The Archers

Lynda, Tom and Harrison discuss the new challenges the cricket team could face now they’ve been promoted to a higher division. When Lynda brainstorms who might replace Harrison as captain, he suggests Chris, but Lynda’s doesn't think Chris will have time. Tom mentions that Freddie thought Vince was quite keen. But Lynda’s not sure he’s the right fit and Harrison points out Vince would have to live locally to play for Ambridge. The Chair of Roserran-In-the Vale cricket club arrives and gives them the inside track as division runners up. Lawrence is in awe of Lynda and her MBE, congratulating her on putting on such an entertaining pantomime. Lynda’s interested to hear that ‘Wicket and Stumps’ magazine will be featuring Roserran cricket team in an upcoming edition. When Harrison and Tom make their excuses and leave, Lawrence and Lynda find they have much in common leading to Lawrence proclaiming that he feels like Lynda’s a kindred spirit. Lynda suggests they meet up for a coffee to continue their conversation.

When Fallon remarks to Harrison that she can’t remember the last time they spent a day together, Harrison suggests booking a holiday. They could go somewhere hot, and it would give them something to look forward to before Harrison’s secondment. But as they’re deciding on where to go, Harrison’s interrupted by a phone call from Inspector Norris. She drops the bombshell that Harrison’s secondment has been moved forward to next Friday. When Harrison tells Fallon, she points out that it’s on Valentine’s Day.

The panto’s about to start and Lynda’s pleased to see a queue outside the Brookfield Events Barn. When Joy comments that tonight will be a dress, tech and opening night all in one, Lynda points out that they didn’t even have a set until this morning. But Vince persuaded Felpersham Arts Centre to lend them some flats. And he also trained up the scene shifters. When Joy wonders why, Mick just says it’s down to the magic of panto. Lynda reveals that Vince has also settled the bet, but she and Lilian aren’t sure what to do with it yet. Joy’s subdued and heads off, but Mick catches up with her, pointing out it’s decision day about whether he should stay or go. He doesn’t want to leave and Joy admits she feels the same. Later Joy returns to the panto where Mick, as Buttons, spontaneously announces Joy lights up his life. After the show Mick reaffirms that he meant it.

Susan returns Tracy’s lost shoe, explaining it was Neil’s fault it had got lost. He’d been trying on an outfit for the Felpersham panto trip, but had to quickly take the shoes off when someone rang the doorbell. Tracy’s delighted and agrees to go to the panto. At The Bull afterwards, Lynda hands Tracy and Susan an envelope. They discover £500 inside along with a note saying how precious sisters are and to do something lovely together with it. It’s signed from ‘a friend’. Lynda makes a speech thanking everyone for taking part, and honorary Ambridgian Berwick raises a toast to the one and only Lynda Snell!

Lynda despairs about the panto-in-a-week, and suspects something foul is afoot. Jill wants her dressing gown back, but Tony needs it. The schedule’s so complicated that Prince Charming will only meet Cinderella for the first time at the performance. Cast are dropping out and Berwick’s pestering her with script tweaks. On top of it all costumes are going missing. Lilian’s pragmatic telling Lynda to keep going, suggesting some quick fixes. She reckons Vince is behind cast leaving and the missing costumes. She’ll investigate and see what can be done.

At rehearsals, Berwick’s assertive with Lynda even questioning Leonard’s competency to build the set. Lynda defends Leonard until she discovers he’s only built the coach and none of the actual set. Frustrated Lynda loses her cool with Leonard.

Lilian discovers from Jean Harvey that Vince has told everyone that Berwick’s being paid. Mick thinks it might be because Vince overhead a joke Mick and Berwick had about how much it would take for Berwick to do the panto. Lilian thinks Vince used that misinformation to sabotage it. When Mick wonders why, Lilian explains about Vince’s bet with Lynda.

Vince is unrepentant when Mick confronts him, until Mick says he’s prepared to settle the bet himself if it comes to it. He’s doing all this for Joy and the children who’d otherwise miss out.

Later as Leonard works late to catch up with the set, he’s surprised by Vince returning the costumes. Vince offers to get a team together to get the set ready for tomorrow’s performance, and solve all Leonard’s worries.

Lynda struggles to maintain her composure when Berwick suggests some nips and tucks to the pantomime script. He’s keen to meet his pantomime ‘sister’ Tony, stressing the importance of compatibility. They’re shocked when Mick drops the bombshell that the Village Hall has been booked out by Vince. When Berwick’s despondent, saying he’s out, Lynda’s optimistic. She pulls out a Fairy Godmother costume, saying they have to believe that something will turn up. At that moment her phone pings with a message from David saying they can use the Events Barn for the panto. The panto’s back on!

Tony worries that Berwick might think he’s not up to scratch as a dame, but when Berwick arrives he positively assesses Tony in his dressing gown. He thinks they can work together. Lynda’s offended when they go off to rehearse rejecting her offers to direct. Mick then receives a message from Paul saying that all the costumes have disappeared. Mick thinks they’ve been sabotaged.

Susan tries to make it up with Tracy over her missing shoes. Tracy is reluctant to let it go but agrees to discuss it later. Unfortunately when Susan arrives with a custard tart as a peace offering, she trips up on Tracy’s step covering her in custard. Tracy’s furious and asks Susan to leave. Later Tony finds Susan sitting by herself on a bench. She tells him about her fight with Tracy. Tony counsels that it’s a precious thing to have a sister and not to spoil things by throwing custard at each other.

