Life in Ambridge
Lif in Ambridge
Archer Family tree up to 2000, (pre Helen, Pip & Tom’s off-spring)
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Life in Ambridge
An upcoming storyline methinks!
Life in Ambridge
Let’s hope Fallon’s plan is up to snuff.
JaniceJune 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
ReplyDeleteWell from my only experience of a young blogger everything is a photo opportunity to be posted , so I have no doubt visiting the home of her boyfriend's family will feature on the blog, which if Amber posts snarky comments alongside it will exasperate Susan no end.
REPLYDELETE
Lady RJune 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Yesterdays BBC podcast featured “Will” and was very enjoyable, the actors certainly invest in their character over the years and as said before it is a delight to hear clips from years gone by and recognise voices from long ago. Philip Malloy stated that his own dad is also a cast member and I thought I know who he is but not in it now but Philip feels he is because Mike Tucker (Terry Malloy) in theory could return to Ambridge.
could always be reinstated- we wish
MiriamJune 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
ReplyDeleteListening to Will + the mention of Nic, it's reminded of a character, now gone, who was close to them and who Clarrie + Eddie enjoyed having around.
I'm talking about Mia. There's never a mention and she obviously no longer visits Will or any of The Grundy's
DELETE
AmbridgesMrsPJune 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Didn’t Mia go off to university Miriam ?
Perhaps we will hear something of her later in the summer.
Perhaps she and Brad will catch up with each other even if just to exchange news.
DELETE
MiriamJune 29, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Yes she went to somewhere like Newcastle (?) but that was in 2023.
DELETE
AmbridgesMrsPJune 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Well in that case the SWs have forgotten her.
Love the new picture KP very clever and a pleasure to look at!
ReplyDeleteA much nicer image than that which has been painted of the TA Amber.
DeleteThe clear piece of Amber looks lovely. I think in ancient times some thought it was formed from a liquid made by the sun's rays.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the new picture. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a very clever heading picture KP, well done for always finding something appropriate!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful woman! Here's hoping Brad remembers some incriminating facts that will send Artificail Amber packing tout suite.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, I would *not* have left her unsupervised in George's room. At best, photos will appear on her blog. At worst, things will diappear from the room.
His and his family's whole life will be on her blog and she won't ask for anyone's permission.
DeleteAmber is the Coronation Street actor swap for Harrison. Although I believe she has just left the soap now and radio is a new challenge. Let’s hope our Harrison will return though!
ReplyDeleteIf she is new to radio she is doing well.
DeleteShe has already created a recognisable character with voice and attitude from a script given to her. We, the listeners have already conjured up our impressions of the character she is creating with her voice, whether that be her natural speaking voice, or as I suspect, the voice she has created for the character of Amber.
Well done that actor !
As is so often the case, there is a grain of truth in Amber's seemingly wild accusations. We've heard Neil admit he found it difficult to take to George when the boy was younger, though he's done his best to compensate since. Emma was certainly aware of Neil's lack of feelings for George; she referred to it bitterly when she was going through her dark period following his confession and conviction. How conscious of it George was, I'm not sure. I think we're mean to to think he is.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me the saddest person in this storyline is Amber.
I don't think she will end up very happy whatever happens. I wonder if Chelsea knew her at school.
ReplyDeleteI’m beginning to feel sorry for her. It’s likely she was a target for the school bullies on account of her appearance, and perhaps saw a fellow victim in George who we know was bullied on account of his irregular conception etc. It would be interesting to know if Chelsea was involved with Amber in any way, or like Brad, only remembers a girl with thick glasses, and possibly overweight (no pastry clue).
DeleteBrad only just managed to remember Amber, if that is her real name, and he was in the same school year. Chelsea is older so I doubt she will know her.
DeleteHowever I bet she's onto Amber's socials and is seeing what is being posted. Now that I would love to know..
I see two very differing sides to Amber.
ReplyDeleteThere is the "influencer" wanting followers, being acknowledged and popular, using George to do this whilst keeping up a fake/false facade.
There is also I believe a softer side to her. In my mind this has shown when meeting The Family. She seemed genuine when she thanked Emma for her tea saying she'd love to go again. This was followed last night with Clarrie, when she seemed to be relaxed, eating cake, being tempted with a proper home-made chicken + mushroom pie, until Neil appeared and she reverted.
I think her family + home are not as has been described but very different.
The customised paint job was nothing more than a respray on an old jalopy.
These are thoughts I've posted elsewhere, sorry to repeat for those who've already seen them there.
To add, I'm still not convinced that she's as hard as she makes out.
DeleteNow George - he hasn't changed at all and is still manipulating others from prison.
I too am in two minds about Amber. Is the sharp, pushy influencer style just armour to protect a kind, vulnerable girl who perhaps was bullied at school? Or is the kindness and concern a show to trick others into giving her what she wants for her blog?
DeleteAnd have the script-writers decided which yet?
But I'm beginning to hope George has turned a corner - but whether because of Amber or hitherto unmentionned positive influences in prison I'm not sure. He's still planning his willow coffins so perhaps that is a genuine passion and potential way forward for him. (Although he may find there is local competition after all. The funeral director's catalogue I had need to consult last year had quite a selection of wicker coffins, with a variety of colour and stripe options to choose from no less.)
Oh dear oh dear, we can't really be going to have years of Amber can we? Please no.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you Janice, can’t bear the thought, but then she might well become a very interesting character in much the same way as the dreaded Natasha.
DeleteThen again she might become a flying visit, full face on for a few weeks, only then to disappear, rather like Joy’s daughter whose name I cannot now remember.
Rochelle !
DeleteHeads up for Maryellen.
ReplyDeleteToby is in the cast list for w/b 20th July...
,.as is Mia and there was I saying a short while ago, that she'd been forgotten about.
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DeleteThanks, Miriam, your news
DeleteHas really made my day.
T❤️O❤️B❤️Y back on air,
Hip, hip hip, hooray!
I’m pleased about Mia’s reappearance too, another firm favourite of mine. I very much hope she and Brad get back together. I wonder if she remembers Amber.......
