The Archers 3n3r49

There’s a breakthrough for Elizabeth, and Joy finds a distraction.

At the Tearoom downbeat Emma tells Natasha she heard some of the Roserran crowd made disparaging remarks about yesterday’s cricket tea, knowing it came from Bridge Farm, home of the sewage leak. But Emma’s bad mood is more to do with it being the anniversary of George crashing Alice’s car. Natasha is very sympathetic, but later tells Emma they need to up their game with the cricket teas. Phoning from the police station Usha gives Joy details of Rochelle’s arrest, explaining that potentially the charges could be very serious. Despite the mention of terrorism Mick tries playing down Joy’s fears, suggesting they go for breakfast at the Tearoom. Without her mobile Joy insists on staying home in case Usha rings back. At the Tearoom Mick compares Emma’s situation with George to Joy’s with Rochelle, both standing by their errant child. He understands it now, where he didn’t before. At the police station Usha cautions Rochelle against a “no comment” approach. Rochelle is fully committed to the cause, having been told the charges probably won’t stick. She accuses Usha of bleeding heart vegetarianism, quoting Saskia, who’s dismissive of people who don’t take action. Usha spells out the risk of Rochelle ending up in prison and the effect it could have on her children. Rochelle agrees to at least think about a defence based on non-violent action and trying to minimise harm on the day. Later, Usha tells Joy that Rochelle will be in court tomorrow. They agree Rochelle’s stubborn and imioned, but at least Rochelle’s now working with Usha, not against her.

Joy faces a rude awakening, and Lynda struggles to keep her composure.

Writer: Liz John Director: Marina Caldarone Editor: Jeremy Howe David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Tom Archer…. William Troughton Vince Casey…. Tony Turner Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Rochelle Horville…. Rosie Stancliffe Akram Malik…. Asif Khan Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd Saskia…. Alison Belbin Carl…. James Bartlett

Chaos reigns at the abattoir and Vince finds himself in the spotlight.

Natasha faces a tricky negotiation and Tracy jumps on board.

Rochelle is out of options and Rex attempts some aftercare.

At Beechwood Natasha throws away a vase gifted by Helen that Seren has broken, worried how Helen will react when she moves in today – she’s bound to notice. Now they’ll all be squeezing in together Natasha frets to Joy about Tom stressing, until Helen finds somewhere else to rent. When Helen arrives later she finds most of the cupboards already full and the twins’ mess everywhere. Joy gives a hand carrying all grateful Helen’s stuff in, then has to explain to Natasha about things being awkward between her and Rochelle. Lynda phones Joy and fulminates about the shockingly poor last-minute cricket tea organised for the previous home match by Freddie. Later, at the Tearoom, Pat tells Chelsea about the slideshow of Peggy’s wartime photos they’re putting together as a surprise for Tony and Lilian. Chelsea mentions Elizabeth’s exhibition at Lower Loxley that she and Brad helped with, featuring a mysterious RAF officer, Reginald. Lynda informs Chelsea that Robert managed to identify his role in the RAF. Lynda then badgers Pat about getting Natasha to provide the cricket teas this season, starting with next Sunday’s match against Lawrence’s Roserran-in-the-Vale, before Pat bemoans the manner in which she and Tony were fired from the team. When Natasha gets back from helping Helen move in she’s delighted to hear from Pat about Lynda’s tea request, so long as they’re not expecting it for free. Bullish Natasha reckons it’ll help rebuild the Tearoom’s reputation, then reassures Pat that everything will be fine with Helen and the boys at Beechwood too.

There’s drama on the cricket pitch and a surprise is sprung on Azra.

