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As Peggy poured her heart out to Jill following the death of her beloved cat Ben, listeners reacted with a great deal of compassion – and floods of tears.
There was no love lost for Rob, however, as Helen took him for Father’s Day lunch with Pat and Tony.
Elsewhere in Ambridge, listeners wondered where Lilian’s knitting struggles were leading and some were surprised to find themselves agreeing with Charlie as he questioned Debbie’s role at Borchester Land. Meanwhile, will it be Roy or Charlie who proves most appealing to Elizabeth?
Here’s my pick of the listener discussions between 12 and 18 June 2014.
It was awkwardness all round as Helen and “that man” dined with Tony and Pat, though listeners are relieved that Rob hasn’t pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes.
What's that noise? Sounds like gritting teeth to me #thearchers (@peptalkfanzine on Twitter)
"They're really warming to you!" Errmmm... what family lunch were you just at Helen?? #TheArchers (@LReb82 on Twitter)
Pat loathes him, but is playing peacemaker in case rob uses Henry as a pawn. That was thoughtless of Rob to put himself on equal footing with Tony regarding Henry. (Lynda Everington on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
I think Rob is a fraud of some sort, look how appallingly he treated his wife......I'm with Pat..... (Sarah Beachcomber Cunningham Davis on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Sorry Pat and Tony, you can't choose or influence who you kids fall in love with!! (Alice Foster on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Finally Pat and Tony have at least agreed that they can't stand Throb. Unfortunately, they have experience of Helen and her emotional instability and don't know what to do about it at the moment. As Pat says, they've lost two offspring already and Helen is all they have left. (Caroline Andrews on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Just listened to last night's episode and as Pat said ... "That man!!!!" (Frances Ball on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
With Lilian turning to Peggy to help out on her knitting project, some started to wonder where this storyline was leading…
There is something of the French Revolution about all these older women doing so much knitting. Wonder who is for the guillotine? (Kelvin Hard on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Matinee jacket soaked with gin, fag ash and tears of frustration #thearchers (@goddessdeeva on Twitter)
The village is full of fakers - fake jewellery makers and fake knitters #thearchers (@2ndcitysuit on Twitter)
#thearchers Why doesn't Fagash knit a cashmere nappy? Just cast on 500 stitches and just keep. Going until it's squarish. #sorted (@janeskinner2 on Twitter)
Well, if Peggy can't finish the matinée jacket, then they should give Debbie a go - she'll have some free time & is knitting on Episodes this evening. (Charlotte Bilby on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
As Debbie’s future with Borchester Land looked doubtful, some agreed with Charlie that she’s not pulling her weight, while others would like to see her return. But what about “minion” Brian?
I hate hearing Brian being treated like that at BL (Rachael Rosewell on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Brian is now a minion, albeit still on the board. He is out of the decision-making loop, out of the kitchen, out of everything. He is 71, well past the go-getting age required by ruthless get rich quick BL types. He will be going bird watching with Jim Lloyd and Joe Grundy. (Bill Gll on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Charlie is right about Debbie. She can't possibly manage the farm properly from Hungary. Particularly as she never seems to be in touch or visit. (Keren David on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Got to agree with Charlie. Debbie will always be an Aldridge; doesn't need to be pretend-running the farm from LA-sorry-Hungary #thearchers (@CEMichael on Twitter)
Dear Debbie, stop mucking about with Matt Le doodad, you're about to lose your job #thearchers they're talking about you ... (@NicMaxfield on Twitter)
Bring back Debbie. Tell her to stop doing all that silly TV work and come to our rescue. (Matthew Newton on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
On the eve of Elizabeth and Roy’s festival trip, speculation was rife about the nature of their relationship, though not everyone’s convinced that it’s Roy who’ll win over the widow Pargetter.
Roy of the Rotas has SO got a crush on Elizabeth. #thearchers (@janewright on Twitter)
Perhaps it's just me but I'm hearing innuendos all over the place. And that rather obvious hesitation from Roy is a heavy handed signifier: frolics at the festival, drunken fumbles, and a crisis of conscience... (Sumi Olson on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Elizabeth and Roy - no, absolutely not. Elizabeth and Charlie - possibly... (Brenda Selwyn on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
No Elizabeth! Don't do it! Don't fall for Charlie! (Denise Lowe on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
It would be a lot more interesting if Lizzie did succumb to the charms of Charlie ~ heralding another unholy row with David and Ruth. (Jean Bell on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
#thearchers I so wish it was Jazzer and Fallon going to the festival. (@verabling on Twitter)
Many listeners saw it coming but few were unmoved by the inevitable departure of Peggy’s cat Ben – an episode that really struck a chord.
Peggy drives me crazy , but my heart went out to her (Sandra Greenhow on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
I really appreciated the way the humour and the pathos were interspersed.. Much more like TA of old. Loved it. (Jo Boulter on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Loved Matts' Wickerman and 9 holes! Titters before tears,eh? (Cathie Beedle on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Death of a fictional cat it may be, but well written storyline on how loneliness can affect anyone #TheArchers @BBCTheArchers (@HerreMorker on Twitter)
Oh dear, goodbye Ben. And Jack too. Tour de force sad scene by Peggy. #loneliness #TheArchers (@SJG99 on Twitter)
Oh, Ive just shed a tear for a fictional cat :-( #TheArchers (@LukeVernon on Twitter)
Lordy, mascara alert! I was in floods... Very close to the bone and then FINALLY we get the statement we have needed so long... This thread will be so familiar to so many of us with elderly parents on their own.. (Jayne Tyler on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Having recently lost a pet I think the graphic detail of Alistair putting Ben to sleep was a bit too much! Surely we could have just had Peggy finding him and then talking about the visit by Alistair but not a blow by blow account. It was all too much and should not have been aired. (peterso41 on The Archers blog)
I've lived with many, many cats over the years, and they're all individuals. Having said that, for some reason the episode left me quite cold, I think because it had been so heavily flagged up. (March Jordan on Archers Addicts Facebook page)
Wonderful acting from June Spencer pouring her heart out - sounded completely heartfelt and it took me totally by surprise. Very moving. Well done! (R4Lover on The Archers blog)
Read more about Peggy’s cats
The history of Borchester Land
Tayler Cresswell is The Archers’ social media host
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