The Archers

Writer: Oliver Turner
Director: Rosemary Watts
Editor: Jeremy Howe
David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Tom Archer … William Troughton
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Martyn Gibson … Jon Glover
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Khalil Malik … Krish Bassi
Elizabeth Pargetter … Alison Dowling
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Conrad … Akemnji Ndifornyen

Fallon is going through her event plans for Lower Loxley with an impressed Elizabeth. They talk about plans for a Winter Fayre and Fallon admits she’s been grateful to have something to focus on. Over in the gallery, Fallon talks about the music programme they could run, when Lily comes in bearing goodies from Grey Gables. Elizabeth suggests that Fallon goes through her pitch with Lily, both of them a little embarrassed by their own actions this week. Fallon confesses to Lily that her failed match making was because Conrad liked her. Lily asks if Fallon was tempted, but Fallon insists it’s far too soon. She questions if she needs to tell Harrison to an awkward Lily.
Keira turns up at the Maliks’ house to make up with Khalil. She says Henry is going to the cinema and more importantly wants them talking. Keira says she’s brought homemade brownies but Khalil confesses he’s now vegan. Khalil updates Keira on how Lynda and Robert are doing without Monty, Keira asks how Khalil is doing. She doubts his new vegan diet will last long as he’d have to work hard at it. Khalil caves quickly and tucks into the brownie peace offering. They disagree over Khalil’s poor view of high intensity farming as a profession. Keira reminds him that she’s from a caring farming family and that it’s possible to care about the planet and still enjoy meat. He wants to support the Snells, who have been getting a lot of online criticism. Keira asks if they’re still mates, Khalil confirms they definitely are.

Martyn is giddy at the showroom ready for his new car and sings George’s praises to Conrad. Conrad offers George a lift home – he says no but shares he’s off to The Bull later. Conrad says he’s trying to avoid that pub after his unsuccessful flirting.
Lynda tells Robert that she’s had to pull out of judging at the Flower and Produce, but that Lily had been very understanding. Neither of them is looking forward to taking Monty his treats and belongings at the police station.
Lynda bumps into David outside the village shop and informs him they’ll be paying the invoice for the attack soon and she’s taking Monty his things. When Martyn arrives, Lynda uses it as an excuse to leave. Martyn notes she looked pale and David tell him about Monty’s goodbye. When Martyn offers advice about being disliked and feeling responsible, David snaps at him saying they’ve nothing in common. Later in The Bull, David updates George that he’s been asked to replace Lynda as judge. When Martyn joins them, the atmosphere is initially cool but he and David call a truce. It’s a blow to David to hear that Martyn will be judging the show too, offending David by adding that it’s to ‘add gravitas’.

It’s the Battling Bulls social and Lily is on the stronger drinks tonight over the stress of the Flower and Produce show. Lynda was meant to be a judge but is devastated over Monty and Lily doesn’t want to add to her stress. Conrad arrives and asks Fallon about the beers on tap. He offers to buy her and Lily a drink, but as she’s working Fallon says she’ll only have a lime and soda. Later, Fallon asks Rex what he thinks of Lily and Conrad as a possible couple. Rex asks if Fallon is alright but also doesn’t know if Lily wants a new relationship. Lily is flirting with Conrad on Fallon’s advice until he turns her down. Rex finds Lily hiding as she sneaks off from rejection. Conrad finds Fallon at the bar, and to her surprise admits it was Fallon who caught his eye.
George is out walking a naughty Holly when she runs into Lynda. Lynda can’t help but fuss over Holly saying she’s made her feel a little better. George invites Lynda to join them for the rest of the walk. They walk to Heydon Rise, and Lynda admires how it looks in the sunset. She talks about Monty and becomes emotional at the idea that he could be put down. George comforts her by recounting how he felt about Bartleby dying whilst he was still inside. George tells Lynda that she’s doing the right thing.

It’s George’s first day at Bill’s showroom and he’s being shown the ropes by Conrad, the sales executive. He’s drafted online listings and Conrad is impressed with the photos George takes for the website, saying he’s living up to his reputation as a content creator. Conrad says he wants George to observe a sale. Martyn Gibson is buying a car and doesn’t acknowledge George to start with. When Conrad goes to take a call from Bill, Martyn talks about what he’s looking for in a car and George is able to offer helpful advice. George’s wrist gives him trouble as he gets Martyn his coffee and he accidentally splashes Conrad. Martyn debates over the car as George apologies and says he wasn’t trying to undermine Conrad. Luckily for them both, Martyn chooses a plug-in hybrid.
Rex brings Alice a cup of tea in bed to her surprise. Alice checks her phone and sees a number of missed calls from Tom, who is trying to get hold of Brian after a lot of gravel has been dumped at Bridge Farm by mistake. Rex returns with a pastry for Alice and she suggests they go down to try and sort it. The earliest the company can move the gravel is tomorrow which is no good for milking at Bridge Farm and Tom is the only one around to help. Alice offers Rex’s help which Tom accepts and offers to repay with a drink at the Battling Bulls social tomorrow. Later, Alice and Rex are joking over Brian’s offers to also thank them for their help before jumping in the shower together.