EPISODE 151Broadcast on Channel 5 Wednesday 22nd October 1997 23:30 Lizzie decides to appeal against her conviction; Doreen is offered the possibility of working in the children's ward of the local hospital; and Julian attempts to dissuade Jim from investing in the interior design business. Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Chrissie ~ Amanda Muggleton Tracey ~ Sue Devine Bob ~ Anthony Hawkins Jane ~ Bethany Lee  Sarah Forrest ~ Diane Craig Frank Henderson ~ Syd Conabere  Charles Baldwin ~ Michael Duffield Julian Phillips ~ Peter Stratford UNCREDITEDSister Franklin ~ Di GreentreeOfficer Bailey ~ Maureen Edwards  Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Julie ~ Christine Jack  Policewoman ~ Jacqui Jackson  Jim reveals Officer Barfield's first name, when he tells Vera that "Connie" has phoned in sick. | Lizzie is welcomed back to Wentworth by Vera  with her usual compassion: Vera tells her she'll die a criminal, and Lizzie retorts that she won't have long to wait to see that for herself. Jim thinks Lizzie's sentence was very harsh, and the other women are also appalled, Judy in particular urging Lizzie to appeal. Doreen reads baby books to Chrissie and Jane in maternity, though they are already beginning to resent her interference. Lizzie warns Doreen to keep her mouth shut about the verdict, or risk getting the others who testified charged with perjury. Vera visits Meg at home and volunteers to cook a meal for them both, after helping herself to a (very) large whisky. Jim has to wait for Vera to arrive before going home and warns her not to turn up late for work again. Vera helps herself to a powder she's hidden at the back of a filing cabinet drawer. Judy tells Lizzie that she can appeal against her sentence rather than the conviction without getting Linda into trouble as her guilt has already been decided. Julian warns Jim that the interior design business isn't stable to frighten him off investing money in the business. Erica also advises Lizzie she should appeal against her sentence. Chrissie complains to Erica that Doreen is driving the women in maternity crazy with her helpful childcare hints: Erica tells her to be patient for another week and promises to talk to Doreen. Officer Bailey offers to do Vera's shift when she asks if she will swap with her. Jim tells Meg he's had enough of Vera when he finds out she's coming round to cook Meg dinner again. Doreen suggests to Erica that she could try to get work as a nurse's aid when she's released. Sarah is a little surprised to find Jim can't go to dinner as he's working and wonders why a building contractor would be working in the dark. Doreen is horrified to find that Jane and Chrissie have brought a stray cat into maternity. Jim tears a strip off Vera for leaving work early, even though she's arranged for Officer Bailey to do her shift. Erica asks her friend who is director of Wentworth General to consider Doreen for a work placement at the hospital. Meg looks a little apprehensive as Vera gets increasingly drunk after cooking her another meal, but is saved when Bob visits unexpectedly with flowers (and a tin of biscuits?)  . Bob tells Tracey on his next visit that he's arranged his business so he won't need to travel abroad so much: Vera looks on sceptically as if she suspects Bob has other motives. Doreen  finds the cat  sitting on top of Elizabeth in her cot  and gives her mouth to mouth resuscitation. Chrissie thanks her and apologises. Vera gets very sniffy when Meg tries to stop her coming round to cook for her again. Erica tells the hospital director about Doreen's prompt action in reviving Elizabeth, and he agrees to see Doreen to discuss a possible job at the hospital. Vera's spite gets the better of her when she talks to Tracey: she tells her she'd better get used to prison officers as she might find she has one at home soon as her new step-mother. |
EPISODE 152Broadcast on Channel 5 Monday 27th October 1997 23:45 Doreen is offered a job at the hospital. Meg and Bob's relationship develops and Tracey's jealousy surfaces. Chrissie gets a mysterious visitor; and Sarah is horrified when she discovers what Jim does for a living.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Chrissie ~ Amanda Muggleton Tracey ~ Sue Devine Bob ~ Anthony Hawkins Sarah Forrest ~ Diane Craig Frank Henderson ~ Syd Conabere Charles Baldwin ~ Michael Duffield Judge ~ Arthur Barradell-Smith Counsel For Crown ~ John Proper  Tipstaff ~ John Powell UNCREDITEDNurse Benson ~ Gael Andrews Officer Bailey ~ Maureen Edwards Julie ~ Christine Jack Officer Carter ~ Dawn Klingberg  Policewoman ~ Jacqui Jackson OTHER CHARACTERSWaiter in the Indian restaurantThe Judge The woman serving tea for the Judge | Tracey asks Judy for advice about Vera's spiteful comments. Vera blames Jim's rosters for her being a physical wreck, but Jim hints that there could be other reasons for that. Bob admits he is seeing Meg when Tracey challenges him to deny it, though when we see Meg at home she is waiting for Bob, who seems to have stood her up. Doreen visits the hospital with Erica and is interviewed by Dr Henderson and seems to make a good impression on him. Judy reminds Tracey she has