http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...60416&ns_fee=0

''I understand that this storyline might be uncomfortable listening, but to those who say it doesn’t belong in an everyday story of country folk, I would make the obvious point that domestic abuse affects those from all walks of life, and I’m really proud to be telling this story.''

(Louiza Patikas actress playing Helen)

I have listened to the Archers for most of my life, this is the most fascinating story with more effect than I have ever heard.
The last time there was a furore like this was Nigel's unfortunate death.

The actress has been really good. But the issue isn't whether it belong in a rural soap - it does. My issue with it has been that it's been played for entertainment a lot of the time, very sensationalist. Ooo, how can we make Helen suffer next? *rubs hands* That's what made me uncomfortable.

So it's not about whether you run the story, it's how you run the story.

Sean O'Connor dismissing all his critics as wanting a "chocolate box" completely misses the point.

I don't see it like that at all They've been highlighting a very serious subject, and done it very well, and helped a lot of people.

Reading this article it seems it would have been better for Helen if Rob had died.

Wow!!

That is scarey stuff!

Thanks for that link.

Don't get me started on that. I still haven't forgiven the story writers for that pointless story line and killing off one of my favourite characters.

I have listened since the day I was born. My Mum used to wrap me up and put me in the pram with the radio and go for a walk each afternoon and we both listened to the Archers. There have been story lines that have engaged me as much as this one, but this is certainly right up at the top of the list.

My slight worry is that producers will think it has engaged us because of a stabbing where in fact I was gripped by the mental abuse story line. The stabbing is merely the denouement. I hope they don't get it into their heads that the way to get more listeners is to have planes crashing onto Ambridge or train derailments and such like. I am enjoying this story line but hope we go back to mostly discussions about Victoria sandwiches and who grows the best parsnips.

The Archers is the only soap I still tune into. The others went down the pan years ago in my opinion with their OTT story lines and general doom and misery. The Archers by and large is still light and gentle and most of all, for me, real.

This bit made me LOL,

"...And of course, if Rob is alive that will make mitigating for her incredibly difficult. Sadly, he does not seem to have the sort of gentlemanly manners to show magnanimity in the face of his wife's attempt to murder him...."

But otherwise she seems to have a mountain ahead of her. But on the bright side he might still die!

Hello - I've been a devout lurker of DS, and this thread has been the only one I have deigned to FINALLY add my 2 penny-worth to!

It's the only soap I have remained faithful too, also!

I certainly didn't expect this sudden turn of events, I was rather hoping that Helen's mental anguish and decline would have been a little more drawn out, so as to enable others to see Rob for what he is!?

Welcome.
I too thought they would play it out for several months to come and more pennies would drop in more minds other than Kirsty's. So Sunday's episode was a real shake to the core moment for me too, especially as I read what had happened on here first before I actually listened.

I have a confession to make, I only listen to the omnibus podcast en-route to work and back home again on Mondays......but knowing what happens beforehand via this forum and Lowfield doesn't detract from my gasps and bizarre facial expressions!

I'm still at a loss to understand how Pat has absolutely been taken in by Rob - it's truly bizarre - notwithstanding Helen's previous behaviour - how can a woman as resolute as Pat be taken in hook, line and sinker by him, over her own daughter......? I can see how he's managed to hoodwink the rest of Ambridge.

I'm silently hoping that Charlie will return at some point.

As for the your first bit - Rob will milk the 'oh poor me, can't you see what I've been putting up with' drama for all it's worth.

Particularly as she and Tony instinctively didn't like him to start with. Unfortunately it's the fault of the writers. They can unrealistically change a person at the stroke of a pen.


Me too. Also Stephan - I'm hoping Rob hasn't done him in. If Rob dies and Stephan hears about it (somehow) hopefully he'll come back and say what he saw Rob doing with the culverts. Hopefully other things about Rob will come out so that his halo slips and strangles him.

I'm sure you're right. His denouement will be Henry, who witnessed it all and with the right counselling from professionals will be able to reveal the lowlife that is Rob for what he is. I am a great fan of Law & Order SVU, the police in Ambridge should watch this series and see how the NYPD always get to the truth ..

I've yielded and am listening to it now.

Don't like the tone of the bloody stupid police officers. "It beggars belief; you're about to bring a new life into the world and you go and do something like that." said one of the clots to the other.
Surely an inquiring mind would ask "What, when you're about to bring a new life into the world, would drive you to do something like that?"

The doctor had even noted the red marks on Helen's skin.

Because they've changed her personality and made her a bit dumb for the sake of the storyline.

One of the many things that's irritated me about it.

I can actually imagine him saying that as well.

The Archers has been incredible. I tuned out for a while, but started listening again at the start of the year - well and truly hooked again. The Archers deserves all the credit it gets, although I must admit to feeling frustrated with some listeners complaining over the Helen/Rob storyline. One such comment that boiled my piss a little was "I don't listen to The Archers to be educated"...

I think the storyline's been executed incredibly well. Of course there's some added drama, there has to be. But it has been gripping, and I've been genuinely shaken and moved by it. I think a lot of TV shows could learn a thing or two about story-writing and narrative from The Archers - especially as it's done completely with sound, no image. Amazing. Certain beats of silence and dramatic pause, a certain sound here, even just a sigh there - incredibly powerful, immaculately acted.

Hats off to The Archers.

Helen's personality has changed but she hasn't become a ''bit dumb for the sake of the storyline''.

The change in Helen is due to the constant undermining of her confidence, as well as the isolation from her friends and family.
That is what the whole storyline is about.

I've given this some thought since last night, and Helen has been busy pretending to Pat that things were fine, so Pat put her odd behaviour down to Helen being ... well, odd. And Pat hasn't heard all the stuff we've heard. Ambridge people don't seem to listen to The Archers.

Taking all that into account, I've let Pat off the hook for now.

Exactly and, I wonder if he will persuade people that Henry is not safe with her and push for custody of him and new baby. The outcome for Helen looks very grim and unkind.
I am sure it will get sorted eventually, but I see that the immediate future will be tough for her. I hope her parents realise what Rob is doing to her.

Still find it odd that Pat seemed to have done a complete 360 where Rob was concerned - didn't she recently agree with Rob about what sort of meat they were selling in the shop, or something, against Tom's wishes....??
It's that sort of thing that annoyed me so much listening and made me scream at the radio 'They are your children, Pat!!! For the love of God...!!!! You HATED Rob a year ago!!!'

Maybe she would have been different if Helen told her about what Rob had done to the egg........

Bring back Stefan and Charlie, please........

I was talking about Pat.

Indeed Get the dolls out and give them to Henry.

I think the post who were responding to was speaking of Pat not Helen. Pat has definitely had a personality change throughout all of this. Previously she would have been the first to pick up on any problems.