- Is it big enough, Ben?
- Ruth passes up yet another chance to go out
- Harry and Peggy?
- Harry and a lamppost?
- Brainstorming the Japanese scenes
- Christmas Carols
- Phew! Phoebe isn’t Jamie
- Freddie does have talent!
Is it big enough, Ben?
Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.
But yes – David & Ruth’s tree was big enough, albeit slightly too big.
And they didn’t get it from Eddie.
Ruth passes up yet another chance to go out
Although I’d also choose decorating a Christmas tree over a night out, Ruth seems to be developing agoraphobia.
It’s her and David’s 22nd anniversary tonight, but Ruth is being sensible. They’d seemingly be too tired to enjoy it anyway, so are settling in for a festive night in with the kids, a good bottle of wine and possibly going out over the weekend.
Each to their own.
Ruth’s mum is also on her way down, and Jill is insisting that she’s going to wake up on Christmas morning in her own house. By herself.
It’ll be the first Christmas without Phil. Maybe Jill should be with her family, especially in the early, quiet hours?
Harry and Peggy?
They’re still at it!
Well, the computer lessons, that is.
If Harry is holding a candle for Peggy, he’ll have to get Conn out of the way first.
Conn and Peggy are now sending each other Christmas e-cards.
Steady on!
Harry and a lamppost?
What on earth is that Harry all about?
He seemed to go weak at the knees at the very thought of kissing Fallon.
Then was extremely enthusiastic when they did kiss.
And afterwards told Nigel that he thought Fallon was way out of his league.
So why is he now showing no desire to be around Fallon? He was very non-committal about being “up” for the Panto rehearsal tomorrow, and also didn’t sound keen to go to the Carols with Fallon.
Eh?
Is Harry asexual? Gay? Was born Harriett?
Is he crippled by the very thought of Fallon actually being interested in him? Is his confidence – and experience – that low?
You’re a strange one, Harry Mason.
Bets on for you being behind the January ‘shocker’ …
Brainstorming the Japanese scenes
Which doesn’t require the presence of Fallon.
She was very disappointed (missing out on another night with Harry close by).
Also unusually un-PC of Lynda. I thought ‘brainstorming’ was a no-go as it alluded to negative connotations of epilepsy.
Christmas Carols
I’m a sucker for a nice Carol – and didn’t Ambridge do well in singing ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ on the village Green in aid of Church funds.
Even the rather moody Phoebe joined in.
(as a wee aside, a very knowledgeable lady on Chris Evans this morning (I do sometimes wander over to Radio 2) was explaining that a lot of Carols are actually of pagan origin – that that Holly symbolises male, Ivy female).
Phew! Phoebe isn’t Jamie
Over on Twitter (@thearchersfan), I spoke too early when I said that I’d thought Kate’s legacy for the next 6 weeks was a moody and rebellious Phoebe.
Turns out she’s just sad and perplexed.
[Hayley] “We all feel mixed up confused sometimes”
[Phoebe] “I feel like I want to be in two places at one, but that’s just not possible, is it?”
So is Phoebe going to have to choose?
Or am I right in my prediction that the January shocker going to be Phoebe inventing a time machine?
Freddie does have talent!
Hurrah! Lynda has spotted a talent in Freddie. Take note Nigel – talent is necessarily academic.
Freddie’s going to be the second rat in the Panto.
So Freddie has something to hold onto, while his mum and dad force-feed him schoolwork, and Lynda is happy again.
Lovely.
The Archers: A pig with a wheeze and a sheep with Orf … the cows are in for the winter … Pip’s all revved up for the Dance tomorrow … Jazzer’s first Panto rehearsal
- As winter sets in, the animals are feeling the strain
- At least Peggy is proud of Tom
- A great-grandmother who is more excited about energy plans
- Panto ‘snot’ moments #3
- Pip’s having to pull out the stops
- Phew! No more dark corner for Peggy
- Jill needs her hive (and attitude!) fixed
- “Madam Snell hasn’t driven you to the evil weed an all, has she?”
- Nathan Booth is in for it …
As winter sets in, the animals are feeling the strain
One of Tom’s pigs have a wheeze (though he doesn’t seemed to concerned about it), and one of David’s sheep might have orf.
While David might have to vaccinate his whole flock, Tom won’t let Jazzer take the pig in.
Tom could be right that it isn’t that serious, and Jazzer is obviously concerned about more than just a pig.
Especially as he even offered to work longer for no pay (which just isn’t like him at all!).
