The Archers: Tony gets his mower conditioner … Ed’s still on about Artichokes … The Girls’ night out … Jamie offers to do the shopping
- “Great conditioner to cut ratios”
- Why has no-one asked Ed about his artichoke obsession?
- Natural or high tech birth?
- Is this a permanent ceasefire between Kathy and Jamie?
- Surely The Bull isn’t shutting!
- Steady on there ‘Girls’!
- And in case you’d forgotten …
“Great conditioner to cut ratios”
Phew! I was worried there that the ratio would have been rubbish (!).
Tony has got his mower conditioner, Ed’s excited about it, but seemingly Tom just glanced at it and grunted about it being unnecessary.
Poor Tony.
Why has no-one asked Ed about his artichoke obsession?
As Ed’s now asked everyone and anyone abut artichokes, why has no-one thought to ask what this sudden obsession is all about?
It’s now quite ‘Ed’ now, is it?
Also trying Tony, Ed seems to be having no luck in the shops. It seems artichokes won’t be round again until March-May.
Helen suggest that Kirsty might have a supplier. Seemingly Jaxx has a
“more esoteric menu these days”
Natural or high tech birth?
Helen’s quite taken with the idea of having a natural birth (at the birthing centre Amy’s working at), whereas Tony seems to think she needs state of the art equipment.
Tony obviously wants his daughter to be safe, but there’s the undercurrent of Tony not letting go of how Helen got pregnant in the first place:
“the child wasn’t conceived natural – a high tech birth seems more appropriate”
How long will he keep this up for? He surely has to accept that despite how she got pregnant, Helen is going to have a baby - and that everything after the conception is as ‘natural and ‘normal’ as any other pregnancy?
Is this a permanent ceasefire between Kathy and Jamie?
It does all sound very civilised.
Jamie offered to do the shopping, is doing well at his job and actually mowed the lawn when only asked once.
Kathy also seems to be a lot calmer, which must make even having a conversation with her less fraught.
Talking to Pat later on, Kathy thinks it was the shock of how upset she was last week that has jolted Jamie back into being a nice chap.
Or, maybe he’s working through his grief.
Either way, I’m very grateful there’s no shouting.
That just leaves Kenton and Kathy to sort themselves out, or split up (the latter I think is most likely).
Kenton’s agreed to go to Kathy’s golf club dinner dance. Which Kathy is delighted about.
But hold on a minute … Kenton’s seemingly been moaning to Kirsty about how the dance will be full or bores. So he doesn’t seem happy to be going.
Does this mean Kenton is finally putting Kathy’s needs before all of his own – or is he doing it out of duty, to stop Kathy moaning? If so, I would have thought shouting shall resume quick hence …
Surely The Bull isn’t shutting!
That’d be ridiculous.
Even if Jolene does want to sell her shares, surely they’d keep it going while everything gets sorted out?
Or will we see Ambridge residents having to go to Borchester for their pints?
Village riot ahoy!
Steady on there ‘Girls’!
Helen can’t stop yawning, Brenda’s picking up bathroom catalogues for Lillian, Fallon can only talk about The Bull.
Party time indeed!
It might have been better to avoid The Bull altogether to give Fallon a proper break (and started out in Borchester), but Kirsty doesn’t seem to be having much fun with her friends these days.
Where else could she find a distraction … ?
And in case you’d forgotten …
Will doesn’t like Ed.
Not even able to give more than a monosyllabic answer to Ed when they cross paths in the pub, Will is hardly going to be pleased when he hears about Emma’s pregnancy.
I’d lock him up now. Will is quite simply a violent nutter.
The Archers: Chocolates for Emma … Fallon has a day out with Jolene … Kenton’s a bit rough bit starts yet again
- Flowers, now chocolates (and seemingly sweetpeas)
- Do the punters really care about Jolene?
