EPISODE 251Broadcast on Channel 5 Friday 17 April 1998 04:40 When security cameras are installed, Meg organises a strike. Lizzie befriends a con man. Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt 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 Ernie (Barman) ~ Syd Conabere  Errol ~ Frankie J. Holden  Mighty Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Mr Douglas ~ Ian Smith Barman ~ Lazar Rodic  Reporter (No. 1) ~ Bill Manderson  Reporter (No. 2) ~ Jon Evans Reporter 2 is credited to Brian Rock, but I have changed this to the name of the actor who later plays Neville Sloan, as they seem to be the same | Bea accuses Marie of selling drugs to Mouse, who is giggling and gurning in the dining room  . Marie feigns ignorance, but also lets Bea know that she is now in charge of the women. Bea moves to another table. Meg informs Erica of the intended strike if the department does not meet the officers' demands. Bea comes in and asks not to be stuck in the infirmary but at least given light duties. A distracted Erica agrees and tells Colleen of the impending strike. Colleen starts to speak, thinks better of it and leaves. Lizzie meets a young man in the hotel bar named Errol. Lizzie is reminded of Errol Flynn and offers to buy the man a drink. Not too enthusiastic about the company, he accepts nonetheless. Erica receives a none-too-promising call from Ted Douglas and becomes increasingly frustrated about the strike. She tells Meg that Judy Bryant is returning from Barnhurst to await a parole hearing and if there is a strike who will do the report on Judy? Meg says that even if there is a strike she will see to Judy's report. Judy returns. Bea asks her for help against Marie, but Judy has to keep her nose clean for her parole. To Colleen's immense disapproval, Meg speaks to the press about the possible strike. A barely coherent Lizzie falls for Errol's sob story of his ailing sister and his mum's upcoming birthday and hands him a huge wad of cash, not noticing that the slip of paper with the list of contacts Meg gave her has fallen from her handbag  . Ted Douglas says he'll visit the Minister and do what he can. Marie bangs on her cell door demanding to know why they've been locked in their cells and not fed. Colleen lets it be known the officers are on strike. Meg visits Judy and tells her the chances of parole are good, provided she has a place to live and a job. Judy is not sure if she can get her taxi driving licence back. Meg promises to check into it. Kate makes small talk with Bea and soon notices Bea's attitude towards her. Bea wonders why the goody-goody image and what's in it for her? Kate looks worried. The bartender helps a near-comatose LIzzie back to her room. Meg is happy to report to Judy that she can have her certificate back. Judy thinks she might be able to stay with Pauline. Colleen comes in with a letter for Judy. She tells Meg that if she's on strike she should be on strike. Judy's letter is from Lori, who has invited her to her wedding - which is two days after Judy's hearing. Judy is ecstatic. Ted yells at Erica about Meg's press interview and blames Erica for everything. Erica defends Meg, but after Douglas leaves she turns on Meg, who snaps back. The two women lock stares. Steve arrives to replace Meg as on-duty strike officer. He asks if he'll still make night wages. Meg decides to snap at him, too. Taking advantage of the strike, Steve visits Sandy in solitary. After apparently spending a cosy evening together, Jim decides to go home and Janet gets upset. Jim suggests they cool down their relationship a bit and Janet gets more upset. Jim leaves and Janet really gets upset. Jim arrives home to a ringing phone. It's Janet. He says good night. She calls back. He hangs up and takes the phone off the hook. Kate, unable to contain herself, wakes Bea up and asks if Bea has heard something about her. Bea teases her for a bit, then drops Dr. Gibson's name and how he was a good friend of Kate's late boyfriend. Janet bursts into Jim's flat, finds it empty and leaves. Steve gets dressed and gives Sandy a pack of cigarettes. They're both sad it's her last night in solitary. Jim arrives at Meg's and asks to spend the night in order to avoid Janet. Meg doesn't want to take sides, but offers Jim the spare room. Janet drives by and sees Jim's car. She is about to get out when she sees the house lights shut off. Her mouth falls open and she hits the gas. Erica phones Meg to apologize. Jim thanks Meg for letting him stay over. Sandy is returned to her cell and Bea is quick to make some pointed remarks about Kate which Sandy is confused over. Kate says it's because Bea doesn't want to be indebted to her for diagnosing her kidney ailment. Bea scoffs at this. Sandy looks perplexed, but promises to help Bea fight Marie and the new drug trade. Bea, glancing towards Kate, suggests they discuss it later. Erica informs Meg that the department has agreed to leave in-prison security to her discretion, but the perimeter gates must be arm-guarded and guard dogs will also be brought in. Meg's a bit unsure about the guard dogs, but, as a trainer will be provided, agrees to end the strike. Jim comes home to find his living room trashed  . |
