for more of a relaxed 2nd interview.
I agree with Basia.
Bring back the Friday evening Archers. I did like the Sunday one though.
This was church in the morning and cricket in the afternoon. It was always a good time, to hear + catch up, with the gossip, and general chit-chat.
This was always so much better, than Susan in the shop.
I miss Tracy + the cricket team, but I so understand this.
DeleteWhat is wrong with one simple comment in a conversation, between two Ambridge residents.
This only needs to be something simple like:-
a) Good match yesterday, and at last a win over xxxx.
b) What is Tracy doing - as lost to xxxxx?
It wouldn't take much and it would show, that Ambridge is still the active village, we know + love.
The PE teacher sounded like Vince's younger brother. But without the charm.
ReplyDeleteWhat a ridiculous storyline!
I felt that the interviewer could see that Ben had potential and wanted to give him the chance to show it. He needed to work on his explanation for stopping geography. Something along the lines of, 'I found geography interesting, and I thought that was where my future career lay. But during lockdown I realised that my passion was not for places but for people. I want to be in a profession where I can really make a difference in people's lives. Nursing is the perfect fit for me.'
Social media today: Helen's a monster and Leyla doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteWho is it writing this stuff this week ?
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, you usually know.
Not that it makes much difference.
I have always claimed that most of TA ' washes over me ' implying I suppose, that good or bad, I'll take what's given.......
But
What's being aired this week is beyond me and clearly it's not just washing over me, I'm engaged.
Unfortunately not in a positive way.
Incidentally I was there before Phoebe. I imagine others were too.
Oh Roy !
I am another one who thinks, that Leila/Leyla is a fictious person, purely created by Roy.
ReplyDeleteIf so, then this can be construed in either of 2 ways.
How Sad....or..
Roy is happy as he is, well at the moment, until he physically meets someone to replace Hayley.
Look at Will + Nic. This was a chance meeting at a bus-stop.
Created by Roy?
ReplyDeleteOr created by someone pretending to be Leila?
Either just for the sake of it, or with intent to defraud Roy at some point.
Or using Layla as an alias for the same reasons we all use noms de plume here? I’m sticking my neck out and suggesting the scriptwriters have set a little trap for us and ‘Layla’ will confound our expectations by turning out to be genuine. I’m not bothered!
DeleteI wonder if the Leyla is handicapped or disfigured in some way, and so doesn't want, or can't pluck up the courage, to be seen by Roy.
ReplyDeleteCould be BBC politicos introducing a trans character in order to tick yet more woke boxes.
DeleteThat’s a very interesting suggestion, Mrs P. It would be a good storyline, assuming the scriptwriters can handle it. After the rigmarole of the Xander storyline, I don’t trust them to do it justice!
DeleteCan’t fault the scriptwriters on topicality with the Beechwood trolling story - now we know why Joy was reluctant to give Lee and Helen the app details straightaway, not because of nude photos of her at the art class as listeners suspected, but because of the growing abuse of Bridge Farm and Helen. She tackled the perpetrator herself first - forthright and well-motivated woman that she is!
ReplyDeleteUp to now nobody in Ambridge ,as far as we know, has been "scammed "yet.
ReplyDeleteI think the editor has missed a trick there.-one of the villagers (possibly Joy) being told to transfer money to another Account because her Account had been hacked.
Perhaps this Roy situation will warn us off dating websites.
I must take note!
A dating website worked for my happily married nephew and his wife of 15 years - they are both unusually tall and were looking for a partner to match!
DeleteAgree with Maryellen re the trolling story, and again, a slow burn since it was several weeks ago ( I think ) when Lee asked to join the group.
DeleteAnd Helen of course was very reluctant !
And wasn't she right. When there where suggestions that she was being paranoid.
As for the good suggestion from LJ for a scamming storyline, excellent, but not with Joy.
Don't underestimate that woman.
I think we will find in due course that she is a great deal sharper than we have been led to believe.
However it would be a good S L for a presently unknown character to be slowly introduced I think.
Buy a house in a farming village, complain about farm noises and muddy roads. Yep, that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteMy parents lived near a pond. Several years ago, the owners of newbuild houses bordering the pond tried to get the resident geese culled. Apparently they were doing their business as they flew over the houses' nice new lawns. The geese won : )
But our church bell is no longer rung - years ago someone across the road, in a house built after the church, complained of the noise.
Some people seem to be born without the common-sense gene.