- Kenton’s making things worse, and worse, and worse …
- “Bagging an Aldridge”
Flowers, now chocolates (and seemingly sweetpeas)
Well, you could see that as sweet – or you could see it as a “bit creepy” (as Ed later said).
Bless wee Josh (assuming it is him). He even made a homemade box for the chocolates.
Tender moments, and if he learns anything, it’ll be that thoughtful gifts will eventually get him the girl. As long as he actually gives them the gifts rather than leaving them on doorsteps. And if he knows the girl might be interested. Not in a relationship. Much, much older than him …
Still, it’s nice that Ed isn’t getting all ‘Will’ on Emma. He doesn’t seem that bothered, whereas Will would be following Nic round, belting every man that looked at him (if the gifts were being left for her).
Do the punters really care about Jolene?
I think Jolene’s right – they care far more about their pints.
How long will this go on for?
It’s a bit ominous that Fallon’s now saying how much she’s really committed to the pub. That can only mean bad things are afoot.
Mind you, with Fallon’s ability to inject a sense of normality into any conversation
(“didn't rate the mardy cow at reception”)
I reckon her and Jolene will always make their way. Though the path may be a bit rough at times.
Kenton’s making things worse, and worse, and worse …
Already in trouble for getting a tad tight at the Grundy’s, Kenton takes Kirtsy’s offer of a drink and a chat after work.
So stays out late. Again. While drinking. Again. With Kirsty. Again.
Oh deary me.
Exactly what is Kirsty up to? Why get involved, or is she really that bored that she find Kenton (a) good company and (b) doesn’t worry about Kathy hunting her down to tell her to stay away?
It was interesting that Kenton admitted that he was a bit put out by Kathy’s reaction to Sid’s death.
“her reaction to his death was so big. I don’t think he ever really stopped loving him”
Can Kenton’s lack of care and attention be because he’s jealous of a dead man?
Or is he right? Was Kathy truly always Sid’s?
Or, just an excuse???
“Bagging an Aldridge”
Ah Ed. You’re a cheeky one alright!
First he calls Chris a
“jammy so and so [for] bagging an Aldridge”
Then he congratulates Chris for marrying for love “first time round”.
Lucky Will wasn’t round to hear that dig …
The Archers: Nic’s getting a lot of male attention … The Strange Affair at Ambridge Towers' final rehearsal … Kenton apologises … that’s who the celebrity is!
- What’s Nic being set up for?
- More gardening clues to The Strange Affair at Ambridge Towers
- Joe’s one man boycott
- “If that was a bear I’d be dead meat”
- Kenton was being “responsible”
- Lilian’s bringing her riding crop
- Wagner …red Jaguar … famous crime writer
What’s Nic being set up for?
First Lilian tells Will that Nic is a ‘big hit’ with the male customers, then one of those customers turns up at Will and Nic’s day out.
We all know Will doesn’t like Nic working in The Bull, and that he has had a bit of bad luck when it comes to another man whisking away his woman (to say the very least!).
So where is this all leading? Is Nic about to stray? Or, is Will about to come out all caveman style?
Did Lilian sound a bit different today?
It took a fair few lines before I realised that it was Lilian speaking at the start. Or, was that just me?
More gardening clues to the The Strange Affair at Ambridge Towers
“Mrs Perkins replanting the hanging baskets on the village green”
I won’t even try to say that I spotted the murderer (as I am writing this after listening to Sunday’s reveal), but this was the only other clue I noted down.
And a new gravestone name: Simone Tregorran – which I think is Simone Archer (Ben Archer’s wife) and Janet Tregorran (as far as I know, Carol and John are still alive in Bristol)
Joe’s one man boycott
Bless.
The bigger worry is just where he will get his baccy from. Surely not Borchester?
“If that was a bear I’d be dead meat”
Indeed you would Nic, but those shooting skills might come in handy soon if anything does go awry with Will. He isn’t exactly the calm and collected type.
Kenton was being “responsible”
Aha. So he was. It’s completely responsible to get tiddly, text your partner and sleep on your employees settee.
