Life in Ambridge
Like many others I get the sense of a changing of the guard in Ambridge
Life in Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
Starter kit for Ed & Emma
Life in Ambridge
Nothing to do with the current story-line but rather cute
ArcherphileMarch 22, 2023 at 6:37 PM
ReplyDeleteBRIAN seems to have recovered remarkably quickly. Couldn’t wait to find somewhere else to live, dispose of Jenny’s things, buy new furniture rather than use pieces he already has either at the cottage or in storage, begin a new phase of life. Debbie’s return seems to be less than successful with her jumping to the wrong conclusion and embarrassing Joy. Disappointed me too!
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BasiaMarch 22, 2023 at 7:42 PM
It got even better today. Yes, I know, forgive but not forget, ah, perhaps she and Brian will part for good.
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MistralMarch 22, 2023 at 7:44 PM
If this is a permanent estrangement, perhaps it is a way for Tamsin Grieg to also leave the luke-warm soap.
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Lady RMarch 23, 2023 at 12:49 AM
My thoughts exactly Mistral!
Sarnia March 22, 2023 at 7:44 PM
ReplyDeleteSome of us don't want to live in the past, AP. In 3 1/2 years since my husband died I've had a deck built on the terrace, disposed of the armchairs, re-furnished three of the rooms and re-designed the garden. The house has just been rewired and once the smart meters have been installed there will be a new downstairs cloakroom in part of the hall. Then the outside loo will be demolished and the outbuilding incorporated into a back porch and veranda.
If circumstances demand that you begin a new life in your 70s there's no time to hang about, you just have to get on with it.
My children were very keen for me to form a new relationship ASAP; I'm the one who's not interested!
ArcherphileMarch 22, 2023 at 11:01 PM
ReplyDeleteYes Sarnia, you have achieved a tremendous amount in those 3 1/2 years which is admirable. But Jenny has only been gone for a very few week and considering how devastated Brian was at first, he does seem to be moving on very quickly.
The argument with Debbie tonight was probably their final confrontation. Debbie obviously hasn’t forgiven Brian for his infidelities and probably never will. I don’t think she will ever return from Hungary while Brian is still alive now.
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Sarnia March 22, 2023 at 11:06 PM
I knew that there would be a huge amount to do and as there was only ever going to be one outcome I had started planning before he died.
Sarnia March 23, 2023 at 9:40 AM
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind, Lady R, and there has been many a time when your interest and encouragement have lifted my spirits and kept me going. Thank you.
It's not going to be easy for Brian, either. He is having to live with the guilt of his poor treatment of Jenny in the past and the knowledge that his stepdaughter still doesn't trust him has brought it home very forcefully.
I see a great future for George as a velvet-tongued con man smooth-talking lonely women out of their savings.
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BasiaMarch 23, 2023 at 9:20 AM
Very clever of George to get both his grandmothers on board, I still have to remind myself that he's both Susan's and Clarrie's grandson.
I'm one of those who live in the past, remembering things that happened 60 years ago,what's the point, or is it a sign that the end is near, if so, it's been taking its time...
Sarnia thank you for your lovely comment hopefully the blog will always help us all when we need it 🙏🏼
DeleteCheshire CheeseMarch 23, 2023 at 9:46 AM
ReplyDeleteI can understand why Brian would want to ove out. Where he's living is a constant reminder of how it was his fault that Jenny had to move out of the house that she loved so much.
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Sarnia March 23, 2023 at 9:49 AM
They sneak up on me occasionally too, Basia, sometimes things so long-forgotten that I wonder if I'm making them up! Whatever it is gets me down for a day or two until I've assimilated it and then I can go and look at my garden or scruffy back porch area and get back to working out what needs doing next.
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BasiaMarch 23, 2023 at 10:59 AM
That's the only way, not to burden others.
George has Martyn Gibson as his role model, so far, so devious
Oh please, first Lynda, though I didn't listen, now Jim with his sheet, who else is coming to Brookfield? Lynda also staged a protest outside the Bull.
ReplyDeleteAs to what was going on inside the pub we could hear from the start it was beyond a joke...
In fact I'm not interested in either of the upcoming events.
✔️✔️
DeletePathetic episode last night.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was quite funny. It's not every day you hear Justin wrong-footed.
ReplyDeleteGoing back is not a good idea, but anyway, we know Tamsin Greig has left the Archers.
ReplyDeleteLet's see what Jim does next, use his strong points, hopefully.
