Archers addicts 3!

Brian Hewlett on 40 years as Neil Carter on the BBC Archers web site does mention a brief fling with Shula in the 70s. I thought I could remember the hay loft. Doesn't seem likely now does it. Perhaps we should blackmail her, or him.

I have always been impressed that The Archers works in real time but it beginning to drag a bit. I also need some hope and optimism gg.

(Yes, I remember them in the hayloft when they were teenagers. Seems odd now doesn't it? Best they have forgotten it too . Susan would clout him with. her tabard and "can I help you badge.".)

Shula and Neil in hayloft? I don't remember that one LD. Quite an amusing list GG but am sure addictees - is that a word - on here can do a more comprehensive one. I do think there is hope in real life or we would never have got to the point where coercive control was against the law, and remember the woman on the radio whose partner was convicted under the new legislation.

Interesting point LD. They are certainly using fewer of them. I wonder if we will get back to a more normal cast after September.

The more I think about Anna's admission the more I think this should get the likes of Carol and Jill to trawl the village for "character" witnesses for Rob. It was not possible before the new law to use coercive control as a defence and I think we are all aware that it is still very difficult to prove but if you can have "character witnesses" to show the character of the defendant why not build a picture of the character of the "victim" in the same way. It will be difficult but it must be worth it.

Please, please can we get some sense of hope into the programme. (Obviously there is probably not much hope in real life so I suppose I should stick to my usual position of the drama reflecting RL - but I can't!)

Thanks Gracegran. Obviously not such a sad as addict as me but they have the trough idea.

No Walter Gabriel, captain, Shula and Neil in the hayloft or Sid in the shower.

Anyone have any ideas why the number of.characters has shrunk so much.? Are they cutting back?

Interesting (and amusing)view on the characters

For Beverley read Bunbury

I think it is interesting the way Rob is employing the same controlling tactics on Pat & Tony, and Pat is now realising how it happened with Helen. Hopefully this will be his downfall, as Pat is aware whereas Helen was besotted and didn't know what he was up to until it was too late. They may be able to gather evidence about his behaviour for example. I think the storyline with Anna is poor, just because she is a female barrister...In my experience they are very tough, and have to be to compete against the men. No doubt it is to keep up the interest until Helens trial.

So, Bridge Farm has cancelled their order for Upper Class Eggs because Susan was telling customers they're not worth the money.

Hasn't Neil told Susan that he and Hayley are selling out to Josh so ALL the eggs are going to be posh and overpriced from now on?

No eggs in a Farm Shop?

Not a particular fan but do drop in on prog occasionally so I know what my Sil is talking about! Just wondered if anyone heard Dead Ringers on R4extra last night? The agricultural advisor to the Archers was 'claiming back his script' and called all the Grundys in for a roasting. Very funny.

Just how I feel gracegran . She has surely only brought in to save Helen and Henry. I don't want. to become immersed in her problems.

I do feel this is a bit of a device. Anna is not a character we know so we cannot relate to her problems. I shan't mind so much if this is so they can move things forward for Helen, otherwise, not so happy.

They are just trying to ratchet up the drama - but you can have too much of a good(?) thing!

So, now we know why Anna went flakey at the directions hearing. Her relationship was breaking down, she handled a domestic abuse case badly, lost the case, the abuser was therefore allowed back into the family home where he killed his partner. I'm assuming the partner was Anna's client and her comment that "it's happening again" linked to her loss of confidence currently as Helen's case is causing her to relive the feelings and fear losing another important case. Get a grip, some psychotherapy and supervision of your work Anna. My experience of female barristers dealing with this kind of case is they are know the law inside out and are competent at managing their own feelings. They have to be. Come on writers, improve on this please.

AyjayF I think a quick memo to the SWs would be in order . You know what happens though, no sooner do you have such a question than it happens on the programme (I do hope I am right) If I was the scriptwriter I would let them have a conversation with Kirsty when she would go into more detail about the phone number she gave Helen. P & T could then ring to see if the Refuge could tell them if she rang (they couldn't I don't think) but the help-line person could be very helpful and offer to explain coercive controlling behaviour and what they can do to help Henry.

I think I must have missed something as I don't understand the elves and about yesterday's migration. Gritted teeth over Rob hijacking Henry and sympathy for Pat and Tony,but could someone explain where these elves came from? A typical Eddie scheme, but why??

Did I miss something? Do we know why Caz is inside?

I predict Helen will get a prison tattoo and form a lesbian relationship with Caz.

Maybe Henry could leave a discarded banana skin on the back door step next Sunday?

Don't Pat + Tony have anyone they can talk to about Rob taking over their day with Henry? Can't believe it's allowed. Please scriptwriters give these two a break!

I am packing for a trip to Canada I intend to find out just exactly what Rob was up to there ( nothing short of murder I suspect ) I will then return home denounce him in court and free poor Helen so she is able to pursue a happy life with her cheese , children and over indulgent family. I will be a hero and I expect the villagers will want to have a statue of me erected on the village green. I am prepared to cancel my lunch arrangement today and also miss the Andy Murray match because each episode is pushing me further into screaming at the radio.

She doesn't fit my idea of a top lawyer........yet. So come on Anna. Why does she have to move to Ambridge.? Why does she have to have a back story?
Does she take the place of all the other lovely characters who have disappeared into " the slurry pit ".I suppose so.

I agree AyjayF. I feel sure that there must be someone in Anna's office ringing round, finding defence witnesses. Surely she must know and have statements from Jess, the prospective school, Rob's brother (they seem to be estranged). If Anna is the top notch lawyer she's supposed to be she must have staff. She seems to be doing everything herself.

Yes, come on Henry, let's have some more gems. What a manipulative, cold hearted *** Rob is. He played them all didn't he, with no regard for anyone other than himself.
Is the Chaplain going to be the person who finally gets Helen to talk about things? That Caz is a calm influence isn't she - unusual in women who are incarcerated.

"Daddy doesn't need his stick any more!" Out of the mouths of babes.