- Alan Franks is a wonderful man
- Happy Nigel memories
- Is that Helen?
- The funeral’s Thursday week
- “I like being alive. It suits me”
- Is does sound like Helen …
Alan Franks is a wonderful man
I always forget just how caring, understanding and humble Alan always is.
Talking to Jill about her concerns over Liz’s reaction (or seeming lack of) to Nigel’s death
[Jill] “I don’t understand it. When Phil died, I was focused on the funeral … it seemed so important to give him a good send off. To celebrate his life”
[Alan] “But these are very different circumstances, Jill”
[Jill] “She’s frozen. She hasn’t even cried yet”
[Alan] “Some people don’t. That comes later. Sounds like she’s still in shock”
[Jill] “Yes … she just stares into space a lot of the time”
[Alan] “What do you think she sees?”
[Jill] “Well I’m afraid … I think it might be Nigel …when she rushed out after he fell …”
So while Elizabeth is stuck in a horrific loop of seeing Nigel after he fell, she can’t really react to anything else. Although she wants the children close by, she’s confusing them with also not being able to respond in the way they’d expect.
But, the kids do have Jill, and the rest of the Archer clan to look out for them.
Shula went round and told everyone that Nigel had died – despite her once having been his girlfriend
Kenton’s being great with the kids, making them laugh – despite Nigel being his best friend.
They all seem to be working through their grief by taking responsibilities that Elizabeth just isn’t up to.
[Jill] “And David. He’s just quietly doing all the things that need doing that people haven’t thought about. Or don’t want to think about … arranged for the area where Nigel fell to be … cleaned”
The guilt and grief David must be feeling must be horrendous.
Happy Nigel memories
[Jill] “ …Shula brought him home and he was wearing his gorilla suit …he used to tease me that I said to him, ‘Nigel, wouldn’t you be more comfortable if you took you head off’?”
[Alan] “He was a funny guy”
[Jill] “But always kind, thoughtful, full of life. Always looking forward to the next good thing”
And that’s why we’ll miss him, ever so,
Is that Helen?
Cripes – is this the dawning of the age of the Happy Helen?!?
Hurrah! It only took 30 odd years …
I was a bit suspect that Helen offered for Ian to hold Henry, and then didn’t seemed over anxious about he wouldn’t be careful.
Despite that being a given, Helen would have normally given him a 10 part lesson on how to hold a baby, before he even managed to get anywhere near Henry.
And what’s this? Helen apologising without being prompted?
[Helen] “You’ve been so thoughtful … kind and patient. It can’t have been easy. After all I put everyone through …”
[Ian] “It was a tough time for you”
[Helen] “And I made it tougher. Some on Ian admit it. I was a madwoman”
[Ian] “Well, perhaps a bit .. challenging”
[Helen] “I don’t know how you all out up with me … such a control freak!”
[Ian] “Ah, look there’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want”
[Helen] “Perhaps not, but when you start telling other people what they want to … I was such a know-it all”
That’s utterly amazing.
Helen has finally realised that there are more important things to life than being in control.
I think it’s a bit extreme having to have a baby to learn that, but different strokes, an’ all that.
The funeral’s Thursday week
at Loxley Barrett.
(although it doesn’t sound like Elizabeth was really aware of what she was agreeing to).
I am a bit surprised to hear that Elizabeth and Nigel didn’t ever discuss what they wanted for their funerals (I thought all couples did that?!?). All Elizabeth knows is that he’d want to be buried with his ancestors.
Well, at least she does have Alan doing the service.
“I like being alive. It suits me”
Just when I thought I might get through this episode without even the slightest of tears …
[Elizabeth]
“It’s just … Nigel was so full of life.
“This Autumn, we took the children up to the tree top walk … it was a beautiful sunny day. The colours were lovely.
“Nigel took this great breath of fresh air, and said: ‘you know Lizzie, I like being alive. It suits me …’
“I don’t understand he’s dead … I know he is … I saw him … I saw his body … but that’s all it was. He wasn’t there anymore.
