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Hmm.. quite an interesting episode with lots of subtle humour again, and some nice examples of fine acting covering up for other faults. In fact, I think there were more things worth commenting on for praise rather than criticism in this episode. It opened with Bobbie being attacked by Frank the Rapist, who of course was still able to wander about the women's cells unsupervised. Actually, the struggle between them was very exciting, and well done. And this was followed up by an equally good scene with Geoff and Matt ruffling up his Nut Clusters.
There was also an excellent performance by Joyce Barry, who I think is outrageously under-used in the series, showing the actress can play for comedy well, while still injecting some pathos into her character, making me laugh while still moving me at the same time.
After the horror of that awful whiny brattish voice in the voice-over as "Anny Joan" looked at her precious photos of the Major and Shane (just when you thought he had been forgotten), we get another one of those uncomfortable "humanizing" subplots, with Joan asking Sam Greenway to draw her a picture. As usual, and thankfully, the sickly artificialness of this was saved by Maggie K's performance, successfully switching between the sad, sensitive woman, and the hard, aggressive officer.
The psychology session with Chris Sutton and his "G-Force" jumper, was awkwardly contrived and artificial, and felt like a cheap way to finally get things cracking with Myra and Geoff. On the plus side, it did act as a mini-showcase for Judy, Myra and Geoff, showing us the actors can give moving performances when given the right material.
This was in contrast to Meg's big moment, of course, when she started sliding down the security gate in the laundry in an over-theatrical swoon (reminding me of someone 'dying' in a school play). And earlier with Frank in solitary, I think she was meant to sound stern and angry - though Pixie might have sounded more scary reading the lines, and it might have looked more convincing had she not been mumbling at her feet.
As well as the sudden appearance of (more than usual) subtle humour, and a series of good dramatic scenes, I noticed an outbreak of peculiar background music in recent episodes. Strange tinkly 'mystical' music with Yemil (as well as her 'snake charmer' theme), 'Jaws' music for Len, and so on. I wonder if there was someone new in the sound department, or if they've just bought a new incidental music tape.
The Myra/Geoff storyline (that we never saw coming, no never in a million years) seemed to have kicked in, as if the writers suddenly decided to get it started and out of the way. Up until now, there'd been little to notice between the two characters. Then all in one episode, they started mentioning the other's name with a tone of admiration. And then the kiss scene. I must say I was amused at Myra's initial response to the suggestion of the women leading on Frank: "We can live without it!".. thirty seconds before we saw her with her tongue down Geoff's throat. Also, we had a whole scene which seemed to be dedicated to telling us that Geoff has been doing "correspondence studies", which I guess is spelling it out to us that he's intelligent, hard-working and a nice guy, or something along those lines.
I was puzzled about Geoff and Myra arranging to meet in her cell after dinner, when we've already been clearly told male inmates were not allowed to walk around the blocks unescorted (unless they're rapists of course). Are there ever any staff patrolling H-block..?
More about Len Murphy's past, and the incident with Kevin the "poof", who Len didn't like, and who was found at the foot of some stairs with a broken neck. Reminding me of Sharon Gilmour. But of course, Jock Stewart was a bullying, corrupt, fat, middle-aged officer, who killed a gay person on the stairs, and is a completely different character to Len, - a bullying, corrupt, fat, middle-aged officer, who killed a gay person on the stairs. I mean, he was Scottish for a start.
Loved the scene with Frank and Alice (Lurch). Another very good comedy actress who I think was under-used. "One drink and I'm anybody's!" She tells him.. "Without a drink I'm pretty friendly, too". Wonderful!
I also loved the scene where Joyce was fussing around the staff room, with packets of instant soup. A lovely put-down by Joan.
Joyce: "It's shocking the amount of coffee we drink."
Joan: "Then don't drink it."
Not sure if I was so keen on the close-ups of Frank putting the bag of sugar down the front of his trousers. Yeuch. I was very impressed with how the others disarmed him (waving that enormous bread knife around among the pumpkins) by tossing a handful of dirt in his face. Very effective form of self defence, I must remember to keep a clump in my pocket.
The only interesting thing to notice in Chris Sultry Sutton's interview with Bobbie in the prison junk shop, were the two mugging extras in the background, sitting silently, staring right at the camera, without speaking or moving. Very amusing.
Finally, I thought the final scene with Meg and the man in the rubber mask was excellent, a very effective touch of horror and a chilling surprise.
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