We begin this most dramatic of weeks with a heartfelt plea on behalf of packed lunch makers everywhere…
…before moving to the single most heavily discussed couple in Borsetshire: Helen and Rob, starting with reactions to Rob telling Tom that he and Helen are attempting to start a family…
Terribly sad that a woman of Helen's ability is so desperate for love that she will do anything to keep the man of her choice content - I don't think she can face the possibility that she has made a mistake which has brought Henry into a dysfunctional relationship. [Jean Bell on Facebook]
Anyone else spot the "lost opportunity moment of the episode"? The scene: cross Helen making chopping sounds, then Rob anxiously saying, "Helen, please put that down....!!!" For one wonderful moment I thought.... [Angie Brown on Facebook]
And then of course there was the fallout from those test results…
No! No! No! What has gone wrong? I was actually nervous. [Sheila Wearmouth on Facebook]
It's really frustrating for us listeners, but of course it's brilliantly in character. Rob NEVER admits he's wrong! But he won't still deny it to Jess, as she has the proof...he will just need to ensure she is kept away from Ambridge, so I think he will agree to a financial support of Ethan. Jess shouldn't have any reason to contact Helen as she doesn't know that Rob has lied to her. It's a fab storyline. He will be exposed one day, but how far will it all go in the meantime?! [Rachel Lucas on Facebook]
Rob is all too real - have a relative very like him [Cait Scarlett on Facebook]
And this is proof of Rob’s influence in the most unexpected places:
Sitting at traffic lights at 2:15pm today, windows open. An well dressed elderly gentleman is crossing in front of me, he hears my radio playing Barwick Green and as he passes he shouts across to me, "That Rob's a right bastard , eh?" Brilliant [Sharon Evans on Facebook]
Cricket Season is upon us, and oh look, it’s Rob again…
Jim and Robert’s birdwatching bickerfest continues…
Only riff-raff mistake a cliff-chaff... [Ellie Kane on Facebook]
Eddie Grundy might be destroying Clarrie’s dresser, but Joe is styling himself after some pretty fancy types these days, like Dom from Gogglebox…
Feel angry for Clarrie, even Joe knew it wasn't right and he was wearing pink hand me down corduroys. [Valerie Adams on Facebook]
And Shula had a bad week for getting the family around the dinner table…
I bet Alistair longs for a nice quiet meal on his own...one not served up with a portion of Shula's nagging on the side .... [Susan Carr on Facebook]
But she did manage to get around another table with Robert, to Twitter’s evident delight…
Meeting up with an ex lover and just being friends is very adult and fine IF the marriage is strong and stable, but Shula's is a bit rickity at the moment and the doctor is now single again so it could be unwise. Alistair should be hearing warning bells, busy or not. Some humans are not good at resisting temptation especially in Ambridge, it's the water. [Elaine Baldy on Facebook]
And finally, ‘The Week In Ambridge’, a poetic triptych in tweet form:
