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EPISODE 248

The storming of the prison is called off when the women throw Steve Fawkner's uniform out of the prison. Janet is still in hiding.

First broadcast ... 1982 (Melbourne)
Broadcast on Channel 5 Sunday 12 April 1998 04:40
DVD release: volume 16 disc 2 (AUS)
Duration: 0:47:23



Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne
Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance
Erica ~ Patsy King
Bea ~ Val Lehman
Jim ~ Gerard Maguire
Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath
Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett
Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt
Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay
Marie ~ Maggie Millar
Margo ~ Jane Clifton
Janet ~ Kate Sheil
Insp. Thorn ~ Peter Aanensen
TV Announcer ~ Tony Porter
Sister ~ Wilma Farrow
Sergeant Hanley ~ Peter Pawlsen

  • Written by Bryon Williams
  • Directed by Leigh Spence
  • Something tells me this isn't even a proper set given the tight focus on the window

    Kate has the near-naked Steve thrown into a cell. She gives him some pajamas, sends the other women away and informs Steve that she can be bargained with. Erica is on the phone arguing with the press when Colleen runs in with Steve's uniform, which has been thrown from a window. "God knows what they're doing to him," Colleen states. The riot squad is called off since it might now put Steve in jeopardy. Margo has a chat with Marie, letting Marie know that she knows who's really running the show. Bea sees the report about Steve's uniform on the news and sneaks out of her room. Janet locates Steve, but he doesn't want to be let out since that would let the women know there was another officer inside. He sends Janet to find a way out. Bea gets to a pay phone and calls Erica (who, luckily, answers). Bea wants to speak to Sandy and Erica considers this a good idea. She pulls out her megaphone and asks for Sandy or a "Representative" to come out and speak to Bea. As Sandy is evidently resting, Marie and Margo decide they'll send Kate. But first Marie steps outside and demands an exchange to ensure Kate's safety. Erica reminds Marie that they already have Steve - but Marie isn't willing to send him out. "Finders Keepers, if you know what I mean." Erica tells Bea it will be a little while, so Bea returns to her room. Meg offers to go inside, but Colleen says that she'll go because she is of higher rank and better equipped mentally. Meg walks away. Kate and Colleen exchange places. As Kate passes Colleen she tells her to leave everything to her. Colleen doesn't hear her properly and merely whirls about dumbly before entering the prison. Kate speaks to Bea, who is not overly pleased to be speaking to her. Bea tells her that Sandy must get a list of demands out quickly and that the male officer must not be touched in any way. Kate agrees to pass the message on, tells Bea to take care of herself and hangs up. The women hover about Colleen, while Margo begs to have a go at her. Marie says no. Colleen tosses her hair about a bit and acts unafraid. Kate and Colleen exchange places once more, with Colleen still wondering what Kate said the last time. Sgt. Hanley arrives to take Lizzie away for her arson hearing. Erica motions towards the prison and asks how he intends to do it. Kate tells Marie what Bea said. Marie asks if Kate thinks there's any chance of a full scale break out. Kate truly doubts it. Marie then wanders into the staff room and discovers an extra uniform. Sandy is in Erica's office drinking sherry and writing up demands when she finds out Bea wanted to speak to her. She is upset, but Marie says they couldn't find her. "How far could I have gone?" Sandy asks. Sandy agrees to Marie's suggestion that the women be allowed to rifle through files to let off steam. Kate discovers Janet in the stairwell as Sandy approaches, but says nothing. Sandy asks Lizzie to take the list of demands outside. Lizzie, who's disgusted by the whole riot, reluctantly agrees. Back in the visiting suite, a plan has been devised to get Jim into the prison after nightfall. He will scale the wall, enter through the trap door on the roof, find Steve and Janet and then give the all clear to the riot squad via walkie-talkie. Erica will accept this as long as they allow the women a chance to bargain. Sandy stumbles upon Janet Conway's file on the floor. She takes it to the other women and informs them that Janet is an ex-prisoner. Lizzie goes outside waving a white flag. Janet hears the women approaching and quickly hides herself in a cell closet. Marie and Kate enter the cell to look out the window at Lizzie's progress. Lizzie hands Erica the list of demands and finds herself being hauled away by Sgt. Hanley. Kate and Marie stare in disbelief as Sandy runs in saying they've taken Lizzie. Janet makes a noise. The ladies drag her out of the closet. Sandy goes outside, tells Erica that she made a stupid move and informs them they now have Janet. Janet is then "inducted" in reception and told to strip. The police shut off the prison lights. Jim scales the wall. Sandy brings Janet, now dressed in prison garb, outside and demands the lights be restored. Janet is then locked in a cell while Sandy goes to "visit" Steve. Jim, decked out in cat-burglar black, enters the prison and searches about a bit until he finds Janet. She tells him Steve is locked in a cell as well, so Jim gives the all-clear on his walkie-talkie. Marie, who just happens to be gazing out a window, sees the riot squad moving in. The women catch sight of Jim and give chase. Marie sneaks into the staff room and begins to change into the uniform. The riot squad storms reception with tear gas.

    This episode summary was written by Matthew Bubb.

    ***


    Storyliners: John Mortimore, Andrew Kennedy, Michael Freundt, Dave Worthington
    Script Editors: Ian Smith (246), (249)-(250)


    (247)


    Updated