Life in Ambridge
So Lily is off to Australia, she might see this.
Life in Ambridge
An upcoming storyline methinks!
Popular posts from this blog
Life in Ambridge
This is how village cricket should be…
Life in Ambridge
Who will win the Tug of War?
Sydney harbour bridge is impressive but I prefer suspension bridges, more elegant I think
ReplyDeleteArcherphileDecember 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
ReplyDeleteI see Azra and her family are in the cast list next week, so I hope we will hear George paying her a visit and starting to get the help he needs. Hopefully she can refer him to the right place or person to begin dealing with his mental state.
REPLYDELETE
Lady RDecember 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Yes I noticed that too AP ✔️
DELETE
maryellenDecember 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I suppose every time someone rejects George, it’s the equivalent of a punch in the face but the bruises show in his subsequent behaviour not physically, of course. It’s not acceptable for him to punch Ed physically but seems to be okay for appalling Lilian to batter him verbally, affecting his mental health as seriously as he has affected Ed’s physical health, if not more, because she’s one of several. Have I missed something?
AmbridgesMrsPDecember 6, 2025 at 11:51 PM
ReplyDeleteNo Maryellen you have not missed anything.
Your point is valid.
If George can get onto an anger management course and be helped, perhaps some therapist can be rustled up to teach Lilian how to button her viscous tongue.
DELETE
maryellenDecember 7, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Thanks, Mrs P. It reminds me of the old playground chant: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. Hmm!
DELETE
AmbridgesMrsPDecember 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I can remember chanting that in defiance, whilst at the same time knowing very well that words can hurt, and did !
I’m quite glad the Malik family might be leaving. I’ve never really warmed to them, I suppose because there are long standing characters I’d like to hear more of, Hannah for instance, Toby of course, and isn’t it time Jack had a voice?
ReplyDeleteI quite like the Maliks. I hope they don't go.
ReplyDeleteI've had trouble posting today. I usually sign in with Google, but today I kept getting asked to sign in with Blogger. It seems to be connected with my new browser - I've switched to Ecosia - but Edge didn't co-operate either. I've had to return to Firefox to get in. Anyone else encountered the Blogger sign-in issue?
OK, I've deleted the last hour's browsing history and all is back to normal . (Or at least as normal as anything ever is inside this shoe ...)
DeleteGlad to hear that things are OK again OWIAS.
DeleteI presume that I don't tend to get any problems with Blogger is because it's a Google blog and I use the Chrome browser on all my devices. Hopefully that won't be a case of famous last words!
I posted on 8/12 did not spot new blog in action 😌
ReplyDeleteLady RDecember 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
ReplyDelete(No1)are the Maliks on their way after all? (No 2) only 12 in the cast this week and George is not one of them! Last Friday only showed spa summary and no cast 🫢 and finally No (3) A driving test Paul! Well you will certainly be waiting for one of those these days unless an “Ambridge” cancellation pops up probably before Christmas 🤣😂🤣
REPLYDELETE
Lady RDecember 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Only showed a summary of the programme - where did spa come from!!!
‘ They ‘ - are teasing us again.
ReplyDeleteAzra wants to stay, husband wants to return to Pakistan to the family farm, whilst we all know that ‘a farm ‘ is likely to become available - courtesy of the Ambridge Fairy - sometime soon.
However…… is this a subject, unknown to many traditional listeners, that is current in the communities in the UK who originally hailed from Pakistan. And is the BBC visiting this subject in order to widen the profile of TA listeners to include this community.
Something is going on !
Can’t help hoping Henry hasn’t been listening to the news to day - or Helen.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a European sperm donor had an undiscovered cancer gene in his sperm and it has spread to many of the children he fathered, some of which have very sadly died.
I know Helen did her research and chose her donor carefully but it goes to show that it could be a very risky method of having a baby.
I saw that as well and what I read, over 200 children were a result of his donations.
DeleteI'm looking forward to the time when Henry wants to find out who his donor was.
By that I mean, how he does it probably secretly and Helen's reaction when she learns what he's doing.
DeleteIt won't be too far in the future.
My immediate reaction too AP. TA were pretty ground breaking really with that SL so long ago. The danger of fathering so many children is that some could even marry a relation without knowing - after all the world is such a small place now 🤔
DeleteYaay I can get the Archers in Vienna! But have to listen an hour later. When I said to the eye surgeon in theatre 5 days ago I'd rather stay at home there was an astonished chorus from the nurses of - it will be an adventure! Oh to be young again and prefer adventures to staying cosily at home. This eye has been much blurrier and for longer than the first one but I have noticed it is beginning to clear today. I kept the eye patch on for the travelling, and discovered there were a lot of advantages from being offered a wheelchair !!! to being able, plus the others, to skip to the front of the boarding queue.
