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Starting with the recap from the last episode, with added "Plan 9 from Outer Space" type music, and a brand new set of mugshots, featuring Myra and Nora.
Loved the idea of Willie watching her favourite programme - a far-fetched soap opera, with dodgy music and a character who was saved by a "brilliant brain surgeon".. and speaking of Joan.. I loved the scene where super-cool Ruth Ballinger handed her a bottle of nail polish, saying "Here, I think this is your colour.." - Incredible Hulk green..
Still revelling in the excitement of having more than just mumbling to do in the background, Jill "Les Dawson" was given some mail, and referred to as "Brodie".. J. Brodie, eh? Wonder if she’s in her prime..?
Another star role pulled from the background this episode, with the Pink Thing, which I’m sure I spotted on Ruth Ballinger’s bed, playing the part of one of her "glamorous" frocks. No credit listing as yet, unfortunately.
I thought the scene with Lou and May was well written and acted; a pity it was ruined by distracting Wild West twangy drummy music. I also enjoyed the scene where Ruth slapped Lou. Very tense and exciting.
Ruth seems to be in a permanent state of Avon Party, spending half her screen time sitting behind a bank of cosmetics and bottles, like a displaced Clinique counter assistant. Which surprised me, therefore, when she was seen using what looked like an industrial can of spray paint on her nails. Her room contained colour television (I’m sure that was the old theme to the BBC evening news), refrigerator, wooden wardrobe, double bed, and then she asked for her own telephone with a private line. No wonder Ann seemed to almost pass out with a severe case of implausibility.
I was interested to see the writers were tackling the little-known issue of self-harm with Daphne. Or rather, they appeared to be so far. I’ll be interested to see if and how it develops. The scene was actually quite nice, had it not been for the horribly loud flute music whining all over the dialogue. (What has happened with the incidental music these days?)
I remember one of those horror films, where apparently you mention someone’s name three times, and they appear and torment you. In Prisoner, only once seems to be enough. Last episode someone was talking about Arnie Ballinger and his wife, and before the next commercial break, here she was being inducted at reception. And after barely enough time for the women to finish reading the postcard from long-forgotten Ettie, we got a scene of her chatting to Meggipops and Sadie.
"Stupid rules!" declared a disgruntled Ettie, about the rule that says a former inmate can not visit the remaining prisoners inside, yet seems to appear and disappear to fit the current storyline. Sheila certainly had no problem, and Myra seemed completely unaware of it when she was telling Judy to visit.
We got a better look at the noticeboard in the rec room this episode, and I was interested to see Phil Cleary’s portrait was pinned quite close to a photo of a bum. Hope that didn’t cause any kind of confusion.
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