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I first watched episode 692 - the grand finale - back in 1991 on Central TV in the UK, and it was great to see it a second time all these years later. Wow. An outstanding piece of television drama, very emotional, with a few surprising guest appearances from instantly-recognisable (previous) principle characters in minor roles, and some other nice touches of symbolism thrown in. Despite some unlikely parts of the storyline, it was still powerful stuff, that left you sitting quietly for a good few minutes after it had finished.
It was fascinating to see how a slightly unlikely plot with more than a few holes in it, was transformed into a piece of classic drama, for which you could forgive any faults! The final episode was superb. Lots of excellent writing, impressive acting, good use of camera angles, and film-style background music (almost constant, and generally much better quality than the space invaders stuff). In fact, episodes 691 and 692 seem to have been done in a very different style to the rest of the series, producing a couple of episodes that seem far more glossy and movie-like than the series I'd come to know so well.
It started with an unusual recap sequence, where highlights were shown from episode 690 as well as 691, which I hadn't noticed happening before. Rita was on her way to the robbery, driving along to exciting music, scaling walls and dropping into roof lights with surprising agility. Back in Wentworth, Joan raised the alarm for Rita's escape, by charging into reception where Joyce was sitting in darkness for some strange reason.
When Rita was recaptured and returned, she was interviewed by Ian Mahoney, who had clearly got fed up with printing presses and Janet Conway, and had apparently opted for the life of a police inspector. Stranger still, Ann was standing in on the police interview as well as Joan, which I'd not known happen before.
Either Aunty Ida seems to age at an alarming rate, or four years have passed in the 5 episodes since she was described by Rita as "80". Apparently, she was now 84.
Loved the scene when Rita was wheeled outside in a wheelchair, to be greeted by Tom on a Harley Davidson. The look on her face was truly moving. "She's dying - why stop her from living?" mused Ann philosophically to Meg. "Besides, it's her birthday." Hmm.. The birthday idea might have been over-egging the pudding just a little.
Kath's character seemed to be changing for the better, her attitude softening since her scene with Tom in the previous episode, and her recent conversation with Rita. (Though her sudden anti-drug stance was a bit surprising.) And Rita acknowledged this change, by suggesting Kath as the new Top Dog. A nice idea, rounding off Kath's story well.
Alice was called into Ann's office, and was politely asked, "How was Rita when you left her?" "Buggered," came the reply, causing me to laugh. The bad news was that Harry was being transferred to Barnhurst. The good news was that Alice was allowed to be transferred there too, if she wanted. Which put Alice in a dilemma about Rita. Ann decided to leave Alice and Harry to discuss it. "You've got ten minutes - for god's sake hold the lady's hand," she said as she left, which I thought was great. Harry presented Alice with a rose - "the last one left on the bush", he said - which Alice later gave to Rita. A lovely and very apt reference to the theme song, and reminding me of early scenes of Lynn Warner in the prison garden. "You're a big sook, but I love ya," said Rita to Alice. And I thought how impressed I was at how far Alice had come - from background mumbler and fickle sidekick to the baddie, to a very likeable principle character in the final episode.
"We won't be talking to Connors again - she died at 2 o'clock this morning," said the Inspector. And I loved the general tearful atmosphere of mourning throughout the prison, which was very well handled. (So long as you didn't notice Tina Murray overdoing it by wiping her eyes over-theatrically with the whole of her sleeve.) Most touching line was from Merle. She had been crying about Rita, but "she's with gentle Jesus now so we don't have to be sad at all."
"Day after day, nothing changes," someone said (perhaps Kath). And to illustrate the point, there were several references to a new inmate, Helen Stevens, throughout the episode. A nice touch, presumably to show that although the series was closing, the prison was still continuing as usual.
Joan went to collect the hidden robbery money, and was caught red handed in the trap. "How the hell can you be so stupid?" the inspector asked her. As her fingerprints were taken and she was driven around, more dramatic music played, creating excellent atmosphere. (And if you ask me, I'd say that was definitely Ted Douglas of the Department (AKA Harold from Neighbours) driving the police car after the arrest!) The scenes where Joan was brought into Wentworth were electric. ("Stand on the white line!") This reached a peak when Joan was taken into the solitary cell, and realised it was already set up - "You were EXPECTING me!". Meanwhile the women had heard the news, and were chanting "FERGUSON! FERGUSON!", as we were shown the real capabilities of Maggie K's fantastic acting abilities, which sent shivers down your spine. (Wish someone hadn't had the idea of those distracting flash-frame pictures throughout her speech, though.)
This must surely mean the prison staff, the prison authorities, the police, et al, were involved in the questionable 'set-up' to catch Joan out, which did seem a little hard to believe, but I won't argue about it now.
Joan was unceremoniously escorted out of the main building as all the women from H-block and most of the staff stood by and watched, and I was interested to see the statue 'Freedom' clearly visible in this sequence. As a bit of a reward for longer-term background characters, they appear to have been given a full-face shot of their own. Ok, the Pink Thing might have qualified but not been present, but I did check. It was there in the laundry in the middle of the rack, having made it all the way to 692 along with the Freedom Statue (unlike the Lime Green Thing and the macrame wall hanging)
The final line of the whole series went (deservedly) to Rita, after Joan had been driven away to an almighty cheer by the women. "Sick be buggered! I'm gonna be the oldest biker in the world.. The oldest biker in the world!"
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