Let’s hope Mia does remember Amber and gives us some more information about her.
DeleteOne small moment I noticed was that although George admired Amber’s loyalty towards him when describing her speech to his grandfather, he also reigned her in in the following remark.
That gave me a glimmer of hope.
Clarrie might be able to take her in hand. I liked Clarrie's no nonsense approach when she told Amber there would be no using of her phone at the meal table.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can, Clarrie can particularly with her knew found assertiveness.
DeletePhones on tables whilst eating, is a massive hate for me also.
I've had a thought!
ReplyDeleteThere's a big introduction for the Amber/George set-up at the moment along with the constant mentioning of release in October.
Might the sw's have a surprise up their sleeves in that George gets released earlier say in August, when he's served 40% of his sentence?
TBH I'm not sure if this is possible.
George is in a juvenile facility so there might indeed be different rules than in an adult prison.
DeleteBut you could be right Miriam. It could be a possibility.
And I agree about Clarrie. Also Amber did seem to be showing more than a little respect towards Clarrie.
DeleteI’m not sure how long I can listen to the Amber story. I think the scriptwriters/director have gone way over the top with this character. The me, me, me, attitude and the screechy voice; the self-centredness and lack of awareness of her effect on others is not endearing to me. I find her extremely annoying and almost unbelievable. Let’s get back to some of our regular, but recently little heard characters. Please!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Archerfile, when Alistair mentioned Denise I realised that I'd forgotten all about her and their relationship.
DeleteThere is obviously a back story with Amber, I just hope that it doesn't take as long as the Joy/Rochelle one to unravel.
Kenton might have a point about people always on their mobile phones, but if he'd treated me the way he did Alistair I would have walked out of the pub.
At first I wondered if the scriptwriters were commenting on the difference in generational values and styles between Boomers (most of their cast and listeners); and the post-Millennials, but I’m beginning to think it’s simpler than that.
DeleteSome bloggers have suggested that the Amber we have met is someone pretending to be the Amber who is known to have at the local secondary school, lives with her relatively well off parents and works for an agricultural supplies store. I think that’s true in a non-literal sense. The plain, unloved student with the unglamorous job has reinvented her image of herself as a smart, sassy example of a post-Millennial with a dream job, and able not only to charm George and win his love, but also to make him happy.
I know it’s an old cliche, but nonetheless true - what she wants is love, to have and give, and to feel valued. I think a dose of Clarrie and Emma’s naturally motherly care and attention will do her a world of good.
On this occasion, and in view of this character, I have not thought as deeply as you ME.
DeleteHowever at the end of last nights episode I certainly thought to myself, “this girl needs love “.
But this thought was accompanied by another - “ she is a con artist, out to capitalise on George’s family “
I’m standing on the side lines for the time being.
To be perfectly honest, Mrs P, I think the suggestion that Amber is out to con George and his family is batty - but batty ideas can produce gripping drama, so I’ll join you on the sidelines!
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DeleteGo Clarrie !
ReplyDeleteWhat a blinder.
Indeed! Henry's advice has done her the world of good.
DeleteAnd I'm beginning to warm to Amber - methinks perhaps her parents threw money at her rather than showing her any real love or attention.
Do youthinks Amber is a case of 'poor little rich(ish) girl syndrome)? (That's '-ish' because she went to state not private school, and has a store job, presumably customer-related as Ed (was it?) had encountered her thereand reported she was friendly.)
DeleteMy idea of Amber's back story is this:-
ReplyDeleteThere is a Mr + Mrs Gordon living in a large swanky house, which has a flat over the garage, who own a car sales business selling expensive and posh cars.
However these are not her parents.
Perhaps her Uncle + Aunt or other relatives.
Mr + Mrs Gordon, her parents, are just an ordinary couple living simply in a standard semi-.
For some reason Amber has very little contact with then, if at all and shares a flat with others.
That's my version, which I'm sticking to, rightly or wrongly.
To add:-
DeleteAmber is just cleverly using George and The Grundy's for her own benefit, to get the accolade + popularity she craves.
As some-one else has said - has Chelsea come across her in the hair/beauty business?
Miriam - I think you have described what I was trying to say yesterday when I said Amber was conning George’s family.
DeleteMaryellen disagreed.
I certainly disagree with the use of the word 'con '(as in con artist) in relation to Amber. It suggests she has deliberately fabricated a story she can use to exploit the Grundy family for money./lodgings/whatever. I really don't believe she is capable of that degree of cold calculation and heartlessness, nor do I see why she would need to do it, except for kicks maybe.
DeleteOn the other hand, if she is simply doing some mild boasting by presenting a more successful and glamorous (in post-Millennial terms) image of herself than the unremarkable, unloved student turned store assistant, that seems to me to be a very human and common trait.
We've heard the Ambridge locals mentioning where she lives and who her parents are, and I reckon they are in a position to know.
OK / hands up / guilty - when you put it like that ME.
DeleteHowever we are seeing her differently as each episode proceeds, so I will continue to sit on the side lines.
She’s pretty (Ed), unexpectedly good at farm work (Eddie/Will), and I’m beginning to think she’s here to stay. Helping Clarrie with the housework is the next step!
DeleteAnd perhaps moderating that silly voice ?
DeleteAs far as I am concerned, Amber is conning the Grundy's.She is deceiving them into believing that what she is saying about her life and background is the truth, which I just don't accept.
DeleteThat's my last word on the Amber saga.
I find it difficult to reconcile her first very abusive encounter with Emma with her present reaction to Clarrie and Eddie and Will. I am wondering which is the true Amber.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how long the scriptwriters are going to keep us guessing Janice.
DeleteI'm wondering if this is going to be the two year storyline that was mentioned.
DeleteGood thinking, Janice! I reckon it’s the most likely candidate listeners have suggested so far.
DeleteI still like the idea that the 2yr story is about Martha and does she or does she not, have FASD. This also won't be known definitely for two years ie 2027.