As Tom tried to illustrate in a very bad accent, Jazzer’s simply trying to avoid his first Panto rehearsal.
At least Peggy is proud of Tom
It has to be said that Tom is doing a good thing by trying to save Bridge Farm expense, but it’s the way he goes about it.
Tony’s only ever going to say ‘no’ to Tom’s ideas, because Tom only ever makes him feel old fashioned or daft for not having made the changes before.
And even Jazzer’s losing his temper with his over-eager approach:
“I could die of extreme old age before I ever gave a damn about your yard lighting”
Which was a bit harsh of Jazzer, but he’s likely had enough of Tom going on and on and on and on and on …
But good old Peggy is at least being nice and excited about Tom’s plans.
“So refreshing to hear someone with a clear plan for that farm”
But – Peggy does still manage to slip Con into the conversation (she mentioned she’d been telling Con about Tom’s plans).
A great-grandmother who is more excited about energy plans
As much as I have a very soft spot for Peggy, and am glad she’s finding a wee bit of happiness through Con, it’s very off-putting that she still can’t find any joy for Helen’s pregnancy.
As she was talking to Tom about the email she’d sent back to Con, she quickly changed the subject when Tom asked her if she’d mentioned that she was about to become a great-grandmother.
That’s a shame. On Helen, and on her soon-to-be little one.
Do we reckon both Peggy and Tony will come round once they get to actually hold the new addition to their clan?
Panto ‘snot’ moments #3
[David] “I had the dolphin’s speech off by heart – couldn’t get beyond ‘we’re talking at cross porpoises’”
Pip’s having to pull out the stops
Oh dear.
That church organ doesn’t sound a friendly fella at all.
Pip’s struggling to learn the piece for the Advent Service, but likely all will be well in the end.
Especially as it’s a tribute for Phil.
Phew! No more dark corner for Peggy
Seemingly it was only a pulled wire, which Tom sorted out (and then was rewarded with a can or lager).
Seemingly that ever naughty Bill was the culprit (despite no real evidence).
Something had given the light a right thump.
But could it have been Ben???
Jill needs her hive (and attitude!) fixed
As Peggy needed her family to help fix her dark corner, Jill needs the roof of one of her hives fixed.
Which is fair enough, but what a horrid attitude she’s got towards Peggy and Con.
Jill needs her bee hive roof to be fixed
[Peggy] “I do still find it odd … how excited she is about Con’s email … even though he made things so difficult for her last time … if it had been Phil … it would have been disloyal”
[David] “All Peggy’s going through, it must be nice to have someone else to think about for once”
Quite right David. Jill is also going through a horrible round of ‘firsts’ without Phil, but she could at least be happy that Peggy is happy.
And let’s face it – Jack isn’t exactly going to notice Peggy sending a few emails …
“Madam Snell hasn’t driven you to the evil weed an all, has she?”
It’s Jazzer’s first Panto rehearsal, and he’s already having a fag break.
Eddie stumbles into him in the dark, as he also escapes.
But it’s not Lynda that’s the problem – it’s that rascal Nathan Booth.
Nathan’s really winding Eddie up by saying his lines early, upstaging him (surely not possible?) and pulling funny faces.
[Jazzer] “If you were Nathan Booth, wouldn’t you want to try on a new face?”
Eddie then also has to put up with Jazzer being cheeky about his part in the Panto:
“All you ever say is ‘I’m a rat I’m a rat, what do you think of that?’”
But Jazzer’s soon forgiven as he hatches a crafty plan …
Nathan Booth is in for it …
Nathan’s been trying to get Joe’s race videos from Eddie so that he can clean up at the Race Evening.
Which Eddie is utterly appalled by Nathan’s plan, as the Race Evening is in aid of the British Legion.
[Jazzer] “Slippery than a butter deal that one”
was Jazzer’s estimation of Nathan.
[Jazzer] “Let’s be a bit smart about it – bout time wee weasely Nathan learned a lesson”
Nathan really ought to be shaking in his socks. What with a dynamic duo like Jazzer and Eddie on your case …
The Archers: Caroline’s uncle is still on the mend … Brian’s avoidance plans … Peggy’s cats are playing up …
- “I suppose we were really stretched last year with orphans”
- Lord Netherborne – a bit of a Peregrine
- Brian’s using whisky to escape
- Naughty Bill
- Des Penwell
- Con still excites Peggy
- Valda doesn’t solve anything
- What’s this about a “dark corner”?