EPISODE 252Broadcast on Channel 5 Saturday 18 April 1998 04:40 Janet thinks that Meg is having an affair with Jim and accuses her of betrayal. Sandy Edwards makes moves to consolidate her romantic meeting with Steve.Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt 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 Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Janet ~ Kate Sheil Officer Barry ~ Joy Westmore Ernie (Barman) ~ Syd Conabere Newsreader ~ Rob Maynard Saleswoman ~ Val Jellay  Cab Driver ~ Vince D'Amico  Policeman ~ Robert McClelland  Lizzie realises she's absolutely exhausted | Meg comes into the staff room, where she is called a two-faced bitch by Janet. Jim marches in before the stunned Meg can say anything. He demands to know why Janet trashed his flat. Janet demands to know how long he and Meg have been seeing one another. She storms out, followed by Meg and Jim. At muster, Steve informs the women the strike is over and security returned to normal. Sandy whispers to him about getting her a private cell. Judy asks to speak to Erica. Lizzie sees a pretty frock in a store window and discovers all her money is gone. Judy is told by Erica that even if her parole comes through she may have trouble obtaining permission to travel to Queensland. Lizzie returns to the hotel bar. Jim explains to Janet exactly what he was doing at Meg's and she believes him. Judy asks Meg if she could have a half day out to buy a dress for the wedding. Lizzie, once more intoxicated, tells the bartender that she has lost all her money, but that her friend, Myra Desmond, will lend her some. Ernie, the bartender, goes to fetch the hotel manager. When he returns, Lizzie has slipped away. Lizzie stumbles out to the street, nearly gets herself run over and hails a cab. She realizes she has lost Myra's address, but tells the taxi driver the street is the name of a colour. 21 White Street, she thinks. Meg clears Judy's half day with Erica. In the laundry, Marie tells Sandy that she's taken over the laundry racket and switched from money to drugs. Sandy is angered, but backs down for the moment. The taxi driver wakes Lizzie up to tell her 21 White St. must be incorrect. Lizzie suggests Black. When he reminds her she's running up quite a bill, she says that Myra will pay it. Realizing she has no money on her, he insists on taking her home. Lizzie says she lives at Wentworth Detention Centre. Janet apologizes to Meg, who accepts. The taxi driver delivers Lizzie to the police station. Sandy hears a TV report that the McNally massage parlours have been raided and drug supplies found. Both Sandy and Marie are concerned that McNally is going to point blame at them and accuse someone inside of tipping off the cops. Kate, meanwhile, plays a quiet game of solitaire. Colleen advises Janet to handle her romantic squabble as if it's much ado about nothing and to get "a little romantic". Janet takes her advice and Jim thinks she's nuttier than ever. Bea and Judy let Colleen overhear them talk about all the drugs floating around the prison. They then pull Hazel aside. Bea and Marie have a slight confrontation in the laundry, after which Hazel  goes up to Marie and asks to buy some pills. On Colleen's information, Jim begins to prepare for a cell search while Colleen prepares to take Judy shopping. Hazel sneaks into Marie's cell and plants a bag of pills underneath Marie's bed. The "laundry delivery" arrives from Fitzwater. Hazel sees Marie take a note addressed to Sandy and pocket it. Bea sees the laundry bag stuffed with drugs. When Jim walks in, Bea starts hauling the back over to the washer and pretends to hurt herself. Jim asks why she's trying to lift such a heavy bag. Bea complains that no one else is doing any work. Jim then makes Marie empty the bag herself into the washer. Bea quickly starts the machine. Marie looks none too pleased as all her "happiness" is washed away. Judy picks out a rather awful dress and an even worse hat. Colleen is too embarrassed to tell her the truth about them (Even though Judy realises the hat is pretty bad, but its all she can afford). Janet pleads with Jim to meet her at the local pub. Jim reluctantly agrees to take a short break and meet her there. Judy runs into a travel agents to purchase a ticket to Queensland. Colleen tries to talk her out of it, but Judy is determined. Marie asks Hazel about seeing the letter. Hazel promises not to tell Sandy. At the pub, Janet begs Jim for another chance. He's not too keen on the prospect, but Janet promises to ease up and so he agrees. The cell search begins. The drugs are found under Marie's bed and she is dragged off to solitary.  |
EPISODE 253Broadcast on Channel 5 Sunday 19 April 1998 04:40 The women suspect that Bea and Sandy have set Marie up, but there is no proof. Meg learns that the Board is due to review Lizzie's parole following her arrest for non-payment of bills.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 Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Janet ~ Kate Sheil Lorna Young ~ Barbara Jungwirth Dog Handler (Pete) ~ Paul Rettke  Robert suggested in PCBH Digest 1200 that there may have been a summer break in shooting between this episode and the last, various different hairstyles and an increase in the size of Louise le Nay's bump being the telltale clues. Is this prisoner with Lizzie taking a meal to the infirmary Gloria Ajenstat? | Marie is thrown into solitary protesting her innocence. In the rec room, Lorna confronts Bea about setting Marie up. Sandy is prepared to deal with Lorna, but Bea says not to waste her energy. Kate takes all of this in. Janet, happy and breezy, tells Meg of her reconciliation with Jim. Meg is pleased and invites them both over for dinner that evening. Kate brings Marie her meal and lets Marie know that the women are not backing Bea and Sandy. Meg's dinner party is not a great success,  with Janet rubbing in that Meg is alone and making possessive comments towards Jim. Kate suggests to Sandy and Bea that perhaps some kind of controlled drug trade should be allowed. The suggestion is not well received. Jim takes Janet home, but, much to her distress, does not come in. Judy is anxious about her parole hearing. Meg tells her the board won't get to her before late afternoon. Kate suggests to Sandy that she speak to Marie about restarting the kitchen scam. Sandy agrees to consider it - with Bea. Jim tells Meg that Lizzie is back in custody and why. Marie returns to the laundry to find Sandy at the press. Bea backs Sandy up, but no one else does. Marie then threatens to have Bea attacked if Sandy doesn't move away. Sandy has no choice but to surrender the press to Marie. Jim catches up to Meg again, this time informing her that Lizzie's parole licence has been revoked and that Judy's hearing has been postponed until the next week. Meg and Jim pull Judy out of the laundry and give her the bad news. Judy takes it quietly enough, but when Marie teases her about it she lunges for her. Jim refuses to punish Judy and Meg takes her outside to comfort her. Judy asks that Meg cash in the ticket she bought and use the money to send Lori a gift. Kate enters Marie's cell as Marie is writing a note.  When Kate makes it clear she is backing her and prepared to spy on Bea and Sandy, Marie lets her know about the note Sandy received from Fitzwater, asking her to "take care" of the lagger he's certain exists. Kate recommends writing back that Sandy is too busy with other matters to be bothered with his request. Marie has already done just that. Bea cheers Judy up and says how much she'll miss her when she is paroled. Erica gives Lizzie a stiff talking to on her return to Wentworth, but Lizzie claims it wasn't her fault this time and tells Erica about the conman: Erica puts her on kitchen duty to give her a "rest". Lizzie finds out the mystery prisoner in the infirmary is Doreen,  who has been returned from Barnhurst after a bashing from Marie's mate Janie. Kate gets Erica's permission to work part-time in the infirmary. Janet asks Steve's advice about cameras, as she's thinking of buying one as a present for Jim. Doreen won't tell Erica anything about what led to her bashing and is warned that whatever the reason, the trouble must not continue at Wentworth. Kate examines Doreen's stab wound and keeps her up to date with the news: when she hears that Marie has taken over, Doreen nervously asks if Marie is still in contact with her old mates at Barnhurst. The kennels for the dogs arrive (though it looks like two garden sheds lashed together). Jim is surprised to find Janet waiting for him at home and is appalled by the expensive camera she has bought for him, and at first says he can't accept it. Bea talks to Doreen, who tells her that Vera had her sent back to Wentworth for her own protection as Janie and the others were going to kill her. When Bea wants to know why, Doreen claims it was for refusing to give up her buyup, but Bea thinks there's more to it. The guard dogs arrive with their trainer: Janet admits they scare her, but Jim snaps that "her" union was responsible for the compromise, and he didn't have any say in the matter. Kate distracts Bea while Marie hides the note for Fitzwater in a laundry bag. Doreen asks to go outside but then changes her mind when she finds out the other women are on exercise period. Jim is annoyed to find the camera bag and accessories on the staff room table. The women see the dogs for the first time.  Jim tells Janet she is getting too much for him and that their affair is over. |