Meg to thank for saving her life and so perhaps she could let her father express his gratitude to Meg however he wants. Vera snidely remarks to Jim that he seems very interested in interior design all of a sudden. Doreen gets along well with the kids in the children's ward and impresses Dr Henderson with how well she has been coping. He doesn't even seem to mind Doreen throwing the kids roughly onto their beds and then admitting in the next breath that some of them can't smile because they've just had their appendix out. Bob turns up late at Meg's with a takeaway Chinese meal  : later he tells Meg about Tracey's concern about their relationship and Meg realises that Tracey must have got the information from Vera. Vera phones Meg and offers to come round on her afternoon off and look after her, but Meg tells her politely not to interfere in her life. Vera snaps back that Bob is only cultivating her to get better treatment for Tracey. Bob tells Meg that Tracey has phoned him to tell him that it's all right between them. He also uses the visit to urge Meg to find another job, but she says she loves what she does and doesn't want to leave Wentworth. Lizzie's appeal against her sentence begins  : when she hears the case announced as "The Queen versus Birdsworth" she cackles "What a match, eh?"  . Jim approaches Erica about the staffing situation and points out the effect the long hours seem to be having on Vera. When Jim eventually manages to speak to Sarah on the phone, she won't agree to any of his suggestions for another date. Lizzie interrupts her solicitor's boring legal arguments and tells the judge she'd like to be able to tell her own story. She talks about Josie and her 20 years inside for a crime she didn't commit and pretends to faint away with emotion. The judge invites Lizzie and the opposing solicitors to a conference in his his chambers. Doreen is told she can work in the hospital on a trial basis and can start the day after she is released. Lizzie's eyes light up when she spots the judge's decanters but is disappointed when she is only offered tea after dropping hints about needing "refreshments". However, even without alcohol everyone gets very merry and they come to an agreement that Lizzie's sentence should be reduced to Lizzie's own suggestion of 18 months. Jim goes round to see Sarah in person at her shop and invites her out for dinner. The judge follows Lizzie's own suggestion and reduces her sentence to 18 months. Jim calls in to see Sarah at the shop and they agree to go out to talk matters over. Lizzie returns to Wentworth delighted with the result of her appeal and surprises Erica with her new found ambition to study law and be a barrister. Chrissie gets a mystery visit from an "old friend" and when she returns she starts to ask questions about Tracey. Jim and Sarah go out to an Indian restaurant. Tracey finds a threatening note under her pillow ("Testify and you're dead"). Jim takes Sarah home and they sleep together, but next morning she looks in his wardrobe for a dressing gown and freezes in horror at the sight of Jim's prison uniform  . |
EPISODE 153Broadcast on Channel 5 Tuesday 28th October 1997 23:45 Sarah flees from Jim's flat and then avoids him; Meg returns to Wentworth; the women hold a send-off for Doreen; and McNally orders Tracey's execution.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Chrissie ~ Amanda Muggleton Tracey ~ Sue Devine Bob ~ Anthony Hawkins Sarah ~ Diane Craig Julian ~ Peter Stratford Det Sgt (sic) Grace ~ Terry Gill P/Woman Saunders ~ Lorraine West  Thug ~ Geoff Parry  UNCREDITEDWendy ~ Helen NoonanOTHER CHARACTERSReporter outside courtTracey's solicitor  Sean McNally - the same actor as in (147)  . Judging by the voice, and that horrendous combover job, it is Neil Thompson | Sarah leaves Jim's flat in a hurry (and apparently without getting dressed): Jim finds his wardrobe open and realises why Sarah has fled (...or so he thinks...). Judy tells Tracey to go to Erica about the threatening note, but Bea is also told, and she says she'll make her own enquiries. Bob arrives at Meg's flat to drive her to work on her first day back. Chrissie worries that her baby will soon be one year old and will be taken away from her. Jim sees Meg arriving at work with Bob and makes a snide comment which angers Meg. Erica promises to take action over the threat to Tracey. Chrissie admits to Doreen that she put the note on Tracey's bed, though she didn't know what was in it. Inspector Grace arrives and Meg finds out from him about the threat to Tracey. Chrissie owns up to Bea about the letter. Tracey sees her solicitor who tries to calm her fears. Jim puts on his uniform for his next visit to see Sarah, but Julian tells him she doesn't want to see him again. Tracey goes to court with an armed police escort. Doreen offers to look after Elizabeth until Chrissie is released. Judy suggests that Chrissie should contact the PRG about Elizabeth. On her return to Wentworth, Tracey asks Meg to see her father, as she wasn't allowed to talk to him at the court. Doreen goes to Erica to tell her that the note was passed on by someone who didn't know what was in it, and Erica concludes that any threat to