DeleteDon’t know how long the Amber story will last but it’s certainly playing with our reactions.
ReplyDeleteWhich is the real Amber, the short tempered, abusive, confrontational girl in the car park …or…the helpful, polite, kindly girl we heard last night with Clarrie and Eddie? Haven’t made my mind up yet.
It’s like which is the real Tracy - the vituperative harridan we’ve heard on more than one occasion, or the Bull’s agreeable barmaid and caring, if not totally effective, mother..... There are probably other examples of characters behaving contrary to their usual selves (but it’s too hot here to make the mental effort,)
DeleteThe sw's are certainly playing with us at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm equally as interested in the "Kenton, The Bull and the dog gang" ongoing story, which seems to being kept low key at the moment.
If this is deliberate then it's achieved it's goal.
It's there but very low lying.
It's better written as:-
Delete"Kenton, The Bull and The Dog Gang Story" which sounds like an Enid Blyton book.
The heats affecting me..😆
Listening to tonight's episode maybe it's not going to be so low key.
DeleteVery much disliked the poisoning of Tortoise story. Detailing how to hide a tablet (one for treating ADHD, I believe, in this case) inside a cat treat and thus poison the poor creature. I don’t think it wise to tell the listening public, in such detail, how to harm an animal. A very unpleasant storyline all round this terrorising of Kenton by the ‘dog gang’
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteMe + my big mouth as to mentioning this yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI find it strange that methylphenidate was used and it was so easily + quickly identified.
It just doesn't make sense to me.
Alastair might have recognised the name quite quickly because vets sometimes prescribe it for dogs.
DeleteWhat I meant was, why was an empty strip from a blister pack left behind, so what was used was quickly known.
DeleteThe tablets would have already been removed, so why leave it where it could be found?
I recognised the name because my grandson was prescribed Ritalin for a while when being treated for ADD (not ADHD). The side effects were unpleasant and his prescription was changed to a different drug which he tolerated well and was effective. He has now progressed well enough to manage without any drugs at all.
DeleteAmber is so hyper I am wondering if she has ADHD. If she goes to The Bull and if she had seen the cat and gone to pet it she might have dropped her tablets accidentally. Kenton doesn't know a tablet was actually put inside one of the treats and he is so on edge that he may just be imagining the worst.
ReplyDeleteBut how did the cat get the tablets out of the blister pack (and why would it want to?) I’ve sometimes had problems with blister packs, not being the deftest of women!
DeleteI am able to understand the possibility of a stranger attempting to poison the cat.
DeleteFor whatever reason.
I am unable to understand how such an individual would be so stupid as to leave the blister pack as evidence.
It was a threatening message to Kenton that this was no accident, but a deliberate act of revenge - this time Kenton's cat, next time...??
DeleteWhat a conundrum.
ReplyDeleteShould Susan tell Emma or do what Neil suggests and let it blow over and if Amber does apologise, will it make any real difference?
I think the heart of the matter is that what Amber said to Neil were her words, not George’s.
ReplyDeleteGeorge has obviously told her his side of the story and she has turned that into her story of what happened.
Have we ever heard George say that he hates his grandparents ?
If we have, I don’t remember it.
Nobody has anything to say about George’s chat with the Prison Chaplin?
ReplyDeleteSounded to me as if George still has a violent temper if he doesn’t get his own way.
Wonder if Amber would enjoy a prison wedding? And is it even possible for a prisoner that’s not all that far from release?
I thought the prison chaplain handled George very well, excellently in fact.
DeleteIf George chooses to maintain contact with him the chaplain might be able to achieve some positive change.
Absolutely, Janice. It couldn’t have been bettered, as the opportunity for a positive change in George’s depressing mental picture of himself became apparent. Well done, that man - and well done, George for seriously listening to him and taking what he said on board.
DeleteI can't believe George had the nerve to ask for the ring, and think Susan was daft to part with it. The acting was good. I could hear the disappointment in Susan's voice when she realised George had only phoned because he wanted the ring.
ReplyDeleteI've always understood that traditionally wedding/engagement rings passed down tov a daughter/s ( the wedding ring to the youngest daughter) and so it should have gone to Emma in time and then to Kiera. If Susan has the engagement ring I wonder if Tracey as the younger daughter had their mum's wedding ring.
I agree Janice. Poor Susan, thinking George had at long last ‘forgiven’ her only to find he was just after the ring. He seemed to think he had a ‘right’ to it. I wish she had refused and explained that the ring passed down the female line of the family and would go to his sister.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think I was aware of the tradition of passing the ring.
ReplyDeleteI too heard the disappointment in Susan’s voice and really felt for her.
However for me the pertinence was in the voice of George.
I took note of Maryellen’s thoughts on George’s conversation with the chaplain and tried to apply her sentiments to George, but what I heard was cynicism in G’s application of forgiveness towards Susan.
Cynicism bordering on threatening blackmail.
And in my opinion Susan heard what I heard.
I cannot imagine any form of reformation In George whatsoever,.
Quite the opposite.
Nasty subtle blackmail from the charming bully who has been behaving this way for many a year as we have seen in his relationship with Brad.
As for the recipient of the ring, I thought Amber was genuinely grateful to Susan.
Dear Mrs P, I disagree with you so much I nearly burst a blood vessel! I think I’d better refrain from comment for now.
DeleteI'm not sure Amber was entirely grateful as such, more surprised esp. with her thoughts of Susan and Neil.
DeleteSusan acted in haste after being so cleverly manipulated by George, which I think she'll later regret.
I've got my mother's eternity ring, one sis has her engagement ring and the other her true mum's engagement ring (her true mum died of TB when mum was 18months old).
I also have rings from other female relatives, but no idea who these were. A lot of my great Aunts(of which there were many) lost their fiancé's in WWI, so I rather think this is where these have come from, having passed passed down the female line.
I came across a website listing ‘10 things you can do with a wedding ring’ and I guess it would apply to an engagement ring too. They ranged from selling it to leaving it to someone, often close family, to having it buried/cremated with you, or with your deceased spouse.
