EPISODE 246Broadcast on Channel 5 Friday 10 April 1998 04:40 Det Insp Grace has suspicions about the murder that Kate was sentenced for. Meg is disappointed when Officer Powell is promoted to Chief Prison Officer. Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath Janet ~ Kate Sheil Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Marie ~ Maggie Millar Hazel ~ Belinda Davey Phyllis ~ Reylene Pearce Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Det. Insp. Grace ~ Terry Gill Dr. Gibson ~ Brian Young Mrs O'Reagan's kitchen supplies include a rather unusual ingredient: four cartons of Benson and Hedges | Doreen tells Judy about life at Wentworth under Marie's rule before Bea took over and how bad it was. Marie stands outside the cell listening. Janet comes across the forged roster in the waste bin  and turns it in to Jim. It is obvious to both Jim and Erica that Judy and Doreen (because of the forged signature) must be behind the scheme and the two women are summoned. Judy and Doreen are prepared to lose buyup privileges and are pretty shocked to find out they are to be transferred to Barnhurst as punishment. Erica has decided to give them warning so that they may say good-bye to their friends. Judy tells the women it was decent of Davo to give them warning. Marie asks if they knew about Bea's kidney donor. Judy and Doreen are shocked and say no. Marie doesn't think that was too decent of Davo. When asked how she knew - Marie replies she makes it her business to know. Colleen is appointed Chief Prison Officer, much to Meg's disappointment. A smug Colleen suggests Meg run for union rep. Jim seconds the idea, but Meg is a bit sharp with him. Judy and Doreen bid farewell to the women, tell Lizzie to stay out of trouble and prepare to leave. The women are informed that all of their recreation time must now be spent in their cells. Meg expresses her concerns about the tighter security and decides she will run for union rep. Erica confides in Jim her worries about Colleen. Meg is unanimously elected and Colleen is a bit put out when Meg gets up and starts warning of possible riots if things aren't relaxed. Colleen catches Lizzie stashing goods into her laundry trolley. Lizzie is transferred to D block and Erica warns the women against causing further trouble. Hazel and Phyllis complain about Judy, Doreen and Lizzie and say how none of this would have happened when Bea was in charge. Sandy looks concerned, Marie leans back and smiles. Bea's kidney transplant is a success. Out in the garden, Hazel and Phyllis ask Marie what they should do about the intolerable conditions. "Ask Sandy", Marie says. They do and Sandy agrees to a riot. Immediately, Marie starts suggesting weapons and ways to make them. Sandy gives Hazel a key and sends her to get petrol and store it in Judy and Doreen's cell. Sandy warns secrecy because she thinks there may be a lagger. "Surely not", says Kate. Meanwhile, Inspector Grace tells Kate that her accounting books are a disaster and that in exchange for a "witness" he expects Jack Fitzwater behind bars for good. Janet flirts with Jim, which embarrasses him, especially when Steve catches them. Jim then asks Meg if she can work overtime that evening. She reluctantly agrees. Hazel stashes the petrol in the empty cell, locks the cell behind her and then runs into Meg and Colleen. Colleen demands to check the trolley and is curious about the "oily" smell. Hazel explains that she greased the wheels to keep them from squeaking. Colleen says she did a damn poor job and sends her on her way. Hazel returns the key to Sandy and asks when the riot's on. "Tonight?" suggests Marie. Sandy agrees. While Kate and Sandy prepare for the event, Kate brings up the idea that she should man the surgery in case of any injuries - provided she isn't one of the first to go down. Sandy then insists Kate stay out of the initial rush and keep safe in the surgery. Kate smiles. Janet and Steve are patrolling together as he tells her of his plan to do all the overtime he can in order to finance a boat. Jim and Meg are just about to sign off after one more patrol. While walking down a corridor they see the women opening doors and moving about. The women spot the two, Sandy screams the go-ahead and the riot is on. Jim runs for it. Meg stands frozen before the rampaging prisoners...  |
Episode (246) was the cliffhanger final episode at the end of the original 1981 season.
