The Archers

The Maliks have a dilemma on their hands, and Ben's nursing skills are put to the test.

Azra has a crisis on her hands, and Lily is faced with an arduous task.

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes Director: Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe30th Nov - 5th DecemberPat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore Tony Archer.... David Troughton Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Neil Carter.... Brian Hewlett Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Ian Craig.... Stephen Kennedy Amber Gordon.... Olivia Bernstone Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy.... Angus Stobie Brad Horrobin.... Taylor Uttley Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Alistair Lloyd.... Michael Lumsden Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott Hannah Riley.... Helen Longworth

Ed faces a heartbreaking situation, and there's rivalry building for Hannah.

Pat offers a helping hand, and Tony makes his pitch.

Brad faces a sad goodbye, and Ian makes a suggestion.

Amber struggles with her emotions, and Joy has reservations.

Eddie's concerned about Clarrie, whose hands are swollen and sore. With turkey plucking day fast approaching it leaves them with a problem. Clarrie shouldn't be doing it, but she sees little alternative. Everyone she's tried for help is busy. Eddie ponders; there must be something they can do. Later Clarrie's horrified to find Eddie's taken the back off the washing machine. He's had an idea that might make her life a bit easier. Clarrie retorts the only thing that will do that is if he puts the machine back together, this instant. Reassuringly Eddie makes a trip to the scrapyard and acquires a drum and motor to progress his plan. He now has the makings of a Grundy Turkey Plucker! No more hand plucking necessary – Clarrie won't have to lift a finger. Sceptical Clarrie's will believe it when she sees it.Chris makes plans to drop off Martha for a sleepover while he has a date with Carly. When George finds out Martha's staying at Little Grange he says he'll come over – he hasn't seen Martha for ages and misses her. He wants to check in on Ed anyway. Emma hesitates before agreeing it's fine. Later Ed and Emma note how pleased Martha was to see George. Emma's glad he's come. However Chris calls in unexpectedly and is shocked to find George there. This can't happen, and Alice would agree. He takes Martha home. George feels bad; he understands where Chris is coming from. Dejected, he leaves. Emma's worried about him; she's never seen him like this.

Amber checks in with George at the Pole Barn to see how Ed is doing. She reckons falling down the stairs could've led to a far worse injury, before heading off to a nail appointment. While taking Brad to Felpersham for a dating app date Rex recounts his own mixed experiences of online dating, most of which didn't work out as he's still single. Rex still hopes to meet somebody one day, though preferably not through an app. Brad asks Rex to turn round and take him home, having decided he'd prefer to meet someone in real life too. Back in Ambridge Brad bumps into Amber, who tells him how attentive George has been with Ed. Emma tells Ed about a two-person job she's lined up, hoping Ed's better by next week. George texts, offering to make lunch for them, but Emma beats him to it. Ed then repeats to Emma what really happened with George. Ed's certain George never meant him to fall, but they have to ensure no-one ever has cause to think otherwise. George turns up, feeling guilty and scared in case anyone thinks he intended to hurt Ed, but Ed assures him they don't. Brad arrives later, telling Ed and Emma he saw the look on George's face when Ed fell, suspecting it wasn't an accident. They admit that George pushed Ed, but didn't mean to hurt him. However, if the story gets out, George could go back to prison. Brad agrees that if it was an accident there's no point in making everything worse.

George is in a filthy mood because of Amber's accusation, but Brad thinks he's got the wrong end of the stick. Ed then offers George a lift to Grange Farm and they have a similar conversation, before George shuts the conversation down. Later, when Ed drops in on George at No. 1, The Green, George despairs about his life as a known criminal - even Amber thinks he's a thief. Ed confesses he knew about her suspicions, but he never believed it himself. George though reckons no-one will ever give him a chance and runs up to his room. When Ed follows, trying to get him to talk, George pushes him and Ed falls downstairs, just as Brad appears. Later, Ed tells Brad that he lost his footing, while George suggests Ed slipped on one of Poppy's books. Brad reckons Ed was lucky - it could have been a lot worse.Kirsty walks round the beaver enclosure with Justin, pointing out where the animals have started working. Justin still hasn't watched the beaver footage Kirsty sent him though, admitting he can't think of anything more boring than watching beavers build a dam. Passionate Kirsty finds this difficult to understand, accusing Justin of having no real interest in what they're doing at the Rewilding site. Justin assures her that just because he doesn't respond emotionally that doesn't mean he isn't supportive. As a businessman, he's thrilled at how well it's going and thinks he should employ a similarly committed manager to Kirsty on his other rewilding project to guarantee its success.