ReplyDeletePersonally I’ve not heard of any tradition associated with either a wedding or engagement ring, though I’ve encountered instances of wives being buried wearing their wedding rings and vaguely assumed that was customary. I imagine the tradition for inheriting engagement tings was invented to make executors’ lives easier by preventing family squabbles! (Joke!)
Basically, Susan has every right to dispose of Ivy’s ring as she wishes, without consulting all her sibs....?
I think Susan should have at least had the courtesy to mention it to Emma Tracy + Bert before passing it on.
DeleteThis ring belonged to Bert's wife, Tracy's Mum and Emma's Grandmum so has sentimental value to them all.
Does anyone know how Lady R is? I’ve missed her vigorous comments on this blog recently, and when I popped over to the other one to deliver the news about Sarnia, I couldn’t find her.there either. I understand you may be too busy to post, Lady R, but if you could manage a few words to let us know, that would be great. Mary x
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to have made you so irate M E.
ReplyDeleteNot my intention so to do.
Hope we can continue to respect each others view’s despite disagreement.
Miriam- yes I can see how Ambers reaction was surprise, perhaps more than my interpretation of gratefulness.
As for rings.
I have my mothers rings, engagement and wedding, my fathers signet ring with engraved initials, and my mothers sisters ring. The sister she was closest to.
I’ve given one of the engagement rings to my youngest daughter, the others I still have.
My 21st B’day present of a silver watch chain bracelet I passed to my eldest G daughter on her 21st.
It still amazes me after all the years I've been listening to TA, how all hear the same episode but interpret it so very many different ways.
ReplyDeleteI wonder at times if this is due to differing personalities, backgrounds or just general understanding of the many and varied situations/events/actions
I find it interesting reading others thoughts + ideas, whether I personally agree or not and I often re-think my own perspective of a situation, not that I often change it! 😂😂
There's always many sides to any discussion, which I appreciate.
I too am fascinated by how we all hear differently and come to different opinions on the TA characters.
DeleteThat is what first engaged me on the blog, long before I became a contributor.
So here we are with Maryellen and myself having very different feelings about George and how he operates, and then tonight Neil voicing precisely my feelings about George and Susan saying perhaps what Maryellen felt about last night’s episode.
I agree Miriam, I think it is how each of us listeners have our own unique perspectives along with our personal experiences in life and with those we have met or known and how they operate in the world.
One person sees the good in a character, the other has a different, sometimes opposite view of that character’s actions.
Badly done, Neil.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Neil!
ReplyDeleteI think you and I Maryellen have just proved Miriam's and Mrs P's comments correct. 😀
How can riding roughshod over your wife with your ill-considered interference be anything other than bad? Neil has undone the chaplain’s good work and made the situation 1000 times worse. It seems his early dislike of his grandson, presumably springing from George’s irregular conception, has not gone away after all. After last night’s exhibition of how not to support your wife, and ruin the happiness of two youngsters at the same time, I’m inclined to think it’s Neil that’s the root of George’s problem.
ReplyDeleteMaryellen, firstly you will be glad to see dear Lady R has replied to our concerns over on the other blog.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, you and I have often had arguments (or differences of opinions) over the many years we have both been blogging.
But I’m afraid this is the biggest difference yet! I cannot agree with a single word of your opinion of any of the characters in the George story. I side with Mrs P concerning the ring and with Neil’s reaction. In my thoughts he was not riding roughshod over his wife - he was standing up for her, knowing what the ring meant to her and that she didn’t really want to give it away. He was being protective of her and furious with George for manipulating her. In the past Neil has often be thought to be too mild, a bit of a wimp, but last night was different , he showed his true feelings.
Like Mrs P, I too, hope we can respect our differences of opinion and continue our long held ‘conversations’ around the Archers.
If you haven’t so far listened to this weeks Archers Podcast I can certainly recommend it.
DeleteThe actor who is Neil ( Brian Hewlett ? ) talking about his character and in particular about last night’s ‘ outburst ‘ from Neil was most engaging.
I was quite taken that the presenter found the need to listen again, - in disbelief ! - at Thursdays episode, as did I, and for the same reason, that of George manipulating his grandmother.
I wish to add a point about Maryellen’s feelings about G and A and their happiness.
I don’t dismiss the apparent happiness of the pair, and I imagine the family feel the same, but it is the swiftness of the union along with the circumstances of having not met except over a table in the prison at visiting times that is the problem of accepting the situation.
And that goes for the family and us the listeners.
I haven't been this cross with a character since the time of Rob, despite feeling sympathy at times with George.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Amber does repeat word for word what Neil said and I hope that George tells the chaplain who, as he has showed himself very capable before, will encourage George to reflect on each of the points Neil made. If George is able to face the truth about himself then there is hope for him becoming a much better person. Yes the cause probably does lie in his origins and his feelings about that but he has to leave that behind if he is not going to become yet another Grundy always sailing close to the wind like his dad and grandad. Or maybe that is what the scriptwriters want.
To me Neil was just righting a wrong and in a way that there was no misunderstanding.
ReplyDeleteI get Neil was angry, and I get he was trying to stick up for his wife, but going in all guns blazing like that was never going to help anyone. He owed Susan the courtesy of sitting down and hearing how *she* felt about it and her reasons for deciding to give Amber the ring. Then they could have agreed together on how to respond.
ReplyDeleteEmma, Clarrie, and Susan herself have been working hard to show gentleness and friendship to Amber. She in turn has shown herself to be hardworking and appreciative of their acceptance. (I'm growing more inclined to think her brittle blogger personna is no more than an a protective carapace.) Neil's outburst will have undone all that, crushing the progress with Amber. And, when she reports back to George, further confirming his feelings of rejection and anger and potentially sending him on a downward spiral.
I do hope that chaplain's got some staying power - he's going to be needed if George is to come out of all this in one piece.
I hope Amber sticks by him too. Underneath the blogger's veneer and pride at having 'my boyfriend, the prisoner' I suspect she is a loyal, loving girl who could actually be very good for George. (And will learn to treasure her £10 ring from the market far more than an Insta-ready bit of bling.)
