"Heeeeeere's Kirsty! Scariest thing I've heard this week!" – Listener discussions to 14 May 2014

There was a chill wind in the air – not to mention plenty of smoke – as Kirsty returned from Costa Rica and burnt bridges as well as personal effects following her confrontation with Helen.

Charlie continues to be a controversial figure, whether it’s Adam or Rob he’s rubbing up the wrong way, Clarrie struck a chord with many on her 60^th birthday and Alice and Brian added some warmth to recent episodes in a “lovely little piece” while delivering a hind.

Here’s my pick of the listener discussions between 8 and 14 May 2014.

As Charlie tested Adam’s patience further, listeners agreed that he’s a ‘blooming nuisance’ – though his ride in the tractor cab did prompt some speculation about his agenda.

How many of us in our working lives know a "Charlie" i wonder. Obsessive micro-managing at its worst even with the odd bit of "yes he was right". (Redfootball on The Archers blog)

I think Charlie is going to go off and think of horrible tasks which Adam must do immediately! I reckon he's testing him to failure! (Alison Kay on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Were Charlie and Adam getting a bit to cosy in the cab? (Dorothy Drew on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

#thearchers Adam and Charlie comparing the fineness of their tilths? It's Pawel the strawberry plucker all over again! (@mancunianpinko on Twitter)

Sentiment towards Charlie certainly improved during his no-nonsense exchange with Rob, though not everyone was without sympathy for Rob’s situation.

For once in my life, I felt some sympathy for Rob. (Richard Copeland on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Love the fact Charlie was unfair to Rob. Shows Rob as a real person. Not just panto villain #thearchers (@shimmy41a on Twitter)

Wasn't it a joy to hear Rob being bullied tonight, even if it was the dreadful Charlie doing it. (Richard Gilbert on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

I hope I am not the only one wallowing in the schadenfreude of the Charlie vs Robbo exchange. How I chortled!! (Patsy Bain on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

Charlie is a one isn't he. Although its quite nice to see Rob squirm. #TheArchers (@LukeVernon on Twitter)

Haha, Rob's lying about how he grovelled to Charlie. What a cowardly toad! #TheArchers (@SpareMousie on Twitter)

But the big cheers were reserved for Kirsty as she arrived back at Ambridge Organics and let rip at Helen. But what about that letter she refused to read?

Hurrah! Kirsty! Only just listened to last night's episode - she was brilliant. #thearchers (@janewright on Twitter)

Heeeeeere's Kirsty! Scariest thing I've heard this week! No wonder Tom daren't come anywhere near, considering #TheArchers @BBCTheArchers (@Cardifolderol on Twitter)

Oh wow. I'm liking Dark Kirsty. Mind you, still feeling sorry for Helen. I'm getting old. #thearchers (@Mudkipstoat23 on Twitter)

I love the Helen character so troubled by previous relationships and john’s death Louiza plays her brilliantly now losing long time friend Kirsty as well. (John on The Archers blog)

And off Kirsty flounces in a swirl of righteous fury...I'm literally seeing a black shawl, just missing Helen's face.. (@Novembervivi on Twitter)

I had to pull my jacket around my shoulders... the cold gust of shattered friendship, loss and misery... (Chrissie Gladwin on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

I was despising Kirsty throughout the wedding story, but listening to her to rip Helens face off has me back on Team Kirsty (Adrian McGrath on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

Be careful Kirsty, anger and hate lead to the dark side of the force! Wish Alice had kept the letter Kirsty might not want to know the contents but some of us do! (Sonia Cooper FB on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

So that's Helen humiliated and Rob reprimanded. I'm worried how this will play out when Rob gets home though. #thearchers (@toady on Twitter)

There’s no let-up in the listener animosity towards Tony as he persists in criticizing Tom.

I am thoroughly fed up of hearing 'moany Tony' berating Tom every five minutes. His non-stop negativity is so debilitating for everybody. (Marguerite Turpin on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

Time to put Tony out to pasture, no? And lock the gate. I'm sure Tom will oblige. #TheArchers (@aimeeheuz on Twitter)

You can tell Pat is biting her lip and wants to tell him to shut up! I wish she would! In fact I wish she had years ago, somebody needs to! (Sarah Bajomee on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

Trust ‘insensitive’ Jennifer to put both feet in her mouth as she tried to console Pat after Tom’s disappearance – and palm off her kitchen units on her.

@BBCTheArchers Has #Jennifer got small feet? You know, so she can get them both in her mouth at once? #TheArchers #Pat #MissingTom (@amoc44 on Twitter)

@BBCTheArchers Jennifer you need to engage your silly little brain before you start bleeting on. #poorpat #thearchers (@LottieLandGirl on Twitter)

Jennifer's done well tonight she's managed to patronise Pat AND nearly make her cry all in the course of one conversation. #thearchers (@olympians on Twitter)

Jenny meant to be kind and show empathy, she really did. She can be a bit silly and snobbish, but, yes, she is kind and usually means well. She is a loving, caring daughter, mother and wife and cares for Ruari as her own. (Pauline Stroud on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

Elsewhere in the Aldridge family there was a bit more emotional intelligence on display as Brian and Alice delivered a hind together – though the sound effects proved stomach-churning for some.

I thought the scene with Brian and Alice was very nicely handled - a very touching little scene. (Nigel Cropper on BBC The Archers Facebook page)

@Sparkleyalex @BBCTheArchers It was a really nice scene between Brian and Alice, they need more together. (@emmy720 on Twitter)

Really could have done without the squelching sound effects in #thearchers. Now feel slightly queasy... (@tinfoiltrumpet on Twitter)

Listeners rallied round ‘poor Clarrie’ as she reached 60 without feeling like she had much to celebrate. There were a few calls for her to ‘cheer up’, however.

Surely Clarrie Grundy isn't posh enough to have an existential crisis. #thearchers (@HilbertGarding on Twitter)

Twas lovely. Felt exactly the same when I was 60, but your time will come Clarrie. A few years on and life is just fabulous so hang on in there (Janet Whyment on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

I thought that was such a sad scene, I was yelling at the radio, "Clarrie, the mark of a well-lived life is how much you are loved!" (Hat Jodelka on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

St Clarrieluv of Ambridge, patron saint of drudges & washerwomen everywhere #thearchers (@opheliaknee on Twitter)

Clarrie should cheer up. The Grundies still have a home to rent - for now. Where ARE you Hazel? *evil smile* #thearchers (@MufferRBoyle on Twitter)

It proved to be a vintage week for one-liners with several nominations submitted by listeners.

"I hit a rabbit or a hedgehog or something" My favourite line this episode. (Sisi Ndlovu on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

loved the line, "surely you have room for a liquor?" Totally Monty Python with the waffer thin mint. (Fiona Jones on Archers Addicts Facebook group)

@BBCTheArchers Absolute classic! 13/05/14 ep from 9m 30s. Elizabeth: They won't budge? Roy: Ah, who? Elizabeth: Those stationery people. (@ChapelMorrisMen on Twitter)

@BBCTheArchers I feel that the SW who came up with "before you inflict your friendship on someone else" deserves a bonus of some sort. (@all_sweetness on Twitter)

Tayler Cresswell is The Archers’ social media host

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