After 1st September 1997, Channel 5 reduced the coverage from five to three episodes per week.
EPISODE 131Broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) 02 September 1997 Tue 11:45 p.m. Judy escapes in a police uniform, and arranges to get forged documents to allow her to flee to America. Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Margo ~ Jane Clifton Gail ~ Susanne Haworth Noeline ~ Jude Kuring Kay ~ Sandy Gore Andrew ~ John Lee Captain Barton ~ Paul Young Tony ~ John Higginson Pauline ~ Anne Pendlebury  Weasel ~ Colin Vancao  Phyllis ~ Reylene Pearce Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Newsreader ~ Annette Alison  OTHER CHARACTERSProstitute Lizzie mentions seeing Chrissie (and her baby) in maternity when she brings the trolley to the laundry. Despite the striking facial similarity of the Newsreader and Prostitute in this episode, they are unlikely to be the same person since, as Robert pointed out in Digest 1632, Annette Alison was a TV presenter in real life, not a dramatic actress. | Erica tells Meg and Vera that the doctors think Judy's heart condition was brought on by electrical interference from the driers. Meg passes on the information in Judy's letter about her father and Erica is displeased not to have been told before. Bea warns all the women, including Doreen, not to mess up the work release program. Gail is reduced to tears by the women's taunts. Erica finds out that Meg hasn't told her that she's Gail's next door neighbour and says she wants all information on prisoners to be passed to her directly in future. Still in her policewoman's uniform, Judy phones an ex-lover, and she is invited to stay there while her husband is away on business for a few days. Vera goes straight to Gail and tells her that the children have been put in a home. Meg is appalled by the spitefulness of it and tells Vera so. Erica finally takes Doreen off the work release program, but tells her Andrew Reynolds will be warned not to accept any tenders from Kevin, no matter how low they are. Meg explains to Gail the home circumstances that led to her children being taken into care and tells her it may improve her own chances of getting custody. Gail isn't so sure and wonders if she could be trusted alone with the kids ever again. Doreen is forced to tell Bea what Vince has been doing to her. Captain Barton takes over Gail's case in Paul's absence and suggests she contacts Parents Anonymous. Pauline offers to lend Judy money to help her get the forged papers from a contact she got inside. Tony comes to the prison, having found a job in Adelaide with the chance of a partnership if he can get the money from his father. Meg stops Vera from holding forth on the subject of child abuse by saying that from what she's heard of her childhood her mother's treatment of her would count as mental cruelty. Vera counters with a question: if Meg's own childhood was so wonderful, why does she never speak about it? Flowers arrive for Erica from Andrew. Lizzie finds out from a file on Erica's desk that Phyllis has been selected to take Doreen's place. To get Bea selected instead, Phyllis pulls Gail's hair when Erica enters the rec room to make the announcement. Bea acts "responsibly" by restraining Phyllis and Erica makes a snap decision to give the vacant place on the scheme to Bea. Noeline suggests to Margo that they'd better band together to get Bea off the scheme, because she's sure to put a stop to Margo running her book as well as the fiddle Noeline has planned with Kay. Margo tells her to "rack off, hairy legs". Doreen fills in Bea about the factory and as Noeline predicted, she tells Margo she won't be running a book. Margo changes her mind and plots with Noeline. Vera enlists Jim's support in complaining about Bea being allowed on the scheme. Judy adopts a tortured half-Oirish accent and goes to see the Weasel: he tells her a passport will cost her five hundred dollars. Erica tries to tell Andrew she can't see him any more, but he tells her he wants to get to know her better. Margo delays Jim so Noeline can get into position so when he turns the corner Noeline is apparently writhing in agony after a bashing from Bea. Meg tells Vera what she thinks of her and that if she despises prisoners so much that ought to apply to her too, as she was born in prison. Andrew asks Kay to organise a stock check. Mouse goes on the factory scheme instead of Bea. Judy cons money out of a prostitute by pretending to be a policewoman on the take. Kay cuts Noeline in on her scheme, and Noeline pretends to need first aid so she can take a look at the tea room. Judy gets a letter forwarded to Pauline's from her sister to say that her father has died, before they could have made peace with each other. Kay reports to Andrew that there is $500 of material missing and blames the women, and tells him when she thinks the next "drop" is due. |