- Does Jill disapprove?
- “The theatrical equivalent of The Titanic”
“I suppose we were really stretched last year with orphans”
The harsh reality of sheep farming, courtesy of Adam.
“You don’t want too much tangle round the pens”
“Now, are you ready to go flying up to the roof?”
The harsh reality of Adam’s arming life, courtesy of Brian.
Lord Netherborne – a bit of a Peregrine
Well, not really.
It’s just that it was mentioned yet again that Caroline still has to look after her uncle.
Like the Peregrines were often mentioned without any obvious point – then become a ‘hot’, contentious issue – Lord Netherborne being poorly keeps cropping up.
Watch this space …
Brian’s using whisky to escape
And what’s really bad, is that he’s using booze to escape his own son’s birthday party!
Ian’s going to entertain as the great … something or other (did anyone catch that?). I’m assuming it’s a magic show.
But Brian is only going to:
“show willing where he has to”
Poor wee Ruairi.
His mum’s dead.
He dad would prefer alcohol to being at his party.
And even his step-brother-by-marriage is going to try and join Brian.
At least he’s got Jennifer and Kate making a fuss over him.
Actually. Scratch that. It’d probably be better if he was just utterly neglected.
Naughty Bill
Not sure why Peggy’s cats are being so hyper. She’s had to resort to locking them in the kitchen when she has guests over. Especially Bill.
The other day, Bill was clamouring all over Pat. And today he manages to break free of the kitchen to annoy Jill and Peggy.
Something in the air, or too much catnip?
Des Penwell
Is talking on Sunday, at the church, about his experiences in Afghanistan.
Con still excites Peggy
After all those years, and after she received his email on Saturday, Peggy is still giddy as a schoolgirl about Con.
But Jill doesn’t seem at all impressed (now there’s a surprise – Jill just can’t seem to muster any joy for anything which isn’t spot on ‘the norm’).
Valda doesn’t solve anything
[Lynda] “Strictly between you and me, she doesn’t thrive in the pressure cooker of pantomime – I always felt she never really made the grade in snow white”
So if Valda, Vicky and Sabrina aren’t up to playing Alice Fitzwilliam, just who is?
[Lynda] “Fallon and her sadly underused talent”
So while Hayley “does wonders with our little rats”, Phoebe show her artistic talents in designing the posters, Lynda is left to bemoan the lack of Fallon as her Alice.
At least Harry sorted Idle Jack.
Giving Lynda a “marvellous surprise” by turning up with Jazzer in tow, Lynda is utterly oblivious to (surely what must have bee) Jazzer’s utter reluctance.
[Lynda] “Whatever false modesty was holding him back, he’s over it now … very bashful … mumbled so much I had to make him repeat himself … I intimated him slightly …”
Lynda thought she’s ‘intimidated’ Jazzer because, when she suggested Harry’s idea of:
“Idle Jock, a comic Scotsman complete with mischievous kilt and a ginger wig”
Jazzer’s distaste was read by Lynda as
“Apparently it was a step too for his confidence … he gave me quite a look!”
I do adore our Lyndee, but she really doesn’t pick up on anything other than that she wants to see.
Harry has forced Jazzer to be in the Panto, but the line has been drawn through the concept of Idle Jock.
“Idle Jack remains … and I’m hoping to persuade him to sing”
Well, that’s great news.
Jazzer’s singing at Ambridge Has Talent was lovely, so I’ll look forward to hearing him again.
What’s this about a “dark corner”?
Am I missing something?
That was the second mention by Peggy that she has a dark corner.
Has the bulb blown?
Curtain can’t be pulled back?
What?
Whatever it is, Peggy needs someone to fix it for her.
She thinks it would be hard to find “someone for such a small job”, and doesn’t want to ask her family.
“Phil used to do that”
Said Jill, bring the conversation well and truly back to her.
I shouldn’t really be so harsh to Jill (even though she does ask for it sometimes), as it is going to be a tough first festive season without Phil.
But it felt like she was scoring points off of Peggy.
Jill’s one up because her husband is dead, whereas Peggy’s is still very much alive.
And then Jill behaves quite oddly about Peggy’s Con …
Does Jill disapprove?
It certainly seemed that way.
She wasn’t exactly glowing – or even happy for Peggy – when she read Con’s long letter as Peggy asked her to.
(and Peggy is quite right that a long email is just as good as a letter, though I still think the ‘ping’ of an email received isn’t quite like a non-bill thumping down on your doormat).