Lynda’s delighted Berwick Kaler’s accepted her offer of accommodation. She and Lilian move on to the pressing matter of casting for the panto, using Lilian’s impressive availability chart. Kind-hearted Joy has put Mick forward for Buttons so that he can play alongside Berwick, and they’re hoping Alice will play Cinders. Vince accuses them of being unscrupulous, having cast a professional actor. He reckons it’s against the spirit of the thing – but not the law, declares Lilian. Vince bumps into Jazzer and quizzes him about the ‘ringer’ who’s been cast in the panto. Is he being paid? Jazzer reckons he might be – he saw Mick doing a deal with him yesterday. This gives Vince the ammunition he needs and he heads off.

Lynda enthuses to Lilian about putting on Cinderella. She’s convinced it’s the right choice of panto. They just need a good script, and the star attraction, which is down to Joy.

Joy and Mick chat awkwardly about their future, and Mick wonders whether they should give themselves until the end of the week to decide whether their current living arrangement can continue. Joy talks about the panto and reveals that Berwick Kaler, the well know pantomime dame, is in town, and she wonders whether she might approach him. Mick warns Joy off of interfering, as she did with Rochelle. But Joy seeks out Berwick, and he turns down her request for him to perform for no money. Joy and Jazzer share some mutual frustration, as he’s caught between feuding Tracy and Susan; they should just have their scrap and get over themselves. Joy wonders if that would work for her and Mick. Later Mick confesses to Jazzer that Joy’s a mystery to him. In the spirit of helping, Mick organises a secret meeting with Berwick Kaler at the Bull, with Jazzer looking on intrigued. Berwick’s answer is still no, but Mick explains Joy’s motives. With some business over a piece of paper and mystery financial offer, Berwick seems ready to negotiate. Later, excited Joy informs Lynda and Lilian that Berwick has changed his mind; she has secured her star. Joy worries briefly that other potential cast members might be intimidated, but when news spreads they’re inundated with volunteers to play the other Ugly Sister – they’ll have to have a Dame-off!

Lilian does her best to pacify fretful Joy, who’s taking the cancellation of the Felpersham pantomime very hard. Lilian assures her all is well, and she’s not to blame. Lilian asks about Mick, and the real cause of Joy’s disquiet becomes apparent as she admits they’re not really speaking. Mick blames her for Rochelle leaving, and Joy doesn’t know where she stands with him now.

Tracy’s cross with Susan, who’s borrowed her best shoes and lost one of them. Later Susan and Joy share their angst over being got at by people.

Ben apologises again to Zainab for last night’s takeaway incident. Zainab brushes it off – Ben should stop saying sorry all the time. Later Ben tries to track down Azra. He tells Zainab he’s worried he might have got something wrong at work, oversharing his own mental health experience with a patient. Zainab recommends he doesn’t beat himself up, but takes a step back. He did what he thought was right at the time, and no-one’s been harmed. Ben thanks her for her wise words.

Vince continues his campaign to move in to Lower Loxley. Contrary to Elizabeth’s claim that the private quarters are small, he reckons there’s tons of room. Elizabeth counters good naturedly that she thought they’d resolved this. Vince accepts it and they change the subject. Elizabeth remarks she thinks Joy sounds a bit low – she’s meeting her later for tea. As they banter contentedly Elizabeth admits to Vince that she loves him. Things are pretty near perfect right now and she doesn’t want to spoil it. To cheer him up she presents Vince with the gift of a signet ring she’d been saving for their anniversary. She’s very committed to him. Vince is delighted with it. Later, pleased for Elizabeth and Vince, Joy admits that she and Mick are struggling a bit. Having Rochelle around has changed the dynamic. But as Joy starts to open up her phone rings. The roof at the Felpersham panto venue has virtually collapsed. The show’s off. Joy despairs – everything she does turns to disaster, and Elizabeth doesn’t know the half of it.

At Woodbine Cottage Fallon can scarcely believe it when Alice tells her about George. Alice has been crying herself to sleep for weeks, but not anymore. Fallon remembers George’s apparent modesty about being a hero, when in reality he was lying. Alice, though, still feels some responsibility for being drunk in her car and for Fallon ending up in the river. They wonder about the effect the full story will have on Brian and Harrison.

At No.1 The Green Harrison loses it with George, blaming him for killing his unborn child and making Harrison hateful towards Alice. He barely restrains himself from battering terrified George.

While walking the road behind Brookfield orchard Jazzer asks Brad to help shift furniture at Greenacres, where Alistair is planning to redecorate. Jazzer spots the largest sunflower he’s ever seen. He reckons it’s sure to be a prize winner at the Flower & Produce Show. Later, Jazzer tells Brad he’s hidden the flower from general view. He admits that technically it belongs to Brookfield, but he’s going to claim it under the law of ‘Finders-keepers’.

Mia and Brad relax on the Green and she shows him a virtual tour of her Uni halls in Newcastle. She leaves on Saturday and it all suddenly feels very real. Brad is starting at Felpersham and they need to do something special before they go – agreeing a walk and a picnic up Lakey Hill on Wednesday.