ReplyDeleteHad a really good meal earlier of chicken schnitzels and potato salad with a nice dressing, and an apple and carrot juice that was freshly made. Looking forward to a Continental breakfast tomorrow. My daughter has suggested an open top bus tour of the sites tomorrow, which will suit me fine as I do think you feel like resting more when healing.
Thanks to Lanjan for suggesting getting a temporary pair of reading glasses which I did, and it meant I could read the menu.
Sorry that should really be on the other blog.
DeleteNever mind being on the other blog, it’s lovely to read your joyous post.
DeleteWell done for going and now enjoying it.
At last Ambridge residents are falling apart but happily they can all get Dr appointments if not on the same day within the next day or two 🤣 The integration of the Maliks their nationality and skin colour continues therefore they will be staying and maybe buying the farm from the young lady who has just lost her dad (she will continue to work with them and probably marry Josh) 🙂
ReplyDeleteWhat has the mystery illness been flu or Covid?
It's probably easier than that, as Meadow Farm is tenanted, so it will be just a case of taking on the tenancy. Well I say easier, but I have no idea how such things work!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have made a point of listening again to last night’s episode as I wanted to be very clear about what we were presented with.
DeleteLaurence Harrington yet again waving his racist credentials, and in front of a waiting room full of patients at the surgery.
The result being, at the end of her working day leading Asra to reflect again on the possibility of the family returning to Pakistan.
So, more fuel to that fire !
But yet another of the occasional outbursts of racism in a public place from L Harrington.
How many times will this man be able to get away with his behaviour.
Is this two story lines converging or the reality of two separate SLs juxtaposed against each other and each affecting and acting upon the other.
Further - I can see the possibility of Laurence Harrington, should he recover, choosing to sue Dr Malik for damages.
However his racist behaviour was witnessed by a number of people in the waiting room, or at the reception desk.
Might this be the long running SL extending deep into the future predicted some time ago ?
I find this storyline distasteful and unrealistic: a person in death throes refusing help from a dark skinned doctor, do such people really exist? I left the UK over 20 years ago and things seem to have deteriorated since. To me Lawrence is a caricature. I also remember the racist attacks on Usha which I found credible at the time. How long has Lottie been working at the surgery? And suddenly we find out about her skin colour because it matters to Lawrence.
DeleteAlso, what have they got in store for Alan? Early signs of what?
Ed's also been to the surgery for himself and on George's behalf.
I'm disturbed and confused.
Having had to deal with unacceptable behaviour from patients during my career, my strategy was to try and remain calm, give them the choice of a reasonable course of action and let them decide whether they wanted to accept it or not. Then document everything in detail and get any witnesses to do the same.
DeleteMost people calmed down and stayed, a few realised that their shouting and blustering was getting nowhere and left.
However, I appreciate that the world has changed since I retired with so much anger and hatred around, fuelled by social media. I'm not sure that I'd like to be working in healthcare now.
What a nice, calm week in Ambridge, which ended up with things being sorted out in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI say calm, regardless of Lawrence!
DeleteI am.about to send.a Christmas card to Rosemary (no recent news to report). Shall I add something like...from all of us who know you as Sarnia with our love etc, ?
ReplyDeleteYes please.
DeleteThat would be much appreciated Maryellen, thank you for the thought.
DeleteAnd please include me too, Maryellen
DeleteDone!
DeleteSorry I was too late but dear Sarnia is always in my thoughts ❤️
DeleteWhat's the betting that's there's something of real value in the Meadow Farm junk. Esme then gets the finances she so needs and can employ a manager - Akram or Josh?
ReplyDeleteCarly back with ex, Chris back with Alice - sorted.
ReplyDeleteI think so many would love that to be so BASIA.
DeleteChris + Alice? As Lanjan would say, they’d spoil another couple. (I’m not keen on either of them.)
DeleteMe neither. I’m afraid I have never liked Alice and have found her attitude irresponsible and self-indulgent for years - dating right back to teenage years, early employment and stupid acts. However, I do like Chris and was disappointed to hear he had married Alice. I never thought an alliance between the Aldridge’s and Carters was going to be entirely successful, although Susan thought it a great idea! I am really surprised their marriage lasted so long given the difference in their backgrounds and really hope Chris can find someone else to fill his life and not get back with Alice.
DeleteMany will not agree with me, but there it is
I'm still not sure why Esme is now becoming so prominent. Is she suddenly to become the newest Ambridge farmer running another Ambridge Farm, which until now, was unknown?
ReplyDeleteNow we know Miriam, Josh is after Esme's farm, she wants to keep it, so they join forces.
DeleteThe reference to Bondi Beach was inexcusable. They knew it was there and if someone important had died they would have erased that part. They had three days to do that. As it was it actually sounded accurate but distasteful all the same.