What’s wrong with Jill?
Can’t she see that Peggy has found a wee bit of harmless happiness?
So as Peggy (still in schoolgirl mode) dreamily talks about Florida and Ruby Throated Humming birds, all Jill found the effort to do was mention Jack.
Was that to bring Peggy back to reality with a bump?
Quite nasty, really.
[Peggy] “Living proof it’s never too late to develop an interest”
On yersel Peggy! Get it where you can …
“The theatrical equivalent of The Titanic”
Still stressing about the lack of a lady to lead as Alice, Lynda is getting desperate:
“If the worst comes to the worst … it’ll be the theatrical equivalent of the titanic … I might have to cast Sabrina”
Which everyone agrees would:
“Clear the hall … children and small animals crushed in the rush”
(I won’t even try to think why animals attend Ambridge’s Panto)
But then Lynda corners Fallon (after Clarrie planted the idea in her head the other day), and quite easily persuades her to prerecord Alice’s singing, to which Sabrina will mime.
Yet – it’s not over until Lyndee is utterly satisfied.
“What a better finish … you and Harry arm in arm … singing of love’s triumph”
Whether Fallon fell for the sheer joy of performing on a stage (any stage), or whether it was the mention of getting close to Harry that egged Fallon on, while she was most eager to do the pre-recordings, Fallon sounded even more keen to actually be in the Panto.
But there’s The Bull to run. And a rather wobbly Jolene to support.
So that’s that. Fallon can’t play love’s young dream because she has to keep home and hearth together.
But, what’s this …
[Jolene] “Maybe the challenge is just what I need … I want to try, love … just let me”
And there it is. Jolene finally steps up. Which means Fallon can live a little, by taking part in the village Panto.
My word – was Lynda nearly pornographic in her sheer delight at the news!
[Jolene] “I want to see my girl go to the ball”
[Lynda] “actually, technically that’s referring to another Panto”
(at which point Fallon or Jolene was heard to utter something very similar to ‘oh, shut up' though it was probably just ‘Lynda’)
[Lynda] “Oh what the heck … well done Fallon! you are coming to the ball after all!!”
Huzzah! Lynda will finally cease her woes about finding an Alice. Fallon gets to have a life out of the pub (and possibly get closer to Harry … though he does strike me as a rather sexless chap). And Jolene gets to see if she can really cope.
Trebles all round!
The Archers: Jolene plans a day out … Peggy’s birthday plans … Con has been in touch … Nathan Booth is being naughty at the Panto … Poppies are selling well in The Bull
- Fallon’s working on her tunes again
- Does Jolene really just want bar supplies?
- Bill’s been on the pull
- Peggy’s having a birthday tea
- “Tom really has got his head screwed on, doesn’t he?”
- Con Lives!
- Robert’s making funny sounds
- Harry and Lynda up a tree?
- Ah, that’s why Lynda is so …
- Ruairi has his bottom pinched
- Vicky is not an ingénue
- I want to see Nathan’s Bruce Forsyth
- At last … someone realises Fallon can sing!
Fallon’s working on her tunes again
Oh, that’s a surprise.
Just when there’s a dire need for music in the panto.
If I was a cynical person …
Does Jolene really just want bar supplies?
She sounded very odd indeed.
And then she ‘reveals’ that Kenton is taking her to Borchester Bar Supplies.
That’s interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Bill’s been on the pull
Naughty Bill.
That’s Peggy’s sofa, that is.
Peggy’s having a birthday tea
Ah, how lovely. With family, and cake!
(and I’m not being sarcastic. That sounds like a lovely time for a lady about to turn 86).
[Peggy] “Don’t bother hunting out the right number of candles”
Bless her.
“Tom really has got his head screwed on, doesn’t he?”
No Peggy.
Sorry to disagree, but Tom is just an annoying little man who doesn’t have enough respect for his father to listen and discuss, rather than just railroad.
Con Lives!
And isn’t Peggy delighted about it.
On the one hand – Peggy is still married – on the other hand, it’s lovely to hear Peggy so happy and excited about something that’s just about her.
Might be good for all concerned?
[Peggy] “Thought [Con] was very gracious asking about jack”
especially as last time Con and Jack met, it was
[Peggy] “Like two stags sizing each other up”
Though as Peggy put it,
[Peggy] “How trivial that all seems now”
Either way, Con is very much alive and seems just as delighted to hear from Peggy.
He has a daughter Belinda, son Danny and granddaughter Amanda.
