The Archers

Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter …Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Lottie Summers … Bonnie Baddoo

Susan mildly berates Bert for opening an early beer in the garden. Alice pops over and is friendly with Bert, who mutters to Neil about hiding his beer. Neil teases Chris over Lottie, and Chris bats away his comment about marriage. Chris is defensive when Bert jokes about all Martha’s parent figures.
With Alan and the fete starting to get a bad name, Lynda’s shocked that Susan has introduced some ticket concessions. But some people will be prevented from attending – and some who will just boycott.
Lynda is convinced that Monty is innocent, as she and Robert await the DNA results from the sheep attack. She’s more concerned about the fete – they need to find a must-see attraction. They’re distracted by an argument in the road, between Ed on his combine and an angry speeding driver. As affectionate Monty cheers up Ed, Robert makes a comment that gives Lynda an idea.
Chris admits to Alice that he suggested he and Lottie move in together, and is worried by Lottie’s reaction. Alice says to speak to Lottie, and reassure her he’s happy and not trying to pressure her.
Chris heads home and is shocked to see Bert giving Martha a sip of his beer. Bert’s nasty comments about Alice, and mollycoddling, make Chris explode. Later, he informs Susan and Neil that he’ll contact Hazel to see about moving back into his flat. Susan tries to defend Bert’s actions, but when Chris doubles down on his criticism Susan loses her cool and says maybe he should move out.

Jolene presses Fallon to try and talk to Harrison and stop hiding at Lynda and Robert’s. She thinks Fallon and Harrison have rushed into their decision. Later, Fallon shocks Jolene by giving her notice to quit the Bull for a new job at Lower Loxley. Jolene worries it’s too much upheaval given her break up, but Fallon has decided.
Brad admires Bert’s view from his room at Ambridge View, but Bert’s still unhappy about Susan’s rules on smoking and riding his mobility scooter into the village. He also takes the opportunity to share his other gripes with Brad – Neil is quiet and under the thumb, and Chris is too soft on Martha, who’ll grow up to be as spoilt as Alice!
Bert winds Chris up as Chris explains that Martha is staying over at Lottie’s, with her daughter Maddie, for the first time tonight. Bert says to watch his back with single mum Lottie. Chris turns the tables on Bert, who defends Ivy, Chris’s grandmother, as a saint. Brad makes to leave, and Bert tells him not to open his birthday card until tomorrow – it may have a little something inside. Chris complains to Brad about Bert and their shared living arrangement. But he’ll be back in his own place in a week.
At Lottie’s, the two girls play together well. Chris seems resolved about Alice being with Rex, and Chris feels it’s the start of a new era, for him and Lottie too. Perhaps they should move in together sometime? Lottie is a bit taken aback, and Chris backtracks.

Alice remarks on how little stuff Rex needs to move in with her. He brandishes an old poultry ledger of his grandfather George Fairbrother, with some entries possibly from his aunt Grace. Alice advises Rex on decorating his boat, ready to rent out to holidaymakers. She’s grateful that he’s giving up his beloved boat to be with her. But a sudden request from Fallon to come over to Alice’s scuppers tonight’s romantic evening.
Supportive Alice is firmly on Fallon’s side when they talk about a pivotal moment - Fallon’s miscarriage, and Harrison’s erratic reaction. Harrison just wasn’t the support that her friends were, including Alice. Having got past her own demons, Alice encourages Fallon, who’s excited about her new job at Lower Loxley, but nervous about breaking it to Jolene and Kenton.
Chris visits Harrison and can’t believe it’s over with Fallon. Harrison confesses that he could have returned home to Fallon six months sooner, and she didn’t even get angry when he told her. Perhaps they shouldn’t have married, given their different views about having children? Chris comforts Harrison, who feels he ran away when they hit problems, in contrast to Chris who was there for Alice.
Chris visits Alice to return a comfort toy for Martha, and it appears Rex has already got Martha off to sleep. Chris and Alice reflect on Harrison and Fallon. They’ve made things work, though, and will be there for the ex-couple. Chris heads off, with Rex surprising Chris with a few old bits and pieces of Chris’s found in a wardrobe, from his time with Alice.

Susan insists Bert smokes outside while at Ambridge View, and for him to see it as a chance to cut down. Chris arrives to look after Bert while Susan heads to work at the shop, warning Bert not to ride his scooter into the village.
As Martha forages in the garden, Chris asks Bert not to smoke in front of her. Bert teases Chris about Brad saving his bacon at cricket yesterday. He also quizzes Chris about Lottie and notes he was never a fan of Alice. Offended, Chris prepares to leave with Martha, but Bert asks for a lift into the village.
At the shop, Chris complains about Bert to Susan and buys fete tickets for himself and Lottie, noting under-12s go free. Bert grumbles about not getting a concession until Susan relents and offers him one.
Lynda is impressed by Robert’s progress painting the shepherd’s hut, and they discuss finishing it with decorative lantern hooks made by Chris. They reflect on their decades in Ambridge and talk about fete preparations, including Alan dealing with complaints about having to pay for entry.
Fallon is grateful to be staying with Lynda and Robert and checks that it’s still alright. They reassure her and offer her privacy, though Lynda also invites her to help with fete planning. Fallon contributes an idea to support Alan’s bell-naming initiative but admits she doesn’t have the headspace to join the fete committee. Lynda understands.
When Chris asks after Harrison, Fallon realises he doesn’t know they’ve split up. He is shocked by the news, and Fallon asks him to reach out to Harrison because she’s worried about him.