ReplyDelete15 totally innocentbpersons lost their lives whilst celebrating Hannukha and many severely injured
DeleteThis mention of Bondi should have been removed immediatly from tonight's episode.
Did we need to know Lily would be having fun there - NO.
I was shocked when I heard that.
DeleteIt was certainly a surprise that it was not deleted from the recording however late in the day it might have been necessary.
DeleteAs for Josh and Esme…. I could envisage a romance slowly developing there.
It would be interesting to have an emotional attachment with an age difference.
Does anyone have any idea what that difference might be ?
How old do we think Esme is ?
I too was shocked and felt most uncomfortable at the reference to Bondi beach being left in the script. Oh dear it is not the BBC’s best year is it?
ReplyDeleteJosh was 28yrs in Sept but no age given for Esme “fans” are guessing around 30yrs (so google says) maybe all will be revealed soon. Odd that no one in Ambridge appears to know as David remembers her father very well. I had never heard of the name Esme until The Sewing Bee lady joined the programme!
ReplyDeleteThat’s unusual Lady R - I’ve known several Esme’s throughout my life.
DeleteSo if she is around 30 there is not an age difference between them.
Of course it doesn’t have to be a romance, they could just be friends.
But could always become working friends sharing the farm.
That would leave it open for the TA team to allow romantic developments at any stage in the future.
There's an Esme living in our close. I've known her since she was a baby and she is now in her mid teens.
DeleteMaybe I've missed something but it seems odd to me that Lily has gone off to Australia with no mention of any goodbyes to her mother and brother and so close to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIf you missed it, so did I CC.
DeleteThis trip to Australia has seemed very odd to me.
Just ‘tacked on ‘ as so much of what happens in TA seems to be very often now.
I agree!
DeleteWhat a lovely episode tonight! Old fashioned in a good way, I could see and feel the family “decorating their tree with memories” in the cosy sitting room at Bridge Farm and for once all four able to be really close in their discussion regarding John’s 50th birthday. I thought the script writing was excellent and spot on in its empathy ⭐️ Also Susan & Emma sharing their feelings too , a very calm end to the week - for once.
ReplyDelete75th anniversary for the programme early next year what an achievement I was just a very young toddler 🫢 but have been a follower for 50 yrs now!!
I’m sorry to strike a discordant note but I thought the family’s memories of John were pretty selective , which I suppose is often the case, and mainly confined to his lovable childhood, which again wasn’t surprising given the setting But from what I’vee read and remember, John wasn’t so lovable as an adult. It makes me.slightly uncomfortable when the family are eulogising him, though I respect their feelings of course.
ReplyDeleteI don’t even remember John as being particularly lovable as a child, much less as an adult. But as you say, families will remember the good times in such circumstances and gloss over the inadequencies
DeleteNot to do with Ambridge but I am going to put the names of those who expressed an interest in joining in the Desert Islands discs in a hat and will draw the first tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFirst castaway named
DeleteIs George doomed or will it all come good in the end and what dramas is it going to bring on the way?
ReplyDeleteI can only understand George as a lost soul who does seem to hate himself, and needs to prove it to himself at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhen will someone in that family suggest he gets some help.
And well done Fallon for giving it to him straight…… even if she then got those awful words thrown at her for doing so.
I know everyone makes comments about ‘is it the same actor’ when someone returns, but I hardly recognised Harrison’s voice last night. I know it was the same actor - it said so in the Radio Times - but he sounded gruffer & rougher to me. Is Fallon going to tell him what George said and did?
ReplyDeleteHe was still in his villainous Coronation St. voice and hadn't adapted back to his lovely Ambridge one.
DeleteFantastic News - Rachel Reeves has made yet another U turn and altered the inheritance tax for Farmers.
ReplyDeleteInstead of having to pay on assets of £ 1 million it’s been raised to £2.5 million which will be a huge relief to many family farms. Only the really big (probably commercial Company farms) will have to pay.
What a pity thousands of family farmers have had to spend a really anxious time trying to plan for the future., and some even took their own lives with the worry of it all.
Maybe those tractor protests did some good after all!
That's an amazing u turn and a huge relief to small family farmers in our area.
DeleteI expect people will have read about The Archers: Truth and Lies, the play to be broadcast to mark TA’s anniversary., so not, as I predicted,, the touring product thar ‘Amber’ was in. Shame!
ReplyDeleteSadly it looks like history repeating itself: George loses his girlfriend to his best friend.
ReplyDeleteThe victim that he is he will blame everybody, I might stop listening.
Amber's back, that means trouble.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what all the fuss is about, George didn't threaten Fallon and as he says she followed him.
After all Lynda told Freddie that he shouldn't have rescued her.
People say things and they should all shut up, but they don't, and what is Harrison going to do, arrest him?