Peggy also thinks Con still has his sense of humour. Though I’d doubt he still had his own teeth.
Robert’s making funny sounds
Oh tee-hee Mr Snell!
In charge of the Panto’s sound effects, he’s having a grand old time to himself.
First a submarine sound effect
[“for when the rats dive away from the cook”]
then a ‘boing’ sound
[“King rat bouncing in the cooking pot”]
and finally a bit of a Pyscho soundtrack sounding sound
[“the littlest rat getting caught in the door”]
While Robert and Harry were having a right old titter at the sound effects, Lynda:
“If I hear one more raspberry or comic boing tonight, I will not be answerable”
At which point Robert ceases his schoolboy behaviour, and heads off to the pub.
Leaving Harry to sweet talk Lynda
(I kid you not!)
Harry and Lynda up a tree?
Harry is either trying to butter Lynda up for a swindle, or he genuinely adores her:
[Harry] “I can see how important you are to the village … you make things happen … life would be a lot duller … you deserve all the support you can get”
Oh Harry.
Sorry to be super critical, but I really can’t work you out.
What is Harry’s Game?!?
Ah, that’s why Lynda is so …
… extreme about the Panto.
Lynda reckons she was shy when young, (the wee poppet even got teased for being so quiet) but her head teacher (Miss Baxter)
[Lynda] “saw something in me no-one else did”
and casted her as Gerda in the snow queen. And that was:
[Lynda] “the best thing ever happened to me … I felt special”
So, Lynda is so focused on the Panto because she wants everyone else to have that feeling.
I do like Lynda. She’s just not the one dimensional obsessive she often makes herself out to be.
Ruairi has his bottom pinched
By the rather cheeky Molly Button.
Keep your eye on those two (but give it another 10 years for it to get properly interesting)
Vicky is not an ingénue
So says Lynda.
Honestly, Lynda and Vicky are the worst friends ever!
Vicky stabs Lynda in the back over the Peregrines – now Lynda is merrily slagging Vicky off when Vicky had actually stepped in to help Lynda out.
Still bereft of an Alice Fitzwarren for the Panton, Vicky read the part during rehearsals.
Not impressed by Vicky’s giggling and waving to Mike, Lynda is becoming increasing desperate to cast her leading lady.
I want to see Nathan’s Bruce Forsyth
Especially if he has managed to make Bruce seem more like Maureen Lipman.
At last … someone realises Fallon can sing!
Ah, we can always depend on Clarrie to speak sense.
And the penny finally drops for Lynda.
Trying the idea out on Jolene, Lynda realises that while it is probably too busy a time at The Bull for Fallon to take a full part in the Panto, she could always get Fallon to record the backing music.
Didn’t Vicky suggest that weeks ago?
The Archers: Jazzer still isn't tidy ... Jill joins the computer lessons ... Kathy and Jamie row ... Kathy and Pat drink wine
- “How Jazzer can drive the milk van safely is beyond me”
- Why was Fallon so affronted?
- “You have to be firm with him – he’ll come back wagging his tail anyway”
- Harry’s got a threesome
- Shandy!
- Peggy really wants a bit of Con
- “not everything is about you”
- First mention of Christmas shopping
“How Jazzer can drive the milk van safely is beyond me”
Harry is discovering that Jazzer doesn’t need much sleep.
“He’s like a shark … and I still can’t get him to do the washing up”
Well, come on now Harry – when was the last time you saw a Shark get a pair of rubber gloves on?!?
Why was Fallon so affronted?
After Harry telling Fallon all about Jazzer’s habits, Fallon was utterly seething.
So, Jazzer is a shark that won’t go near marigolds. So, Jazzer leaves his dirty clothes in a bin next to the toilet. So, Harry feels:
“dirtier after I come out of the bathroom than when I went in”
What’s any of that to Fallon?
She gets so het up, demanding Harry creates a rota (oh my giddy aunt!), that even Harry remarks:
“Blimey – it’s a good job he didn’t move in with you!”
I think Fallon is increasingly falling for Mr Harry Mason’s charms, so sees any insult on his honour (well … his flat), as a slight on her.
“You have to be firm with him – he’ll come back wagging his tail anyway”
Just following on from Fallon’s odd behaviour over Jazzer’s lack of domestic skills, what on earth was she on about when she said the above?
Has Jazzer ever wagged his tail?
Or, does this give us more insight into Fallon maybe not being the all-round good lass that we think her to be.