EPISODE 132Broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) 03 September 1997 Wed 11:30 p.m. Noeline disrupts the factory project and is transferred from Wentworth. Pauline informs the police about Judy. And Erica offers Bea a chance.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Margo ~ Jane Clifton Gail ~ Susanne Haworth Noeline ~ Jude Kuring Kay ~ Sandy Gore Andrew ~ John Lee Captain Barton ~ Paul Young Tony ~ John Higginson Weasel ~ Colin Vancao Pauline ~ Anne Pendlebury George Burke ~ Rick Ireland  Soo Ling ~ Eric Poon  Peter Curtis ~ Peter Byrne  UNCREDITEDOfficer Phillip ~ Lise RodgersPoliceman ~ Bill Binks  Vera refers to her silent colleague as "Miss Meadows" Gail says that she stood up for herself after "Mr Reid talked to me", but it was really Captain Barton who gave her the pep talk. | Kay promises to keep Vera occupied to give Noeline time to get the bolt of cloth out of the tea room window  . Andrew follows Kay's tip-off and is waiting outside to catch Noeline's brother collecting the cloth. When Vera hears of the incident, she immediately cancels the scheme and takes the women back to Wentworth. Pauline gives Judy the last $100 she needs for the passport but the Weasel has heard about Judy's escape on the radio and works out he can ask double his price for a "urgent" job. Erica reprimands Vera for exceeding her authority by cancelling the work release without asking Erica's permission first. Bea sees Margo and Mouse waiting to see the Governor and finds out that it was Noeline's fault the scheme was cancelled. Noeline tries to put the blame on Kay, saying she was already stealing material from the factory and involved her in the scheme. Erica doesn't believe her and sends Noeline to solitary. Judy plans to get the rest of the money she needs for her passport by conning money out of an illicit gambling club. After failing to trick Meg into giving the information, Lizzie finds out next day when delivering the meals that Noeline isn't in solitary and Bea suspects she's been moved to another wing to keep her out of their way. Erica tells Andrew that Noeline has been transferred to a country prison (Barnhurst) and informs the staff that the project is back on. Vera shows Jim the report she's made on the incident at the factory and plans to send it to the Department, but Erica points out that an honest report would reflect badly on Vera herself as it happened while Vera was supervising. Vera tears up her report in disgust. Paul has asked for extended leave to go to Adelaide with his son, and Erica asks Meg if there are any more secrets the two of them share that she hasjn't bothered to pass on. She tells Meg to pass on the message to Paul that if he isn't back within the week, she'll have to ask the Department for a replacement, possibly on a permanent basis. Meg worries that Paul's absence may affect Gail and result in her trial going badly. Pauline's husband arrives home early, so Judy leaves to case out the illegal gambling club. After a chat with Captain Barton, Gail stands up for herself and tells the other women women what her life was like and why she started bashing the kids. Pauline tells Judy she still cares for her and begs her to give herself up. As Meg predicted, Gail is worried when she finds that Paul has left. Bea is told she can go on the scheme in Noeline's place. Meg finds Tony at home packing and he tells her that Paul has already left to take over the garage in Adelaide. Lizzie and Doreen are amazed to find out that Bea has been allowed out on the factory project. After looking at a photo of the two of them together in happier times  , Pauline decides that Judy's cravat is altogether too butch to be allowed outside captivity, so she phones the police and tells them where Judy is. Judy gets the money from the gambling club, but runs into an ambush from two police cars outside the club and is arrested  . |
EPISODE 133Broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) 08 September 1997 Mon 11:25 p.m. Judy is returned to Wentworth and placed in solitary confinement; Andrew attempts to exploit the women as a cheap labour force; and Gail's trial begins.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Margo ~ Jane Clifton Gail ~ Susanne Haworth Kay ~ Sandy Gore Andrew ~ John Lee Vince ~ John Larking Tim ~ Jeremy Higgins Captain Barton ~ Paul Young Defence Lawyer ~ Bill Evans Prosecutor ~ Will Deumer  Judge ~ James Taylor Jury Foreman ~ Norma Evans  Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath UNCREDITEDHazel Crowe ~ Maureen Edwards Officer Barry ~ Joy Westmore Nancy ~ Ann-Marie Wiles  - same actress/role is credited in (135)OTHER CHARACTERSThe Judge is credited as James Taylor but it seems to be another actor .Officer Meadows' first name seems to be Sue. | Judy is brought back to Wentworth (and claims sarcastically to Jim that she's Doris Day) charged with escaping, assault on a policewoman, stealing police property (the uniform, which she is still wearing) and impersonating a police officer. Jim and Vera notice she is also carrying a large amount of money that the police have not noticed, so Jim logs it in as Judy's own property even though Judy admits she got it through extortion. Judy at first refuses to go into the solitary cell, but Jim manages to persuade her. As she sits in the cell her profile  undergoes some unusual video effect  . Next morning, Erica sees Judy and offers to help, but Judy tells her it's too late as she should have done something earlier