That was a long-winded way of getting Debbie to say she wasn't coming back to Ambridge. I think Brian did for himself when he said 'we' will be working together, with all that implied for her accustomed independence
ReplyDeleteI thought that was very sad for Brian. Brookfield has three of the younger generation all in one way or another interested and involved in the farm, but of the Home Farm family Debbie the most suitable one to run it has declined, Adam is happy having a less pressurised job, Alice is happiest with horses, Kate might have expressed an interest but in reality would cause chaos, and Rhuari is travelling a different path; so at present is Phoebe, and there are no other grandchildren of an age who could work with Brian and give him hope for the future of the farm.
ReplyDeleteSo it’s goodbye to Debbie.
ReplyDeleteFor one moment I really thought she would agree to return and run the farm with Brian, but then realised Tamsin Greig wouldn’t want to tie herself to The Archers for the next umpteen years.
As for Jim’s capitulation - what a ridiculous scenario - Jim locking himself in Brookfield’s BnB room, ruining one of Jill’s sheets with ink and hanging it out of his window. Then a quick chat with Chelsea and his protest is all over?
Jim is supposed to be a wise academic but this charging station business has reduced him to the level of a protesting toddler. All common sense has flown out of the window with the sheet!
To be correct he said he had brought the sheet with him, so can't be charged with criminal damage, but he should have taken it with him and not told them in the off hand manner to dispose of it as he couldn't untie the knot, a waste of material even if old.
DeleteYour second point, that's what Chelsea told him, use your strengths and don't act like a fool.
The only good outcome is that it was Jim who persuaded Chelsea to come home, so she together with Jazzer might be a good influence of him.
Also, Brian's proposal was a cliffhanger but we knew unrealistic.
Oh dear! I got it all wrong then!
DeleteThat’s what comes of listening late at night in bed. 🙁
I agree, daft for someone like Jim, but I thought he brought one of his own sheets with him.
ReplyDeleteWell done,Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteFar from being a wise old bird, Jim has form when it comes to ridiculous behaviour. Remember his juvenile rivalry with Robert Snell over bird spotting, and worse, when he was deliberately making a fool of Harrison Burns and wasting police time with his absurd behaviour over the bunting? No to mention his dodgy record as Parish Clerk with his plot to get Emma not Robert onto the Parish Council. Now I think it's gone beyond pottiness - he's beginning to sound quite mad!
ReplyDeleteAs said above in reply to Basia. Apologies for getting it all wrong!
DeleteNo point in getting worked up, but I'm sure you'd have found a better use for an old sheet...
DeleteI genuinely missed hearing that Jim had brought the old sheet specially. I sort os assumed it was one off the bed!
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ReplyDeleteI listened very carefully to the Omnibus today and did indeed hear Ben say that Jim had painted his banner before he arrived for BnB.
ReplyDeleteNote to self: do not post on the blog after only half-hearing an episode late at night!
What I picked up on,was that Ruth left a flapjack for Jim!
DeleteIt so reminded me of Jill and her protest at Les Soers...
😂😂😂
DeleteYooHoo!!! Anyone out there still listening to The Archers?
ReplyDeleteAn Archers fan on FB has a brilliant suggestion for Jim to scotch the Charging station plan -
Import a colony of crested newts to the site, or any other endangered species - application turned down ! Q.E.D.
Yes I am, AP, now I"be found a new way of doing it, and thoroughly enjoying my 13 minute excursion.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm here, as the resident expert on 1950s English village life, I have a couple of questions arising from my Father Brown addiction.
1. Did people really go round saying 'Good day' to each other?
2. Did the village women really all curtsey when greeted by the lady of the manor?
I don't know about "Good day" but in my childhood village and area we always said "hello" if we passed anyone, even if a stranger. I had quite a culture shock going to live in Cardiff in my 20's, because I started off by saying "hello" to everyone I passed but there were so many people going by it became impossible. I don't remember anyone curtseying to anyone but then there wasn't a lady of the manor. As children we accepted that if we misbehaved anyone of the elders of the village could tick us off. Our postman has just retired and as he came from, and is still in, the same village as myself (I'm now a mile or so away up the lane) we were reminiscing and, keeping in mind we didn't have telephones at home then, he said there was one time he was involved in some mischief out at one end of the village and although he came straight home to the other end of the village his dad was waiting for him and already knew what he had been up to.
DeleteI googled Blossom Hill Cottage and up popped a history of its owners and tenants since 1952!
ReplyDeleteAt one time Roger rented / purchased it but he and Jennifer only used it as a holiday cottage as they still lived over the bookshop at the time. Many of you will actually recall this 🤔
I’m just wondering why Brian chose BHC so specifically was it just that it was the only current available property? Odd that he wants a bigger place now he is alone also not having neighbours also seems to be a plus 🤔 hope he is not intending to do “a Greg” and lastly how long has BHC been available as it’s bigger than Willow could he and Jenny not have moved there sooner….
Await with interest.
