How are we going to cope without The Archers?

merlotgran, we usually agree on the Archers, if not the politics threads but - I don't see Peggy as a nasty old biddy. Yes, there may be more help available for dependent drinkers now than when Peggy was living with her awful drinker of a husband. What hasn't changed is exactly what Peggy said to Chris, with an alcoholic, drink is always there. She's old enough to know that even a bright young woman like Alice, with a loving husband and professional therapy is likely to drink at some point.

The modern slavery story alongside the MBE is a challenge isn't it. Even David made the connection with historical and modern slavery. I read that the officials involved in the process of awarding British Empire honours did discuss dropping the "empire" because of its links with slavery and the fact the empire was built on slavery. I hope we can find a positive, inclusive way of incorporating our history into the way we live today.

Interesting encounter between Freddie and Steff. That could run for decades!

I was shocked by Shula's attack on Philip. He is a despicable crook but as a prospective member of the clergy she was too judgemental. She slipped in my estimation. I don't think Alan would have approved.

Has anyone got any idea when we will get justice from the BBC and go back to 6 nights again ?

Yes, St Shula really lost it I thought. She might be better visiting Gav who must be terrified of reprisals from Victoria and actually cared about the wretched ‘horses’.

Shula is in her first year of ordination training. The Archers used to research their religious topics thoroughly, but so far it has been ridiculous! Prison visiting at this stage?

Yes, six days please and Kirsty sorted and Natasha written out and Jazzer and Tracy together please as well!

eGJ exactly, perfectly put. I agree.

Natasha won’t be pleased that Tom’s helping Kirsty....lots of promising plot lines emerging so, once again, come on BBC and get back to six days!

Shula was visiting because she was asked to by Philip, not officially as clergy I thought.
Kirsty could visit Gav, he knows what happened to Blake, Jordan, and Kenzie. Has anyone told her, or his mother, that Gav is in prison?

Have been a listener since the beginning (yes I am ancient!) with periods of absence when living abroad but have always picked up the threads again.

When, if ever will they incorporate non-socialising because of Covid or include it in any way. Difficult for the script writers to cover I suppose.

I don't listen unless I accidentally catch a bit of the omnibus (usually in the car), but am I the only one who sees this thread title and starts singing it to the tune of the end credits of Upstairs Downstairs?

(What are we going to do with Uncle Arthur?)

Sadly doodledog many of us are life long addicts and care about the characters.

LullyDully, how poignant and true!
Actually, it is Shula I've never been keen on - when she talks about being non-judgemental, she really is the opposite - and that 'put upon' Shula sigh!
And yes, she visited because Philip asked - to manipulate the only person he could persuade to visit.

The Philip story line is most interesting to me. He is behaving exactly like my recently departed son in law - re-writing the narrative to suit his own self interest. Luckily - just as in The Archers - no-one is buying it. Extraordinary how these narcissistic people try to manipulate the truth to suit themselves. Very good script writing.

That was a surprise. Did we know Natasha's Dad was bipolar?

LullyDully

Sadly doodledog many of us are life long addicts and care about the characters.

Oh, nothing wrong with that - I am the same with Corrie .

It is just the thread title that reminds me of the music hall song.

Ok then, forgiven LDx

PippaZ

That was a surprise. Did we know Natasha's Dad was bipolar?

I think it was hinted at when Natasha had her own issues with running up credit card bills and then she went home for a few weeks because her father was ill.

Funny how Natasha's problems seem to have been swept under the carpet. It was a good storyline.

It's a very good story line and I look forward (actually not but you know what I mean) to us learning more about how she copes with him as time (the months and years) goes by.

It's a very interesting facet of her character and I think the Archer's drip drip method gives us very rounded and believable characters.

I have a bit of a soft spot for natasha, Tom drives me up the wall though.

Funny how Natasha's problems seem to have been swept under the carpet. It was a good storyline.

I wonder if they had to tailor the scripts to the actors that could work from home?

It's a very good story line and I look forward (actually not but you know what I mean) to us learning more about how she copes with him as time (the months and years) goes by.

I think they need to revisit Natasha's wild spending, running up credit cards, buying expensive clothes and presents etc. There was even a hint that her behaviour could affect the running of Bridge farm.

It drives me nuts when storylines are abandoned.

With you on that merlot. Tony is 70 next week - help. The local press is only going to get hold of the Philip story next week according to RT. A slow burn this story and it is not going to go away like Natasha’s spending

I have never listened to the Archers,i think iv`e missed out on something good.

It’s always a real time /slow burn to most of their story lines, just as in life. The Helen/Rob coercive control story slowly opened up as did Jack and dementia, which went gently on for about 10 years and his story matched my mums dementia journey.
I always wondered about Hannah but she came up trumps helping Kirsty with her hunt fir the Philips ‘boys’ That’s the joy of the Archers. It has just celebrated its first 70 years.