to fix Jock Stewart. Bea makes herself known to Andrew Reynolds and Vince on her first day at the factory. Andrew offers Bea a private deal to put to the other women: they will be paid an extra 10 dollars a week each for making non-Government clothing on the side. Doreen has taken over the press in the laundry and helps Gail out with a broken sewing machine. After consulting with the women to get their agreement, Bea makes an excuse ("oh, women's troubles, you know") to get to see Mr Reynolds to say the deal he proposed is fine by her. Doreen warns Gail not to raise her hopes about her court appearance. Lizzie tells the women that Judy is back and in isolation. Bea frays the cable on her sewing machine and asks Vince to fix it: Margo switches the power back on as soon as he touches it, giving him an electric shock  . Doreen realises that the following Tuesday she and Kevin will have been married six weeks: Lizzie is reminded that the same date (the 29th - month unspecified!) will be her 72nd birthday, and goes to Captain Barton to ask for a half day's leave to see Ellen and Josie. Vera overhears Margo talking about the extra wages and volunteers to go to the factory next day when meg mentions she can't go because of Gail's trial. Erica is suspicious about the accident and phones up Andrew to ask him if Bea could have caused it, but he takes the opportunity to ask her out on another date. Bea wishes Gail good luck, but shrugs her shoulders as she says it to show she's doing her a big favour. Meg gives evidence against Gail at her trial. Kay warns Andrew that Hazel Crowe the Union rep is getting suspicious about the work the Wentworth women are doing. Erica tells Lizzie she may not get permission for her visit in time and suggests a birthday party instead so that Ellen (or, as she says, "Marcia") would be able to visit. When pressed Erica is forced to admit that Josie would not be able to come as she's in hospital for her operation. Lizzie is disgusted and refuses the offer of a party. Hazel Crowe approaches Vera with evidence that the women are doing non-Government work and warns that the factory could be called out on strike. This suits Vera fine and she suggests a strike might be the only way for the matter to be taken seriously. Gail gets a suspended sentence and leaves her flat and husband for somewhere where she will be able to visit the kids in the home. Andrew comes round for dinner at Erica's and, after a brandy or two, gives her a timid little kiss  (though it is implied he will be staying the night...). Next morning, Vera gives Erica a written report on recent events at the factory, which she summarises for Erica's benefit: she accuses Andrew of being a crook who's exploiting the prisoners for his own financial gain. |
EPISODE 134Broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) 09 September 1997 Tues 11:45 p.m. Kay panics when Andrew decides to audit the factory books and steals the payroll. The prisoners plan a surprise birthday party for Lizzie.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Kay ~ Sandy Gore Andrew ~ John Lee Vince ~ John Larking Captain Barton ~ Paul Young Ellen Huntley ~ Judith Dick Phyllis ~ Reylene Pearce June ~ Yvonne Foley  Hazel ~ Maureen Edwards UNCREDITEDSally ~ Nanette WallaceTed Douglas (on the phone) ~ Ian Smith | Erica phones Andrew to let him know she won't let him take advantage of her or the women, though she does not cancel the project entirely. Doreen wonders why Lizzie has sweets instead of fags in her buyup. Captain Barton asks Bea what she thinks of the idea of a birthday party for Lizzie: Bea suggests that they keep it quiet and make it a surprise party. Jim clashes with Erica when he assumes the factory project has been cancelled. Hazel Crowe takes Andrew out onto the fire escape to discuss the issue of the prison workers: she lays down a list of conditions and threatens a strike knowing he can't afford to risk it. Meg takes Lizzie out of the laundry at Bea's request so she doesn't find out about the arrangements for the party. Jim finds Lizzie moping in her cell alone: their conversation prompts Lizzie to a flashback to Edie's death, but she looks up to find she's addressing her sob story to empty air as Jim has walked away. Ellen arrives to visit Lizzie and finds her in a very black mood. Ted phones Erica to tell her Paul has resigned, and she asks if a replacement can be found. Bea and Doreen give Lizzie the cold shoulder in the rec room to get rid of her so they can put up the decorations. Andrew visits Erica at home to plead his case. He admits to using her and the women, and Erica immediately forgives him. Lizzie's birthday breakfast is a miserable affair, and Meg asks her to take a tray to isolation to get her out of the way. Judy isn't in any better spirits, but when she hears it's Lizzie's birthday, she gives her Sharon's cigarette lighter as a present. Vera disapproves when Jim and Meg both seem to be giving presents to Lizzie and wants to know what is in the bottles Ellen has brought in for the party. Meg fetches Lizzie from her cell where she is celebrating on her own with a party hat made out of newspaper  . When Meg switches on the rec room