EPISODE 254Broadcast on Channel 5 Tuesday 21 April 1998 04:40Meg ~ Elspeth Ballantyne Judy ~ Betty Bobbitt Lizzie ~ Sheila Florance Erica ~ Patsy King Bea ~ Val Lehman Jim ~ Gerard Maguire Doreen ~ Colette Mann Officer Powell ~ Judith McGrath Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Janet ~ Kate Sheil Geoff ~ Andrew Clarke  Hazel ~ Belinda Davey Lori ~ Susannah Fowle Gate Guard (Ted) ~ Brad Lindsay Mr Wilson ~ John Murphy  | Jim tells Meg that he and Janet are history. When Meg asks why, Jim tells her of the expensive camera and stuff to go along with it. He says Janet is just too possessive. Janet overhears and walks out. Meg then asks if he's told her about his application for Governor of Beachmount. Jim says it's no longer any of Janet's business. At breakfast, Lizzie expresses concern over Doreen's condition - both physical and mental. Bea repeats the story of Janie bashing her up because she refused to hand over her buyup, but is certain she doesn't have the whole story. Judy says Janie was pretty bad and without her there to protect her things might have got out of hand. Marie laughs at the thought of Judy protecting anybody. Judy is about to go for her, but Sandy intercedes and reminds Judy of her upcoming parole hearing. Sandy speaks to Bea about starting up the kitchen racket once more to help get the women on side. Bea thinks it's a good idea. Meg tells Judy she has a visitor. Lizzie collects money from the women, but won't tell why. Judy goes out to the garden and is surprised by Lori and her new husband, Geoff. They've come to honeymoon in Melbourne in order to spend time with her. After Judy leaves, Lori questions Meg about her mother's parole chances. Meg says they are very good, but would be better if Judy had a place of her own and a definite job. Lori and Geoff say they'll see to it. Lizzie gives Meg her collected money and asks her to buy Doreen a teddy bear. Bea asks Erica if she can work in the kitchen. Erica agrees. Another "laundry delivery" arrives. Sandy demands her share of the money. Marie says she'll get her share after she's sold some pills. Marie pulls a letter out of the bag and Lizzie sees it's addressed to Sandy. Sandy asks for it and Marie coolly hands it over. Sandy reads the letter and is clearly disturbed by its contents. Doreen sees the guard dogs and starts to make a fuss over them. Since it seems to cheer her up, Janet allows it. Marie confronts Hazel in the hall and threatens her if she tells Sandy about the letter she saw. Hazel promises to keep quiet. Sandy takes her letter to Bea. The letter is full of threats to both herself and her husband in Pentridge, but Sandy doesn't understand what she's done. Erica tells Doreen that she's well enough to be moved back to her cell. Doreen desperately wants to stay in the infirmary. Lori and Geoff visit Judy's old place of work and secure a position for her. Jim, as acting deputy governor, receives disturbing news and asks Meg to bring Sandy to him. Lori and Geoff get Judy a flat. While Jim is waiting for Sandy he receives a phone call, but no one will speak. It is Janet. Sandy comes in and Jim tells her to sit down. Her husband, Arthur, has been murdered. Meg moves Sandy into a single cell. In the staff room, Steve finds Meg looking glum and asks what's wrong. Meg tells him about Sandy's husband. Steve is stunned to hear she had a husband. Geoff and Lori tell Meg all their good news. Kate visits Judy in her cell for some reason and advises Judy to keep calm over her hearing. Steve visits Sandy in her cell. She has written a letter and wants him to get it out for her. He agrees. Sandy then breaks down and Steve comforts her. Colleen is surprised to see Meg come to work with a large teddy bear. Meg brings the teddy bear to Doreen's cell and also tries to calm the nervous Judy. Steve and Sandy stroll in the garden while Doreen talks to the dogs. Sandy passes her letter to Steve. Judy is brought to Erica's office and informed that her parole has been granted. Colleen goes with Judy to collect her things and is impatient and rude to Judy. Meg comes to collect Doreen from the infirmary. Doreen asks to be put in isolation. Meg says there's a surprise waiting in her cell. Lori and Geoff wait for Judy outside the gate. Lori can hardly contain herself. Doreen finds her teddy bear and begins to cry. She tells Meg that no one, not even Lizzie, will want anything to do with her when they find out what she's done. Colleen tells Kate she wants some dirt on the women. Kate plays cool for a few minutes, then lets Colleen know that Bea will be smuggling goods out of the kitchen. Colleen is pleased with this (though it seems to be the only information she ever gets). Lori screams with delight as her mother is released, and Geoff drives them away from Wentworth. |