I was glad they made that point in TA. My dad at one time used to keep his calves in a nursery field and would turn their mothers in with them twice a day. The calves would start to call to their mothers and vice versa when it got near the time of turning in. Two new houses had been built in the village, they were bought by people from away and they didn't half complain about the mooing!
ReplyDeleteAs the years went by more houses/bungalows were built around the old horseshoe shaped village and they were built with open driveways, no gates, which made life incredibly difficult driving cattle along the lanes.
So well done TA for getting that clash between the old way of life and the new just right.
It was Joy who first complained about the mud and Tony turned up on her doorstep with one of her leaflets. The subject was also raised at a Parish Council meeting and Emma was indignant.
ReplyDeleteI heard of "townies" complaining about a cockerel waking them up!
Speaking of mud, didn't Helen discuss it with Lee that some of it might be thrown behind their backs as the new ones on the block? In that case she's ready to face up to it.
DeleteBasia, I've written my post above before reading yours.
DeleteSaid the same !
I was brought up in the country and like the rest of the locals regularly complained about mud. It’s what country-dwellers do!
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law bought the cottage opposite the church in Twickenham.
DeleteIt has a blue plaque, something to do with John Betcheman.
She complained madly because the cottage rocked when the bells were rung. Yerr ....Common sense eh !
Where I am the houses surround all the gardens and some recent arrivals from London have acquired a cockerel and everyone ( not me) is complaining.
This so called village is really suburban.
John Betjeman's autobiography was entitled "Summoned by Bells".
DeleteHaving read about scams on dating sites, Layla seems a classic example. Very often a face to face meeting is arranged and then some difficulty arises at the last minute, in this case a train being cancelled. The next thing will probably be a family disaster which requires money. In reality, Layla probably doesn’t even live in this country. I hope Roy doesn’t get taken in! At least Phoebe is suspicious!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought, re a scam.
ReplyDeleteThis would be so topical in TA.
However.
Why bring this S/L line in just now, as it seems one too many.
Surely it would be better, to purely concentrate on the Fete, the Linda + Joy relationship, along with:- Russ + Lily, Lee + Helen etc..
As for a "disability" S/L, sadly I still have a slight fear for Martha..
I still think that Mrs P. and others, might have given a clue about this. This is a possible hearing problem.
DeleteMiriam - you’ve lost me! Why does anyone think Martha has a hearing problem? Presumably she passed her newborn hearing screening test since we haven’t heard she didn’t - nor have we heard she hasn’t had the test, in which case, we’ve yet to find out.
DeleteI said a possible, not a probable problem.
DeleteThis was the lack of responding to a loud Ambridge tractor, the village shop bell, no response when Alice sang to her as she did with Chris... The latter might be due to the different eye contact being made, not the voice/singing.
I have, yet again done my usual.
2+2 = 5...🤤
Not a hearing problem - she's just worked out that if she's going to be living with Granny Susan she'd better learn to filter out 90% of what she says. I suspect Neil that trick years ago ; )
DeleteMrs P - for the 5th time - a very late answer to you question about who wrote the scripts this week.
ReplyDeleteScriptwriters : Sarah Hehir and Liz John
Director: Gwenda Hughes.
Thanks Archerphile
DeleteThis Sarah H is new isn't she, perhaps paired up with old hand Liz Johns to guide her.
Dear oh dear !
I was and suppose still am, a fan of Joy, but I am now having some doubts. No-one knows anything about her background and her previous life, or should that be, lives.
ReplyDeleteDoes she have two differing personas?
I stand by my thought, that Joy has spent time away somewhere. As to her grandchildren....were they real but no more, or just fictitous...
DeleteI am changing my previous ideas.
😂 🤣 another 2+2 = 5 post. Sorry 😣
DeleteTo make 2+2 = 7.
DeleteJoy has often talked about, where she lived before when mentioning her ideas, but has never said where this was.
I still think there is a back story, to be told.
Well that made a nice change - an upbeat David Archer. You don’t hear that very often!
ReplyDeleteHow sensible of Lee to reconsider after rushing off and then returning to reassure Helen.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the more upbeat S/Ls lately - Eddie's chauffering, the fete scarecrows, Ben's interview. All rather lighter in tone than Alice's sad saga.
I thought that there was a continuity mistake this evening.
ReplyDeleteWe heard David and Ruth and Ben talking about the new herd and of Ruth going with Pip to the auction in the afternoon.
Later Ruth phoned from the auction and said the haulier would be delivering the cattle later.
