Archers Addicts 4!!

I am always surprised how many Archers' fans are anti any of the characters Iam. If they behave as the characters would I am happy and 'Shula' is doing just that. She is trying to do what she feels is the right thing and going through a lot of angst to work out what that is - she is that type of person - I would only be 'anti* if she acted out of character for no reason.

I agree that Alistair is very weak and has (as weak people often do) leant on a stronger character so he doesn't have to make the difficult decisions himself. Shula may end up with a long marriage to him though imo as, in the characters position, I think she would have split up with him when Dan left home if she was going to. Perhaps she will have a rethink if she has grandchildren. I have a feeling she will need a transitional man to 'allow' her to leave though as she will have to over-ride her conscience to do so, particularly if Alistair is in a 'weak' situation again which, with his character would be not only possible but to be expected.

The decision that is giving Shula sleepless nights.

Gracesgran If Shula was truly behaving in character would she have lied to police in first place?

Probably not, but that just shows how clever Rob is. I think Shula has realised that he made her behave out of character then and can see a little of what he may have been doing to Helen. She said something along those lines to Caroline if I remember rightly.

Should have said manipulative not clever. He is only clever to a degree, the rest is because he is a narcissistic psychopath

phoenix, If my ageing brain remembers correctly, didn't Alistair get into huge gambling debt with Matt who turned the screws when he wouldn't put down a perfectly healthy horse, following a doping attempt?

Shula had to borrow shedloads of money to bail him out.

Maybe she should remind him of this and spell it out that Helen could end up in prison and the two boys in Rob's custody if she keeps quiet?

Who would have thought the saintly Shula would get us fired up!

It was something like that, merlot, I seem to think that a blood transfusion was involved??

Could be wrong, often am.

I think merlot's memory is correct. Alistair has no place on the moral high ground, makes you wonder what he fears coming to light about his own dodgy dealings and gambling.
Shula has said she felt bullied into not being honest about the San incident and also that she tried to protect Helen by not exposing Rob as a violent thug. There was also her anxiety to avoid bad publicity for the hunt.
I suspect all those things combined with the result her behaviour was out of character and its continued to worry her.
I wonder was advice and support she would get from Dan and Dorothy .?

Yes Ajay I think we mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. Tut tut.

I do believe Shula will speak up and hopefully open the flood gates for the others. Rob can not be able to get away with being such a bully. I am still waiting for someone to did Jess up.

I never thought I'd find myself agreeing with Susan but Pat is so sloooow to put a positive spin on things.

I hope she'll have a lot to thank Emma for although I'm wondering the the plot summaries might be a bit of a red herring to get us on the wrong track.

The spoilers so often mean a lot less than it is possible to read into them merlot but September will come, they cannot stop that.

I see Pat as someone who has had a few things life events which have coloured her view on the world but, for once, Susan was talking sense and I am glad she listened.

Crikey. Was it really Susan speaking??

Hmm, still have misgivings re Susan, yes, she made valid points re Emma looking after Henry, and having been a long standing friend of Helen, but she did previously refer to Rob as a "hero" and warned Neil off from being a character witness.

If Pat was outraged at the thought of Rob 'outsourcing' Henry's care to Emma just wait till she hears about boarding school

Yes. How come Susan's changed her tune so quickly?

Prizactly, merlot I question her motives!

Wasn't she just defending Emma and her decision and suggesting reasons why Pat should be happy with it?

Susan: 'The more time Henry spends away from Rob, the better it is for you, Pat'

We'll all drink to that, Susan but what's happened to the Hero of the Flood who can do no wrong?

Not like Susan to see life through someone else's eyes.

It it just that Susan is keen for Emma to earn some cash as well as feeling a level of pride that her 'hero' chose Emma to help with child care. Plus of course, we all know Susan changes her tone according to the person she's talking to.

I agree with Iam and I can see her turning what she says at the moment on its head if Helen is found innocent and Rob's character shown for what it is. Then "my Neil always knew there was more to it" could well be heard. I don't think Susan would ever let what she had loudly declared on one day get in the way of defending her family on another.

Isn't it about time Jess was spoken to? Surely her evidence would be key.
I also thought the hunt sab. himself could be called.

By the way, Happy birthday Phoenix, thought you were most likely to see it on here. Have a great day.

Is there any point to the sudden freak rainstorm?

Apart from the Grundys hoping for some more borrowed time, will it jog David and Jennifer's memories about Stefan's revelation?

Fat chance!!

Oh shysal thank you!

I'm all of a doo dah now!

Perhaps this sudden downpour will reveal the body of whichever East European contract worker it was who saw what Rob was up to when blocking the culverts. Fat chance I think.

If nobody knows that Jess went to see Helen about Rob I wonder if that will come out. Would Helen be prepared to mention Jess or might Jess see it in a newspaper.
I still wonder what sort of clue Dr Lockes mention of knowing Rob very early on in Dr Ls return to Ambridge might indicate.