Has she just been treating mean/keeping keen Jazzer all these years?
Harry’s got a threesome
And wasn’t it nice of Peggy to share him with Jill.
But to be serious – I found it lovely to eavesdrop in on Peggy and Jill having a chat.
It was like coming in from a horrible winter’s storm (anyone shouting at each other in Ambridge) to a lovely warm fire, with a wee toddy close to hand.
But, it was sad to hear Jill mention that she might go to the Panton auditions because
“it would be nice to be involved in over Christmas”
The first Christmas without Phil. Here’s hoping Jill’s family don’t forget she’ll need that extra bit of festive TLC.
Shandy!
What’s wrong with Jamie?
Come on – shandy, two (TWO!) pepperoni pizzas, a Hawaiian pizza, chips and dips (which I really hope Kathy meant actual chips, cause it’d have been ‘crisps’ otherwise).
There’s a right teenage riot setup for you!
But of course, it isn’t cool if mum made it happen.
So we’re back to bad communication between Kathy and Jamie yet again.
Kathy said Jamie could have his mates over. He grunted. She assumes. He grunts again. She makes an effort. He’s still grunting. She shouts. He goes out.
I though Kathy was making a bit too much out of Jamie having nae mates – but it’s typical of her seeing everything he does as an attack on her, rather than it just being his life.
Poor chap had to go over Fallon’s to watch DVDs to escape his mum, and exactly because he has next to no mates.
I’d almost feel sorry for the wee lout …
Peggy really wants a bit of Con
As Jill and Peggy silver surf the internet, Peggy is once again on about her long lost American GI Con.
My word. We are keen!
With Harry’s help, Peggy has worked out Con’s old army unit, and has sent email to his veterans association.
“I suppose it is easier than ever to track someone down”
Uh-huh.
It’s also called ‘stalking’
At least Peggy does mention that she’ll tell Con about Jack (though it didn’t sound like it’d be in the context of ‘I’m already taken).
And there is something nice about Peggy acting like a teenage girl, checking her emails every day in case of a reply.
Kinda scary, but kinda cute as well.
“not everything is about you”
Hurrah Pat!
Well said, if you were a bit tardy in saying it. Months ago would have been perfect.
After not being able to get the extra pizzas into her freezer, Kathy invites Pat over.
Alongside the moaning and groaning from Kathy, I think Pat actually made a breakthrough:”
“He’s a teenager Kathy … they have mood … not everything is about you or Kenton or even his dad”
“You’re his mother you’ll never do anything right”
“Perhaps you should spend a bit of time on yourself”
While, seconds later, resulted in Kathy saying
“If Jamie doesn’t want to spend time with me, I may as well spend time on myself!”
Yikes! Is Kathy moving on? Letting go? About to have fun?
For starters, Pat and her are going to take a whole afternoon off to go shopping.
Phew!
First mention of Christmas shopping
As much as I love Ambridge, that wasn’t fair or right.
The Archers: Jazzer moves in with Harry ... Vicky faces Ed ... Peggy's second lesson with Harry
- "even a pig ark is bigger than this"
- Men on bikes?
- Jazzer 'two plastic bags' McCreary
- Widows get a basket of produce
- To give Vicky credit ...
- "Scrub calves!"
- "Call yourself a farmer? I wouldn't trust you to run a pets corner!"
- Google, perchance?
"even a pig ark is bigger than this"
So there's a surprise. Jazzer's not impressed with his room at Harry's.
Despite Harry trying to tell Jazzer that
"space is all relative",
the box room does sound teeny. It's not even small enough to have a bed - Jazzer has to make do with a futon (which has to stay up as a sofa if he wants to move around at all).
Alarm bells are sounding already with Harry mentioning to Jazzer that he "might want" to leave his shoes in the hall ...
"we'll get along fine ... Jazzer old son"
I very much doubt it, Harry me old mate.
Men on bikes?
It'd be a bit clumsy to deduce anything from Harry having pictures of last year's Tour de France up in his box room (now Jazzer's bedroom), but what else would be the point of it, in this context?
Harry claims the pictures were to:
"add a touch of colour, a bit of class"
Jazzer's response:
"if I do have to live in a shoe box, I don't plan to share it with a bunch of pumped up guys in lyrca"
The obvious response to all of this would be to assume Harry might be gay.
It would explain why he's shown little interest in Fallon (isn't she supposed to be a bit of a looker?), though it wouldn't explain his interest in Nic.