Neil should have respected Susan’s decision, especially as she had already actioned it. She is cleverer than him. I thought hearing her begging while he just kept ranting was heartbreaking, and I very much doubt her enforced repossession of the ring will bring her the pleasure it used to, poor woman. There’s no reading of this episode that can ignore the fact Neil has made things worse.
ReplyDeleteAs for Amber’s role, I wholeheartedly share the views in OWiaS’s post.
How has Neil made things worse?
DeleteOWiaS’s post above explains. It’s possible Neil’s.disregard of Susan’s express wishes could affect their relationship, though probably only temporarily.
DeleteThanks for alerting me to Lady R’s post, Archerphile. Such a stalwart!
ReplyDeleteGeorge's manipulation of his grandmother is as much coercive control as Rob's was of Helen; and it has to be challenged or it will continue and gradually worsen. Susan like Helen is failing to see it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI didn’t register manipulation or coercion in George’s phone conversation with Susan at the time and I can’t face re-listening. I think I registered persuasion, if anything. What was his approach?
DeleteI have just relistened to see if there was anything I had missed that would make me change my mind about George but couldn't find anything. I think the main thing for me, other than him having the cheek to tell his grandmother he had a right to the ring, was him saying he could learn to forgive with the implication that he would if he had his way about the ring, and Susan immediately said she understood what he was saying so perhaps not so blind to the coercion as I thought.
DeleteThe most charitable thing I can think of to say about George is that he is young and still thinks the world revolves around him and that if we are lucky he may in time mature.
I do think he and Amber may have a future together. They are both hiding their real selves, both lacking self belief and vulnerable. It could be that Amber's fierce championing of, and her love for, George is just what he needs.
I have now listened to that phone conversation three times.
DeleteMaryellen heard persuasion.
I heard manipulation.
I’ve just checked the various dictionaries for clarification.
My conclusion:-
persuasion for the purposes of personal gain is manipulation
George told Susan that he had a right to the ring and that by having it for Amber it would be staying the family.
He then implied that if Susan were to relinquish the ring to him for Amber, he would/might find it in himself to forgive. He did not clarify what he might forgive. It was simply ‘ forgiveness’ !
During this conversation I certainly heard Susan’s tone and voice change, from excitement and anticipation of why and what about George wanted to speak with her, to caution, then pause, followed by a dull understanding of the threat in his voice.
Susan understood, as did many listeners, that the words George was using in the form of persuasion, was in fact manipulation.
Thanks very much, Mrs P and Janice, for doing the research I didn’t have the energy for.. Having read your dictionary definition of manipulation, all I can say is that there’s an awful lot of it about! It starts in the pram, according to an article I read about the survival instinct. I wonder if deep down that’s what’s driving George now.......?
DeleteGeorge was certainly wrong about his right to Ivy’s ring and we don’t know why he thought that, since he didn’t back up his claim. Blackmail could certainly have been implied, ie. not stated, in George’s reference to learning to forgive his Carter grandparents. I thought at the time he was harking back to his talk with the chaplain. (Two excuses: the heat and the distraction of the Euros!)
It saddens me that people are so reluctant to give George any credit for his good qualities, especially heroically risking his life to save Fallon’s, which gets dismissed on the grounds he caused the accident in the first place. And interests me how wide and deep the ripple effect on the village of Alice’s alcoholism has been.
Nothing to do with Archers Maryellen, but re your first paragraph. Have just been reading a book called The Obscured Principles Decoded by Jason North. Based on ancient, possibly Egyptian but probably universal, principles but given a modern neuroscientific approach. Very much a clear expiosition of how we are not our real authentic selves because of how we are conditioned from birth to fit into what is considered normal society. Family and tribe ( survival) religious belief ( control and power), education (teaching the remembering of what are decreed facts by those in authority rather than encouraging creative thinking), Goverment (control and needing a compliant population) consumerism with its mass market brainwashing, and perhaps even more insidious modern media and algorithms that direct our thinking.
DeleteThe author's premise being that we need to peel back the layers and then from a place of clarity make concious choices of what we will go along with and what we won't.
Sorry to inflict all that on you Maryellen but I found the book interesting.
And yes I do think we are mainly a product of our environment, and I hope the chaplain can peel back a few of the layers for George. If that can be done the future is hopeful for him. He does have qualities that make him worth more than ending up as another sailing close to the wind Grundy or a Clive.
Exposition!
DeleteI haven't listened to TA for a week as we've had visitors. I'm really not enjoying the George storyline and, after reading this blog, I don't think I will bother catching up.
ReplyDeleteAmber certainly has two sides to her - the seemingly homeloving young woman who mucks in and enjoys it and wanting to belong somewhere, then the "fake" Amber with her make-up and airs + graces
ReplyDeleteBoth Amber's have one thing in common, her total adoration of George and believing all he says to the extent of being so rude to Neil + now Susan.
She's not who she seems and I think she is not off sick but has lost her job, is homeless as evicted from where she was staying ,(how else were her suitcases + belongings packed so quickly - they were already in her car) and she is broke with all her credit cards maxed out.
Her solution is to live with George's family until they get married when all will be well.
She's deluding herself, as she doesn't really know George and his ways.
In a way I describe her as a "Little Girl Lost" even though she's 19yrs.
This is just my own take on Amber.
The Editor and scriptwriters have certainly hit on a story intended to get listeners really keen on listening to the programme again and commenting on many platforms. It reminds me of the huge interest shown in the Helen/Rob story. Everyone seems to have a different view of the various characters and so many opinions have been expressed. The podcast today added more thoughts and an insight into Neil and Susan’s relationship.
ReplyDeleteThe powers that be must be really delighted that this story, these characters, are boosting interest in such a long running BBC programme. And long may it continue!
👍
DeleteI like how some of the characters have at times, caricature-like appearances. By this I mean how Amber is when in her influencer mode, Martyn with his new look and then there was Mick as security at The Bulll... This is just my imagination and interpretation.