I'm glad that I will be in an Archers free place for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone had a lovely peaceful Christmas Day. Our family are on the way back to France today so I can relax after getting the house sorted out.
ReplyDeleteAmbridge - wise, I have to say I did get a bit fed up with Joy’s constant twittering about the Tractor Run. She was almost as bad as Lynda, trying to organise people but I noticed Lynda had a good word for her when it was over. Is Joy the new Lynda? Will she be supervising a pantomime next year?
TBH I didn't like that George was still mentioned in the Christmas Day episode. I had hoped for a totally George free festive episode but that was wishful thinking!
ReplyDeleteAs was the Boxing Day one!
DeleteHow can George be so vicious one day talking to Fallon and Kenton - then be all sweetness and light to Pat the next? Some might suggest bi-polar, but I don’t want to make any excuses for him.
ReplyDeleteHe’s not ‘poor George’ to me, he’s just vile.
He’s poor George to me. Who’d want to be trapped in the persona that other people have forced him into? Ambridge has a lot to answer for.
DeleteI think that it's just George's basic personality, he has shown those traits for a long time.
DeleteI don’t want to go on about this. The attitudes displayed on other blogs make me feel slightly sick.My point is that if the village had behaved differently, so would George.
Delete‘If the village had behaved differently, so would George.’
DeleteMaryellen - have you so little regard for personal agency.
George is responsible for his actions and is responsible for how he reacts to any situation he encounters.
I would draw your attention to his time in prison, where he was able to modify his behaviour to suit the situation he found himself in.
I would posit that the situation in that environment was far worse and extreme in comparison to the unfortunate- I agree - unpleasantness he has encountered outside of his family.
George has his own poor instinctive actions as well as his good instinctive actions to thank for the situation he finds himself in.
He also has his an equal ability to choose how he behaves in that situation.
You find it sickening that others display negative attitudes.
I am appalled that you have such little regard for George himself, that you believe him to be able to make only further negative, poor, choices as a result of other’s attitudes displayed towards him.
George claims to be an adult.
Then let us see him take himself in hand and display some adult behaviour.
So far all we see is ten year old playground behaviour.
Having said all of the above, I personally feel that George needs professional psychiatric help.
As I have said previously, he is a lost soul. And I do have compassion for him.
My final comment re George - through weakness or whatever, he’s been driven into a bad boy corner that he doesn’t have the will power to get out of. So he needs shocking out of it. That’s the conclusion of my amateur psychology!
DeleteAnd yes, I do think describing him as an evil little incel is sick-making.
I don't think that George knows how to get himself out of it, he needs professional help.
DeleteI've given up posting on the George subject and TA in general. I have seen some horrible + nasty comments, not just about the current S/L, but also between fellow posters - not here obviously.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying away from TA sites and will just listen calmly until after the Big Reveal, with whatever that might entail + bring.
I did love the Tractor Run and thought the use of marshalls Ruiari + Lynda as narrators, was really well done.
Very wise, Miriam. I’ll copy you.
DeleteTaking into account statements from Maryellen, Miriam and sometimes ARCHERPHILE, I am pleased that I contribute to this Archers blog and not any others.
DeleteI thinks Brad is worried about George hurting Amber.
ReplyDeleteIf your right CC and he is, then it’s wasted energy.
DeleteAmber is 100% for George. And was not previously part of the village.
I don’t think for one moment he would turn on her.
But of course I can see how Brad might be concerned for Ambers safety.
They've really lost the plot. Ed's sustained three injuries, two by George, Brad thinks three, Emma thinks one.
ReplyDeleteWhere's Keira and why's she avoiding George?
Alice will be checking Chris's dating site - will they meet on a blind date or too stupid?
Next castaway named on Desrt Island blog
ReplyDeleteThis morning’s trailer for NY was alarming.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why I am trying to avoid trailers and ‘spoilers’ at all costs. Have even stapled the. Pages of Radio Times together where they give a synopsis, so I can’t look!
DeleteAfter listening to this evenings events I now understand this morning’s trailer for later in the week.
ReplyDeleteSo who is going to be the 75th anniversary sacrificial lamb? George / suicide or George off to Brad’s too and losing it with either Brad or Amber of even both of them? 2026 is set for an early ⚰️ I fear!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shambles. His family badly mismanaged that, and have messed up the good work Ed did in encouraging him to approach the doctor for help. I haven't relistened to the episode but I don't think he said anything about the original Will/Ed/Emma triangle that wasn't true.
ReplyDeleteOk so the scene is now set for the New Year / 75 yr episode. However it is not going to be a shock such as unanticipated ones in the past starting with Grace too far back for me to recall live. Then Mark Hebden fatal car crash and John Archer tractor death both out of the blue really shook most listeners. Plus the effect of either no Barwick Green at all or the dramatic ending music which for some reason the programme makers say they will never use again - why for goodness sake at certain endings I play it myself either just in my head or on YouTube it still gives me goosebumps!
