The Archers

Accusations fly in Ambridge and there's a shock for Brad.

Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: David Payne
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood
David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer.... Louiza Patikas
Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davies
Kenton Archer.... Richard Attlee
Ruth Archer.... Felicity Finch
Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin
Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes
George Grundy ... Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson.... Paul Venables
Kate Madikane.... Perdita Avery
Akram Malik.... Asif Khan
Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde
Reginald Turnock.... Trevor Fox

In the shop, Chris informs Susan he’s finally got through to Hazel. His flat won’t be ready any time soon – he’s ready to give up and look for something else. Suddenly David spots a familiar face on the Green. Chris confirms it’s Clive. Horrified Susan confronts Clive, suggesting he disappears as quickly as he arrived. Clive informs her he’s come to see George. Susan assures him George is fine and doesn’t need him hanging around. Clive counters he understands George better than anyone. He knows what it’s like to be a victim of the justice system, and to have a near death experience. He accuses Susan of treachery. Chris approaches to help his mum, but Clive won’t be moved, declaring his intention to visit Bert and pronouncing Susan selfish for leaving the care of their dad to Tracy.
Ruth and David tackle the daunting topic of succession.They mull over possible scenarios. David admits to feeling a bit side-lined some days with Pip and Ruth responsible for the dairy herd. It’s not the mixed farm that Brookfield was built on. Ruth points out it makes them money. They joke that if they row about this they won’t have time to make a decision about succession. David’s up for that!
Later Clive claims he’d noticed guilt cross Chris’s face at the mention of George. He implies Chris was responsible for the attack. When he goads Chris about Alice, it’s almost too much for Chris, and Clive accuses him of threatening him with a hammer. Clive urges him to confess to the attack.

George is helping Susan out in the shop. She offers him sausage and mash for tea, but he tells her he’ll be out tonight. When Alice comes in Susan discovers George’s plan to apologise to the Aldridges and take the consequences. She wonders if he’s strong enough. But George is sick of the bad vibes and wants things to change. Alice promises to look out for George. This is about reconciliation, not retribution. Susan thinks Alice is worth more than the rest of them put together. Brian reckons Susan’s displaying the blind faith of a grandparent in believing George’s intentions are good. Susan counters that it isn’t blind faith she has – it’s hope. George is trying to change. Has Brian never thought back to his own behaviour at twenty? And George knows what he did was wrong. She urges Brian to remember that at tonight’s meeting.
Later George attempts his apology. He’s met with sarcastic hostility from Ruairi and wary scepticism from Brian, who concedes he respects George’s family and if the apology’s sincere he’ll work towards accepting it. Kate hopes George’s contrition isn’t an act. He needs to face his demons. When voices get raised Brian suggests calling it a day before someone says something they might regret. George apologises for raising his voice, and leaves. He wonders to Susan what more he can do. Susan counsels that he’s taken a positive step and he can’t control the reactions of others. He held out an olive branch, and they have to decide what to do with it.

Jolene detects Kenton’s unsettled mood. He confesses to being wrongfooted by his encounter with George, admitting he accepted the proffered apology. Jolene’s astounded, but Kenton’s had enough of all the conflict. Jolene counters that appeasing George isn’t the answer. His bad behavour is a pattern and she’s surprised Kenton’s been so easily sucked in by his superficial charm. Later Kenton tries to explain that taking away the oxygen of anger will extinguish the flame, but Jolene’s not convinced. Brian too isn’t in a forgiving mood towards George. Seeing the tension between Jolene and Kenton, he thinks they need a holiday. They agree a break sounds tempting.
Alice calls Kate to give her the news that that George wants to meet with the Aldridge family to formally apologise. Kate thinks he’s brave – it won’t work out well for him. Alice agrees, but reckons George should be given a chance. Kate wonders if their dad’s invited. Alice confirms for it to work everyone has to be in the room. Kate says if it’s what Alice wants, she agrees it’s a chance to move forward. When Kate asks busy Jakob for his opinion, he doesn’t have time to think about George Grundy right now. Later Jakob tries to relax tense Kate with a meditation but fails miserably. Kate tells him his attempt was giving AI vibes. Alice tries to persuade Brian to attend the meeting with George. Reluctant Brian doesn’t like George even speaking to Alice, but as the head of the family, declares the meeting will be in his house, with him there.