“But I feel him. I feel his presence so strongly like he’s just left the room, and if I could get there quickly enough …”
[Alan] “You could just catch up with him. Yes, I remember”
Alan lost his wife to cancer, when Amy was only 6. Elizabeth starts to apologise for bringing back all those memories for him:
[Alan] “It’s alright. It’s okay for me. Now. I can’t say that that happened very fast…”
On Elizabeth asking Alan what he said to Amy:
[Alan] “I told her, her mummy had gone. She wasn’t in this world with us any longer. And she never would be again … but that didn’t mean she’d stop loving Amy, and it never would, and it doesn’t … love doesn’t die”
Truly a wonderful man, is that Alan.
Is does sound like Helen …
And just to prove that Helen’s change of attitude wasn’t just a one off – she’s now absolutely fine about having to go home, leaving Henry still in hospital.
Don’t read that as Helen not caring – she does, ever so – and will be sad to be going home alone for a bit – but she knows he’s in the best place for him. He still has to catch-up, after being born early.
Brenda and Ian are stunned!
[Brenda] “I can’t believe how calm she was. It’s such a big thing having to leave Henry behind”
[Ian] “Oh, it’d break my heart”
[Brenda] “She seems to be taking it in her stride”
It is hard to believe, but Helen accepts that the doctors and nurses know what they’re doing. And that she doesn’t need to watch their every move. Or tell them what to do. Or look up what they could be doing better on the internet … “she just trusts them to get on with it”
[Brenda] “Helen doesn’t usually trust anyone
[Ian] “It seems that as long as she can be with him, that’s all that matters”
“And this calm serene woman masquerading as Helen Archer … I know what it is .. she’s happy!”
My. Giddy. Aunt.
Who’d ever have thought it could happen.
I am absolutely overjoyed. After having to defend Helen for such a long time (without really being able to explain why), she comes good.
Of course, I am assuming this will last …
- Shula breaks the news about Nigel
- “It was so sudden”
- Tony tries to protect Helen
- Jill’s a mum again
- Elizabeth is in “another place”
- Inheritance row? Ellen and Camilla …
- Shula and Mark
- As an aside …
Shula breaks the news about Nigel
I think we can all remember a time when someone has told us devastating news. And how this sudden awareness seemed to instantaneously rip away the world we know, even if it had been a happy one.
I am often cynical about Ambridge, but it was heart-breaking to hear Tony so happy and proud when Shula was standing there, waiting for a moment to tell Tony about Nigel’s death.
Indeed, Shula was the first person to tell us all about Nigel’s death. While there had been some rumours that he may have survived, Shula dashed all of those:
[Shula] “Tony, I’ve got something to tell you first. Oh … I’m so sorry. Especially at this time. I’ve got some dreadful news … it’s Nigel … he’s dead …”
“It was so sudden”
Explaining to Tony and Pat (between crying) what had happened to Nigel, Shula recounted:
[Tony] “I don’t understand. What was he doing on the roof? … David saw him fall?”
[Shula] “Yes. He tried to get to him but it was so sudden”
After Nigel had fallen, David ran downstairs to tell everyone there had been an accident, on his way to actually get to Nigel.
So David not only had to watch Nigel fall and hear that scream, he was also the one who found him.
[Shula] “But the terrible thing is … it all happened so fast … we couldn’t stop Elizabeth going out there … and then we couldn’t get her away from him”
(which, for me, is one of the most poignant images of Elizabeth in her grief)
Tony tries to protect Helen
Shula was very aware that she was a bearer of horrific news, to the side of the Archers clan that was in a state of utter joy.
[Shula] “I’m so sorry to bring such terrible news when you’re so happy”
Of course dismissing her apologies, Pat and Tony had to then break the news to Helen.
[Pat] “Oh Tony … what a tragedy … Peggy is going to be so upset … whatever are we going to say to Helen? … she’s so happy … I can’t bear of ruining that”
Tony did try hard to find a way of prolonging Helen’s ignorance of Nigel’s death, but Pat was right that she needed to be told before someone else (mistakenly) mentioned it.
