The Archers' fans stunned by stabbing in Ambridge
'Gut wrenching' development to saga of Helen and Rob, but is it all getting a bit EastEnders?
Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for Sunday night's episode of The Archers
Fans of The Archers have been kept gripped by a domestic abuse storyline in recent weeks, but its dramatic turn has left listeners reeling.
Sunday night's episode, centred on the abusive relationship between Rob and Helen Titchener, culminated in what appeared to be Ambridge's first murder in the show's 65-year history.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The situation reached its climax when Helen (Louiza Patikas) informed Rob (Timothy Watson) she was going to leave him because of his controlling behaviour. After threatening to hurt Henry, their young son, Rob handed Helen a knife, telling her it was "the only way out".
Silence then followed for a few moments before Helen could be heard telling Henry that his "daddy" is "asleep", before telephoning a friend to tell her she had killed Rob "to make him stop".
The "gut wrenching" episode sent social media into meltdown as tens of thousands of listeners expressed shock, reported the Daily Mail. One coined the hashtag: "The day #TheArchers broke Twitter!"
Many praised the controversial storyline, describing the way it highlighted the issue of domestic abuse as "a public service".
Others were shell-shocked. Listener Paul Trueman tweeted:
Meanwhile, QC and Archers fan Nigel Pascoe leapt to Helen's defence:
Others, however, were less impressed, suggesting the storyline was more reminiscent of another BBC soap.
But The Guardian points out that he programme, which is billed as "an everyday story of country folk", has not only received praise for taking on an issue but is also doing something about it.
The Archer's official Twitter account posted advice from Women's Aid and listeners have rushed to donate to the Helen Titchener Fund following last night's show. A page set up to raise money for the domestic violence charity Refuge has received £88,000 so far, just short of its £100,000 target.
The end of troubling storyline might be near, says David Sanderson in The Times, "possibly with the sound of money dropping into BBC coffers".
Amazon has a BBC-produced audio CD with "the complete story of Rob Titchener and Helen Archer" for pre-sale on its foreign websites, writes the journalist.
The cited release date is October, adds Sanderson, saying this "may bring some relief to listeners upset at the unrelenting grittiness of the plot who feared that it was going to continue until Christmas".
Meanwhile, the show's current editor. Sean O'Connor, is due to take up a new post as executive producer at EastEnders in late spring.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published