When talking with Usha he said he came for a visit to Blossom Cottage when Peggy was living there, and it was then that, as he watched Jenny, he realised he wanted to marry her. So it had a happy memory romantic association for him that Willow Cottage never did. I got the impression that the previous tenants had only just moved out because Brian and Usha commented that they had left the house in a good state.
DeleteStill listening Archerfile but not finding anything interesting enough to comment on.
ReplyDeleteI found the Sunday outing stilted and not just because of Lee. The main point seemed to have been the mention of a big offer from an unethical company. Natasha was sending an email, of refusal? She is so money minded and I don't trust her.
ReplyDeleteThe goings on at Lower Loxley not worth the mention and Jim fed his strategy straight to the opposition.
In his defence, Lee is going through a difficult time in that, his daughters will soon be leaving to start a new life in SF.
DeleteAny-one who has relatives who have emigrated, will know what Lee is going through.
They are already there and it wasn't him but the others tiptoeing around.
DeleteI do know about emigration but nowadays people hardly move away forever not to be seen again.
I am so looking forward to seeing my OZ family again in September, the first time in 5 years. The only way they are coming to the UK for a much awaited visit, is that some family members (not me sadly) have helped towards the flight costs, as now need 4 seats!
DeleteI still listen each night, but at the end of the episode I can hardly remember what’s been said…. I’m not sure whether it’s me or the story lines. When Jennifer died I felt very involved but now less so, I think it might be me.
ReplyDeleteI said Natasha wouldn't let money slip past her - a poisoned egg - how will the girls feel about it in the future. "Someone else will do it", so I might just as well. Wait till the family find out. O what a tangled web...
ReplyDelete5000 is a lot to Ed but how many noughts for the twins and their parents?
It’s all about the money !
ReplyDeleteWho wrote tonight’s episode then ?
Tim Stimpson.
DeleteTom had bought some non-organic feed when the wedding expenses took over and let the farm down, now he's doing it again.
I wonder if perhaps listeners sometimes expect too much? After all, we are meant to be following these people's daily lives; how many unmemorable days are there in our own lives?
ReplyDeleteI know TA comes under the heading of 'continuing drama', but if they were to overdo the drama it would become ridiculous. I know that sometimes I get to the end of a week and can't believe there were the usual seven days in it because I can only remember about four!
I really enjoyed hearing Ed and Will in last night's episode, getting on so well together and seeing eye to eye over their shared offspring, George. Not for the first time either. All the bitterness and anger of the past, when it looked as if the brothers would never be reconciled, seems to have been erased. And they are both on the straight and narrow (the law never caught up with Ed over the dodgy chemicals business), so must have kicked the Grundy gene!
ReplyDeletePS. And Ed and Will were doing something sensible, informative and farming-related - what more could one want?
DeleteI could almost see the £ signs flashing in Natasha’s eyes. She is very adept at pulling the wool over Tom’s eyes and making him think her ideas are logical and worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteOn one of the other sites, she is known as ‘Nocasha’ which I always disliked, now I think it is quite suitable!
You could call me Nocasha too! I’ve got a few coins and a fiver in an old purse, but otherwise my finances depend on plastic!
DeleteTotally agree, AP, I find her an unpleasant character, for whom the bottom line is always money! But while I was thinking about the Bridge Farm group, I began wondering why the move of Lee's daughters to the US was introduced? I know that these days a lot of families do emigrate and it is especially problematic for split families, but - and this is probably going too far and the US is a huge place - could this mean the reappearance of Rob??? Given the dissatisfaction of so many of us with the present storylines, would it not make sense to bring back the character who provided the most successful listening figures in recent years? It would also tie in with Adam's attempts to track down his father!
ReplyDeleteOf course the truth regarding the sponsor of the twins modelling job will out and do massive damage to their own and Bridge Farm businesses and family relationships- then the money will have to be used straight away to keep them afloat so a disaster all round…..
ReplyDelete(Wake up Tom don’t become a “Harry”)
I was so hoping that Tom would stick to his guns about the modelling job and ‘nest egg’ plan and was really annoyed when he caved in under Natasha’s pressure.Stormy waters must surely follow down the line.
ReplyDeleteAre we not all delighted that the dubious George seems to have developed a genuine passion for all things porcine?
ReplyDeleteYes, but for how long will it be a passion ?
DeleteI’m sceptical.
But I could be wrong and with his verbal skills he might go far.
Oh, I'm sure he'll go far, Mrs P, it's the direction of travel I wonder about. Perhaps Wormwood Scrubs rather than just lowly HMP Felpersham, if there is such a place?
DeleteYes my feelings precisely Sarnia, perhaps another Matt Crawford in the making.
DeleteHe'll certainly try and lead Oliver a merry dance. It remains to be seen if he succeeds.