ReplyDeleteAfter Nigel which once he and David were out on the roof so unnecessarily it was obvious was was going to happen that one just made me furious 😈
Agree 100% with that last sentence.
DeleteI’m going to have to listen again to last nights episode. I am getting terribly bad at recognising who is speaking & by the time I’ve worked it out I have missed important bits of the dialogue.
ReplyDeleteIs everyone waiting to comment until after tomorrow’s Archer-fest?
May even listen live for once!!!
DeleteGood alternative listening tomorrow: Lilian on Woman's Hour to celebrate 75 and the whole programme dedicated - it seems.
ReplyDeleteI heard the trailer now, sounds like Clive Horrobin No2. Like some I'll read comments first.
Then there's a whole hour and a half of the Archers in the evening.
DeleteIt's a shame that for the team Bang = BAD.
Have I missed something? I’m assuming that the firework sounds were mixed with gunshots if the episode was meant to be dramatic and that George’s mum found him dying or has she shot him?
ReplyDeleteThoughts?
Well, that wasn't what I expected. What on earth happened exactly?
DeleteIt seems George was attacked but by whom and with what is anybody's guess!
DeleteI listened in the end and am none the wiser, we'll find out soon enough, enjoy the rest of your evening.
ReplyDeleteIt sounded to me like a bottle hitting a head.
ReplyDeleteBut who and what ?
I was convinced that George was going to swerve into the road and be hit by a car.
I found Alice talking to him and managing to get through ( ? Did she really tho’ ? ) very moving.
Unlike some I do actually like Alice and I’ve had a lot of sympathy for her journey, though I’ve never been a drinker myself.
I wonder if it was the dogfighting lot caught up with George.
ReplyDeleteMmm, I wondered that too.
DeleteIf so, nothing to do with the family or the villagers.
I thought that too. Most of Ambridge is p--d off with George, but I can't think of any residents who would want to physically attack him.
ReplyDeleteWhoever hit George was carring an empty bottle, so must have seen him set of walking, and followed him with intent.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of who it couldn't have been, rather than who it was at the moment.
This to me rules out anyone who was out searching for Keira, as none of then would have had a bottle with them.
Maybe it was Kiera it was said she had had enough of George and it is often youngsters these days that do the attacking…….
DeleteBrad?
DeleteI hope not. Imagine Ed + Emma having to deal with another problem child, who could end up in Young Offenders as it was a deliberate attack. Even they don't deserve that.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat episode conveniently contrived to supply a list of suspects without an alibi.
ReplyDeleteNeil talking to George was very much like Tony talking to John.
ReplyDeleteFallon's cut is a red herring.
The detective said the assailant would be in Emma's family tree, which rules out Fallon and Harrison, unless she was including related by marriage as well as blood relations.
ReplyDeleteTruth and Lies brought to mind An Inspector Calls.
DeleteLots of motives, but toying with us, rather than making things clearer. But then, if Ambridge is in the dark, we need to be too.
I guess the special episode was clever writing and marked TA 75th anniversary in a unique one off way. However the police detective certainly knew the lives of the many villagers interviewed in minute detail!
ReplyDeleteCould it have been Amber, she slapped George, broke up with him and was angry and disgusted with him but not brought in for interview……
A good coverage by radio 4 throughout the day which I have been catching up with all evening 🤗
It reminded me too of 'An Inspector Calls' I thought Truth and Lies was really good, enjoyed it more than many recent episodes. The podcast afterwards was very interesting too, the writer was on the panel. It reminded me of lots I had forgotten, but I was mainly surprised at Brad and also how long ago some events were - I think they said Matt Crawford was hit and run in 2017, it seems like a couple of years ago to me. I was very struck by what someone said about Emma towards the end, very insightful. I love Claire Skinner.
ReplyDeleteI was also reminded of An inspector calls, partly because of the reference at thee start to a mysterious police officer.
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt it was a vehicle to fill listeners in on former storylines, it made me realise how long i have been listening. I will listen to yesterday’s Women’s Hour at some point
I hope this will prove to be the shock treatment George needed to shock him out of the persona he couldn’t escape. A change of heat by the village would be good, though I don’t hold out much hope for horrible Tracy who wished him face down.in a ditch), and some professional help too of course.
ReplyDeleteI presume Jazzer leading Neil up the wrong path is also a red herring?
Should be heart not heat
DeleteJazzer's behaviour was very odd though. I think I shall have to listen to the episode again, but he clearly didn't want to go where Neil suggested.
DeleteI hope it *isn't* Jazzer - I like him.
