Hoorah! I thought this was a cracking week in Ambridge – a sense that nearly all the current storylines made some real progress, combined with some great, subtle acting. (Apart from Joe’s Ghost Walk, naturally!)
- Such Ambridge bitchiness over Auntie Cardboard’s cooking skills. Christine & Ruth should form a “Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook” support group.
- Can Adam & Charlie just get on and have their awkard one-night stand, NEVER to be spoken of again (like when he slept with that Polish picker). Adam might think that he is simply being a good friend to Charlie in his time of need, but he appears to lack insight into Charlie’s puppy love. (Apologies – that was a poorchoice of phrase, what with this “Hound of the Botulinum” storyline running at the moment.)
- Thank goodness for a second wave of Botulism poisoning – this is the microbiological story that just keeps on giving. Slightly surprised that opportunistic capitalist Justin Elliot hasn’t seen fit to open Ambridge’s “Cut Price Botox Clinic” next-door to Berrow Farm, what with the preponderance of Botulinum toxin flowing out of that charnel house. And more surprised that Brian could be put off his roast dinner by the mere mention of decomposing dog – wouldn’t an experienced farmer be made of sterner stuff?
- Hooty Jill continues to procrastinate about her stay at Lower Loxley, and admits to her “really silly” theory that she’s being haunted by the high-kicking spirit of Julia Pargetter. Carol kindly reassures her that it isn’t silly at all. In fact this was a good week for Carol and Usha, filling genuinely supportive roles as best friends to Jill and Ruth respectively. Emma (a character I usually detest) was brilliant with Ed, and even Lynda surprised with a kind and uncharacteristically tactful approach to Elizabeth. Some fine work from the Archers actresses this week, I thought.
- Speaking of female friendships, the rekindling of Helen’s friendship with Krusty was also well-played. The moments of awkwardness about Rob and Krusty’s failed wedding to Tom were believable against a background of genuine fondness. It was entirely credible that Krusty was the person to whom Helen could finally allow her façade to crack. This, surely, must be the beginning of the meltdown between Rob & Helen as we head towards Christmas.
- And Oliver rounds out this week’s cavalcade of supportive friends by bolstering Ed’s failing self-confidence. Declaring Ed to be a First Class farmer (when there’s plenty of evidence to the contrary) was generous, just when it was needed.
- Charlie’s coy reassurances about the Honour of the semi-nude Ambridge “Calendar Girl” ladies were highly amusing – he’s refusing to out himself when faced with indirect questionning.
- Ed “It’s Hard Not To Blame Yourself” Grundy & Emma seem to be evolving into a genuinely strong couple; their relationship with Will finally seems to be amicable, and – even though they aren’t back in their own home yet – they seem content and at ease with their equal and mutually supportive partnership; a fine contrast to how Rob thinks a relationship should run.
- Lynda started the end of the week as Machiavelli with her masterful manipulation of Susan into accepting a role in the Christmas production – she played Susan like a social-climbing fiddle. But Lynda ended up as Victor von Frankenstein – behold, the starstruck, nouveau-naturist monster she has created!
- Please can a DumTeeDum listener explain about the TMR feeding regime that’s so much work & so expensive. Here was an agricultural technicality that eluded me.
- Brian will never forget the sheep raddle Toby Fairbretheren in his swimming pool after the Treasure Hunt. Likewise, Adam will never forget the sight of Toby Fairbrethern cavorting in the Home Farm pool covered in nothing but sheep raddle.
- Will we finally see some sort of rapprochement between Ruth & Hooty Jill? God, let’s hope so.
- Next year, Jenny Darling & Carol Taboggan could have a “Spook Off” to see who knows more about Halloween. (My money’s on Carol)
- Rob was particularly obnoxious this week, over-riding Helen at every single turn. When will Helen just bop him on the nose?