I haven't a clue which is which. When they're on I can sometimes work out that it's either the rakish one or the earnest one talking, but mostly they're pretty interchangeable

Are we being set up for a final goodbye to Joe Grundy over Christmas? His farmer's lung may not survive long in a depressing hostel.

I do hope not The Archers wouldn't be the same without Joe. And Bartleby would pine away without him

Pip has undergone a full character transformation. She was the archetypal brattish spoilt prig last year, and now she's all pleasant and accommodating.

**********

If they're gonna kill off Joe in the hostel they are swines.
If he is to be given a send-off, then it needs to be a happy farewell imo.

Why is no-one at Bridge Farm helping them to find a place? Clarrie is a dedicated employee there. And Eddie has helped at Brookfield for years.

Lovely scenes with Joe and Bert tonight. I can see Joe going to live with Bert.

Had to laugh at Susan thinking she would be able to wear a body stocking.

Poor old Joe. I really don't want him to have to live in that hostel

That would be a good idea.

Looks like it's now or never Adam...

Haha.

"I really don't know what to say, Charlie"

Well, a decent non-scumbag would say "Goodbye Charlie, Ian my fiancé and I wish you all the best"

... but that's not really Adam's style.

Lots of testosterone flying about, what with 'Matt' and 'Tobes' vying for Pip.
Neither has yet awoken her inner brat, I notice.

Adam is always one to have his cake and eat it too. He doesn't deserve Iain.

Adam is an absolute swine Charlie seems quite young and vulnerable compared to the raddled old Lothario - I'm sure he could do much better for himself, as could Ian. I would love Adam to end up alone and heartbroken, with both Ian and Charlie staying in the village to flaunt their new (nicer, better looking and richer) men in front of him.

I don't like Pip much - the writers seem to love her though Wasn't Rex or Toby horribly snooty with the milker? I hope he hammers the posh geese men at whatever sport they end up playing.

I bet the Grundies will be saved at the eleventh hour. I'm not sure how yet... maybe Oliver and Caroline will have something to do with it when they hear what's happened. I think that's why it's being laid on really thick with Joe and the hostel.

I can't work out if Adam is going to have a dalliance with Charlie pre wedding. It's been nearly a year since their first (and last) kiss and there's always been something between them. However, it could be a red herring and perhaps Charlie is leaving. After all, there's nowhere else to really take his character now. Maybe he'll punch Rob on his way out of Ambridge? We can but hope.

The Pip recast wasn't just a recast of actor, but a complete change in character. It was like she aged ten years overnight. I think I prefer the new Pip because she's not as bratty and annoying, but her transformation doesn't ring true. Tom's the same - but his change in character is harder to swallow because of his age. I think I preferred the previous voice actor for Tom as well.

Toby and Rex are annoying, though Toby supremely more so. They sound virtually the same... I can only tell the difference because Toby is the over confident, cocky, annoying one whereas Rex is more level headed and sensible. I'd sooner see them gone, though.

Seems fairly obvious that Matthew will be some sort of love interest for Pip.
I have to say I'm not too fussed about Pip as a character, it wouldn't bother me if she wasn't featured for a while. It wouldnt bother me if they didn't concentrate on David and Ruth for 2016, I'd much rather the focus be on another family for next year. I feel like I've rather had my fill of them this year.
I wouldn't mind if they brought back in other character's such as Alan's daughter Amy. She had quite an interesting storyline a few years ago.

The Adam/Charlie 'will they won't they again' storyline is quite good too. I do wonder how this one is going to pan out because you do feel like Adam should get some comuppance with what he has done to Ian other the years. Ian is so loving,loyal and a genuinely nice chap. There is something seriouly wrong with their relationship though certainly on Adam's side, because clearly he is not satisfied with Ian and all too often has almost jeopardised the relationship. Charlie strikes me as a loner, someone who isn't quite sure of his own skin and maybe Adam has latched on to this. They strike me as two characters who have something missing in their lives and have gravitated towards each other.

Adam is the type who can never be sated in terms of love, attention, ego boosting etc.
It's not that Ian isn't providing, it's just not enough.

I had an ex very like Adam. Lovely, charming but constantly craving love, validation etc, not in a clingy way, more in an impulsive way.
He's been with his current boyfriend for three years now, but I know if I rang him up tomorrow and said some profoundly lovely things to him, I could have him in bed within a few hours. I'm not going to do that as I don't want to, and I'm not a rat! But it shows that for some people, even when they have the lot (lovely home, satisfying job, gorgeous partner) it just isn't enough and they're always seeking the greener grass.

Re David and Ruth, I agree. If they ever wrote an autobio it should be titled The Relentlessness of Being Beige.
Unfortunately they are the contemporary Brookfield Archers, and therefore the cornerstone family of the programme.

Not entitled "50 shades of beige" ?

Maybe Adam will be able to sign up for some sex addiction therapy when Kate opens her retreat.

Crikey - Ursula is with Helen!

Blimey, you can see which side of Rob's family he inherited the control freak gene from.

He was chilling tonight.

Obviously a whole family of psychos.

Also hated the way he now controls Helen's purchases and finances. it's probably her own money he's doling out to her as pocket money

I want him impaled on a spike.

It just has to stop. I'm afraid TA is becoming umlistenable for me. The whole Rob Sl is fingernails down the blackboard.

Rob tonight annoyed the hell out of me even more than usual

Ok, I'm just going to come out and say it.


Where's Darrell?

Christmas death please - Henry leaves a toy at the top of the stairs and Rob steps on it... Bye bye!

It is getting distressing now.
I fear they'll take it to the wire and make Helen so degraded and wrecked that she'll miscarry the baby

For some reason I can see Helen getting really angry with him and stabbing him repeatedly... In my dreams!