[Helen, on why she doesn’t hurt too much after her operation] “Maybe it’s because I’m so happy … and you are too, aren’t you? You just seem so subdued …”
[Tony] “I’m afraid we’d got some rather sad news … it’s Nigel, he’s had an accident …”
[Pat] “I’m afraid, he’s dead, Helen”
[Helen] “Nigel – he’s dead??? I can’t believe it … poor Elizabeth … and the children … they must be devastated”
[Tony] “It’s terrible spoiling your happiness …”
[Helen] “No. I’m so lucky. It just doesn’t seem fair.”
[Tony] “No. You deserve to be happy. It’s wonderful to see”
[Helen] “Oh dad. Could you, very carefully, give me a hug please …”
I know it’s always cat amongst pigeons time to talk about Helen and say anything other than she’s a self-obsessed, controlling horror BUT the above exchange was, for me, Helen at her most sensitive.
Genuinely upset. Feeling guilty that she’s happy while others are suffering. And also looking out for her dad.
I don’t think that hug was just for her own benefit.
Jill’s a mum again
Just as Helen becomes a mum for the first time, Jill becomes the central point for her shattered family.
Between trying to get David to eat, forcing Shula out of the kitchen, and keeping a close watch over Elizabeth, Jill reminded me of why she’s quite rightly always been seen as the Archers matriarch (following on from Doris).
And never was it more apparent than when an extremely traumatised David come out to speak to her after a long session with the Police:
[David] “I was the one who saw him mum. I know why it happened …”
[David] “… well it was hard to remember what happened before ... why we went up there … I just keep seeing the moment he fell … I just try to save him mummy … I didn’t … it happened so fast, I couldn’t stop him … do you think Elizabeth’s ever going to forgive me …?”
It probably looks odd seeing the word ‘mummy’ typed. If you haven’t already – just listen to David saying it himself.
Elizabeth is in “another place”
Elizabeth is being seen to cope, but Jill’s not convinced.
[Jill] “She’s being very calm. Factual. I think that’s worse, really”
Avoiding all talk of the post-mortem (this Wednesday), inquest (again Wednesday, but likely to be adjourned) and funerals. Elizabeth is focusing on her children (when she’s not just sitting, staring into space)
[Jill] “The twins don’t really understand – all they can see that something really terrible has happened to their mother”
[Jill] “Frankly David, I don’t think she notices who is with her. Unless it’s the children. She’s in another place”
David’s obviously feeling incredibly uncomfortable about being around Elizabeth, as he’s obviously worried she blames him and doesn’t feel he can be of any use to her. Not that she’s actually said such. As yet.
Inheritance row? Ellen and Camilla …
… are on their way.
Ellen is Nigel’s aunt (Julia’s sister, of ‘she’s no lady’ fame) and Camilla is Nigel’s sister.
Camilla got most of the Pargetter hard cash last time – will she now want the bricks and mortar?
Shula and Mark
As the residents rally round to support each other - Eddie, Bert and Pip are looking after Ruth – and Alan is expected to be of particular support to Elizabeth (as his wife Catherine dies of cancer when Amy was young), Shula briefly touches on her own pain.
[Shula] “I remember when I found out when I was pregnant after Mark died … that baby, it seemed like it was all I had left to hold onto”
This too, shall pass.
As an aside …
After having pondered this since yesterday’s ‘shocker’, I must admit to feeling a bit foolish for falling for the hype.
After all – man falls off a roof, woman has a baby – is hardly of tram proportions.
But, that is the joy of The Archers.
Nigel’s death won’t be forgotten with a few days. Weeks. Months. Or even years. That’s just not Ambridge works.
So, although yesterday didn’t exactly ‘shake the core’ as one would expect of soap operas (which of course, The Archers is not), the core has indeed been changed forever. And it was all perfectly in-tune with the Ambridge ambiance.