But, while it’s not exactly responsible, it’s also not exactly a heinous act.
Still, one too many for Kenton – one time too many for Kathy.
And do we think Kenton will listen to his own argument about the ridiculousness of the idea of him and Kirsty?
Will the age difference and employment status matter if Kirsty is interested?
Had Kathy only managed to out the idea into Kenton’s head?
Lilian’s bringing her riding crop
Yay!
Wagner …red Jaguar … famous crime writer
Even I managed to work that one out from the ‘Lewis’ quote – though I was still 50/50 on whether it was Colin Dexter or Kevin Whatley.
Here comes Colin!
The Archers: Pip goes back to College … Clue about the Fete’s celebrity … Elizabeth and David fall out (again) … Kenton and Nigel have a lads eighties night at Jaxx
- Ruth’s in tears over Pip
- Kirsty is a fruit snob
- Nigel’s celebrity clue
- Elizabeth and David telling each other ‘I told you so’
- Kenton lets it all out
- How will Kirsty’s sofa be of any help!?!?
Ruth’s in tears over Pip
But – at long, long, long last – it’s tears of joy!
Pip‘s off back to College next term, so her return to ‘the old Pip’ is more or less complete.
Big sigh of relief from us all. Here’s hoping her next choice of suitor can be a tad more suitable, and much less infuriating.
Kirsty is a fruit snob.
So says Kenton
Nigel’s celebrity clue
“I can always rely on Lewis to do the driving”
First in mind has to be Lewis of Inspector Morse fame.
It can’t be John Thaw (obviously – unless he’s returned a la Sid twitter.com/SidPerksGhost), and Nigel’s clue doesn’t lend itself to it being Kevin Whately.
So maybe Colin Dexter? Is he to be found cruising?!?
Elizabeth and David telling each other ‘I told you so’
All’s well that ends well with Pip, but both Elizabeth and David decide to have a row about how each other handled the whole sorry (and long) situation with Jude.
David:
“I saw this months ago. I did my best to stop her getting hurt”
Elizabeth
“If you handled it better, she might have realised herself”
I still don’t understand why Elizabeth got so involved. After all, Jude was so bland that Pip wasn’t in any real danger. And it was just a case of ‘first love’.
David could have been more reasonable, but I personally don’t blame him for loathing Jude and wanting desperately for Pip to stop seeing him.
Didn’t we all?
And what was Elizabeth on about when she said the following about David:
“It must be in his DNA. He won’t admit he’s wrong”
Doesn’t Elizabeth share (more or less) the same DNA? Or have I been getting it wrong all these years?
Or, if there a different father story in there somewhere … Yikes!
Kenton lets it all out
After persuading a Nigel (who didn’t really need that much persuading) to come to Jaxx for the 80s night, Kenton has a honest chat about his relationship with Kathy.
As Kathy spotted, Kenton also feels that he’s happier when he’s not at home, and that they’re living separate lives.
Claiming that he does still love her (really?), he did admit that it’s Jamie that he really cares about.
Whoops. Isn’t it generally a really bad idea to stay together for the ‘sake of the kid’?
Nigel gave Kenton the same advice that Pat gave to Kathy – to let it “ride” for a while, to let the dust settle after Sid’s death (or should that be ‘let the ashes settle’? Maybe not. That’d be crass …).
So we get months of strained silences and outburst of fury. But I think it’s going to go the same way whether now or later – a Kenton and Kathy split.
How will Kirsty’s sofa be of any help!?!?
Maybe Kirsty is the subtlest seducer that ever graced Borchester, but if she isn’t, what on earth was she thinking encouraging Kenton to sleep on her sofa?
So Kenton was late home (again) and a tad tiddly (again), but at least he was with Nigel.
Surely it’s better to go home and face the banshee (that is currently Kathy) straight away, than to delay it – make Kathy even more infuriated – AND open up the idea that Kenton’s sleeping with Kirsty?