Meanwhile we heard Lee and Helen, then Joy.
After conversation, Lee stormed off and Helen and Joy waited.
We then heard the conversation after the cows had been delivered, ( late afternoon)
Then we heard Lee return with his tail between his legs.
Question - how many hours did it take Lee to go round to the neighbour, change his mind and return ?
A: several hours by my reckoning.
Are the two interwoven scenarios in each episode necessarily happening in the same time frame, I wonder? (I find the interweaving annoying because it makes it more difficult to skip the scenarios/characters I can’t be doing with!).
DeleteI thought there was a long gap between Lee storming off, then returning too.
DeleteIn fact when he came in and Helen seemed concerned I thought he was going to have a black eye or a bruised face after his confrontation!
Yes, the skipping between stories quite so often in one episode is annoying and confusing.
Yes I expected that too Archerphile.
DeleteI don't mind the skipping between scenarios, it keeps my brain alert, but I do want continuity.
And Maryellen, I've always supposed that interwoven scenarios are happening in the same time frame and usually find that they are.
Continuity has always been of interest to me.
When at some point in my younger years I was getting involved in the film industry I considered I would be good at continuity.
On the whole I've always been pleased with this aspect of TA.
Basia
I'd like Ben to stay on the farm too.
I'm finding all this attention being paid to nursing rather embarrassing.
MrsP, especially that he used as "one of his assets" his mother's experience of nursing care, before he was born.
DeleteNow, that it has been mentioned by others, I too found that Lee was rather long in coming back and still out breath. He said Kyle's house backs onto theirs which may involve a round trip, still. He's such a placid character and yesterday was in a very aggressive mood, understandably, I thought he might put his karate skills to some use, but that might have been unethical.
After last night, *I'd like Ben* to stay on the farm, but wish him the best all the same.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler alert (sort of)
ReplyDeleteKeri Davis is writing for USHA! Probably not writing for Christmas though!
Haven't really been listening for all episodes though, although it's better 'without will it/won't it' Alice!
Don't mind if we don't hear about many actors though. There are quite a few on the payboard and we only have a few every week.
What I like to hear is the story actually progressing. Then thinking and commenting upon the performance.
By the way that writer who did last week now has next week as well! Perhaps they are given a character or storyline to follow!
Sorry for , 'though'!
DeleteKeyboard smashed, not a liquid, just broken. Now am deciding on-line computers !
Just re-listening to yesterday’s episode, it sounds like Joy may be hatching a revenge on Kyle. I am assuming that Lee has been on the receiving end of bullying in the past which triggered his response.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed listening to the harmonious scenes at Brookfield, even if it was rather clunky, after all life has it’s good times as well as it’s stresses.
All I want is Ben, to go into nursing and be accepted, for doing this.
ReplyDeleteHe is looking outside Brookfeld, for a different career and way of life.
If he doesn't succeed, then I am sure, that he will be welcomed back to Brookfield.
What is wrong with a change - which seems very worthwhile..
Spicy - Sorry I must be very thick but what is USHA please?
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn’t mean Keri is deserting us.
Oh and by the way every one - in case you have been missing the squeaky- voiced Josh, you can hear his actor, Angus Imrie, starring in a play on Sunday afternoon, Radio 4, 3pm, called ‘ Joseph Andrews Remixed’
I wonder what he will sound like?
I was also confused.
DeleteI thought that the TA cast, only get paid, for the work they have done as to the episodes that they have recorded?
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued as to Kyle.
Is this person real, or someone else using a pseodonym.
Whoevever it is, is doing their best to hurt Helen + Lee, in their Beechwood Bubble.
My silliest thought ever!!!
DeleteIs Kyle, actually Rob?
I so want Rob to return, in some way..
Now I will be will be definitely, not thinking aloud, again.
The" Ben wanting to be a nurse business "doesn't ring at all true to me and
ReplyDeleteI can do without all the gushing by Ruth and David.
Let us get back to the real action.
Is Kirsty still trying to find the people Phillip exploited ,for example?
For me ,recently ,fewer of the Archers characters that I like are appearing.
Mind you as I get older the actual list of Ambridge folk that I do like gets a lot smaller .
Come back Hayley and ask that step daughter of yours where she picked up her faux Sloane accent when for most of her childhood she was brought up by a lovely step mum from Brum .
We all listen to TA for many differing reasons.
DeleteMine is, just a wonderful programme to listen to and really enjoy. It is a form of escapism from my normal life.