I don't much care for Jazzer but don't want it to be him. Applying the 'character -you'd -least-expect' rule of whodunnits, I'm suggesting Brad.
DeleteI agree with ME's prediction for George, but I won't pick on anybody in particular, as I said the whole village is implicated. George told Fallon he should have left her in the river, Lynda told Freddie he should have left her in the fire, people say things.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the whole fix of the Archers yesterday.
'as I said the whole village is implicated.'
ReplyDeleteAre we sure there was just one bottle? Murder on the Orient Express perhaps?
All these bottles that Tracy distributed!
DeleteYes, Mick and Orient Express have been suggested.
Hannah said on the podcast - I hope it's not me!
I put Ed forward, so must stick to that.
I'm just going to listen and follow what happens very carefully and not speculate too much. I'm just looking forward to hear how it all unfolds, which I expect will take ages.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many suspects who were in the right place at the right time, and have a motive.
I will put another name into the mix, a person who fits the criteria but hasn't been mentioned at all and perhaps has one of the biggest motives for revenge - and that is Mick.
Since the detective was more concerned with motivation than pre-midnight movements, there’s not a lot we know for sure, but one thing I’’m positive about - there were no mysterious footsteps! 😄
ReplyDeleteThat rules out Lillian in her stilletoes 🤣🤣
DeleteWhat I want to know is:-
a) Was it actually a wine bottle?
b) Who was looking after Martha? Chris, Susan + Neil were in the Keira search party and Alice was at The Bull.
I had to chuckle at your last comment Maryellen. I remember we had very differing opinions as regards the footsteps in the past.
DeleteJanice - I was 99.99% sure George would pull through, so felt a chuckle was in order!
DeleteIt was Hilda Ogden, obviously.
DeleteBut she isn't in George's family tree, like the lady said, nor is Mick!
DeleteSorry, late catching up again -visitors yesterday! But I’ve just had a lovely afternoon listening to all the New Year’s Day’s programmes and I want to say how brilliant the Truth and Lies play was. So cleverly written and well acted. I kept wondering if these were the real police interviews, or the thoughts going though the heads of each possible culprit. We were reminded of so many stories of the past and many of the things each person was guilty of. Clare Skinner was marvellous as the police inspector but each actor delivered a masterpiece in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt was so cleverly done and hat's off to the writer for putting it all together.
DeleteAlthough I only contribute to this blog, I do take note of reports on here from others who do contribute elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSo throughout the play I constantly felt that it was similar to reading our comments and some negative opinions expressed here and elsewhere, about various characters and situations, as well as of course, motivations and causes for George’s behaviour.
Analysis of the village !
I wonder who called the ambulance, the "who" or their accomplice?
ReplyDeleteI wondered that too, Basia. I thought it could be the person he saw sanding over him, whether or not that was the actual assailant.
DeleteYes, Maryellen, that complicates things further, but if there was another, it must have been accomplice, otherwise why not stay?
DeleteAlso, why was Jazzer so reluctant to provide his coat and why wasn't Neil wearing one?
Tony covered John with his coat, even though he knew it wouldn't help...
Re Jazzer and the coat. I got the distinct feeling that he felt sick at the sight of (human) blood and George’s smashed head. He may be adept at dealing with pigs but dealing with a bloodied person he knew was more than he could manage.
DeleteI felt the same as ARCHERPHILE
DeletePerhaps too much for Jazzer to cope with, particularly since he was well aware that he himself had been tempted to smash George’s head in.
Viewing the reality can sometimes be far worse than thinking about how one might feel if one might be the perpetrator.
Thank you both for your thoughts, that may be the case.
DeleteThere's still Jazzer's wish to go in a different direction than Neil, I'm not going to listen again but there was something odd.
There are a lot of possible scenarios, but I agree with OW and others that Jazzer’s behaviour is distinctly odd. I think he is involved as an accomplice after the act, perhaps trying to protect the assailant, letting him/her get away, escaping from Neil to phone the ambulance, trying to prevent Neil seeing blood on his coat from when he first encountered the assailant with George........to be continued!
Delete,
My thought for what it's worth.
DeleteJazzer was looking for Keira in the churchyard, so was close to the Bridle Path. Perhaps he saw George going that way obviously drunk and this was why he was trying to stop Neil, so that Neil didn't bump into him knowing that there might be a contratand.
Meant cntratemps - obviously!
DeleteYes, please do, fascinating. I said Fallon's cut - red herring, but she didn't sound her usual confident self, something to hide, as mentioned in the podcast.
DeleteAlso, why wasn't Ed answering his phone, we didn't hear what he told Emma.
Is Alice the only one in the clear or have we something on her too?
If it gets about that George saw someone standing over him then that someone might have another go at him before full memory returns;
ReplyDeleteor if George has really gone to the bad he could use it as a lucrative longterm blackmail. Interesting times.