While feeding the turkeys with George Eddie mentions Amber helping him look for the missing money the other night – he still can't think where it's got to. George then offers to go into Borchester with Eddie, wanting to surprise Amber at Farm Supplies on the way. When they have lunch together though, Amber worries about money, wondering how George could afford to buy her ring. As she pushes him George realises that Amber thinks he stole Eddie's money to pay for it. George reacts badly and walks out, just as Eddie phones Amber to tell her he's found the lost money in his jacket pocket. Amber then leaves a message for George, apologising and promising she'll make it up to him. Later at home, mortified Amber tries explaining how worried she's been about him, before all George's anxieties over what Amber really thinks start pouring out. He accuses her of not wanting to marry him after all, before storming out. Tracy wakes Brad and wants him to come shopping. When they go to the supermarket later Brad seems distracted. Tracy reckons it's like he's been off somewhere far away in his head for several weeks. She asks if George has been leaning on him to do stuff he doesn't want to, but Brad tells her George has been fine. Tracy persists when they get home though, suggesting Brad might be lovesick and encouraging him to talk about his feelings. Evasive Brad reckons he's just tired, before they end up saying how much they love each other.

Joy finds Tony in low spirits at Bridge Farm, dreading the thought of Christmas and what would have been John's fiftieth birthday on New Year's Eve. He tells Joy they had a row shortly before Tony's vintage tractor overturned and killed John. After Tony goes to see the beavers being released at Rewilding Ambridge, Joy tells Ruth and Pip they should cancel her idea for a Christmas village event. It would feel heartless after what Tony's told her. Ruth suggests asking Pat and Tony what they think first, though. And when they ask Tony he thinks a Christmas Tractor Run through Ambridge sounds wonderful, but gets them to agree to consult Pat before they go ahead and start publicising the event. Alice catches Rex up with what happened in Blackpool, then says she's going to film the beaver release for Phoebe. Rex and Kirsty decide to get on with it, even though Justin's not there. Tony arrives just in time, before the beavers disappear into the woods, and Kirsty and Rex hug each other. Then Alice realises she's only filmed three seconds, though Kirsty points out there will be footage from the enclosure cameras. Justin finally turns up, in time for cake if not beavers. Later, Kirsty and Rex worry about Justin's commitment, before he disappoints again by not showing any interest in footage of the release. But Alice is delighted when Rex offers to send her the footage, so Phoebe and Martha can see the beavers. Emotional Alice then hugs Rex, before it gets awkward and he goes.

Ruth and Pip chat about how relentless things are at Brookfield, before Ruth reveals what Leonard said about his and Jill's open relationship. Pip doesn't believe it and when they confront Leonard he admits it was a wind-up, before he and Ruth apologise to each other. Leonard expounds on his frustration at David and Ruth checking up on him and Jill all the time, for which Pip apologises too. Leonard then explains Connie's an old friend. He offered to decorate her kitchen-diner because she's got a dodgy hip and they were just meeting to discuss ideas. Leonard only kept it secret because he knew David and Ruth would make a fuss over him climbing ladders and painting walls. Ruth promises to wind in her neck in future. While George is helping Eddie with the turkeys, Amber tells Ed her dad hasn't talked her mum round about George, despite giving George the impression he would. Her mum isn't replying to her messages either. Ed tries seeing it from her parents' point of view: all they know is that George was in prison. But that's all they want to know, Amber replies. Ed tells her not to give up hope, then points out the Grundys will soon be her family too. After tea, Eddie helps Amber with the washing-up, asking if she's seen an envelope he's missing with some turkey payments in. Later, Amber worries to Ed about the missing money, wondering if George could have taken it to pay for her ring, before asking Ed to forget she said anything.

Brad finds himself in an awkward position, and Leonard drops a shocking bombshell.

CAST AND CREW Writer: Liz John Director: Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe Helen Archer … Louiza Patikas Henry Archer … Blayke Darby Natasha Archer … Mali Harries Tony Archer … David Troughton Tom Archer … William Troughton Lilian Bellamy ... Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman Justin Elliott … Simon Williams Jakob Hakansson … Paul Venables Kate Madikane … Perdita Avery Kirsty Miller … Annabelle Dowler Leonie Snell … Jasmine Hyde Phoebe Aldridge … Lucy Morris Finlay … Mark Bonnar

Kate has important news, and Leonie comes to the rescue.