Things though, do need to go forward, even in the Ambridge farming community, and it's ideal village life.
It is just, how to get the right balance, to keep listeners happy + content, yet introduce topical modern day problems.
It doesn't always work, I agree, but I am prepared for this.
Lanjan, I had a Brummie mum and Glaswegian dad but did not pick up their accent. You tend to speak as those around you, your peers at school and so on. Phoebe would have moderated her accent at university and of course mixed with the Aldridges! I don’t think though she would be quite as plummy! It’s interesting how TA has differentiated the stratas of society by their accents. The.Grundies have local accents where the Aldridges are plummy especially Jennifer whose background wasn’t exactly posh suggesting she is putting it on. Brian of course was an incomer so could have come from a posher background. I would think Ambridge is about where Ledbury is in reality. There no trace of Brummie is found but just a few miles further north you find it evident in Worcester. There is a bit of West Country which you do find in Ambridge. The accent I love is the Norfolk/Suffolk one which I find very musical!
DeleteSorry. My original comment seemed to make no sense.! Yes Keri Davies is writing for Usha, the vicar's wife. Can't remember the last time we heard from her!
ReplyDeleteI think we have had a couple of newbies each week for the past three weeks. I wonder if they are testing new people. I think Charles Collingwood actually did small part in before he became Brian.
Kyle is not Rob. Lee and Helen know him and their gardens meet with a hedge!
What I do not want to see is Rob returning! A maniac rapist should not be allowed back to TA!
Lanjan - I too think it's 'popular' addition to go for Ben for a job in nursing. And I also think, when Helen and Rob storyline was on, I don't need to keep updated. Less and less do I care about the characters!
I was confused, though I did think you meant Usha, Alan's wife.
DeleteBut I still don't understand Spiceycushion.
Is Keri Davies writing a drama starring the actor who plays Usha ?
Or is he writing something special for her as Aisha the character in TA.
Please explain further if you can.
My comment about new writers earlier in the week was meant to ask the same question as Spiceycushion has asked above. That is .... are they trying out new writers and are the new writers being hand held by old hands.
And Lan Jan, it's all that gushing about nursing that I'm finding so embarrassing and agree with Basia ( I think) that using his mother's experience was excruciating.
Miriam
I think you must be the only listener to TA that would welcome Rob back.
Absolutely no one else does.
DeleteI don’t know whether it was down to the SWs, be they new or not - or to an Editorial Policy, but some of this weeks episodes felt very awkward to me.
Especially Ruth talking to Ben about her cancer experience and his subsequent interview.
It all felt as if the powers that be had decided they had better do a ‘BBC tribute to our wonderful nurses and NHS’ so they slotted it into Ben’s story.
Nothing wrong with well deserved praise of course but it sounded out of place to me, especially Ben’s interview with the mumsy (thank you KP) college lady.
A clumsy attempt at bringing in an outside character I thought.
I do wonder who approves scripts before recording- is
it down to the Editor to say if they sound realistic or not and ask for alterations?
No so, Mrs P. I would like Rob to return, played by the same actor. He is one of Ambridge”s interesting characters (as opposed to all the stereotypes and caricatures we get) . There was a lot to learn there, and the writing and acting were a remarkably high standard. But I don’t think the current team are up to it. The character I most definitely don’t want to return is Matt Crawford.
DeleteApologies Maryellen, should not have made such a sweeping statement.
DeleteI stand corrected.
And I do agree with you about the character and the outstanding acting.
And yes it could be of considerable psychological interest to see RT return and transform, with a great deal of pain, into a reformed character.
Unlikely though !
The way I understood Spicy was that Keri Davies was writing a storyline for Usha. I like her distinctive voice, I thought she was consigned to history. Her cottage itself has some past. First it was tagged with "go home Paki", then there was salmon on the floor followed by the fallout over tuna. If the old characters reappear I will deal with them then. I certainly didn't see the point of 'lady Vince' and 'PE drunk'.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said ,Archerphile ,is exactly how I feel.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very clumsy attempt to bring in the NHS .
Ben has rarely shown any thought for anybody but Ben.
Why the sudden change now?
Regarding the writers bringing in popular issues such as Ben joining the NHS, could Roy's friend be a transgender person hence the avoidance of meeting up in person?
DeleteI do hope that if there is to be a story about Usha that it's not to depict racism. That would be yet another issue to introduce and we've had that before with Roy I remember.
I definitely never want to hear from Rob again BTW.