DeleteI am really liking how George is being shown. He can certainly "talk the talk" to his adavantage, and certainly does it well, so far.
DeleteAmbridge needs a new and younger schemer in the making, to take over from Justin, Martin etc. in future times.
As the title says - it is the changing of the guard - starting slowly as George turns 18.
I felt a spark of liking for George in the episode with his two grandmothers. Despite his ulterior motive, he did seem to me to be genuinely trying to help over their new role at the dairy, and his interest in pigs also seemed genuine. I hope it doesn’t lead back to Martyn Gibson!
DeleteCookery class, charging station and chemicals all discovered in one episode, and mum and dad will find out, no blackmail necessary.
ReplyDeleteWish my Fridays were as action -packed as that!
DeleteThey have certainly quickened the pace, three cliff hangers, one resolved and two under way. After lockdown there were many characters to an episode, to make up for the lost time. Archerphile said there is a limit of 7 now and recently there have been 6 on a regular basis.
DeleteWith the new limits on characters per episode, due to cost cuts, I have picked up on something else.
DeleteThe so much improved back-ground noises, so one feels they are in The Stables, The Bull etc. This helps with the lack of characters, as it feels others are around.
Yes, I noticed that too, Miriam. They've been sadly packing for some time, haven't they.
Delete..er, sadly Lacking!
Delete" April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other 364!" Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteI really hope Helen does snitch on Tom and Natasha to their parents. Tom is in thrall to that wife of his and needs his eyes opening. Pat is just the one to do it! 😉
ReplyDeleteIn Ambridge as most often in life truth will always out, even people who commit perfect murders have the need to share. Tom is blackmailing Helen because he knows he's in the wrong, but we knew once the idea was planted that it wasn't there for nothing. Money talks...and walks?
DeleteAP I also hope she does snitch. I say this as it could well damage what Bridge Farm is all about. Why should Natasha's grandiose ideas with the twins, spoil what Pat, Tony, Helen and Tom, have worked on for years..and what will this mean for Nats own juice empire, plus the Bridgefresh App.
DeleteAP. It might no be Helen that snitches to Pat + Tony
ReplyDeleteMy thought is that it could be Lee.🤷♀️
I say this as Lee's daughters are now living in SF. He probably doesn't like N+T promoting their daughters in such a way, when his own are now 1000's of miles away, so his feeling his loss.
DeleteWhen Tom apologised to Lee for waxing lyrical about the twins, Lee said he was okay with it. And although I don’t have a high opinion of Lee (dating from when he lost Henry at the fireworks display), I don’t think he is such a poor specimen of a human being that he’d deliberately take revenge on Tom and Natasha for being happy when he wasn’t. On the other hand, who knows what he might accidentally let slip..........
DeleteMore about money: Tom doing it against his better judgement as if his children's life depended on it.
ReplyDeleteThe Aldridge children indignant on behalf of their own.
By my own choice I read in the Saturday mail tv book Archers update for the following week but never post regarding it. Last night when I went onto Sounds to listen to the Sunday episode there was a whole page of write up which normally is put on late week. I was so cross on behalf of the many who do not want to know such detail 😡
ReplyDeleteHmmm Jennifer what was your thinking re Martha I wonder…….
Jennifer’s action does seem very strange, and out of character. I remember her being very insistent that Brian treat all of their children equally despite their assorted parents (I think this was part of her taking in Rauri) & Brian to his credit did. Of course only hearing this one clause of her will without any context does make everything more unclear.
ReplyDeleteAs I have posted elsewhere - it is not known yet, when Jenny added this to her will. It might have been when Martha was born and Alice was not capable of looking after her. Perhaps it was done to protect her grand-daughter at that time and she then didn't update her will.
DeleteI thought this was a likely decision of Jennifers too.
DeleteKates brood are well on their way into adulthood and Zander is likely to be well supported by his parents.
Jenny would have been very concerned for Martha when she was a baby and Alice was in difficulties, and feeling confident about her other grandchildren saw a way that she could support Martha come what may.
Pats closing prediction this evening is a sure clue as to the trouble ahead once the truth is out about the absence of Tom and Natasha.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Martha is a very plain child and Jennifer thought she'd need a 'dowry' to attract a future mate?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Jennifer left the money to Martha rather than Alice because she thought it might go on alcohol or rehabilitation if Alice fell off the wagon.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Susan! It’s outrageous of Helen to expand your job description without prior consultation or financial recognition of the increase in your workload. Don’t let yourself be turned into fodder for the Bridge Farm PR machine, which is what the George-Grundy-style pictures and purple prose planned for the website, would amount to.