I cried yesterday. I cried today. But, I would have done so even without the weeks of build-up from the BBC, and speculation from us eavesdroppers.
So while the hype has left a few of us feeling a bit “used and dirty” (@jamspangle), and while it may have attracted more listeners to The Archers (which is superb), the actual eavesdropping session was very Ambridge.
Now, if we can just stop the BBC from pretending they ‘make’ The Archers …
- As it happened
- Nigel …
- Helen … and now also Henry Ian
- Did it shake our core?
- Twitterverse
As it happened
(whereas I normally give an overview, with opinion, for each instalment – I think this deserves a relatively clean version)
Lower Loxley
David and Ruth arrived to be greeted by Elizabeth and Nigel at Lower Loxley. Kenton had taken Josh and Ben off to play games, and even Pip had shunned her studying to be at the party.
[Elizabeth] “Once I could pry him lose from his harem at the Panto, he was a star” (at New Year)
[David] “You’ve both looking very relaxed”
[Nigel] “It’s been a lovely Christmas”
Ruth then made mention of how lovely Elizabeth’s brooch was – which was the one Nigel had gifted at New Year (it was his mum, Julia’s, found in a crack in the floor)
[Nigel] “We’ve got our second wind”
David then made a (red herring) mention of wanting to help Tony with his yard tractor.
And Nigel asked David to take down the banner tomorrow, as Kenton was busy at Jaxx.
Pat and Tony’s car
[Tony] “I’m not going to stay long”
[Pat] “Oh Tony, we’re not even there yet … it’ll be a good chance to see everyone”
[Tony] “I’ve got the tractor fixed now. There are things I could be getting on with.”
[Pat] “It’s a new start … can’t you make one with Helen?”
Lower Loxley
Crucially, Amy is at the party.
Ruth is up for a cup of tea as she doesn’t know who is going to be driving. Then David is spied drinking wine. I had a thought that maybe Pip would have to drive if Ruth then succumbed (Pip being a learner driver who is known to drive too fast).
All agree that Helen is looking well. Amy agrees, and mentions that she’s off duty.
[Pat] “It’s so lovely to see you”
[Helen] “You too mum. You too”
All predictions of Jolene getting into trouble (selling the bull or topping herself) are cast out by Brenda’s assertion that she was coping well at New Year. In fact, it was Fallon who had problems:
[Tom] “Harry and Jazzer circling her like predatory lions”
[Brenda] “Jazzer’s still recovering from happened last new year’s eve”
And Brenda then broke Fallon’s confidence by saying there was nothing in Fallon and Harry. Cause she’d heard it from the “lion’s mouth”
Tom then had a chat with a rather gloomy Tony:
[Tony] “John’s birthday (1st jan) … never an easy da … he would have been 35 … so one child dead, and another one not speaking to me. Not doing very well, am I. Not much of a father … failed both of them.”
Trying to gee Tony up, Tom said it would all change between with Helen soon enough …
Over to Helen and Pat – Helen had her feet up because of her swollen ankles. Which Pat thought looked particularly bad. Amy was then asked to have a look:
[Amy] “They are quite swollen ... you feeling alright otherwise?”
[Helen] “I have a bit of a headache … a few spots in front of my eyes”
[Amy] “I think you should see a doctor about this … this afternoon … I think you should go to the hospital … you need to be checked out properly”
Pat then asks Tony to drive them to the hospital.
[Tony] “Oh lord, has the baby started?”
While the folks at Lower Loxley sit tight, worried about Helen, Pat, Helen, Tom, Amy head off to the hospital, driven by Tony:
[Tom] “That light’s on red dad … you might want to slow down a bit then”
[Tony] “We’ll get them there, even if I have to jump a few of these”
Amy explained to Helen what would happen next – lots of tests, but a quick result.
Back at Lower Loxley:
[Elizabeth] “We can all wait for news of Helen together”
Brenda’s still at Lower Loxley, and gets the news that Helen has preeclampsia, which is dangerous for both Helen and her baby.