DeleteAnd Lynda most of the time!
DeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe that I can now leave comments again. I’ve been locked out for ages but still reading.
ReplyDeleteI don’t leave many comments but do still want to be able to do so.
That’s excellent news, Esscee! Looking forward to reading your comments.....
DeleteLovely to hear from you again Esscee 😊
DeleteWelcome back Esscee! So glad you can post again and long may it continue. The more opinions we have on the current storylines the better. It is so interesting to read what others think and compare new opinions with one’s own.
ReplyDeleteHello Esscee nice you are back. I had problems in the early days but then my son put a link to the blog on my tablet desktop and I just click on that and haven't had any problems since.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice, I’ll check if that can be done by one of my sons (they’re both far better than I am at the techie stuff!)
DeleteI was having the same problem Esscee and finally got back in yesterday. I have now written down all the details of how to do it.
DeleteAs the Bull is prominent at the moment, I wonder if we’ll get a last minute mention of pubs staying open later tonight for the England v Italy match in the semifinals of the Euros? A difficult choice for you, Gianna - or maybe not! There was an eye-popping incident in the quarters, when one of the German team pulled the French captain’s hair early in the game. She got sent off with a red card and Germany played one down for the rest of the match, but still managed to win.
ReplyDeleteNo Maryellen, despite living in Italy since 1973 I still support the English
ReplyDeleteteam even when they are playing Italy. Of course when Italy is playing any other country I cheer for them.
That sounds a very good approach, Gianna. What a match last night’s was! It always surprises me we hear so little about football in Ambridge given it’s a universal talking-point. I know Kenton has a big screen for viewing sporting events, and I believe Roy Tucker is an Aston Villa supporter (like Prince William), but those are the only references I can remember......
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ReplyDeleteTo explain the deletion of my comment. It was referring to the revelation about Chelsea. I decided it was contentious, so removed it.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with contentious, as long as everyone respects differing opinions and plays nicely..
DeleteI wasn’t surprised by Amber’s revelation, there had been vague hints which lots of people picked up on with respect to having been picked on at school, that Chelsea was involved wa predictable for dramatic purposes. Chelsea’s denial of bullying does reflect how people’s definition of bullying varies. Chelsea would, in my opinion, define bullying as physical abuse, extorting money or damaging property, and while the Chelsea we first met was not especially pleasant I suspect she would have limited her unkind behaviour to verbal abuse and possibly “accidentally” bumping/barging into others in corridors or playground.
Please note I loathe that sort of “ mean girl “ behaviour, I have always found any sort of aggression incredibly difficult to cope with but I fear that the world was ever thus, has possibly worsened due to social media, and dealing with it is challenging.
Sorry for such a long post, something I feel quite strongly about.
Maryellen just made a comment about an interesting book that relates to a comment of yours ( july 20th)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice! I think you are a more adventurous thinker than I am. I find the thought of having all my conditioning layers peeled away extremely daunting, not just because it leaves me "a stranger, and afraid, In a world I never made" (must check who wrote that), but because of the hugely demanding mental effort needed to reconstruct my world view and resulting code of behaviour. Phew!
DeleteHopefully Pip will do the research and discover via the Children’s Society website, for instance, the availability of specially designed, child-friendly, first phones with limited features and no web access. The website covers the question of age in great detail emphasising that it’s entirely down to the parents, and advising that children aged 7-11 can have smartphones for. safety reasons, but parents should ensure the device has limited features (etc) and supervise closely.
ReplyDelete(It reminds me of newspaper stories about very young children phoning 111 because “mummy won’t wake up’.)
Dramatically, I suspect this story is more about Rosie’s parents’ relationship than the merits of mobile phones for children. I hope so.
It was great to hear Toby again last night though I confess I didn’t recognise who was speaking at first. I do hope this phone argument is not going to affect the relationship between Pip and Toby to the extent of stopping Rosie spending time with Toby. He did sound quite upset that he seldom gets to see her, play with her, get to know her etc. I even wondered if he would suggest Rosie going to live with him for a while. I’m sure Stella would love Toby to get custody of the child instead of having to put up with the very Rosie-centered Pip.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Toby is not in next week’s cast list and I’m afraid his appearance may be only a pop up. (Unhappy face!)
DeleteJanice ….. just read your post directed towards ME comments re George and our conversation about ‘ persuasion ‘ .
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds right up my street.
Thanks for the recommendation.
And for the record….I do not think or believe that George Grundy is a total right off nor an intrinsically bad person.
He certainly does have some good qualities and has a kindness about him.
Unfortunately the ‘ take a chance ‘ trait beloved by his grandfather and old Joe (both significant characters in his younger years ) are deeply rooted in his psyche IMO.
Sorry Mrs P. but I still can't see George as a true kind person. He might have had moments of this but I still can't forget how unkind he has been to Brad, on so many occasions. He certainly wasn't kind to Alice when he put her in the drivers seat on that night.
DeleteDon't forget how he conned Chelsea to give a haircut to a guinea-pig not kind.
However I would love to learn how George is so kind, which I've obviously missed.
Too add, he was hardly kind to Mia both after Nic died and years later, when she got together with Brad
DeleteHow I wish there was the option to edit a published post as I just want to add that I've never been keen on George, so I probably have selected hearing when he's around.
DeleteWell, for starters, George is.good with children and animals. Look how fond of him Keira and Poppy are, and he of them, and he is one of Martha’s favourite childminders if not the favourite. He and Bartleby have a very special relationship and he’s caring and competent around livestock and pets.
DeleteI'm wondering if the appearance of Toby saying he feels left out with Rosie, Stella/Rosie + Pip's relationship which seems to me, a bit problematical at the moment, will result in Stella leaving + Toby returning.
ReplyDeleteI would love this to happen.
Just listened to last nights ep which I missed due to falling asleep!
ReplyDeleteI don’t like the sound of what’s happening at the pub at all. Jolene and Kenton are both very frightened now, I certainly wouldn’t want to be in their position. As you all know, I also am terrified of dogs and can understand Kenton’s reaction to Mikey and his gang. I really hope this story is wound up soon as I find it very uncomfortable to hear.