ReplyDeleteNo, Alice, I don't think Jennifer's bequest to Martha is all about you. My previous theory was a joke, but my current one is on similar lines. I wonder if Martha is neurodevelopmentally delayed (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, prematurity etc) and the legacy was intended to ease the financial implications this might have. Without knowing the full extent of Jennifer's estate and other bequests , it's difficult to get this one into proportion.
ReplyDeleteMaryellen - I’m pleased to hear that your previous comment was a joke.
DeleteThough I have to say, in poor taste IMO.
I’ve spent the last twenty four hours moving from the thought ‘ surely you are joking ‘ to ‘ are you really serious’ and trying to find words polite enough to question a person I have considerable respect for.
Thank you for owning up.
Why in poor taste, Mrs P? Wrong century, I agree, the.compensatory dowry belongs to the 18th century rather than this one, and quite likely unfunny to anyone else. It”s well known.that. humour is the first casualty of blogging, especially irony. But. I think speculating that Martha is unattractive is no worse than the many other negative traits attributed by listeners to these fictional characters.
DeleteI didn't like the dowry joke but the fact remains that looks and money still matter most.
ReplyDeleteFifteen thousand divides neatly into five if Alice/Chris/Martha were inclined to share it, but the other four would have to wait till she comes of age.
Susan asserted her rights for financial recognition but the engagement ring idea was totally out of place, even for someone as outspoken as her, I'm surprised it fell to her.
I really didn’t get the engagement ring comment. Jack & Henry were setting a trail for Lee, so a present ostensibly from them for Lee, so two little boys giving their father figure an engagement ring is just weird
ReplyDeleteIn their eyes for Lee to use for an Easter proposal to Helen? Not that either would want that it seems…..
ReplyDeleteSusan on a fishing expedition. Nosey thing!
ReplyDeleteKate and Adam decided it wasn't all about money while for Justin it all always is.
ReplyDeleteKate was impressive tonight. Though we still don't know for sure what Jennifer's motivation was.
ReplyDeleteI think Kate and Adams working out Jennifer’s motive is very like my reasoning in my comment from 3rd just after the broadcast.
ReplyDeleteWhat this storyline needs now is a codicil to the will, hitherto overlooked (as so often in fiction) , in which Jennifer revokes her bequest to Martha and divides the £15000 equally between her grandchilldren.
ReplyDeleteKate and Adam will be happy because she appears never to have had any qualms about their ability to raise their children. Alice will be happy because her sobriety evidently convinced her mother to change her mind about her ability to raise Martha. The grandchildren who are old enough to appreciate their legacy will be happy. Listeners who predicted Jennifer’s motive will be happy. Brian will be happy that Alice is happy. Have I left anyone out?
So Robert is celebrating his 80th birthday is he? Will we get to hear anything of the party?
ReplyDeleteYes, that event was dropped in rather casually, wasn’t it !
DeleteI found that very sad, he's already been mentioned by Lynda and with the cuts may not even be replaced, perhaps for the better for those of us who knew him.
DeleteI hear that Carole Boyd is nursing her husband after a stroke or heart attack which may be why we have heard little from Lynda too. So many ageing actors are bound to being changes.
DeleteNow we know why they are having the Eurovision competition in TA, so that Rylan Clark can put in a guest appearance.
ReplyDeleteWhy him? Shades of Terry Wogan's appearance I suppose but cannot stand the man! Shan’t be listening to that episode.
DeleteFrom what I've seen of him he seems very artificial. Nevertheless, I understand that his mother is very proud of him
DeleteI presume they are hoping that he will introduce younger viewers to TA.
DeleteTalk about love being blind “Nana” and Ambridge is well served by buses it seems Henry zooming around on them - when did he get to be 12yrs old for goodness sake!
ReplyDeleteOver the last twelve years that have sneaked past while we weren’t looking (or listening in this case)
Delete🤣😂 indeed!
DeleteNo-one in the family is going to snitch on Tom and Natasha. *However* at the open day there was a comment on how much attention the Bridge Fresh twins were getting on the website. Soon the very same faces will appear on the adverts for the nice global chemical company - whoops!
ReplyDeleteWhoops indeed.
DeleteWhen I heard that comment about the attention the twins are getting, I fully expected a response regarding the modelling from somebody.
DeleteBut no, they all kept shtum.
It was Lee who asked Pat how they got on at the modelling session, Helen cut in to warn him off, then Pat said Tom kept forgetting to pass on any stills, she asked Helen if she'd seen them, who replied that it wasn't on her list to ask him, Pat was surprised, so she must have got the impression that something's not quite right. Tom the former eco-warrior who nearly went to jail for trashing GMOs...
DeleteQuite - has been set up be the next big SL for sure!
