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Beginning with an excellent and moving performance, with Merle panicking after striking the rapists, and terrified about being sent to "that place". Merle was interesting for other reasons today. When Kath was challenged by Alice and Rita, Merle didn't rush to Kath's assistance despite Kath glancing in her direction. Instead she seemed preoccupied, after figuring out that whatever had made Spike ill, it could well have come from the chocolate she had given her. She also seemed more suspicious about her and Kath "hurting people", despite Kath's claims to the contrary.
In the Temperance Hall, Rodney was demonstrating his terrible acting (surprisingly you could see the difference) to the marginally better Gwendoline, while Lisa sniggered into her tape recorder behind some boxes. Scripts were evident, the performance was clearly at an early stage, yet Rodney and friend were rehearsing in full costume and panstick make-up. I've certainly never come across a dress rehearsal this early in the preparations. Strangely, the same couple of lines were used in every scene where the play was practiced, making me wonder if they were only doing a five-minute taster of The Importance Of Being Ernest. Or if that's the only bit they'd managed to work on so far.
After the show, Raunchy Rodney was taken back to the actress’ house. "The place is simply a mess," she twittered, not at all exaggerating it transpired, when the door was opened to reveal what looked like an explosion in a Barbie Doll factory. Pink cushions, lacey frills, cutesy teddy bears.. Pixie or Lorilei would have felt right at home. If it weren't camp enough, there were even mock Greek statues outside. "It's so.. feminine," exclaimed Rodney, which is a curious way to describe what looked like the results of throwing up in a box of Fondant Fancies.
As the lovers lounged on the frilly cushions, in the light of the log fire, there was mischievous talk of her double bed, as already sparks were flying. (Possibly the result of their nylon jumpers rubbing together.) As passion mounted, she whispered her kinky request in his ear - to recite his lines as they did it. Presumably she thought the best hope they had of Rodney actually getting wood was through his acting.
Joan was walking around in her flat, with the horrible beige and blue jumper I thought might have come to a merciful end in her house fire. She was later seen talking to Mr Dwyer the minister, who of course was ANGRY about being called out.
In order to remove Brumby from their escape plan, Kath hit her on the back of the head, rendering her instantly unconscious of course. Which makes the eleventh character to be knocked out in the last 26 episodes, which must be better than a lot of Tom & Jerry cartoons.
As the escape drew closer, Merle was getting agitated. "I'm frightened, Kath. This is where I keep all me things. This is me home. I done all me thinking here." I thought this was a very well written and acted scene, which did make me feel very sorry for Merle. Kath and Merle hurried through the prison to the delivery bay (which they were able to do with surprising ease). Just as the getaway truck started to leave, Merle stumbled and injured her ankle. Kath looked back, then chased the truck, leaving Merle behind. And as the escape sirens wailed, we were left with the image of a hysterical Merle crying out for Kath, helplessly clutching her ankle. A scene that was almost heartbreaking, and a very cruel plot twist. Drama doesn't come much better than this.
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