It might also explain why he's gone to such lengths to be a useful part of the village. Maybe he thinks Ambridge still burns gay men (or lesbians) at the stake, so best to be integrated before the big reveal?
Hmmmm.
I'm not convinced.
Maybe this was more about Jazzer being a bit of an insecure lout, than anything about Harry.
Making a point of saying how he'll put up
"some fine wee lassies",
and how his toiletries amount to a toothbrush and a razor - maybe Jazzer actually doth protest too much?
Jazzer 'two plastic bags' McCreary
Aw!
Jazzer can fit all of his worldly possessions into (which sounded like) two plastic carrier bags.
What a wee shame.
Still, if he didn't spend so much down The Bull ...
Widows get a basket of produce
That seems to be the case during the Harvest sermon at the church.
Jill was given once as she's been recently widowed.
I’m not sure whether I'd be touched or embarrassed (and upset), in her place.
To give Vicky credit ...
... she does at least her the nerve to face Ed to tell him that she's failed to sell any veal (apart from a wee bit to Ian).
And she kept her cool when Ed basically said 'I told you so'.
Though she doesn't entirely accept that it was a doomed to failure plan:
[Vicky] "how could we know till we tried?"
[Ed] "It's just common sense!"
Despite Ed getting quite blatantly more and more angry, Vicky continues to blunder on - now suggesting that they keep the calves for breeding bulls.
Which leads us to:
"Scrub calves!"
[Ed] "scrub calves! They're not good enough! They're not fit for anything!"
How did Vicky explode when Ed called her beloved calves "scrub"!
Quite suddenly, she went from slightly humble, to furiously righteous:
[Vicky] "It's a failure .. because I couldn't guarantee continuity of supply! ... if you'd shown a bit more guts and imagination ..."
[Ed] "either way, it's a stupid idea"
[Vicky] "you just think you know it all!"
[Ed] "you must be away with the fairies!"
Al of which results with:
"Call yourself a farmer? I wouldn't trust you to run a pets corner!"
Ouch! That final verbal blast from Vicky must have somewhat bruised Ed.
When Vicky later retells the rather unsightly scene between herself and Ed to Mike
"my lovely boys ... scrub calves!"
Demanding that Mike takes her side, and to tell Ed that
"before he gets anything from me ... I'll proper detailed invoice and an apology"
What's the chances of either of those being forthcoming from Ed?
While Vicky does owe him money for the upkeep of her "lovely boys", her frothing rant won't make Ed keen to be nice to her anytime soon.
Poor Mike, stuck in-between.
If only he hadn't pandered to Vicky's whims in the first place.
Google, perchance?
Harry was showing Peggy how to use 'one of the most popular search engines".
The first thing Peggy wants to look up is Alzheimers.
Which was a bit of a sad moment, as Peggy also mentioned that everything with Jack might have been a bit different if she'd has access to the wealth of information on the internet before now.
Very true. Peggy could have found more advice and support.
Peggy's GI is back!
Well - not really. He's not back in body, but it looks like he is well and truly back in Peggy's mind.
As Harry shows Peggy how to look people up, and despite saying that she'd be able to have few friends on Facebook (as they'll either have forgotten her or are ... well ... dead), Peggy does want to look up Con Korchmar (sp?).
Will Peggy find her lost love?
And if she does, what will happen (considering that her husband is still actually alive)?
The Archers: Hayley and Roy get a stern letter ... Kate gets a talking to from Peggy
- All isn’t well with Grey Gables?
- “Bert took the microphone and staged a coup”
- Hayley is simply not amused
- Kate and Peggy start off quite civilised ...
- A stroll and a chocolate muffin
- Hell hath no fury like a Hayley …
- “That really hurt, gran”
All isn’t well with Grey Gables?
Ian seems concerned about Grey Gables isn’t very busy.
Is a double whammy recession about to hit Ambridge?
“Bert took the microphone and staged a coup”
Roy was reporting back to Ian about last night’s quiz:
“really obscure questions”
Though he did also report that Bert had given Jim the time to find a few of his (properly) easier questions.
When all was said and done, Shula and Alistair’s team won (called ‘Horse Chestnuts’), and The Bull was heaving.
Which is the main thing.
But isn’t the point to get the punters in, but also make sure they keep coming back?
I don’t think the war is won quite yet.
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Hayley is simply not amused
And here’s where Roy’s living hell starts.
Hayley calls him at work to tell him that Phoebe’s school has sent them a very stern letter.