Writer: Naylah Ahmed Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy Howe Ben Archer…. Ben Norris David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davies Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Tom Archer…. William Troughton Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Rochelle Horville…. Rosie Stancliffe Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford Saskia…. Alison Belbin

Ben gives David a hand on the yard, appreciating the screen break. David jokes that Ben’s NHS work is to give him a break from the family farm. Ben observes his Dad can’t resist another dig over his views on inheritance tax. Joy asks if anyone from Brookfield’s available to help to check out the routes up Lakey Hill ready for the VE Day beacon lighting. Unsuspecting Leonard appears in the nick of time. He’s happy to help. He and Joy agree to meet tomorrow. David and Ben agree something needs to be done about dog walkers not picking up after their pets, risking neospora affecting livestock. David tells Ben he’s having some signs made to put up around Brookfield. Ben remarks on the hard hitting nature of the image but David maintains it needs to be impactful to get the message across. Helen’s car’s in dock and she gets a taxi ride with Rex to collect it. She spots he seems a bit down. Rex its that he doesn’t know what to do about a woman who’s blowing hot and cold with him. Over coffee Helen advocates action over standing still – there’s nothing brave in that. Rex confides he always puts his everything into a relationship. What if he keeps choosing the wrong person? He refers back to Pip. Helen reckons he’s just still waiting for the right one. Can’t he tell this woman how he feels? Sometimes it’s better to just know. The right person will recognise the good person he is. What’s the worst that can happen?

There’s a thaw between Joy and Rochelle as they make the baked cauliflower postponed from last night. Joy suggests tentatively that she has some money set aside to help Rochelle get her own place. Wrongfooted Rochelle’s unsure. Joy presses on. It would be somewhere to bring the kids and have friends – like the one she met in the café the other day. Rochelle won’t be drawn. Instead she accuses her mum of wanting to reinvent her from head to toe. Rochelle feels judged. Joy insists she’s just trying to improve Rochelle’s lot – she’s not always thinking the worst of her. She knows Rochelle likes Ambridge, and just wants to help her stay around. Rochelle insists that’s not going to happen any time soon. She knows Joy and Mick want their space, and besides she’ll soon be back with her own family. Helen’s taken delivery of Tom and Natasha’s new sofas. Henry agrees to polish the hall floor. However he overdoes it and Natasha and Tom slip and slide. They see the funny side but it’s not the welcome Helen wanted to give them. Natasha accepts Helen’s gift of a vase, before declaring the sofas are in the wrong place. Helen apologises but Natasha backtracks – she’s grateful Helen was around when they arrived. Later Natasha wonders to Tom if she was a bit rude. This was after all Helen’s domain, so it must be a bit strange for her. She wonders if it’s too late to get out of the living arrangements. Tom confirms it is. Onwards and upwards.

Joy has questions to ask, and plans are made at the abattoir.

Rochelle finds herself on the spot, and the pressure rises for Freddie.

Jazzer takes centre stage, and Helen knows what she wants.

Writer: Keri Davies Director: Dave Payne Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davies Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore Tom Archer…. William Troughton Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Martyn Gibson…. Jon Glover Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Rochelle Horville…. Rosie Stancliffe Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence Saskia…. Alison Belbin

Rex has the rug pulled from under him, and Chelsea is intrigued by the past.

Brian attempts to keep the peace, and patience is a virtue for Natasha.

A mystery deepens for Freddie, and Brad keeps his cards close to his chest.

Pat and Emma agree that a hosepipe through Martyn Gibson’s letterbox isn’t an effective way to protest, but that further action is definitely needed. Neil points out the water company is aware of the problem in Ambridge and may need to prioritise. Emma’s aghast that her dad might not be on their side, but Neil is rescued by the arrival of Joy, keen to talk VE Day event plans. Emma and Pat continue their positive action talk. Pat tells Emma about someone effectively building a moat around their property. Tom overhears and advocates caution; interfering with a watercourse could be illegal. Mick brings the news that a well known water campaigner is at Grey Gables right now. Emma cant’ believe it’s Feargal Sharkey. She rushes away to catch the celebrity before he moves on. Neil reports the history of the commemorative lighting of village beacons to Joy and Mick. Establishing their best location will be Brookfield’s Lakey Hill, they resolve to seek out David. Feargal has some words of encouragement for Emma’s cause. He counsels persuasion rather than law breaking. Perhaps Emma can find someone on the inside who’s open to a bit of flattery and guilt tripping? This gives Emma food for thought. She thanks Feargal for his help, and as he leaves to do a spot of fishing, he confirms he’s happy for his name to be used as long as any plans Emma makes are legit. Emma is inspired.