EPISODE 247Broadcast on Channel 5 Saturday 11 April 1998 04:40 Led by Sandy Edwards, the prisoners of Wentworth make a bid to escape.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath Hazel ~ Belinda Davey Margo ~ Jane Clifton Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Phyllis ~ Reylene Pearce Janet ~ Kate Sheil Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Insp. Thorn ~ Peter Aanensen T.V. Annoucer ~ Bruce Mansfield KVC (V/O) ~ John Larking Mr. Douglas ~ Ian Smith Doctor ~ Brian Young Sergeant Thomas ~ Terry Trimble  Policewoman ~ Kristine Kaman  | Jim comes back for Meg just as a Molotov cocktail is thrown at her. Every security gate Jim locks behind him is almost immediately opened by the women. In reception, he quickly phones the riot into the police then drags Meg out of the building just as the women storm reception. Sandy stops the prisoners from going outside, fearing that back up may already have arrived. Sandy then orders the women to do various things, such as shut off the alarm, while Marie just sits back and watches. Steve and Janet are in a state of confusion when the alarm stops. They hear women approaching and duck inside a cell. They realize there's been a take-over and decide to find a good hiding spot. The women feel they should try to break out and Sandy agrees to open the loading bay and see what it's like outside. They find that Jim and several other officers are already armed.  When they fire into the air the women scream and scurry, though Hazel trips and sprains her arm. Back inside, Sandy decides to call up the various media. Marie begins to rifle through the files but Sandy tells her to stop. Marie then heads off for the kitchen to make up some food. The police set up in the visiting suite. Meg tells Jim that all she could see was the death of her husband again. They then realize that Janet and Steve are still inside. Sandy calls up the press. Janet and Steve are holed up in the laundry. Steve decides to try and get to a phone. He reaches the phone in the staff room. Sandy wonders what's taking Marie so long with the food. Phyllis suggests she ate it all herself. Sandy notices the switchboard with the staff room light blinking. They dash to the staff room, but Steve has hidden up in the air ducts. Sandy then goes to the kitchen, where Marie is attempting to fry up some sausages, and tells everyone to search for Steve (she heard his voice on the phone) and to release the anyone in solitary or isolation. Hazel and Phyllis search the laundry half-heartedly and talk about how much they'd enjoy finding Steve. When they leave, Janet peers out from behind some clothing. Erica and Inspector Thorne arrive upon the scene. Erica wants nothing done while two officers are unaccounted for. The prisoner guarding the staff room falls asleep and Steve makes his escape. A moment later, Lizzie and Mouse come along and wake her up. Bea, looking remarkably improved, hears new of the riot on the TV. Colleen arrives, upset that no one notified her sooner. She asks where Meg is and Jim says he sent her home. Colleen makes some caustic remark and Jim defends Meg. Erica tells them both to shut up and gets a megaphone to speak to the women. The long lost Margo, released from isolation, hears Erica and calls the other to attention. Sandy agrees to prepare a list of demands. Jim wants to storm the prison, but Erica insists they hear the women out. Sandy, Kate and Margo come out to discuss terms. Their terms are vague at best and Erica soon realises the riot went off half-cocked. She feels the situation will soon die out of its own accord. Steve is attempting to fix a sandwich when he hears Lizzie and Mouse, still walking about arm in arm like school girls, coming. He darts out as they enter. Neither of the women really understand the point of the riot and Lizzie says Bea would have been better prepared. Bea, meanwhile, wants to phone the prison and speak to Erica. Her doctor agrees but takes away her TV. Margo is bitching a mile a minute in reception until Sandy finally walks over and punches her in the stomach. The women gather around Margo in sympathy. Sandy begins to look a little lost. Ted Douglas arrives just as Bea's phone call comes through. Erica wishes to speak to her, but Ted has the call refused. He is in charge now. Sandy send Margo to hunt for Steve, and most of the women follow her, Kate is quick to point this out. Bea is upset about her call, but her television is returned to keep her from agitating herself too much. Steve has returned to his air duct hiding place and Margo discovers him. He knocks her over getting away.  He runs into Erica's office and uses the phone. He is connected with the visiting suite and tells them he and Janet are safe but he doesn't know for how long. Kate sees the switchboard and recommends looking for Steve in the Governor's office. Ted Douglas decides it's time to storm the prison. The women trap Steve in the office, throw him on the desk and strip him. |
EPISODE 248Broadcast on Channel 5 Sunday 12 April 1998 04:40 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.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  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. |