At the hospital
The doctor explains to Helen that there are high levels protein in her urine. Substances from her placenta are getting into her blood stream, leading to high blood pressure and a serious risk of damage to Helen’s kidney and liver.
The upshot of which is that Helen’s baby will have to be delivered early – 6 weeks early – if either have a chance of survival.
[Helen] “My poor baby … is there really else nothing else you can do … but I won’t see the baby when it’s first born”
[Doctor] “We can operate using a spinal anaesthetic … Helen will be awake the whole time”
On checking that Helen can have someone else with her, Tony very quickly states that it should be Pat. So, off Helen is sped off for an emergency caesarean.
[Tom] “Oh lord … I didn’t say … it was so quick”
Back at Lower Loxley
All are worried about Helen (while sitting around the fire), with the kids packed off to watch a film in another room.
The ever dependable Lewis is in the kitchen clearing up, and Brenda heads off to join him in making some snacks (for the kids).
Nigel then suggests they take the banner off now, to save David having to come over tomorrow.
[Elizabeth] “It’s dark … the wind is getting up”
And she tells David and Nigel to go and help Lewis. Even though Nigel reckons it’d be fine to take the banner down as they can have the floodlights on …
Back at the hospital:
[Tony] “I didn’t say anything to her … What I wanted to say, I didn’t say it … she might die … and she won’t know … she won’t know how sorry I am … I haven’t supported her … I’ve been against this every step of the way … I don’t know why now … when I think this I might lose both of them”
Just as Tom is telling Tony that everything will be okay, Pat comes out of theatre:
[Pat] “She’s fine … She’s had the baby and she’s fine … It’s a boy … A beautiful baby boy … Tony, we’ve got a grandson … He’s fine …”
[Tony] “Oh Amy … thank you … what we owe to you …”
[Amy] “Congratulations granddad and uncle tom!”
[Tony] “I’m a grandfather, I really am!”
[Amy] “How you finding it?”
[Tony] “It’s wonderful. I love it!”
Back at lower Loxley
As everyone is clearing up in the kitchen, Brenda breaks the good news that Helen and baby are fine. Nigel wants to crack open the bubbly (making me worried about what damage the cork could inflict).
[Brenda] “I’m just glad it had such a happy ending”
[Ruth] “All’s well that ends well”
[Elizabeth] “what a relief”
As Elizabeth and Ruth head through to tell the rest of the family, Nigel starts to head to the cellar for the champagne.
But, David suggest they head in the opposite direction. To the roof.
[David] “They’re going to be ages chewing the fat about this”
[Nigel] “But Lizzie said we shouldn’t”
[David] “Come on – are you a man or a mouse … I really would rather do it today while I’m here … better to do it before we start knocking that back!”
[Nigel] “Lizzie will never know. I shall present her with a fait accompli in the morning”
Back at the hospital
Tony is allowed in to see his grandson – even though the poor man said he’d be fine with still being barred.
[Helen] “Dad … come and look at him”
[Tony] “Oh Helen. Are you alright?”
[Helen] “Come and meet Henry … Henry Ian”
(and I have to mention the lovely moment of Helen confirming Henry is perfect. In typical Helen fashion, she even counted his toes. Probably twice…)
Tony melts when he meets his grandson. And Helen shushes him when he tries to apologise for previous behaviour.
[Tony] “My beautiful daughter., and now you’ve given me this beautiful grandchild. I am so happy”
Back at Lower Loxley
(David and Nigel, on the roof, trying to take down the banner)
[David] “I didn’t realise we’d be this high up”
[Nigel] “Roofs do tend to be ontop of things”
[David] “Your gutters need cleaning out …”
[Nigel] “Careful. It’s frosty. It’s so much easier in the light”
(as David nearly slips)
[Nigel] “Maybe lizzie wasn’t right. Maybe this Wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
[Nigel] “I have been clamouring over these roofs since I was a child … it was mine and daddies little secret .. all the footholds … secret Pargetter knowledge, passed down from father and son …”
[David] “And I just learned how to milk!”