DeleteIt was bound to happen at some stage and we knew what it was when Harrison wanted to speak to Helen, but Susan was right to be worried too.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell that is a proper Friday night cliff hanger
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh, excellent! I seem to have been waiting for this moment forever! But we have another editor and scriptwriters now and I fear they won't be able to match the quality of the plotting and writing last time round. Let's hope Keri D. writes the scenes involving Rob. That's assuming this is going to be a 'proper' storyline, Rob does indeed appear, and it's not another damp squib.
ReplyDeleteWell I never ever thought it would happen. It not April1st is it?
ReplyDeleteI shall let loose my inner cynic - I’m assuming the ratings are either falling or are deemed to be below where the money men think they should be.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the round table conference…… “ our ratings were at their highest during the Helen and Rob saga. Perhaps it’s time to bring Rob Titchener back to the UK “.
PS - “ if only to put the wind up Helen “
DeleteI totally agree MrsP, I'm not looking forward to the Easter Egg hunt for Rob.
DeleteI'm waiting for Pat and Tony to discover Tom's betrayal, or will it be brushed aside in the face of the other looming disaster?
I thought the creepy Grey Gables bit led up nicely to the reveal that Rob Titchener was back. I am wondering if he has already reached Ambridge. The lads heard a noise in the house and Brad said he saw a flash of light, a torch perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good observation, but I'm more interested in how George and Brad will be followed up, Harrison saw them there and George broke something.
DeleteHelen and Susan met up for a business meeting and were both left feeling uneasy.
I wasn’t surprised to hear of Rob’s return to my mind it was always going to happen and probably set in motion to do so as far back as his original ban and coincide with Jack growing up…
ReplyDeleteI also wasn't surprised. It is 5yrs in June since that event, so the timing is just about right, well to me.
DeleteWhen he eventually emerges,I’m sure Rob will make every effort to meet Jack,by fair means or foul but he could also have returned to the UK to deal with a situation that may have cropped up with his parents.
ReplyDeleteGood point Portia - the actress who played the part of his mother died some time ago I believe, so a SL of a return for his mothers funeral might be a reason for his return.
DeleteHappy Easter to anyone here not on the other blog. Wishing you sunshine and happy days.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice! I hope the sun is shining for you in Cornwall as it is here in Hertfordshire, and you are doing your favourite thing!
DeleteMia is very naive, swayed by growth and greed and going down the "green-washing" road.
ReplyDeleteWhen Henry & Jack reach their adult years Helen will not want them to confide any of their worries to her then?
ReplyDeleteYes, but it's a rather complex situation, they've all been through it before and there was the scare with Blake. On the other hand, when it all comes out, Tom could accuse her of worrying them, and she's kept his secret to herself, though it's on a different scale, let's wait and see.
DeleteI think that in the circumstances, Lee ,under pressure,was right to divulge the news about Rob’s return to the UK to Tony and Pat.After all, they were very involved in the aftermath following the meltdown of Helen’s relationship with Rob five or so years ago and were aware of his attempts to kidnap baby Jsck. UnderstandablyHelen is now on edge,but it’s surely better to alert the family at least in case Mr T makes an unannounced visit.
ReplyDeleteMy thought re Robs return, is so very different to what is expected. This is that he is no longer the "evil" Rob which we all knew.
ReplyDeleteHe just wants to see his son Jack/Gideon, so to see he is happy with his life and Mum.
I predict that Rob just wants closure with Helen, so can get on with his new life, his new wife and children, wherever he now lives.
Such an idyllic and silly idea 😱🙊
Nice idea Miriam, alas I fear the SW’s will choose a more dramatic storyline
DeleteI would like Jack and his father to meet too. I still remember his pain as he begged for a glimpse of his pain when Pat triumphantly shut the door in his face as he begged for a glimpse of his son. But I don't think this will happen as I don't think Rob will appear and, like Mrs P said, it will all be about Helen getting wound up. Fortunately for us listeners, Helen is well acted.
DeleteAnd good for Natashs, turning up trumps again, prepared to support Helen just like she accompanied Kirsty when she was wildly roaming the streets of Felpersham looking for Blake.
Three different threads, I do wonder if what Jim puts on Justin's form will be to his liking.
ReplyDelete...but shouldn't it be Susan to comment, fill the form in and then sign it?
DeleteYes, I’m sure it should be Susan who writes the comment on Justin’s form, but Jim has taken the opportunity to hijack it and will probably make a negative comment dressed up with fancy words to make it appear positive.
DeleteIt strikes me that with Robert Snell now silent as we await his demise, Jim is now jousting with Justin instead.
Do men really behave in such childish ways ?
It occurred to me that Helen is not being sensible in I trying to keep Rob’s return quiet.