ReplyDeleteRe Mary Ellen's post on July 26th, as I couldn't recall George ever babysitting Martha, I did a search and came up with the following :
"George Grundy did not babysit Martha in The Archers. In fact, George was the one who endangered Martha's drunken mother, Alice, by moving her into the driver's seat of a car after a crash. This incident led to Alice losing custody of Martha, and George faced intense backlash for his actions. There is no mention of George babysitting Martha in the search results or in the context of his storyline."
I can't confirm the accuracy of this statement, but can anyone else recall George ever babysitting Martha?
I remember Riuari looking after Martha but not George - though he might well have done.
DeleteHmm! What is your source of information, Patricia? Because I definitely remember an episode when George was minding Martha for Susan who was overloaded. It made me smile at the time because when George was asked afterwards what his recipe was for calming a fractious child, he said give her something she likes do (in Martha’s case, put her favourite cartoon character on) and follow it up with a biscuit. I thought his familiarity with Martha’s preferences suggested he’d done it before, and I more dimly remember Alice mentioning Martha’s liking for George.
DeleteI just can't see Alice leaving George in charge of Martha. Perhaps George was just keeping an eye on her for a short while at Ambridge View, whilst Susan was busy cooking or similar.
DeleteOh Well, if George is Martha's favourite minder, then so be it.
As I said, I can't confirm how accurate this statement is. I just asked google if George had ever babysat Martha and that is what it came up with.
DeleteWhat I had forgotten is that George is Martha's cousin and probably saw more of her than I'd realised.
DeleteI think Google may have defined ‘baby sitting’ as a more formal arrangement than the kind of informal, family child minding’ that Miriam describes, which is what I remember from the episode I heard - though I can’t now be sure whether Susan was on hand or not.
DeleteMy point was really about George’s relationship with Martha and the positive qualities it shows, in answer to Miriam’s request for examples of George’s kinder and more gentle side.
I missed last night’s TA because the Euros ran into extra time, but caught up with events via the BBC synopsis, from which I gather that the Gills are leaving the Home Farm house. Brian says he couldn’t afford to buy it - but Miranda isn’t short of a penny, so maybe a joint purchase?
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet Chris will move in with Alice and Martha........
ReplyDeleteWhat builder, having done a survey and saying dealing with the dry rot will take several weeks can be ready to start within 2 days?
ReplyDeleteThe contents of the shop could be re-located to the village hall but what about the Post Office? That has to be somewhere secure. The charging station perhaps?
Is Hazel thinking of getting rid of the shop & turning the building into 2 luxury flats now that there is no Peggy to object? She’d get far higher rent if she does.
And as Maryellen has already suggested, this is the perfect reason for Chris and Martha to move in with Alice.
But he hasn’t even got a surveyor in to look at the supposed dry rot, yet, as you say, could start in two days.
DeleteCome on TA - get real…… please.
Thank goodness for dramatic licence! Weeks and weeks of dry rot would be more than I can take.
DeleteI read the strapline about Susan having the rug pulled from under her, so when the builder turned up I thought Hazel was planning to sell up.
DeleteWasn't there another builder in Ambridge recently was was remarkably able to do jobs at short notice? Nice bloke, Mr Mouse/Most/Dross/?
Chris could always oust Jakob and live in his own cottage with Martha.
DeleteI don't think Chris could throw Jakob out at 2 days' notice! Presumably their contract is for a fixed term and probably has some time to run. Chris can always hole up at Ambridge View, as an alternative to The Nest. I don't feel Jakob should suffer.
DeleteI'd be very surprised if Hazel isn't up to something with the shop + flat.
ReplyDeleteAt Peggy's funeral Hazel said to someone, Pat I think, that there was nothing left in Ambridge for her now. I might have mis-remembered this I admit.
How very perceptive of you Miriam……. Of course ! A trick from up Hazels sleeve. It’s certainly a possibility. A ruse I would never have thought of.
DeleteThank goodness we have you on board Miriam, your alternative view is always worth thinking about.
I agree Miriam, Hazel is someone to be always suspicious of.
DeleteIs this a changed George? Showing empathy to Brad at his news of Mia, and writing poems. Is that chaplain a miracle worker?
ReplyDeleteIt's just the love of a good woman, which George has never known before. 😆
DeleteI think George has known the love of several good women.
DeleteEmma his mother and Susan and Clarrie his grandmothers.
Not romantic love, I grant you, but love nevertheless.
What I want to know is, who does George think is going to pay for his wedding?
ReplyDeleteI imagine George will consider the cost of his wedding a triviality.
DeleteThe money will come out of thin air.
Didn't Brad have a green suit in which he looked stunning - hence George's reference last night to Brad looking handsome as his best man? Hope it still fits!
DeleteNone of George's family seem to be worried about the cost of the wedding.
PS. I think it was a green VELVET suit - but that could be my imagination running away with me! I was very pleased Brad accepted George’’s invitation to be his best man with such genuine pleasure. It said a lot for his new-found social confidence. No doubt University is to be thanked for that, as well as his public-facing job at Grey Gables.
DeleteYes it was GREEN VELVET - I remember because I once wore a green velvet mediaeval style dress to a formal dinner at Leeds Castle, and I thought of that dress when Brad’s suit was mentioned.
DeleteWasn't it what he wore, sourced from a charity shop by Chelsea, for Tracy + Jazzers non-wedding - a bad omen?
DeleteI bet Amber won't want green velvet at her wedding.
Because good-looking Brad in green velvet would upstage her?
DeleteThat was a veritable war of words but Justin is right about Brian Aldridge. He is such a hypocrite. A business man who poisoned the countryside for money, now claiming inaccurately that Justin is a businessman who intends to ruin the countryside (and farming businesses) for money. I’d sling my hook if I were you, Stella!