To add insult to injury, it also sounded like Kenton was just going to text rather than phone.
Ouch.
Even if it is all perfectly innocent, I would like to be Kirsty when this gets round …
Jamie makes Kathy go to Jaxx … Pip’s back at Brookfield
- So Brenda’s staring work for Lilian next week, is she?!?
- “Never a dull moment with my lot” … and that’s just the half of it!
- It’s takes a boy to make the adults grow-up
- Haven’t we all missed Pip?
- “Why couldn’t I see him for what he really was?”
- Kenton and Kirsty?
- “Your mum”????
- “As if he’s just the shell of the real man when he’s with me”
So Brenda’s staring work for Lilian next week, is she?!?
Hmmm. Not sure whether that was Pat is wishful thinking, or whether Brenda’s telling a few white lies again, but I thought it was firmly Matt who hired her?
Or is this all Tom, in attempt to hide the fact that Matt’s wormed his way back into their lives?
“Never a dull moment with my lot” … and that’s just the half of it!
Oh my. If pat thinks her lot are interesting at the moment, just wait until everyone’s told about Helen’s pregnancy.
It’ll be the talk of the village.
It’s takes a boy to make the adults grow-up
Atta boy Jamie!
Kathy finally steps foot in Jaxx because Jamie bullies/guilt trips her into going.
While I utterly applaud his common sense (it is utter rubbish that Kathy hasn’t been in), I did feel it was a bit of a one-sided view of what’s going on between Kenton and Kathy.
“No wonder he’s fed up … own partner can’t be bothered to see how it has changed … you should be interested …”
Too true that Kathy has been a “bit rubbish” in not going herself, but what about Kenton’s utter lack of interest in Kathy? Or, until recently, Jamie (since Sid died)?
Maybe Jamie doesn’t see it that way. He has said that Kathy’s been too much for him, so maybe (just maybe) Kenton’s laid back (to the point of disappearing out the door) approach has been right.
Haven’t we all missed Pip?
Well I indeed have.
Pip is more than welcome back to the fold. Fizz can stay as far away as Jude.
Hurrah to a Pip who knows about cow’s gait!
“Why couldn’t I see him for what he really was?”
That’s just what we’ve all been wondering, Pip, since you first met Jude.
It’s been a long time coming, but hopefully you won’t forget.
And sorry to be a tad horrible, but you should indeed feel very stupid. After all you’ve put us through …
Kenton and Kirsty?
Oh how horrid!
Kenton’s flirty is very old-dad style, and I’ve always seen Kirsty as a bit of a hipster.
Mind you, unless she and Patrick become more than friends (unless Helen gets there first, via Tony), there isn’t much of a rush for the young lady’s hand.
And isn’t it about time we had an affair.
But no showers. Or long soliloquies to hair. Please.
“Your mum”????
“I spare the time for a guided tour for your mum”
Now I know that some couples fall into that thing of calling each other ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ to their kids – but wasn’t that a bit strange of Kenton to refer to Kathy as ‘your mum’ to Jamie?
May I’m just getting paranoid, but it felt a tad distant of him.
“As if he’s just the shell of the real man when he’s with me”
So Kathy leans on Pat, telling her that she’s realised how far apart her and Kenton are.
It might just be that she saw him flirting with Kirsty, but she has a good point that he seems to be the one who’s now lifting Jamie out of his stupor … and that she was wrong and vindictive about Sid’s ashes … and that Kenton seems to have far less of a ‘good time’ when she’s around.
Part of me knows she’s not perfect, but a larger part of me cannot get away from the fact that Kenton has been a rotter since Sid died. Infact, he’s had little time for Kathy and Jamie since he met Jim, and the whole ‘new look’ Jaxx become a proper idea.
Kenton is going through a very public mid-life crises, whereas Kathy’s happy with her nest.
How long before it cracks wide open? A week? A Month? Certainly can’t outlast the year.