ReplyDeleteFor her own, Lee and the boys safety she should be shouting it from the housetops. Make sure Alan, Kirsty and the whole village know so they can all keep an eye out for Rob. Notice any odd comings and goings or unfamiliar cars touring the village.
In this case I think knowledge will be the safest option.
Agree ARCHERPHILE - Helen really hasn’t learned from her mistake in keeping silent while Rob slowly destroyed her self esteem.
DeleteStill believing that she alone can control the situation.
Although she knows that the police and court orders designed to prevent Rob coming close are in place, she continues to feel that she must be the front line defence, when instead many others knowing the situation could be alert on her behalf.
The Bench: I look forward to the outcome.
ReplyDeleteHa, you've covered both here Sarnia, I thought you were referring to Rob, then wondered why no one has mentioned George's offer and of course he'll be judged as well.
DeleteWell done, whether intentional or not.
All in your agile mind I'm afraid, Basia
DeleteYour subconscious prodded mine, joint effort.
DeleteI’d like to think George wants to make amends (as he did appear to rocked when he heard that the trashed bench was a memorial to Caroline) but later when talking to Brad he sounded more like the George we know - main priority being to cover his own back 😡
ReplyDeleteHelen well! As her character taking the stance she has makes me want to shake her but if this were a real life situation maybe her reaction a natural one? I guess the advisors to the programme on such a situation have had input as before…
What I don't understand, is why hadn't Caroline's Bench been removed, and stored in a safe place?
DeleteWith all the ongoing building works, surely Oliver would have done this, as it meant so much to him.
Perhaps though Oliver knows more and is testing George, as to his honesty and the planned £5000.
I would like to think that Oliver was testing George because he suspected that George might be responsible for the damage to the bench.
DeleteHe certainly sounded suspicious when he brought the subject up, but we all know how gullible Oliver can be.
Still, keeping wayward Grundy lads on the straight and narrow seems to be Oliver's chosen path in life, doesn't it.
DeleteNot sure about Oliver being so gullible, unless this relates to who the still unknown 60% owner of GG is. Perhaps, this will confirm his gullibilty, when all is revealed.
DeleteOliver just likes to see the best and potential in people, like Caroline always did.
However there has to come a time, when things become different - which is just my current thought.
Lying, cheating, devious, all four: Jim, Justin, Brad, George.
ReplyDeleteDid I hear Jim using blackmail again? No wonder I'm with Team Justin, who has never used blackmail as I recall and is kind to toads.
DeleteI think that was a rotten trick of the SWs to play on the lovely Brad.
ReplyDeleteCome on Harrison, you know full well the name of the real culprit.
I'm sure he does, but first he'll want to make clear to Brad the possible consequences of lying under caution.
ReplyDeleteBrad is urgently in need of a backbone.
ReplyDeleteAnd George is in need of a clip round the ear!
DeleteI can't understand why George so readily told Harrison the truth about what happened when he had impressed on Brad that he must maintain a lie. Hopefully Oliver will learn the truth and take back his offer to subsidise a start up business for George. I couldn't believe my ears when George offered to mend the bench not for free but at a cheaper rate than a proper furniture restorer. No sign of true penitence there just a chance to make money out of someone who was prepared to help him.
ReplyDeleteBy telling Brad to lie George threw most of the blame on him, but it doesn't exonerate him. Oliver has invested much faith in both the boys and has been let down badly.
DeleteIt'll be interesting to see what he does next.
They both deserve many hours of community service as a part of their sentence.
Are we certain George was in the other interview room and confessed all?
ReplyDeleteOr was this a trick to get the truth out of Brad, as is often seen in TV crime dramas?
Yes, I thought that, but then Harrison is lying too!
DeleteAnd I thought this might be a possibility too AP.
DeleteAnd, I agree Maryellen about Brad needing a backbone.
He knows how to be truthful and that being truthful is the correct stance but is still unable to stand his ground when manipulated by others. In this case by George.
I don’t watch tv cop drama (apart from Happy Valley) so assumed it was a straightforward case of the two suspects being interviewed separately and each fabricating a different story, when George’s suggested ‘don’t know nuffink’ didn’t wash. Soon discovered when Harrison and the other interviewer cross checked.
DeleteAh well, having now read the synopsis, I see I got that wrong (my excuse is I wasn't paying full attention because this storyline doesn't interest me very much). So George told the truth and Brad lied. Wouldn't you expect it to be the other way round, given that George is generally presented as the baddie and Brad as the goodie? At this rate Brad is always going to end up as the fall guy with his mother pleading that he's good at heart.
DeleteOliver is not sure if he's made the right decision but it's probably a good one.
ReplyDeleteThe Grundys broke Caroline's vase which Ed mended for him, saying it was like when Oliver helped him pick up the pieces, but it's never the same. He's done a lot for them and they keep throwing it back in his face. Brad as well, couldn't even face him.