ReplyDeleteIf Home Farm is a business partnership then Stella's next move should be to call a meeting of all the family partners. Adam, Alice and Debbie definitely won't want to see wheat rotting in the fields or want to be sued for breach of contract by Justin. Kate may be more sympathetic towards Justin's ideas but won't like the idea of waste. Ruiari is more of an unknown.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if Brian has recognized he needs to take a step back because he has been sounding Alice out about managing Home Farm, although that may cause some drama with Adam.
Where did this idea of a huge concrete building come from? I don’t remember Justin mentioning it when he was going on about protecting the countryside. What’s it going to be used for if they are no longer growing grain that needs drying and storing. I am confused 😵💫
ReplyDeleteMe too. I just don't understand why it has to be concrete, there has to be other suitable materials available.
DeleteThen there is the vertical growing which has to be done on a large scale to make it a profitable enterprise I would have thought.
Aquaponics has already be tried and that was wound up/failed, so I am equally confused as to this as a commercial enterprise.
At least the feasibility study will address all my thoughts and give answers.
Growing crops in floor to ceiling racks under artificial light, I believe.
DeleteThanks.I know what it is and how it works but my thought is the viabity if it in Justin's schemes.
DeleteSorry that looked as if I was treading on your toes, Miriam. We were evidently typing at the same time and you published first!
DeleteIt was Brian Aldridge who described Justin's proposed building as a "concrete warehouse" and he was deliberately making it sound unattractive and unsympathetic to its countryside setting. As you say, Miriam, the feasibility study should be more specific.
DeleteI just want to know how things are at Brookfield with their sheep + cattle along with their own harvests. Then there is Ed and his texcels plus the pigs with Neil, Hannah + Jazzer, not forgetting Rex and the weaners
ReplyDeleteI wonder how Adil's allotment is doing, is that re-wilded or has someone else has taken it over.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
DeleteStella has my admiration as to going to do the wheat harvest, even though it probably means she'll have to face the music, so leading to her resignation. I can't see Brian forgiving her in any way, unless he has a sudden change of heart.
ReplyDeleteO course, if she *does* resign, it will clear the way for Adam to step back in, or perhaps Alice, as per Brian's suggestion ....
DeleteIf she resigns or is sacked and has to move for work I wonder if she and Pip will be able to stay together.
DeleteOr, I wonder if Oliver being grateful if she harvests the wheat will offer her a job managing his rewilding/vertical farming site.
Too many posts again which is a bad habit of mine I know, so it's 🤐 🤐 for awhile now.
ReplyDeleteUntil next time..
But you have so many interesting points to make Miriam, which I read daily on the other Archers site. And they are very humorous too - you should try some of them here. We could do with a bit of humour now and then.
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ReplyDeleteYou could have been prophetic, Miriam, when you jokingly described Eddie and Amber as Stella’s dream team for harvesting on the Archers Unofficial blog which took over from the junked BBC blog. I guess you were thinking of Amber’s proficiency at haymaking with Eddie and Will. Reading your post, it struck me that, if she sticks with George and even marries him, she could be a great addition to the Grundy Tree Surgery tea (with appropriate training of course). What’s more, she might use her influencer role to.promote countryside activities and values. Hope so!
ReplyDeleteTea has lost its final m!
DeleteDon’t understand ME - aren’t we the blog that took over the junked BBC blog ?
DeleteWe are another spin-off from the demise of the BBC blog. Like us, the Unofficial blog is a personal initiative, using software that.resembles the BBC’s, which is easier to access and use than Blogger. It has a much larger pool of regular contributors who mostly use their real names. Others here may remember more than me about Unofficial’s origins..
DeleteI won’t comment on the content of the Unofficial blog except to say the use of unfunny nicknames for characters and stale jokes about them seems to have diminished. For myself, I. prefer the tone and content of this blog.
DeleteJust to add, for clarity, that the Archers Unofficial is not so much a blog but a page on Facebook. The BBC did have a Facebook page for several years and it was taken off because, I think, the BBC didn’t want to spend any more money or time supervising it. It was later that a group of keen fans set up their own FB page and called it the ‘unofficial, because that exactly what it is. There are several Archers sites on FB, some of which are awful. But the one that Miriam, Maryellen and I all look at is, in my opinion the best of the bunch. I find it interesting to read other opinions and there are a few farmers on it too who contribute what ‘real’ farmers are doing each week.
DeleteThanks for info, sounds interesting but I think I will stick with US - I already spend far too much time on my IPad !
DeleteThe site where I put my sillier posts as well as the sensible + serious ones, is not the BBC Unofficial but another one.
DeleteI often repeat the same thoughts here, but not the sillier ones
I know AP is a member there but not ME, so I'll now be trying to work out who she is!
Thanks for filling in the details so knowledgeably, Archerphile - I must admit I was using 'blog' quite loosely! I agree with you Unofficial is the best of those I've encountered, though a different experience from the old BBC site, do you think?.
DeleteI wonder if Emma + Will picked up on that they are also going to have to pay for Keira's and Poppy's bridesmaids dresses?
ReplyDeleteSuddenly Amber is mentioning a cousins little girl as another bridesmaid, along with her four closest school mates as others.
So from having no special friends nor family, she suddenly has 7 bridesmaids! 🤷♀️
I’m looking forward to George’s poem to Amber, though I’m not sure if it’s coming any time now or not till their wedding day. At a family wedding last January, the bride gave a poem to her mother in law which she circulated. I felt it wasn’t entirely the bride’s own work, in fact she might have had a template, but kept the thought to myself of course. It made me wonder if poetry was the latest wedding trend. I trust George’s poem will be all his own work!
ReplyDeleteOMG Amber what a birthday gift 🦷 🪥 😂
ReplyDeleteSo insulting - particularly since Emma feels that her teeth are still quite bright.
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DeleteThe natural colour of teeth is off-white, not "Dulux Billiant White". Somehow I can't see Emma with such, in her normal way of life! Getting teeth polished by a hygenist is all that's needed for a natural bright smile.
DeleteIt's the fète on Sunday, so will Amber make her Ambridge debut then, as after all she'll have a great audience and what an opportunity!
ReplyDelete