EPISODE 249Broadcast on Channel 5 Tuesday 14 April 1998 04:40 Sandy's seduction of Steve is interrupted and Janet is mistaken for a prisoner, with unfortunate consequences.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath Hazel ~ Belinda Davey Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Gordon ~ Bruce Kerr Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Phyllis ~ Reylene Pearce Janet ~ Kate Sheil Officer Barry ~ Joy Westmore Prosecutor ~ Robbie McGregor  Magistrate ~ David Nettheim  Mr Douglas ~ Ian Smith Policeman ~ Michael Rowan  Nurse ~ Saturday Brander  Mr. Oliver ~ Nik Forster  | Sandy is with Steve in his cell. Steve makes a comment about being exploited which makes Sandy chuckle. She then gives Steve the choice of her or some of her mates outside. Steve quickly chooses her. They hear noise from outside. Sandy goes to investigate and Steve overpowers her  , knocking her to the floor. He takes her keys and makes a run for it. Kate and a group of screaming women scramble down the halls with the police right behind them. They attempt to barricade a security gate, but it is easily broken down. Janet pops out of her cell, clutching at the police and thanking them. Since she is in prison garb, one of the men takes it upon himself to whack her over the head with a baton. Her unconscious body is dragged into a cell and locked in. Some of the women wrestle Jim to the floor, but Steve comes along and the two men regain control and herd the prisoners into a cell. Marie leaves the prison, disguised as an officer, and makes her way to the gate. She covers her mouth with a hankie and tells the guards that the tear gas has overcome her and she must go for fresh air. She is just about out the gate when Erica discovers her  . "It was worth a try", says Marie coolly  . The women are rounded up in the rec room. Janet remains unaccounted for. Jim finds her in the cell and she falls into his arms. The women take notice and Janet turns on them. Sandy is brought back to her cell. Kate informs her that her absence during the police attack was noticed by the women and that they weren't impressed. She also lets Sandy know that the riot was pretty much a waste of time. Sandy looks hurt. Janet, desperate to get out of her torn prison dress, grabs the uniform taken from Marie. Its a loose fit, but she doesn't care. Steve hands the keys over to Jim. The gates are padlocked until new locks can be installed. Erica has Sandy brought to her office. She blames the riot on Sandy and sends her to solitary. Steve escorts Sandy to solitary. She tells him that he may visit her whenever he likes. Steve says that will never happen, but hovers about her door a long time before leaving. The next day, Jim organizes clean-up crews. Janet arrives - having insisted upon working - and speaks nastily to Marie, who is helping to clear reception. Erica comes in on this, but merely asks Janet to get Jim for her. Erica informs Jim that security measures are to be increased. She also advises him to keep an eye on Janet. In the dining room, the women are disgusted at their cold porridge. Janet yells at them and Marie dumps her bowl at Janet's feet. The women gather around Marie. Janet wants to put Marie in solitary, but Jim just makes her clean up the mess. He pulls Janet aside and warns her to ease up. Meanwhile, the women turn to Marie for leadership. In the laundry, Kate finds Marie writing to Fitzwater. Marie intends to take over the laundry racket, and is asking Fitzwater to send pills instead of money. She asks Kate if she has a problem with that. "He likes to be called Jack", is Kate's response. Jim reads of an opening for Governorship of a youth remand centre. Janet asks how he could think of just up and leaving their relationship. Jim says he probably wouldn't get it anyhow. Lizzie's trial begins. She enters a plea of "not guilty". Marie lets Kate know she has taken over as Top Dog. Colleen takes the stand and testifies she saw Lizzie dispose of a kerosene bottle moments before the house erupted in flames. The defence asks her how she could possibly make out a kerosene bottle from great distance at night. When Colleen states that that's what the police took out of the garbage the next morning, the defence is quick to point out that that doesn't mean that is what Lizzie put in the garbage. Ted Douglas visits Erica and demands stricter security. On his way out, Jim asks if it would be worth his while to apply for governor of Beachmount. Ted thinks it would be. Gordon takes the stand. It is revealed that he wanted the house rezoned in order to build flats on the site. Lizzie yells out against Gordon and says she's glad he didn't get his hands on Sid's lovely house. Lizzie is returned to Wentworth, where she tells Jim she should have kept her mouth shut. Jim tells her not to worry. Colleen sourly returns Lizzie to her cell, where Kate asks make a phone call. Colleen tells Kate that all privileges - even hers - have been suspended. As Colleen leaves, Kate cries out that she must see her little boy. Lizzie expresses her opinion of Colleen, talks about her trial and worries about Bea. Kate reads the paper. Bea is going out of her mind with boredom in hospital. The sister tells her she'll be "going home" soon. Janet wakes Jim up in the middle of the night saying she can't sleep and asks to come in. Jim lets her in, rolls his eyes and closes the door. During the defence's summation it is brought up that technically Lizzie was the owner of the house while the will is in probate. This causes some confusion. The laundry delivery comes in. Marie gets a note from Jack saying that its money this time - but will be drugs the next. Colleen comes into the laundry and puts Kate on cleaning duty. Once outside, she tells Kate Inspector Grace has arrived to see her. Lizzie is acquitted. |
