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Starting with the juicy and potentially very gory scene of Frank held face down on his bed, with Myra holding a smoking soldering iron out at the camera, which seemed to be sizzling and hissing, before even touching anything. So as I sat with my legs crossed, waiting for the gory details, It was revealed - they'd branded an "R" on his forehead. And quite a disappointment that was, after all the things I could imagine doing to a despised rapist with a soldering iron - putting an R on his forehead wasn't even on the list!
And this after Frank had already been attacked by Myra, with the fire extinguisher she’d found lying around in the corridor, as they were both walking freely around the prison. Thank goodness for high security stopping the inmates causing harm to anyone.
Sam Greenway was back again, after I hoped she'd escape and decide not to come back, or at least get run over by a dustbin lorry. Interesting how she'd turned up at her mother's house, announcing to her sister that she'd "got a day release", despite wearing full prison issue uniform, and the sister later referring to the escape.
Poor Sam, back at Wentworth looking very sorry for herself, as you would do if you'd just found out your long-lost sister had turned into Bonnie Langford. "I wish Jude was here," she whined, as the others probably struggled to remember who this Judy was. "How long d'you think they'll keep Judy in the pound for?". Well, as she'd been up there for what seemed several weeks already, I don't suppose an extra day or two much mattered.
Interesting to see Sam was able to draw a portrait of her mother with identikit accuracy, even though she'd only glimpsed her for about 30 seconds, and under enormous emotional pressure. Obviously a photographic memory, lucky girl.
Possibly best line of the episode came from Lexie:
Marlene: (looking in the mirror) "Which one d'you think's my best angle?"
Lexie: "You're sitting on it."
But I also liked Lexie's comment about Marlene's love life, after Marlene had made a insulting comment about Lexie's prostitute mother. "Bloody stupid amateurs like you giving it away for free, giving the profession a bad name." Unfortunately, this philosophising Lexie was soon replaced by one who had an enormous helicopter-type blue bow on her head that even Pixie Mason would be embarrassed to wear.
I loved the scene between Marlene and Matt, and the way their relationship was being handled. ("I think I love you Marlene!") And very nicely acted, bringing the innocence out. Very sweet. I was also impressed with the scene where Ettie informed the women that the men were suddenly leaving. I liked the way Marlene and Myra's reactions were dealt with - Marlene very vocal and openly upset, Myra by contrast very quiet in the background. The slap was also a good touch, followed by the two characters hugging - a common sadness linking them, even though only one of them was aware of it. Very well written and acted.
Nice bit of humour about Matt's departure, too.
Marlene: "What if he meets someone else?!"
Sam: "In Woodridge..?"
While watching Geoff pack his bag, I thought I noticed Jan's huge law book going into his holdall. Hmm..
Joan was back at the Taylor's, with more "Anny Joans" screamed at her than can be healthy for a sane person. They seemed to have the world's longest table-tennis table in their house, although I suspect that's more to do with a strange combination of camera lens and angle. Having said that, I did wonder if I was watching Alice In Wonderland, with the people shrinking inside their clothes. First with Joan and her enormous blouse, with a collar swallowing her head almost up to her ears. And then Marnie Taylor, with her huge pink sack-of-potatoes dress. Despite all this, I thought the scene with Mr Taylor spanking Shane, then Shane running over to Anny Joan, was very effective and well done.
There are some interesting issues being raised with Janice and her alcohol problem, however she seems to be hogging the programme at the moment (along with Sam Greenway, yawn) and is starting to get on my nerves. What a strange hallucination scene. An old dog in the cell, barking and yapping ferociously and frightening the wits out of a nervous inmate. Why did that seem familar? And no doubt the canine actor has appeared in Prisoner before, perhaps as one of Doreen's tame guard dogs who used to patrol the perimeter fence. I was quite surprised he didn't get his name in the credits.
Dennis decided to do a bit of reading-up about some of the newer inmates, and just happened to start with Ettie, and had noticed some strange inconsistencies (or something) in her paperwork. Wow, what a coincidence, Jan had just started to show interest in Ettie's past at the same time, and had found strange inconsistencies there too. A developing subplot that's not at all transparent and obviously on its way..?
Loved the Gentleman's club Coleby ("Bill") took Ann to. It even appeared to have Boris Karloff serving drinks behind the bar.
Interesting to see Lou pinch the painting knife from Sam's pencil case. A knife that was permitted within the prison, and not only that, was allowed to be left lying around in the cells..? Cor, it could almost be real life.
In the outside scenes, with the men and the fake police, the shadow of the huge Channel Ten TV mast was visible in some shots. This highly conspicuous structure seems to have been carefully avoided in most of the outdoor camera angles in the series. Wonder why a prison would have a big television broadcasting mast in the garden, anyway
Anyway, after the kerfuffle of the fake police and guns popping and going off, it seems Frank fancied a spot of joyriding, driving the fake police car round and round the car park. Strange how he didn't just drive through the gate, rather than give the gate guard time to get a gun and shoot his tyres. Not enough chance to show us some fancy swerves and screeches, I guess.
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