The Archers

Having seen George’s test footage for the Borchester Show, Ruth praises Brian for funding George’s new drone, admiring his forgiveness. Brian’s wary of taking too much credit, before Anna appears and confides in Ruth how difficult she’s finding things with Carol. Anna wants a stairlift and downstairs shower fitted at Glebe Cottage. Ruth reckons that’s beyond their remit as landlords, but Anna offers to pay and Ruth promises to think about it. Kirsty joins them, looking forward to Anna’s talk at the WI, before suggesting a walk round the Rewilding Site with Carol. Kirsty then guides Carol and Anna on the walk, before Anna leaves to prepare her talk and Kirsty offers to show Carol their information on beavers.
While helping Pip with the silage clamp, Ruth encourages her to be positive. But Pip can’t stop worrying about the potential implications of Ruth having genetic testing for the BRCA variant.
Brian is cleaning up at Blossom Hill after celebrating Ruairi’s new job last night. Ruairi will be moving out and Alice wonders if Brian will be okay living on his own. Brian admits he misses Miranda and Alice probes why he didn’t move in with her. Brian’s evasive, instead talking about Adam’s managerial failings.
Later, Anna’s disappointed to hear from Kirsty that Carol’s not coming to her talk. Afterwards however, Alice, Ruth, Kirsty and Anna discuss issues of misogyny and gender-based violence, before Pip steps outside with Ruth. Having been doomscrolling faulty gene variants Pip’s worried sick. Ruth thinks she’s panicking unnecessarily, but Pip’s scared her DNA’s carrying a death sentence.

George is filming Amber at Grange Farm when Brad approaches. They explain it’s to announce she’s having a baby to her followers. Awkward Brad goes to help Keira with some maths. George then films drone footage of the farm from above, but frustrates Amber by downplaying her potential input to the Borchester Show social media campaign. She walks off, before George tells Brad he wants to name their baby after him, but Brad thinks he shouldn’t.
Adam tells Ian he has sympathy for Brian, covering for Ruairi, but is convinced they need get Brian to step down at next week’s Partnership meeting. Adam thinks he might be able to get Alice onboard by emphasising how the stress is killing Brian. Ian compares Adam’s situation to his, both having been frustrated in their career. Later at Grey Gables, Oliver apologises to Ian about a delayed catering order, necessitating a last-minute change to the menus. Ian deals with this impressively and helps Lily with a couple of other issues, meaning Oliver can keep his lunch date with heartbroken Miranda. Oliver blames Brian for treating her badly, keeping secrets and telling lies. Oliver then offers Ian the position of acting General Manager, while they continue seeking Dane’s replacement. Adam tells Ian to go for it - they’ll cope with any potential childcare issues. Ian adds that Oliver and Miranda both think Brian is perfectly sane. Adam reckons he’ll have to work hard to persuade Alice that Brian’s madness will destroy the farm, but sticking together is their only chance of salvation.

Alan and Lilian are heading to the Rogation Sunday service at Rewilding Ambridge when Den appears, looking for the cricket ground. After identifying himself as Chelsea and Brad’s dad Den accepts Alan’s invitation to the open-air service, before the cricket starts. Erik’s there with Kirsty, taking extra care over his pregnant partner and confessing he finds Ambridge weird. He thinks Kirsty’s in her element, though. Lilian persuades Erik to play cricket later, as the Battling Bulls are missing several players, before Alan joins them, pleased with the healthy Rogation turnout. Kirsty’s delighted too and introduces Alan to the congregation.
Later, at the cricket, Jakob tells Brad he wishes he hadn’t accepted the offer to play, admitting he isn’t sure of the rules. Brad’s not pleased to see Den and doesn’t want him sitting next to him or pretending this is normal. Jakob wonders why Erik’s in Ambridge and Erik’s about to tell him when they’re called away to open the batting. After hitting a four Erik tells Jakob that Kirsty’s pregnant. Jakob immediately questions the level of Erik’s commitment, but Erik just wants Jakob to be happy for them. The Bulls win a tight match and Lilian leads the charge back to The Bull for celebratory drinks. Jakob congratulates Erik and Kirsty together, but Kirsty swears Jakob to secrecy, even from Kate. While Brad’s packing up Den tells him of Jim’s praise, then chastises himself for not being a better father figure. Den makes several suggestions to meet up again, but Brad rejects them all – he doesn’t really want this.

At the Tearoom, Natasha’s positive about the group of potential investors she’s been showing round for Justin. Also there, Brian and Lilian are relieved the threat from George is apparently over, and that Ruairi’s in a better place now. Ben asks how Ruairi’s doing. When Ben last saw him, Ruairi confided he was talking to his mum. Ben mentions his own psychotic episode, but Brian plays down the comparison. Ben ploughs on about possibly missing signs of a serious mental health issue, before Brian reacts angrily. The heated exchange is noted by Tom, but Natasha’s enthusing about the investors and the fact she’s finally sold some clothes on the app. It’s not loads of money, but it’s a start.
Brian finds Ben and apologises for being rude earlier, admitting that Ruairi’s been struggling for quite a while. But he’s turned a corner in the last few days. Ben tells him Ruairi’s texted, saying the interview went well, before Brian suggests he’s not such a bad father. Ben then claims he wasn’t questioning Brian’s parenting skills, but Brian fears for Ruairi when he’s gone. At least Ben will always have his back, though.
Later at Beechwood, Natasha tells Tom the investors loved the Rewilding site – and Justin was really impressed by her efforts. She’d definitely be up for more work, if Justin offered it. And she’s sold a jacket, which Tom recognises as his favourite! Feisty Natasha says it’s too late to stop the sale, then criticises Tom for not helping sort through clothes to sell in the first place.

Ruairi tells Brian he’s going to tell the police what happened with George. Brian insists he can’t – but if Ruairi does, Brian will confess to the same crime and they’ll both go to prison. Ruairi needs to get on with his life, including a job interview tomorrow. Ruairi then says that instead he’ll tell George the truth and goes. Agitated Brian can’t stop him, but tells Lilian where Ruairi’s going. George doesn’t believe Ruairi though, insisting Brian hit him and Ruairi’s just trying to protect Brian. George suggests counselling to Ruairi, who gives up trying to persuade George of the truth. George assures Ruairi everything’s settled with Brian, now he’s bought the drone. Ruairi sees Lilian on his way home, telling her George didn’t believe him and he thinks that means it’s all over.
Tracy tells Bert she hasn’t got time to fix him up with a girlfriend, pointing out how impractical going on dates would be. He should try joining a local group instead. To Bert’s horror Tracy’s preparing a tofu stir-fry, before Brad takes grateful Bert off to vote. On the way back they stop at Ivy’s grave, where Brad asks if Bert’s serious about finding a girlfriend. In turn, Bert asks about Den, whether Brad wants to see him again. Bert reminisces how happy he was one time he met up with Clive. Later, Bert’s unimpressed by the stir-fry and wallows in self-pity. Tracy challenges Bert to call Clive, if he thinks he’ll do a better job looking after him, while Brad decides he won’t contact Den.