The Archers

Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: Rosemary Watts
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge… Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer … Ben Norris
David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch
Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson … Paul Venables
Kate Madikane … Perdita Avery
Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller … Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Reg … Trevor Fox

Rex tries talking to Chris about Alice, but Chris only agrees to a pint later in the week, claiming he’s busy tonight. Then Alice appears, wanting to share news of Martha’s star of the week award. Rex slinks off, while Alice checks with Chris that everything’s okay between him and Rex.
Lily persuades Kirsty to head to the Bull for a drink instead of Grey Gables, though Kirsty’s keen to avoid gate-crashing Rex and Alice’s date.
At the Bull, Chris confesses to Jakob that he feels awkward about meeting Rex now he’s dating Alice, but feigns indifference when Lilian greets Alice and Rex as ‘lovebirds’. Lilian shares her idea of a new Bull cricket team, with Alice, Chris, Rex, Lily and Kirsty all up for playing. Lilian wonders who would be captain. Alice suggests Rex, who agrees – but only if Chris shares the role.
Jakob admits to Chris he’s worried about Kate potentially leaving. Chris offers to ask Alice what she knows, reiterating that he and Alice are still a strong pair with a daughter to raise together – no matter who Alice dates. Later, Chris catches Alice, insisting things aren’t awkward with Rex. Chris is keen to chat about Kate, for Jakob. Alice insists Brian has got it wrong about Kate wanting to move away. Chris then asks about Mother’s Day. Alice mentions planting the rose she and Kate bought for Jennifer. She and Martha will do something too. Alice reassures Chris that Rex won’t be joining them – but assumes Chris will. Relieved Chris says he’d like that.

Azra’s grateful to Ben for coming into work at short notice and as he eats a late breakfast they discuss Azra’s fasting. He tells Azra about Josh’s upcoming working holiday in Patagonia and the possibility of moving back to the Stables. Ben feels ready, despite the slight memory of his breakdown. They then talk about this year’s big push on mental health awareness. Later Ben reports he’s contacted Radio Borsetshire; they’ve suggested doing a live interview with Azra next week, linking it with their own mental health campaign. Azra’s nervous about getting her message right, but thinks a call to action might be her best approach.
While Jakob attends to a horse with Alice, Brian pops by and notes Rex has a spring in his step. Jakob admits he knows Alice and Rex are an item.
Brian’s keen to check in with Ruairi, while Alice suggests Ruairi’s a bit down because of Paul being away. They discuss Miranda’s purchase of Home Farm and debate where to plant a Mother’s Day rose for Jennifer. Brian compliments Alice on looking so well, smugly taking credit for her and Rex. Brian’s worried about Kate and talks to Jakob. Limited to video calls with Phoebe, Brian’s convinced Kate wants to live in Scotland, nearer her daughter and granddaughter. He’s keen to check with Jakob how he’d feel if Kate admits she wants to move. Jakob isn’t averse in theory, but as Kate hasn’t mentioned anything to him Jakob admits a slight panic and wonders whether Kate even wants him to go with her.

George’s probation officer, Reg, has bad news – someone’s made a complaint about George’s ‘public urination’ on Sunday. George protests to Amber; he was barely visible. Reg meets George and asks about his future plans, and mentions some worrying patterns of behaviour linked to drinking. There won’t be a prosecution, but Reg will recommend an alcohol tag for thirty days. George is incensed, but Amber tells him to suck it up. No-one will spot the tag under his jeans, so he can tell his family he’s staying sober to support her.
Ruth and David are busy lambing and there’s no rest for David, chair of the Borchester Show. Ben can’t help as he has to work at the surgery today. They miss Josh, whose being merely polite with them currently, and want to make him feel better before he goes away. David suggests throwing a big party. Ben agrees to ask Josh if he’s up for it.
Lily and Ben chat as she has a routine blood test. As Ben mentions the party idea, Lily sympathises with Josh’s antisocial mood, recalling her own inheritance issues at Lower Loxley. Ben’s happy to not be in the running at Brookfield. Lily asks him about moving back into the Stables when Josh goes.
Later, David and Ruth want to discuss their ideas for Josh’s party. Lily then reports Josh isn’t up for it. Ben suggests Josh would enjoy a meal out. Ruth starts booking a fancy sushi place, but David worries it won’t be enough to convince Josh he’s not the ‘Spare’.

Kirsty’s happy for Rex, promising she won’t tell anyone about Alice. Rex teases Kirsty over her pact with Kate not to watch TV for a week, encouraging Kirsty to break it while Kate’s out for the evening. Rex then joins Kirsty watching the next episode of her favourite TV programme. Kate arrives home unexpectedly early though and busts them, before confessing she had the same idea – she was planning to sneak off and catch up with it on her phone. Relieved Kirsty admits to having zero willpower, as they settle in with popcorn to watch together.
Kate admires Alice’s cake for Martha – Jennifer would be proud. Brian and Jakob play with Martha, who’s become obsessed with trains. Brian notes to Kate how well Martha is doing – Alice clearly doesn’t need to worry. Kate’s resigned to missing some of the little moments of Peg growing up. She doesn’t think Phoebe will return to settle in Ambridge.
Chris and Alice are pleased at how well Martha’s party went. Chris spots the gift from Rex and as they get talking Alice admits that they have been seeing each other. Chris didn’t imagine Rex was Alice’s type, but he’s cool about it.
Over a pint, Brian tells Chris he feels fortunate being able to enjoy these important moments, big and small, with Martha and Xander. Chris reflects on co-parenting with Alice. As the subject of Chris and Alice’s relationship comes up, Chris admits that they’re definitely not getting back together, now that she’s seeing Rex. Brian’s pleased for Alice, while Chris reflects that he’ll get used to the idea.