Delighted to read in today’s Sunday Times that The Archers now attracts a larger audience than Eastenders and that more & more young listeners are tuning in. Whilst Eastenders and Coronation Street are losing viewers and being given fewer episodes per week, The Archers is thriving.
ReplyDeleteLong may it last!
I second that.
DeleteAlso, why was Harrison so keen to impress on the inspector that it had nothing to do with Fallon? I'll ignore the revelation about his life away from home, because it was not included in the Archers. All the rest we were familiar with.
Is it George’s story that’s pulling them in?
DeleteCould be maryellen plus his Amber is an influencer! Very on trend ⭐️
DeleteI thought you were saying maryellen was the influencer attracting all this listeners!
DeleteAh, the missing comma(s) - as in Eats Shoots and Leaves! Aren't commas and hyphens supposedly on their way out now?
DeleteAnyone planning to re-listen to Truth and Lies - don't leave it too long. according to the Sounds website it's only available for 2 more days.
ReplyDeleteWhen I listened on Friday night it said it was available for 20 or so days.
DeleteAfter the Marky episode I thought a new cctv system was installed at The Bull, and looking online it says that " modern security systems have robust security to prevent tampering by unauthorised individuals" so who are the people who would know how to access it. Fallon, Kenton, Jolene, and possibly Tracy and Lilian, and maybe the person who installed it?
ReplyDeleteAnd that last person was Mick.. Hmmm i wonder! We know now that the bottle used in the attack was one of the free ones given out at the Bull, and one would have been given to Joy as she helps in the kitchen there and attended the presentation for best pub award. Most of Ambridge seems to have been in the pub and Mick would have been there with Joy.
DeleteI am thinking the culprit might be Mick.
I imagine Mick would have the strength to fracture a skull with a wine bottle. No one has mentioned wine everywhere, so had the assailant drunk it, poured it away first or grabbed it from the Bull’s empties crate? I guess the broken glass has been finger printed.
DeleteJust remembered, Mick not on George’s family tree, as detective said, so exonerated!
DeleteUnless the family tree comment was another red herring.
DeleteAt first I thought all the Ambridge suspects were red herrings to divert attention from Marky’s associates but now that the CCTV footage has been deleted, suspicion falls on Kenton, Fallon ( possibly Harrison who would know how to help Fallon delete any footage) and Mick ( as bouncer for The Bull he would have knowledge of the system). Whoever it is, it certainly makes me want to hear the next episode as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteSurely not, if that knowall detective was the Avenging Angel in disguise, as per An Inspector Calls!!
ReplyDeleteI thought the police officer said most likely someone known to victim rather than necessarily related, but I wasn’t concentrating that hard so I may be wrong.
ReplyDeleteAgree that it’s looking a bit bad for Mick, also he’s not a long term main character and an incomer so the listening body less likely to be offended,
Now that Amber has redecorated her love for George, is Brad another Rex with unrequited love?
ReplyDeleteIs the George storyline, the one that is supposed to go on for a couple of years? Mentioned by Keri Davies on the podcast.
Re declared not redecorated!
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoyed the idea of 'redecorated love'!
DeleteYes, redecorated is more suitable, Amber is very much into images and looks.
DeleteNew castaway invited.
ReplyDeleteAll I'm saying is, that it's so difficult as to know what is relevant and what is a Red Herring.
ReplyDeleteNo firm evidence is known except:-
1) The bottle was one of The Bull specials which were distributed throught the day.
2) Someone called for an ambulance using George's phone before Neil rang for one.
3) The CCTV from The Bull no longer exists.
This is all relevant but there's nothing to give an indication at all, as to who the assailant was.
It's still all complete guess work and trying to work out who was where + when.
Hooray for Henry!
ReplyDeleteI like the reconciliation theme too, first Susan and Eddie and now the Grundy brother’s enjoying each other’s company. More, please!
✔️✔️
DeleteI was waiting for the phone to ring to call Will back to the hospital! Is it all a bit straight forward right now for such (an Ambridge ) attack ???
ReplyDeleteI'm just surprised someone can recover so quickly from a fractured skull.
DeleteIt might have just been a hairline fracture 😆
DeleteTo me it's all a soppy soap - as should be - everyone hates you, bashed on the head, they all love you and each other.
ReplyDeleteHenry said he was going to visit Keira for moral support, they were then both at George's bedside.
Henry telling Helen she'd been imprisoned too, so had Susan, so they're all in the same box.
