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Starting with the recap of the previous episode's funeral, where this time I struggled to hear the dialogue over the loud, distracting sub-classical music that had been dubbed all over it. This problem reappeared later, and the scene where Daphne went to see Nora in her cell started off as a very nicely written and acted scene.. except I don't remember what happened after a minute or two, because I was too busy thinking "What the hell..?" at the pseudo-choral music that was far too loud, and seemed to transfer the atmosphere from pathos to comedy.
Meanwhile, there was a staff meeting, which appeared to featuring all 5 or 6 prison staff working that day, with normally silent Officer Hagen hogging more than her fair share of the lines. Interesting to see it included two gate guards, so I was a bit concerned about who was guarding the main gates. Joycie, perhaps?
Julie's mysterious intelligence seemed to have been suddenly remembered by the writers, and several times she briefly turned into a Carol Vorderman clone. Showing a detailed knowledge of classical composers and an appreciation of their work, as well as a detailed understanding of Law ("there was a precedent set in 1968"). Presumably this was to tell us she had an unusually high intelligence, although I'm not sure if it didn't just suggest she was unusually well informed. (Knowing your Tchaikovsky from your Rachmaninof doesn't prove a high IQ, as much as an interest in music.) Whatever this was all leading to, I don't remember. But I hope it gets there, and has a point, rather than endlessly dropping hints about how good she'd be playing Trivial Pursuits.
Another theme that seemed to re-occur in this episode was the pep talk, which meant I had a strange feeling of deja-vu more than once. It ranged from the 'heart-warming' (Daphne's "chicken and chips" talk to Nora), to the 'embarrassing' (Mervin's cringe-inducing "don't give up" waffle), to the slightly 'surreal' (May's "look at that wall" speech to Jenny). Surprisingly, Mervin's little monologue in the kitchen wasn't the cause of Nora's Greek Taverna dance, smashing plates on the floor. Hmm.. breakable (i.e. sharp and dangerous) plates in a prison..?
Back to the staff meeting, and I was interested to see that Joan had clearly been having too many E numbers in her food. I know she was supposed to be hard and tough, but she seemed to have gone to extremes this episode, much nastier than usual. Lou Kelly appeared to have gone the same way - suddenly becoming several degrees more vicious than usual. Another change was with Dennis. He seemed to have changed from irritatingly helpless, to irritatingly optimistic and chirpy, overnight. Not sure which I like least. Even Jenny seemed less irritating than usual, and had relaxed more, suddenly becoming good friends with the other women (May and Julie in particular today). Still couldn't resist sniggering when one of her usual woeful sobbing scenes was abruptly cut to a scene of Lexie, Daphne and Julie laughing loudly.
Jenny's new popularity was shown when there was a vote on whether to let her play her music in the rec room, and "9" inmates wanted her to. However, "13" didn't, it seemed. Which would make 21 prisoners in that little room. 21..? Were some of them still locked in the broom cupboard?
The committee were discussing whether to sign the waivers about claiming compensation from The Department for the siege. This would be on the grounds of negligence, it was said, with the Department not providing adequate security/protection for the women. However, it was also said that it might not be worthwhile because it would take a long time - possibly years - and mental trauma etc would be difficult to prove. Hmm.. surely the famed yellow roster sheets would instantly show there were only two officers and two gate guards on duty - end of story, and thanks for the compensation..?
Anyway, plans were still going ahead for yet another subplot of education classes, which seems to happen with some regularity in the series, and everyone always seems to forget why the last scheme ended. Interesting to see the courses (again) feature a "general knowledge" class. Presumably so that when women are released and rehabilitated, they'll be able to do well in pub quizzes.
Not sure if it was because I'd been a bit poorly when I first saw this episode, but the scene of Meg gnawing at a chicken leg almost made me queasy again. In terms of yuckiness, this was almost matched by the scene when Meg asked Ann how her dinner with the Minister had gone. "Extraordinary," Ann replied. "Especially after a couple of tongue-looseners." Eurgh, for a moment I thought she meant he'd tried to snog her.
Nora had another meeting from her ginger friend Mick (another scene spoiled by overbearingly loud choral oooooooh's and aaaaaaah's causing me to miss some of the dialogue). I notice she confessed that she'd "used" him, suggesting she'd only wanted him to impregnate her, with no further involvement.
Finally, best line of this episode had to go to Nora, where she was so to-the-point that she made me smile.
Lou: "What the hell do you want?"
Nora: "I've come to kill you."
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