Brad needs to apologise to Oliver and ask him what he, Brad , can do to try and make things better. Restorative justice.
ReplyDeleteNot the decision I was expecting, but I'm sure you all know Oliver better than I do.
ReplyDeleteIt was exactly what I thought Oliver would do. He has always been a very kindly type of person, keen to help those less privileged than himself. Caroline also. But I really do hope he stops the grant to George. He may not wish to prosecute the lad but surely cannot ‘ reward’ him.
DeleteIt wasn't the just decision, but probably the right one and yes, I hope the grant will be stopped as money is all that George cares about.
DeleteBy now the whole village knows and the "scumbags" according to George should be publicly shamed and made to put in community service hours, as and when needed.
Alice didn't face prosecution for criminal damage even though lives were at risk.
Tracy's argument that the bench was used as a ladder, in order to trespass, was out of place.
Both the cherry tree and Caroline's bench were damaged and Oliver's heart won't heal easily.
I hope that Brad will do just that and also hope that he has learned his lesson about allowing himself to be talked into unwise actions against his better judgement.If Mia tries to embroil him in her next crusade I hope he”ll send her packing.
ReplyDeleteJust as some of you said, he's back for the funeral, but don't believe Helen that he will not try to see Jack. I thought for a moment that Jess was back with him.
ReplyDeleteAs I suggested some days ago, the actress who played Robs mother has died so perhaps it would be her funeral that has given Rob a reason to return to the UK.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it seems, but as BASIA says he may well try to see Jack and perhaps Henry too.
And then Chris and Ian in particular working out that perhaps Jennifer felt that Zanda being the child within a stable relationship would not need financial assistance in the way that Martha might.
I do rather feel that Brian is right when he told Alice that she should accept her mothers action and not dwell upon it in relation to herself.
Even so it may take Alice some time to work through her emotions in respect of this conundrum and I hope she does.
I’m sorry Ursula never got to see her grandson. It must have grieved her in her final years. I always felt she was good at heart (like Brad) but coerced into submission by her horrible husband and then by her equally damaged son(s?)
ReplyDeleteI wondered if Rob had somehow persuaded Jess to arrange a meeting with Helen to draw her away from Ambridge so he could go there to try to see or speak with Jack.
ReplyDeleteAha, another interesting idea, we'll find out more tonight I guess.
DeleteThat’s a frightening thought Janice !
DeleteI do hope your wrong.
Why couldn't Jess tell Helen over the phone, she did turn up once when Rob was away.
DeleteNatasha questioned Jess if she was in touch with him, which she denied, but who knows.
There's bound to be a visit/confrontation, so why not now, especially with the court order only from the following day.
I hope Pat will not need to use a gun.
ReplyDeleteOliver didn't agree to any payment.
If I was Oliver, I would have a tree surgeon to the cherry tree and get specialist craftspeople in to mend/replace the bench and charge Dumb and Dumber for it. His gulliblity is really getting on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteI wish we’d heard Oliver talking to Emma/Ed & George after the truth had come to light. I think Oliver probably suspects George is trying to play him, especially when George was bad mouthing Brad. I just worry how George might react if/when Oliver refuses to pay for George’s efforts on the bench or withdraws the offer of the £5k.
ReplyDeleteCan George get any worse?
ReplyDeleteAt least Brad has seen through him at long last and I sincerely hope Oliver does too.
Right , I predict titchner will come back to attempt to see Jack and Pat will do him in. How Bridge farm will continue without the supply of “ only soup” to feed em when Pat’s in the clink I can’t imagine. 🤭
ReplyDeleteOliver is very generous and kind but he is far from stupid.and I too think that he doesn’t trust George,who he can’t have forgotten,feigned ignorance about the Grey Gables break in when it first came to light,and as already mentioned, spent tonight’s conversation mainly bad ,mouthing Brad.It remains to be seen how the repair job on Caroline’s bench pans out,but it is outrageous that George expects Oliver to pay anything at all towards the costs.
ReplyDeletePatricia Gallimore (Pat) will be 79yrs in August are we heading for her exit next! Either to prison or getting herself killed. I’ve not been aware of her nights of torment in recent times…
ReplyDeleteGeorge - I detest you and hope that was Oliver sussing out the real George towards the end of the episode (the conniving so and so!)
I know Pat has had mental health issues in the past but not as extreme as this gun thing. How would it help anyone or anything to repeat the Helen in the dock/iprison scenario for murder/attempted murder of Rob, with Pat instead of Helen? Or is she just going to wave it? Stale thinking, scriptwriters!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Why bring a gun into it and where from?
DeleteOr is he, again, going to put the weapon into her hand?
New thread opened
ReplyDelete