[Nigel, on trying to free his end of the banner] “Kenton seems to have tied it on with one of his sailor knots”
[Nigel] “Dear daddy, we had so much fun together … I wonder if Freddie and lily are too young to come out here.”
[David] “I’d imagine Elizabeth would have something to say about that”
[Nigel] “I imagine she would … she’s rather like mummy in some ways … I’ve been very lucky to have two such fantastic women in my life”
[Nigel] ….oh, blast. Stupid thing has got itself tangled up. I just need to be a bit higher. I’m alright. I’ve got it now. I’ll just ….”
(Nigel slips)
[David] “Nigel!”
[Nigel] “David!”
[David] “Nigel hang on …”
[stomach churning scream from Nigel as he loses grip and falls]
…
Nigel …
I sincerely hope this won’t be the last time I’ll be able to blog about Nigel as an alive resident of Ambridge.
It was hard to tell who was for the chop today – lots of red herrings, and lots of (what could have been) final words of love from numerous couples and parents.
But alas. The chop did fall, and it fell on one of our consistently nice Ambridge fellows.
As I mentioned on previous days, the brooch was a very odd one. That it was found,. That Nigel was hell-bent on giving it as a New Year’s gift (does anyone ever give more than booze at New Year?). And that it was him mother’s.
Seems that it was always destined to be a parting token of Nigel’s love.
Still. We don’t know whether Nigel has survived that fall. It could just be a nasty bump on the head. It’s maybe more appropriate to wait to hear more over the next few days.
Either way, that scream will stay with me for a very long time …
Helen … and now also Henry Ian
All I have to say is HURRAH!
Helen survived the cull. Her and Tony have stopped arguing. And all seems well.
If you wanted Helen to die … shame on you indeed!
Did it shake our core?
Well, it could have been worse.
There was no en masse Ambridge resident deaths. No fires. Aeroplane crashes. Or Tram crashes(!).
But that scream …
It was enough to shake me, and that it happened to the (mainly) adored Nigel was horrific in itself.
If Nigel has died, it was a nasty end to a thoroughly decent chap.
Kenton will feel guilty for that knot – David will feel guilty for getting Nigel up there tonight, and not getting to him in time before he fell. And Elizabeth will feel guilty that Nigel was just trying to do a nice thing.
As a quick aside – wasn’t David also unable to help Jethro when he died???
Twitterverse
Here’s an abridged account of my reactions just before, during and just after this instalment, on Twitter (as @thearchersfan)
Pre-7pm
- Attempt to get Helen, Peggy, Nigel, Lynda & Jazzer to St Stephens for safety has failed. You're on your own!
- Helen. I'm here for you. No matter what.
- Goodness I adore us #archers eavesdroppers. BBC cloud shows 'wine' as well as 'tea' trending ;)
- @vencut2 We're all in it together ;)
At 7pm (and then during)
- EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK
- Brooch of death makes an early entrance
- There it is! The #sattc is revealed at last. Helen's ankles are swollen. Phew
- Told you - Helen's ankles. Amy says so
- "Helen has swollen ankles and a headache shocker!"
- Come on Helen. Shut up and let them save you and the bairn
- [half way through] I only have the usual length of #archers stamina. Not sure I can go this extended length
- No David - not the dishwasher!
- It's a Boy!
- @millietomos This is too much. Stopped breathing at 17 mins!
- Hang on. Doesn't Uncle Tom refer to something else ....
- No Nigel. Not the bubbly! The cork man - the cork!
- For feuck sake - not - the - feucking - banner!
- Yay! Helen lives! With Baby boy. Henry Ian.
- @UncannyVal It's a New Year banner ontop of Lower Loxely's roof. Dangerous ...
- Yup. Nigel. They surely couldn't do David???
- I respect all of my fellow #archers eavesdroppers - but one in yer eye if you wanted Helen to die ;)
- My giddy aunt. Got the sweats at 'frosty'
- [After the scream] I'm in tears
- Going offline for a wee bit to sob in a corner. That scream .....