EPISODE 250Broadcast on Channel 5 Wednesday 15 April 1998 04:40 Lizzie is enjoying her freedom, and the staff vote to strikeMeg ~ 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 Janet ~ Kate Sheil Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Gordon ~ Bruce Kerr Hotel Receptionist ~ Susan Cholewick  Doctor Gibson ~ Brian Young Visiting Justice ~ Lloyd Cunnington Policewoman ~ Kristine Kaman  Sen. Det. Olsen ~ Neil Thompson Sister ~ Wilma Farrow  Wendy Scott ~ Helen Noonan Officer Bailey ~ Maureen Edwards Lorna Young ~ Barbara Jungwirth Waitress ~ Julie Bailue  The credit for Neil Thompson seems to be a mistake - the actor playing Sen. Det Olsen | Lizzie and Meg come out of the court room and are instantly harassed by Gordon, who shakes his finger at Lizzie and says she should of got out of the house when he first placed those calls to her. Luckily, Sen. Det. Olsen overhears the confession and escorts Gordon away. Lizzie returns to Wentworth to collect her things. She bids farewell to Meg and promises never to return. Sandy is brought before the VJ, certain that nothing even resembling justice will be given to her. Bea is told that she will be released from hospital the next morning. Bea makes a casual comment about her cell mate being a doctor and her physician asks if she is, by any chance, Kate Peterson. When Bea says it is, the doctor offers his sincere condolences. Bea's ears prick up at this. Lizzie checks into a hotel. Sandy gets an additional two years and four months and, when she expresses her contempt of the hearing, two days in solitary. Colleen takes Sandy to solitary, where the two women exchange insults and barbs. Erica informs Meg that the department has decreed every female officer must be accompanied by a male officer. For every male brought in, a female will be transferred to another prison. Meg is horrified and swears the union will have something to say in the matter. Lizzie unpacks and gazes wistfully at her photo of Sid. Bea gets her doctor to tell her more about Kate. Evidently, the good doctor was up to her neck in a health insurance fraud and when Conrad Bensen found out she murdered him. When Bea brings up that Conrad was a child basher, the doctor calls the accusation absurd. A very lonely Lizzie visits the hotel restaurant and proceeds to get drunk. Steve visits Sandy in solitary. Sandy asks him to stay awhile. Steve closes the door. The next morning, a very happy Sandy is awoken by Meg. Janet, still barking at the women, tells Kate that Colleen wishes to see her. Colleen tells Kate that she wants to be informed of any trouble the women are planning. If Kate does not inform for her she will not only stop her visits from Inspector Grace, but tell the women she's a lagger as well. Kate agrees on the condition that she decides what is relevant, and where and when she'll tell. When Colleen doesn't quite agree with this, Kate threatens to have Colleen's letter resurface. "It's much better to do things my way," says Kate as she smiles and walks away. Kate then tells the women in the laundry that Colleen has threatened to tell them she's a lagger if she doesn't inform for her. Colleen, Kate says, believes they are stupid enough to accept anything she tells them. Marie tells her not to worry and then finds that her first shipment of pills has arrived from Fitzwater. Bea is on her way out of hospital, but makes a stop at the ladies room. Marie sells some "happiness" to Mouse. When Bea is a long time coming out, the officer asks the nurse if there's another way out of the bathroom. When told there is, the officer becomes worried - but Bea walks back out. Bea is shocked to find out they thought she might have escaped. Especially as the other door was locked. Jim and Janet have an argument in the staff room, which Meg walks in on. Bea returns and is inducted by Steve. Jim tells Bea that things have changed and not to cause trouble. Bea merely smiles, says things will be just fine when she's back on her press, and beckons Steve to escort her to the showers. Meg tries to console Janet, who suddenly turns on Meg and accuses her of wanting Jim to herself while Bob is away. Kate brings Sandy breakfast and lets her know Marie is in charge. When Sandy asks if Kate is still with her, Kate hands her a pack of cigarettes. Meg holds a meeting. It is decided that if after one more demand for decreased security nothing happens, the officers will reluctantly strike. Bea enters the dining room. Mouse, high as a kite, has a fit of giggles. Bea sits across from Marie. She is warned that a "No Conversation" punishment is in effect. "Don't worry", says Bea, staring intently at Marie, "Some people aren't worth talking to." |
Storyliners: John Mortimore, Andrew Kennedy, Michael Freundt, Dave Worthington
Script Editors: Ian Smith (246), (249)-(250)
| (241) to (245) |