Tracey comes from outside Wentworth. Vera disagrees, as she's seen the women apparently conspiring in a huddle in the laundry, though they were really making preparations for Doreen's farewell party. Jim catches Judy giving Tracey a comforting hug and tells them they are disgusting. Vera catches Bea with goods from the kitchen and searches her cell. Meg tells Jim he's talking nonsense when he implies that Tracey and Judy are having an affair. Bea agrees to inform Erica as soon as she's aware that Tracey is in danger: in return Erica allows the farewell party for Doreen to go ahead, and as a further "punishment" she sends Bea back to work in the laundry. Even so, Vera takes it literally and still won't let Bea operate the press. McNally issues an order over the phone that Tracey must be silenced before she gives evidence. Doreen makes a little speech at her farewell party thanking all her mates  . Seeing Vera standing guard over the party, Judy says that if she had a dog with a face like Vera's, she'd "shave its bum and train it to walk backwards". Vera predicts that Doreen will be back inside within three months: Meg sees Doreen off by walking to the gate with her. The car taking Tracey back to Wentworth from court is diverted from the rest of a convoy and the policeman in the front seat turns out to be one of McNally's gang, who pulls a gun on Tracey and the policewoman in the back seat. |
EPISODE 154Broadcast on Channel 5 Wednesday 29th October 1997 23:15 Doreen faces life outside, Tracey has her day in court, and Bea celebrates her birthday. Erica meets Sarah and is left with the feeling that she has seen her somewhere before.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Chrissie ~ Amanda Muggleton Tracey ~ Sue Devine Bob ~ Anthony Hawkins Sarah ~ Diane Craig Julian ~ Peter Stratford Det Insp Grace ~ Terry Gill P/Woman Saunders ~ Lorraine West Cheryl Scott ~ Jenny Ludlum  Myra Desmond ~ Anne Phelan Sister Brookes ~ Sue Jones  Simon Parkes ~ Braedon Lord  Thug ~ Geoff Parry UNCREDITEDSister Franklin ~ Di GreentreeJulie ~ Christine Jack OTHER CHARACTERSDoctor (in the children's ward) Judge (pronouncing Tracey's sentence in voice-over) Newsreader (voice-over announcing Joe's death) | The police car is driven through the back streets, but eventually runs into a police ambush: the driver from McNally's gang and the policewoman in the back of the car are both shot, but Tracey is pushed clear out of the car and sustains only a bad graze to the face  . Lizzie comments that it doesn't seem like only six months since Doreen was picked up by the police: Bea tells her not to blame herself for getting Doreen into trouble. Tracey is brought back to Wentworth. Doreen gets a visitor at home: her neighbour Cheryl is investigating why there is a light on in a previously empty house and when she finds out it is Doreen she invites her to dinner. Doreen refuses and hurriedly shuts the door. Bob arrives to see Tracey, and as Meg is preparing to go home she takes a call at reception to say that the policewoman has died in hospital. Judy admits to Tracey that she had a relationship with a man once in America but implies that she didn't have sex with him. Meg tells Tracey about the death of the policewoman. Erica tells Meg she's considering having her flat redecorated and Meg suggests (in all innocence) that she asks Jim for Sarah's address. Doreen reports for her first day's work at the hospital. Jim offers to contact Sarah on Erica's behalf, but can't get an answer. Tracey is given a two year sentence. Doreen stays after her official leaving time to finish telling the kids a story. Bea gets a birthday card from Ken, though no-one else has remembered. Bob wonders if Tracey might be turning lesbian: Meg tells him that women in prison need friendship and that her attachment to Judy is probably innocent. Lizzie brings Bea an improvised birthday cake with a single candle. Tracey hears on the TV news that Joe has been found hanged in his cell. Sarah refuses to do the job for Erica and tells Jim bluntly that she never wants to see him again. Chrissie asks Erica about the PRG's campaign to allow mothers to keep their children until their third birthday. Erica agrees to contact the PRG but warns that there is no realistic prospect of the regulations being changed in the five weeks left to Elizabeth's birthday. Doreen tries to put off her neighbour by telling her she's just been released from prison. Simon, one of the children at the hospital, refuses to go home until he's spoken to Doreen. Erica asks Meg if she knows anything about Jim's relationship with Sarah, as she thinks she may have been tactless. Myra Desmond from the PRG arrives  to see Chrissie about Elizabeth: her most optimistic comment is that Elizabeth will be fostered. Doreen comes to visit her mates, but Meg refuses to let her see anyone. Doreen meets Myra as they leave the prison together, and Myra tells Doreen she's unlikely to be allowed to foster Elizabeth. Doreen watches TV at home alone and suffers a flashback sequence to her life with Kevin. Her reverie is broken by Cheryl who tells her that she doesn't care that Doreen has been in prison: she would still like to be Doreen's friend. Elizabeth is taken ill with breathing problems. Erica calls in to "Classic Interiors" and Sarah tries to palm her off with Julian instead. Erica thinks she recognises Sarah and asks if they have met before. Sister Franklin thinks Elizabeth should be tested for asthma or a lung infection. Erica asks Meg to fetch the files from the storeroom, as she wants to look for Sarah's photo - she is convinced she has seen her before and associates her with prison... |
