Click on me to find the episode that I am referring to.
The Archers (since 1951) was originally a show that would air to educate farmers after the Second World War, hoping that there would be an increased production in food. Their target audience was for females who looked after their home, allowing them to learn about agriculture and tips that could help them. Since then, it has slowly evolved over time and has now become a popular audio soap opera with over five million listeners.
To access the show, you can tune in to BBC Radio 4 either via website or by traditional stereo. They have multiple frequencies being: 92-95 FM or 103-105 FM. This allows it to be accessible in local areas, since it is popular in many small places. The show broadcasts Sunday to Friday at 7.p.m, then for those who missed the last episode it runs again the next day at 2.p.m (excluding Saturdays). If you managed to miss all the episodes that aired during the week, an omnibus plays every Sunday at 10.a.m. This allows audiences to always follow the story, even with a busy lifestyle.
The episode is generally quite concise. There is no host that intervenes or narrates the episode, for example it instead speaks for itself and starts and ends with a theme song. The episode is also quite coherent, there is a flow throughout the episode, and we follow through step by step. There are no flashbacks, flashforwards or recaps, instead viewers are expected to be caught up with the episodes and be able to follow through.
The purpose of the episode comes across with the purpose to educate and inform rather than promote or entertain. This is due to the intense violence and heavy topics that the episode focuses on, such as: Domestic abuse (DA), violence, manipulation, verbal and physical abuse. With these elements, the episode can touch on a very sensitive topic that may have been experienced by some listeners. For example, at 10:35 Rob declares “you’re mine” (Helen), which portrays the control that Rob has given himself. He demonstrates this many other times: 8:45 “Every night should be like that, when you completely belong to me,” 7:53 “I made you feel desired for the first time in your life,” 8:00 “You wanted it because you wanted me,” “You wanna know how you can leave? You see this knife? Take it.” These are few of the many times he has displayed his control. Using this language, the directors can convey the impacts, and the mental torture some people unwillingly must go through. This episode educates the people who may be oblivious or unaware of how serious DA can be, in hopes to also raise money for those currently going through it. The plan did work, and many ended up donating or fundraising for victims like Helen, presenting how the purpose of the show was to inform and educate.
The episode begins with an intro theme song and then jumps into the episode straight away. Throughout the beginning of the episode (until 2:18) there is an absence of any music; it is heavily dominated with dialogue. We are introduced with a restless feeling with the characters Helen, her son and Kirsty (who seems to be her friend). Helen seems to be shuffling and trying to get ready to leave her house and reveals as to why she wants to leave her controlling husband, Rob.
He then enters the room seeming much calmer than everyone else and Helen reciprocates the tone. His This is further continued, and he asks if he should put some music on, which he does at [2:18]. The genre of song is country, which further emphasises the farmer-life they are living. So far, we are clearly shown the dynamic between the two characters; one is anxious and restless whereas the other is calm and comfortable. This is further presented where Rob asks, “Have I got time for a quick shower?” The dialogue is very mundane and does not seem to be out of the ordinary, which therefore strikes the question as to why Helen is so adamant, she needs to leave (for new first-time listeners).
Once Rob leaves the tense atmosphere is swiftly reintroduced when Helen lets Kirsty out the cupboard. This time, Rob does not present a calm tone. Instead, he yells and states “I know what you’re up to!” Rob finds her suitcase [3:15] and demands an explanation as to why she wants to leave. She lies saying it’s for the hospital and that she could be due anytime soon, which vividly presents how she is at a threat. After Rob calms down, he decides that he does not want to have a shower and instead commands “Lets have supper now [4:16].”
The atmosphere is once again tense, although in a different way. Everything seems calm, however now we know that Rob can unexpectedly have an outburst which keeps the audience on edge. Rob begins to dominate the conversation, whilst Helen seems to agree mostly. There is an obvious power dynamic between the two, and Helen seems to be in control by Rob. He even begins to comment on the music stating at [8:37] this music was playing the night he gave Helen “our son” after they argue once again.
Helen announces that she wants to leave at [10:19] which then heats the episode up. She is then hit, and we hear lots of cutlery clanging loudly, which helps to create a tense atmosphere. When Rob tries to touch their son, Helen stabs him out of protection. Everything has now become quiet, which may imitate the stillness of Rob and his state. After this Helen calls Kirsty admitting to what she’s done, and the episode ends abruptly with the outro song.
The actors address one another making the dialogue indirect to the audience, and the actors do not break the fourth wall. This creates a continuous feeling to the episode. Furthermore, there are two modes of addresses. Rob has a very authoritative mode of address, whereas Helens is more submissive and exhausted. Rob exercises this when he states, “Lets have supper now [4:16]” The use of imperatives portrays how he displays his controlling nature, demanding Helen to do as he says. On the other hand, Helen portrays her helpless nature when she seems to constantly speak less and quieter than Rob (with the few exceptions of when she attempts to fight back). At [8:02] She accepts defeat to Rob saying, “I know, I’m sorry,” demonstrating the lack of power she has.
The Archers were created by Godfrey Baseley, but as of 2017 till now Julie Beckett has been producing the episodes. The Archers have a house-like set where they use various items to make sounds for the show. For example, there will be a soft room where minimal sounds can be heard, or a room with wooden planks to hear footsteps in a house. With time and dedication, they use these tools to help create the episodes we hear today.
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