Henry gets the wrong end of the stick, and Tony has some advice for Lilian.

Phoebe plans for the future, and Justin is out of his comfort zone.

Jakob faces an unexpected diversion, and Helen makes the best of a tricky situation.

Tom is disappointed by a last-minute change of plans, and Lilian puts her foot down.

Writer: Jessica Mitic Directors: Pip Swallow and Dave Payne Ruth Archer….. Felicity Finch Pip Archer….. Daisy Badger Phoebe Aldridge…. Lucy Morris Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Susan Carter….. Charlotte Martin Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber Alan Franks….. John Telfer Amber Gordon…. Olivia Bernstone Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery Leonard Berry….. Paul Copley Bill…. Matthew Gravelle

Amber gets an unexpected visitor, and Rex is mysterious.

George tries to make peace, and Joy has a brilliant idea.

Joy tries to change Susan's mind, and Amber needs time to think.

Will offers George a ray of hope, and Kate is determined to get her own way.

Ruth is suspicious, and Alan has bad news for the Village Shop.

Writer: Shaun McKenna Director: Pip Swallow and David Payne Editor: Jeremy HoweDavid Archer…. Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch Tom Archer…. William Troughton Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass Alan Franks…. John Telfer George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Esme Mulligan…. Ellie Pawsey Carly…. Louise Brealey Driver…. Django Bevan

It's an emotional day for one resident, and David is forced to intervene.

Disaster strikes for Chris, and Mick tries something different.

Alan offers salvation, and Alice is put on the spot.

Susan makes a decision she may regret, and Henry has a controversial suggestion.

Helen goes further than she meant to, and Jolene plays matchmaker.

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Helen Aitken Editor: Jeremy HoweJosh Archer…. Angus Imrie Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde Vince Casey…. Tony Turner Justin Elliott….. Simon Williams Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming Amber Gordon…. Olivia Bernstone Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy…. Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy…. Angus Stobie Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Ridell Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye Esme Mulligan…. Ellie Pawsey Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Lawrence

George looks set for disappointment, and Vince makes his feelings clear.

Freddie makes a significant gesture, and Pip receives a helping hand.

Lilian is in for a surprise, and Justin sets boundaries.

Josh has a brainwave, and Eddie is on a mission.

Will hatches a plan, and Tracy suffers a mishap.

Writer: Katie Hims Director: Andy Partington Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck Josh Archer.... Angus Imrie Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davies Ruth Archer.... Felicity Finch Lilian Bellamy.... Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman Ruairi Donavan.... Arthur Hughes Amber Gordon.... Charlotte Jordan George Grundy.... Angus Stobie Tracy Horrorbin.... Susie Riddell Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott Kate Madikane.... Perdita Avery Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane Carly…. Louise Brearley

Ruairi struggles to process his feelings, and there's a surprise for Oliver.

Adam and Ruairi discuss Brian's imminent return, before Ruairi breaks off with news about the castle he sourced for Peggy's legacy holiday: there's a huge discount if they bring forward their booking to three-and-a-half weeks' time. Adam's clear, he's not taking Xander out of school and he's pretty sure others will feel the same way. Kate though is all for it when she phones Alice, only for Alice to rebuff her as Adam predicted. Kate then reminds Alice she's coming to dinner tonight, with Adam and Ruairi. At dinner Ruairi's bullish about the holiday going ahead, before bringing up Brian's promises to him and Alice. Kate assumed Adam and Ruairi were in charge now, with Alice admitting her disappointment about that. Adam regards Ruairi as just an apprentice, while Kate wants to be considered for a management role too, believing Brian should talk to all of them. Join the back of the queue, Adam suggests.Esme tells David she still hasn't cracked her dad's computer, and without a Will she's struggling to make progress. David thinks one of the cows needs a vet, suggesting Alistair could do it as a favour. At least Esme's cleaned the kitchen and organised her father's papers, though. To David's surprise Esme praises Josh for being nice the other day, when she was upset. She then suggests solving her financial problems by selling the cows to David, but he lets her down gently. Esme still doesn't know how she'll pay for the funeral, suggesting bleakly that it feels like she's on a boat that's sinking.

Reality sets in for Alice, and Tracy makes her feelings clear.