lights, Lizzie realises she hasn't been forgotten after all. Ted Douglas tells Erica that Paul's replacement will be Agnes Forster. Lizzie even gets a present from Erica  . When Lizzie seems to be well oiled, Vera checks the bottles and points out she's been drinking non-alcoholic wine. Andrew Reynolds tells Vince and Kay that the firm's accounts are already being audited. Vera stops Lizzie taking Judy a piece of birthday cake to Judy in isolation. Kay tells Vince the bank hasn't supplied enough money for the payroll, and she leaves claiming to be going to the bank to sort it out. Andrew and Vince find later that Kay has taken all the cash with her and the pay packets are stuffed with paper. Andrew phones to tell Erica he's had to call in the police and she should put in a written report immediately to withdraw her support from the scheme so she isn't compromised. At that moment, Kay returns to the office. |
EPISODE 135Broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) 10 September 1997 Wed 11: 30 p.m. Kay is charged with theft and embezzlement and is incarcerated in Wentworth. Erica cancels the work project and tells Andrew that she won't see him again.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Kay ~ Sandy Gore Margo ~ Jane Clifton Andrew ~ John Lee Vince ~ John Larking Agnes ~ Lois Ramsay  Mr Douglas ~ Ian Smith Mrs O'Reagan ~ Christine Calcutt  Julie Reynolds ~ Yvonne Matthew  Nancy ~ Anne-Marie Wiles  UNCREDITEDMr Spenser ~ Brian Moll I have corrected the spelling "Mrs Reagan" as in dialogue the character is referred to as Mrs O'Reagan, and that is how she is credited on later appearances. Erica shows no sign of recognising Agnes, despite reacting to the news of her appointment in the previous episode as if they were old friends. | Andrew accuses Kay of stealing and fiddling the books. When she offers to pay him back with her gambling winnings, he declines and asks her what would have happened if she had lost. Vince stops Kay leaving the office and Andrew phones the police. Erica tells Vera and Jim that the scheme is over, but the newspaper article reporting Kay White's arrest next morning (.. so soon?..) gives Vera further excuse to spread insinuations about Erica. After the women have also seen the paper, Bea assumes that Kay should be blamed for the end of the work release, and Doreen wonders if Noeline might have been right after all to claim that she was framed by Kay. The new social worker, Agnes Forster, arrives for her first day at work in a battered old car, which she parks in Erica's space and then leaves Erica with a heavy kit bag to carry inside for her. Ted Douglas is already waiting for Erica to discuss Vera's report. Erica cannot deny any of the "accusations" and even admits that she'd seen Andrew outside work hours. Nevertheless, Ted tells Erica there will still have to be an enquiry. Jim shows Agnes to her new office. Vera offers Ted a written report but he tells her to post it to him, as the Department is unlikely to take any action for some months. Kay White is brought to Wentworth on remand on charges of embezzlement and theft  . Erica tells Kay she's putting her in isolation for her own protection. Judy is allowed to rejoin the other women and tells them she's seen Kay being taken to isolation. Lizzie is on tray delivery duty and Margo tells her to pass a message on to Kay to pay up or else. To reinforce the message, Margo mixes some disgusting yellow detergent into Kay's dinner  . Agnes is too busy making her office into a home away from home to be interested in reading the prisoners' files Meg brings for her. Kay is unable to eat her meal and protests to Vera, demanding to see the Governor. Erica slips away from work to see Andrew and tell him she won't be able to see him again. Andrew's wife arrives on cue to surprise them  , having seen Erica tenderly placing her hand on Andrew's shoulder. After Erica leaves, Andrew's wife tells him he should have taken Kay's money then sacked her, adding that if the business is finished, then so is their marriage, as she wants a divorce. Erica inspects the kitchen just as Margo is about to add tabasco sauce to Kay's meal. Meg is embarrassed when she goes for a drink at Erica's and Andrew turns up to see Erica late in the evening, just after Erica has told Meg that her relationship with Andrew is strictly business. He has come to tell her about Julie's request for a divorce, but Erica tells him it makes no difference: her work is all-important. Kay is surprised to find that Agnes has done nothing about finding her a solicitor. Agnes brings her cat Butchie in to work with her, and Jim has to dial Legal Aid's number for her to get her to do anything. When a solicitor does arrive for Kay, she argues that her defence should be based on her need for psychiatric help for compulsive gambling. Kay's next meal is delivered by Margo who repeats her demand for repayment of her debts. Kay agrees Margo should get what's owing to her ... and punches her in the stomach. |
Storyliners: Dave Worthington, Margaret McClusky (131)-(132), Alistair Sharp (133)-(135)
Script Editors: Patrick Amer (131); Ian Smith (132)-(133); Patrick Amer (134)-(135)
| (126) to (130) |