It's not soppy soap to me - I'm intrigued by it all. I'm just missing normal Ambridge Life - such as the Brookfield lot, the Lower Loxley lot, along with some of my favourites- Lynda, Jim, Oliver, Chelsea + Zainab!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWrong page! Sorry but I don't know how to transfer it to Life Outside Ambridge 🙀
DeleteDon’t worry Miriam, I moved rye comment over
DeleteWell done Emma! That was brave admission and you have the strength of mind to see it through.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOne of my New Year resolutions is to post only nice things about TA. Only another 51 weeks to go!
ReplyDeleteThe light has been slowly dawning on Emma for weeks, and now she has finally spoken up, and fully backed by Ed.
ReplyDeleteWill in his usual slow thoughtful way will come round within a few days I predict.
I shall look forward to seeing the results in action as well as anticipating both George and Ambers responses.
Thank goodness. I'm glad that Keira's action has made Emma realise how blinkered they have been, also Eddie's reluctance to see George has further highlighted how far they have come and how they need to change. Maybe they should go for Family Therapy and include all the grandparents. It was a relief listening to the programme tonight.
DeleteIs Akram going to get Adam's job at Bridge Farm which Henry and I think should be George's?
ReplyDelete‼️Bargain Hunt today an Archers special! Taking part “Tracy and Jazzer” and his guide dog also “Lilian and Justin” plus behind the scenes segment. Obviously don’t watch if you prefer not to see these actors in the flesh (so to speak) or how scenes are recorded.
ReplyDeleteRe the progs 75yrs anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Lady R. I watched it on the iplayer last night. I could just about visualise Lilian and Justin in their roles, but Tracey and Jazzer were nothing like how I imagine them. How the sound effects were made was interesting.
Delete✔️✔️✔️
DeleteNew castaway suggested on the Island
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the podcast today as to the thoughts of "Who Dunnit"!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't changed my mind though and my 3 main suspects still stand firm.
I so need more firm evidence before firmly pointing the finger at anyone, such as whoever called the ambulance, were they male or female?
Evidence is still thin on the ground + certainly don't believe now, that it was anything to do with Markie et.al this time.
They might have been planning something, but this was not them as far too opportune.
Now to continue listening quietly for more clues to come to light.
As you can tell, I FIRMLY believe in my thoughts!! 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI think there is.definitely more than one individual involved, acting independently or semi-independently, and I have an intuition one of them is Brad. That’s a good point about the ambulance call, Miriam. Is it likely Markie’s gang would phone for one after bashing him unconscious?
DeleteSince no one has mentioned it, and I have only discovered today, I’m passing on the following.
ReplyDeleteTA is changing the length of time an episode stays available from one month - currently, to FIVE years.
Tonight's episode is available for over a year...
DeleteIt seems like George is stalking people and wanting to undo all the damage all at once. He has to slow down and let them accept him in their own time.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad that Akram is joining Bridge farm as he is a positive person, optimistic and happy. So Ruth and David are presumably deciding to gift Brookfield before the IHT deadline
ReplyDeleteThat latter will be an interesting one. I suspect Pip will benefit most and Josh iunlikely to be happy. Also the ramifications for Ruth and David are huge in that once it is gifted then they can no longer benefit in any way from the income from the farm or retain any controĺ. If the farmhouse is included and they remained living in it then they would have to pay a market rent for it. And what about Gill?
ReplyDeleteThey could retain a portion of the farm and not pass it all over, but doubt that would be enough for David and Ruth to live on.
I think it is nice that the Archers are continuing their educational role.
I know that my brother (retired with land rented out) has been taking advice about it. It is helpful for small farms that the iht level has been increased.
That’s very interesting Janice.
DeleteI had no idea of those restrictions once the farm had been passed over.
Huge ramifications as you say.
Not criticising the Uturn ARCHERPHILE is probably the TA team being circumspect.
I was surprised that when Ruth was talking about IHT and farms she didn’t mention that there had been something of a U-turn and that the rules are now less strict. Not sure how this would affect Brookfield but they may have to pay much less than they originally thought
ReplyDeleteI have to say that it a testament to both the acting and the scriptwriters that I am thoroughly conflicted regarding George. On the one hand I wouldlove to see some sort of redemption for him, but at the same time I suspect he’s a lying manipulative piece of ****
ReplyDeleteYour not alone KP, I too find it very hard to come down to one side or the other re G Grundy, and find each day how ambivalent I am about him.
DeleteJakob mentioned a missing bottle of wine from the Bull...
ReplyDeleteAlso - George Grundy wants a meeting at the Aldriges. He'd also like one at the Bull?
How about one with the Grundy clan, who all denounced him and now after he's been attacked, some have relented but some have not.
Well done, George! And Brian was surprisingly reasonable too, I almost got to like him. But I've had to cross Rory Donovan off my Christmas card list.
ReplyDeleteWhat was all that about? First George turning on people, then the inspector going through the lives of characters and now followed by Clive, very off putting.
ReplyDeleteNew thread open
ReplyDelete