Anneveggie - the trans idea was brought up by MrsP, to tick another woke box and Maryellen fearing they could mess it up.
DeleteAs you say Usha and Roy "did" racism together and then she helped him stop Kate leaving the country with Phoebe. I thought she might be involved in tracking down 'the horses' or helping the refugees.
All above is pure speculation, remains to be heard.
The words used by Archerphile and endorsed by LanJan were precisely those used by me yesterday evening in the garden with my friends partner, another long time TA listener.
DeleteArcherphile your word ' awkward ' not used by me, but so very apt.
Awkward, out of place, and inserted in order to tick another box of ' subjects covered ' and my companion in the garden had felt the same way.
I imagine you have discovered that others on other Archers forums are expressing similar feelings.
Thank you Mrs P for your agreement. It is nice to know for once that others agree with me,
DeleteAnd no, the other FB Archers page I follow has not commented on that aspect at all, strangely. They seemed to be more involved in discussing Clarrie’s accent, if and when additional episodes will be broadcast and whether listening to TA is classist!
Do they agree with me about Clarrie's dreadful accent and appalling grammar ,Archerphile?
ReplyDeleteI expect her at any moment to say" Oh I wish I'd looked arter (sic) me teeth."
If Clarrie had been brought up in Ambridge she wouldn't have had the Pam Ayers / presumably Gloucestershire type accent which really irritates me.
(I should not be critical .
It may well be a genuine accent but to me it sounds false .
-A bit like a Thomas Hardy character.)
I think she would have this type of accent. Ambridge I imagine is far enough south of Birmingham not to haveBrummie strains but near enough the West Country to have some of that accent. It is a part of the country where accents merge. I think Clarrie’s accent is accurate and much easier listening than Fallon who drops all her T’s! Susan’s is also authentic but the Archers clan obviously belong to a higher strata!😉😊
DeleteEv, Fallon's dropped ts also irritate me, they sound so unnatural.
DeleteNote Mrs P.
ReplyDeleteI am not criticising genuine Gloucestershire accents only the ones which sound -to me-false.
It seems to me that the TA production team has been slack about accents from the beginning. Having created Borsetshire, you would think they would settle on a regional accent to go with it, to be used by all the characters born and bred there, unless they were taught to speak RP when young oh chose to adopt RP later. Yet the actor playing David reports how, when new in the job, he was asked to stand in for Eddie at short notice. Never mind heard Eddie, he enquired about an accent, and was told to just roll his ‘r’s’ a bit!
DeleteIncomers like Neil bring their own local accents (does Neil have a pte-Ambridge back story?) and some mysteriously lose them. What happened to Pat’s Welsh accent or Paggy’s East End one? I don’t recall hearing Peggy’s mother but assume she had an East End accent? Come to that, what accents did Lilian and Jennifer start off with, with a Borsetshire father and London mother?
I think Phoebe’s Southern English grammar school accent is entirely credible (it’s my own). Navigate bought into the non-real world of Borsetshire I guess I should buy into its unconvincing accents too, but what I haven’t bought into is the poor acting which is my chief problem with Clarrie. She is a kindly soul and deserves better!
Sorry, LanJan, but in many parts of society double negatives such as 'I don't want nuffink' and 'I don't take no notice', together with ''e don't' and 'she don't' are common currency. Mr S's grandmother and my mother both spoke like that and so do some of my nephews and nieces. It all depends on length of, type of and interest in, education, which in this town is more or less defined by district. When we first came to live here most of the neighbours did too, but the street has gone 'up-market' and is now a haven of dulcet tones.
ReplyDeletePS Accents are funny things: both my children, born and raised here in the South of England have noticeable Guernsey accents and speech patterns, to the extent that my daughter's was picked up in NZ by an x-pat Guernseyman teaching her children. They visited the Island infrequently in early childhood and never for longer than 10 days. People say I don't have an accent, but they surely didn't get it from Mr S, whose speech was strong Sussex and appears to have had no influence at all.
ReplyDeleteThe landscape gardener sounds Dorset to me, but his accent is Hampshire, heavily influenced by teenage years spent in the US which has rounded the vowels. What to make of a fellow organist who is Welsh but lived many years in Devon!
The comments on the FB site I mentioned were more of ‘I can’t stand Clarrie’s accent’ rather than trying to analyse it or say whether it was a genuine country accent or just mummerset.
ReplyDeleteThis lead onto a discussion about the Grundys’ accents showing they were lower class, whilst those speaking like the Aldriges were upper class.
