Daisey....."soap opera" ? The Archers ?
Wash your mouth out with Wrights Coal Tar soap ASAP please ! I nearly had a hear attack when I read that.
On a serious note, The Archers has genuine characters, in genuine situations. The current storyline concerning Helen/Rob is very well written, as have many others before. As with most things on the Radio, as there are no pictures to distract, the scripts have to be spot on. The writers have tackled difficult subjects in the past, like homesexuality, rural racism, infidelity, loneliness, learning difficulties, and others and they have not shrunk from raising a few hackles.
It can also be very funny and has had me laughing out loud many times. What a pity you listen to so little radio Daisey....its often said the the pictures are better on the radio !
Give it a go for a few weeks...we will be only too happy to fill in any gaps for you !