It did sound a tad full-on for one “unauthorised absence”, but I suppose the school is having to battle the scourge of bunking off, plus parents taking their kids on holiday when it isn’t holiday (every little helps!).
Either way, Hayley is absolutely livid:
“we’re carrying the can”
“it’s aimed at parents who don’t give a stuff!”
“I’m going to ram this letter down her throat!”
“damn right I’m upset, and I want her to know it!”
“I’m not giving Kate the chance to manipulate the situation!”
Ian could hear Hayley screeching at Roy on his mobile from across the room.
Determined to confront Kate, Hayley also (literally) dumps Phoebe on him at work, so that she can tackle Kate unhindered.
But Roy starts a whole new world of pain for Kate by asking Peggy to take Phoebe for a few hours ...
Kate and Peggy start off quite civilised ...
Peggy and Kate are having a lovely time catching up, chatting about Kate’s college.
Though “daunted” by the amount of work, Kate’s finding College “stimulating”, and has even made a friend (Chanteuse (sp?), a single mum, who will soon learn that Kate is best avoided!).
Kate’s especially pleased that Peggy gives her a “generous” amount of money as a belated birthday present.
A stroll and a chocolate muffin
When Peggy later looks after Phoebe for Roy, Phoebe once again unwittingly drops Kate right in it.
To be fair, Phoebe doesn’t see what all the fuss is about (despite Roy telling her that “it was very wrong of Kate” to take her out of school without permission).
Having to first work out what Phoebe means when she says ‘mother’ (Peggy assumed Kate, Phoebe meant Hayley), Peggy and Phoebe have a right old time chatting about what Kate was like as a youngster.
Retelling the time when Kate, Helen and Brenda used Blossom Hill Cottage as their “den” (with the help of Will as a gofer), Peggy told Phoebe about the trouble Kate caused when she pretended to be Peggy when writing a letter to Con Korchmar (sp?).
Con was an American GI that Peggy had been ‘close’ to during the war. Con wrote to Peggy, Kate answered the letter, and poor Con arrived in the UK to claim his lady. But Peggy was already married (and knew nothing about the letters, as well as Kate and co squatting in her cottage).
[Phoebe] “Poor guy. Did you still fancy him?”
[Peggy] “well … we had been close during the war”
[Phoebe] “... but he was not marriage material”
(Eh? Where’s Phoebe picked that one up from?)
So, as well as adding “forgery to her list of crimes”, Peggy also mentioned that Kate had nearly burnt the cottage down.
What a gal!
In return for these blasts from the past, Phoebe lets slip about the letter from her school.
Which Peggy is not.
At all.
Amused about.
Hell hath no fury like a Hayley …
… really quite peed off!
Hayley drops in on Kate to give her what for.
Showing Kate the letter from Phoebe’s school:
[Hayley] “we’re marked down as irresponsible parents”
[Kate] “it looks like bureaucratic rubbish”
[Hayley] “I’d be very grateful if you wouldn’t do it again … please”
[Kate] “oh … whatever”
[Hayley] “this is only going to work if all pull together … Phoebe needs clear boundaries …are you prepared to cooperate from now on?”
(at this point, Kate’s ignoring Hayley, pushing Hayley to have to shout ‘KATE!’ to get any response)
[Kate] “well, it’s two against one, isn’t it”
As Ian said earlier on about Kate:
“she’s what my aunty Anne used to call a wee madam”
And as for a woman of 33 using “whatever” …*glare*
“That really hurt, gran”
[Peggy] “you didn’t ask permission - that can’t be right, surely!”
[Peggy] “it was highly irresponsible of you”
[Peggy] “apologise to Roy, Hayley and the school”
[Kate] “but Phoebe is my daughter. I gave birth to her!”
[Peggy] “only when it suits you, dear”
[Kate] “that really hurt, gran”
[Peggy] “the truth often does”
Ouch! Peggy really didn’t hold back from giving Kate a verbal kicking.
Although Peggy does seem Kate as Phoebe’s ‘real’ mother, she’s also very aware that it’s Roy and Hayley who are bringing Phoebe up.
They have the day to day authority, so Kate was utterly out of order for taking Phoebe out of school with their permission.
Also worried about Phoebe being confused about who has the say over what, Peggy’s simply not going to stand for Kate’s childish selfishness.
And hurrah to Peggy! It was about time someone put Kate in her place. Here’s hoping Kate actually takes this bollocking on board.
(though I think the chances of that are slim).
Peggy. You’re our hero!