This in turn led someone to (dare) to suggest listening to The Archers showed you must be middle class whereupon all hell broke loose! I gave up reading at that point!
.
ReplyDeleteWhen Usha returns, as Spicycushion predicts, I hope her Aunty Satya returns too. I always enjoyed her pithy comments (while sympathising with Usha on the receiving end) and was sorry when she disappeared.
DeleteDid anyone hear Angus Imrie in the Radio 4 play this afternoon? Still the same light, high voice but no laughing this time. Not very inspiring acting and a not very inspiring play either I thought. Rather disappointing i fact.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did as usual on a Sunday. Lighthearted summer nonsense after the heavy DH Lawrence spell.
DeleteSurely the TA S/L is far more important, than the accents and how the residents speak.
ReplyDeleteI prefer, to hear the local Ambridge news and gossip, in whatever way it is spoken.
Accents:- Ian, Jazzer, Natasha, Clarrie, Joy, Eddie, Ruth are the strongest, but Susan, Niel and Tracy also have one of sorts. Not forgetting the long lost Bert.
Accents are impossible because they tell us something about the character, especially so in radio drama where we have no visual clues, so they also help to identify the speaker. The only pair of voices where I find difficult to distinguish between their identical public school accents, are Oliver and Justin’s, but as I’ve only ever heard.them in one scene together so it’s not a mega-problem. Lynda’s affected accent tells us a lot about her. It was interesting how it diminished when she was recovering from her injuries, but has returned twice as exaggerated and twice as irritating!
DeleteShould read Accents are important....
DeleteMaryellen - ✔️✔️✔️
DeleteI listened to the afternoon drama, Lemonade Lads, quite good, a comedy about mental health with a help website. The best of it is that comments are allowed and I couldn't resist. I listen to almost every drama now, since the threat of cuts.
ReplyDeleteI hope Gary is OK, just taking life as it comes.
I caught up with the TA omnibus this morning, whilst cleaning the kitchen floor.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing to add except:-
What happened to Lee on his suppodely visit, the allusive Kyle?
I believe he did visit him/her but didn't want to say anything about it.
Also I picked up that the property of this person, backs onto Lee, Helen + boys. A lot can surely be seen, with binoculars from an upstairs window....just saying...👩🌾
..and the point is?
DeleteI still have no realistic idea, except this is another "red herring" from TA.
Why is Stephanie Casey, Vince's daughter, suddenly interested in Brookfield again for her wedding, rather than LL.?
ReplyDeleteI think the editor has scored an own goal.
ReplyDeleteAnybody waiting to be admitted to a Rehab Centre who was listening to this evening's episode will really want to go there now-I don't think.
As for the altercation in The Bull of course the "baddy " had to have the Brummie accent and be an uncouth lout.
Lee was pathetic.
Lanjan, there was a tribute to Amy Winehouse (to whom you were introduced on the other blog) on Front Row, ten years after her death. She had a hit "I won't go to rehab" which I always think of when listening to Alice. She had, but it didn't help.
DeleteAn action packed episode. Adam, is it wise to keep Ian in the dark?
LJ Sorry but I have to say this - are you saying a stereo-type of character?
DeleteI was not at all surprised, by the re-appearance of Alice, who had obviously had a drink or two, on her journey home.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how she travelled, with all her luggage from such a distance and getting a few drinks on the way.
What I don't undersrand is why she went straight back to Ambridge, rather than having a few days else-where first.
Could this still be a subconcious cry for help.
I recall the saying.
If you don't succeed, then try, try again.
My brief reply was in response to Miriam's 8pm comment.
DeleteRather intense episode.
ReplyDeleteWill Kyle’s character be developed or will his moment of fame be brief as so many seem to be recently, thoroughly unpleasant so far, although I thought it was Vince at first.
Alice’s return caught me by surprise, the Aldridge household won’t be happy tonight!
Alice's return probably caught us all off guard KP.
DeleteAnd as Miriam says, how did she get there ?
Brought back an awful lot of memories for me.
Very realistic performance from Alice.
Yet another new character and a very unpleasant one this time.
ReplyDeleteI gather they were at The Bull, so why did no one else stick up for Helen and turf Kyle out of the pub? Surely others must have heard his nasty tirade?
I thought this was the purpose of that scene being set in the Bull, so that the locals could stand up to him in defence of Helen.
DeletePlus we might have heard from some more locals on ' freedom ' day.
A lost opportunity ?