EPISODE 155Broadcast on Channel 5 Monday 3rd November 1997 23:45 Vera goes to work drunk, and the prisoners steal her keys; Bob confronts Tracey about the allegations of lesbianism; Erica realises that Sarah Forrest is an escapee from Barnhurst; and Doreen steals Elizabeth from the hospital.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Vera ~ Fiona Spence Chrissie ~ Amanda Muggleton Tracey ~ Sue Devine Bob ~ Anthony Hawkins Sarah ~ Diane Craig Julian ~ Peter Stratford Sister Brookes ~ Sue Jones Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott UNCREDITEDNurse ~ Debra Lawrence OTHER CHARACTERSDoctor (same as in the previous episode)Officer Powell remarks that Officer Barry can't do the late shift because "her son's had an accident and she's had to take him to the doctor". This would be the son she was unable to have who later turns up as an adult, I guess? | Chrissie is put into street clothes for her visit to Elizabeth, and Vera tells Jim they are supposed to ignore Doreen if they see her at the hospital. Erica wants to know why Jim tried to put her off using Sarah's firm: he notices she is going through prison files and accuses her of jumping to conclusions. Doreen recognises Elizabeth, but a nurse suggests she keeps out of sight or she will give the game away. When Doreen sees Vera she pretends not to know her but advises her cattily to keep away from the children to avoid spreading germs. Vera retaliates by letting everyone know that Doreen has been in prison. Bob arrives for a visit and sees Judy comforting Tracey, but when he asks Tracey about it she is indignant that he should suspect her of having a relationship with Judy. Chrissie asks to work outside the maternity unit to keep her mind occupied, and her mention of Barnhurst reminds Erica of a woman who escaped from that prison several years ago. Erica hears about Vera's remarks at the hospital and warns Vera that she will report it to the Department if Doreen loses her job as a result. Chrissie is listening at the door outside Erica's office and hears her warn Vera that if she's ever heard expressing similar attitudes, she could lose her job. Bob asks to see Judy and begs her not to "ruin" Tracey's life: Judy refuses to let it get to her and tells Bob that being lesbian means learning not to be upset by petty prejudices like his. Erica shows Jim the file on Jacki Nolan (alias Sarah Forrest prisoner number 304114  ), and gives Jim the opportunity to talk to Sarah and persuade her to give herself up to the police. Sister Brookes tells Doreen she's asked for her to be transferred to another part of the hospital. Doreen goes round to Vera's flat  and tells her what she thinks of her, adding that all the women in Wentworth hate her. Despite her claim that nothing Doreen can say could upset her, Vera is obviously shaken and takes a large gulp of whisky as soon as Doreen has left. Some time later, Officer Powell phones her to ask if she can work a late shift and Vera is so drunk she agrees to come in. Jim visits Sarah and shows her the Barnhurst file: she admits she is Jacki Nolan. Vera turns up for work still drunk, totters into the rec room and starts taunting Judy. The women are amazed when she lights up a cigarette  . Bea hints to Lizzie that as she's the expert in inebriation, she should try to get a sniff of Vera's breath to confirm their suspicions. Doreen goes back to the hospital and overhears a doctor and nurse talking about Elizabeth being put into care. Vera puts the women to work cleaning the rec room floor and Lizzie gets close enough to get a good whiff around Vera. Mouse and Lizzie spill a bucket of water on Vera's foot and while mopping it up, they lift her keys. Vera doesn't realise her keys are gone until she is back in the staff room. Sarah/Jacki tells Jim she escaped from Barnhurst to get away from the unwelcome attentions of a lesbian officer. Vera phones Meg at home in a panic, and Meg reminds her that she should report her keys lost immediately. As she puts the phone down, Bea Judy and Mouse grab Vera and force her to drink the contents of one of Erica's decanters  , which Lizzie has brought using Vera's keys. Chrissie locks the other women in their cells and throws the keys on a corridor floor before going back to maternity. Meg discovers Vera unconscious in the staff room. Next morning, Erica wants to know why Vera left an hour and a half before telling anyone her keys were missing. Vera offers to resign and Erica tells her she expects to see it in writing. Doreen returns to the hospital and walks out with Elizabeth in her arms  . |
Script Editor: Patrick Amer (151); Ian Smith (152)-(153); Patrick Amer (154)-(155)
Storyliners: Dave Worthington, Alastair Sharp
| (146) to (150) |
