Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

• 1) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 04:00:08 by anon
  
  I totally agree with everything you've said here.
  
  

• 2) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 07:34:33 by Vicky
  Well, I've just had my say on Radio5Live, along with Osprey, and yes, it was a fairly pedestrian episode with hardly any tension. I thought the best bit was right at the end with the traditional Archers cliff-hanger (roof-hanger!)...Nigel's awful scream followed by the signature tune, not the 'doom' music! Ending the episode this way seemed fitting for the 60th anniversary.
  
  Can't see how Nigel's death, devastating as it will be for the family, will change Ambridge forever.
  
  

• 3) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 07:50:36 by Floradora
  Well, what can I say? First of all, I did think the episode was well written and well paced, with the tension mounting (Nigel falling from the roof had been a possibility from the start, it had been 'flagged up' in an earlier episode, so the momenent he started suggesting to David that they go up there, we cried out 'OH NO!' in our house, just like in any good melodrama!) It made sense for Helen's baby to be delivered safely---whatever one thinks of Helen, it would have been too cruel for Pat and Tony to lose a daughter or a grandchild on John's birthday, of all days.
  But is Nigel definitely dead? Or could be severely disabled for life? I'm assuming death but you never know.....
  
  We should have had the doom music!

• 4) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 08:01:50 by Vicky
  I thought Helen having the baby was very well written and acted. Tony's lines were very moving. Right from the beginning I predicted she would have a premature birth for an anniversary celebration, but after we had all her problems and her pushing herself too far, a traumatic scenario seemed on the cards. The twist was that it was a happy event after all.

• 5) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 08:07:50 by bringbackben
  I guessed that Nigel would fall from the roof from the moment the banner was hoisted. Nothing ever happens in The Archers without huge clues being dropped beforehand. The clanky script writing irritates me so much I often wonder why I can't kick my 50+ year habit of listening!
  Losing one of the very few lovable and entertaining characters is not my idea of a celebration.

• 6) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 08:21:13 by wosiebean
  I could just about believe that Nigel would be reckless enough to go up on the roof in the dark when it's frosty and a gale is starting, but not David. The whole episode seemed contrived,rushed and unsatisfying.I think the hype ruined it as if we hadn't been speculating it would have been a genuine shock.

• 7) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 08:29:40 by TheHusbandHatesIt
  Would Nigel being a highly dependent paraplegic or left with severe brain damage not be a possible result of the fall. Death is sometimes a slightly more straightforward result. A long term disability certainly would affect a close community for years...

• 8) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 12:09:52 by anon
  Too predictable. The episode was too hyped up! It spoilt it for me, as if I hadn't been speculating it would have been more of a shock.
  Not keen on a death being used to celebrate an anniversary though! I suppose he may not have died, but sure he has. As previous post says he may have been left with a long term disability perhaps!
  Thought Helen would have baby last night and everything would be ok. Best part of epi with some tension and a happy event!
  

• 9) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 12:10:13 by Twist
  If Nigel survives falling from the icy roof of his country mansion... in any format, then I think the writers are defiantly losing the plot!
  
  P.S - Sorry folks it was me listening to this episode under my pillow, as hubby snored, and then posting this thread at 3.39am (I think I timed out, which is why it is posted from anon?!)

• 10) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 03/01/2011 12:18:34 by osprey
  The above post at 12.09 was posted by me!
  Timed out again - how annoying!

• 11) Re: "Shock, horror... Stop! A depressing start to 2011"

  Posted over 14 days ago.  Added 04/01/2011 00:12:26 by felicia
  I agree that it would have been tooooo distressing to have Helen's baby die on John's birthday. Instead, we had the uplifting scene of Helen and Tony coming to their senses and making it up.
  
  Yes, Nigel is a great loss to us all, and we are in mourning, and - yes - shaken to the core.
  
  Why was Nigel on the roof - because he was Nigel. David was there because drink had impaired his judgement. (it doesn't take all that much which is why we have drink driving laws.) David's going to pay for that for a long time.
  
  The one I want to be affected and shaken up most is Kenton, who started it all. Can't the writers have this shake him up so much he takes a good look at himself and morphs into a Nigel - kind, considerate and an all round responsible guy. He should be doing penance for the rest of his life.

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