EPISODE 255Broadcast on Channel 5 Wednesday 22 April 1998 04:40 Judy is out of Wentworth and embarks on a new life on the outside. In her loneliness, Doreen attempts to befriend the guard dogs.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 Kate ~ Olivia Hamnett Steve ~ Wayne Jarratt Sandy ~ Louise Le Nay Marie ~ Maggie Millar Janet ~ Kate Sheil Geoff ~ Andrew Clarke Jock ~ Tommy Dysart Lori ~ Susannah Fowle Det. Insp. Grace ~ Terry Gill Saleswoman ~ Val Jellay  Policeman ~ Gary McConville  Officer Parsons ~ Margo McLennan  Mr Wilson ~ John Murphy Male Passenger ~ John Rohan  Mighty Mouse ~ Jentah Sobott Janet looks for a new job | Lori brings Judy to her new flat and tells her to prepare for a night on the town. Judy reveals the rather dreadful dress she had bought for the wedding. Lori puts a brave face on it, but Judy realizes its awful,  and mother and daughter decide a shopping spree is in order. Doreen confesses to Bea that she lagged on Janie at Barnhurst and that's why she was bashed. Bea is concerned about the women finding out, but hopes they won't. Lori takes Judy to the same shop where she purchased the dress to exchange it. The saleslady is rather uppity, but Lori soon puts her in her place and asks to see an expensive frock that Judy has noticed. Janet chases Jim as he leaves work, insisting that they talk things over. Jim tells her to get lost. Judy and Lori return from dinner, tipsy and happy. Judy thanks Lori for all she's done. Janet bangs on Jim's door in the middle of the night. To shut her up he lets her in. Once more he drives home the point that they are through, so Janet calls him a failure. She reminds him of the mess he made of his marriage. Jim literally throws her out of the flat. Judy shows up for work. Her driving skills are a little rusty. Bea observes Doreen carrying on with the dogs. While patrolling, Jim describes his bad night to Meg, who confesses that she herself can't understand Janet. They come across Doreen lying down in her cell. She asks to go to the library. In the staff room, Jim and Meg encounter Janet. She starts in and Meg soon leaves out of embarrassment. Jim and Janet continue to bicker, until she threatens him and leaves. Jim goes back to Meg and asks her to speak to Janet, who he believes is coming unhinged. Doreen is brought back from the library. She has smuggled out a book on dog training.  Meg has a word with Janet and assures her there is nothing between her and Jim - that Jim is a good friend and not deceitful. Janet shows Meg the latest job postings. The deputy governorship of Wentworth is open. Jim is the new governor of Beachmount. Janet inquires how honest Jim has been about this. Bea is busy loading contraband into the laundry trolley. Judy's first customer wants to go to Wentworth Hotel. She thinks it's a joke, but he becomes quite hostile when he realizes she's not familiar with newer places. Colleen stops Bea, toys with her a while, then forces her to open the trolley. In the governor's office, Colleen tells Erica that Sandy told her about the racket. Sandy overhears, bursts in and denies this. Colleen is forced to admit it isn't true. Bea takes full responsibility for the racket. Because of her health she is not sent to solitary, but will have to face fraud charges. Judy is stopped by a cop for braking without warning, but he lets her go with a warning. Sandy tells Lizzie about what Bea did: both of them basically accuse Marie of being the lagger. Marie doesn't take kindly to this. Kate questions Sandy's judgement in backing Bea. Sandy tells her to shut up and choose a side. Judy comes home from work where Lori and Geoff are ready to take her to the races. Geoff's Uncle Archie has a trotter running. Inspector Grace visits Kate. He wants information on Jack Fitzwater. Kate promises some once he actually does something for her. Steve gets conflicting viewpoints on treating the women from Meg and Colleen. In the rec room, Lizzie and Sandy make some more comments about Marie lagging. Marie gets angry, but the women shy away from backing a possible lagger. Marie vehemently denies being a lagger. Kate keeps reading her book. Inspector Grace visits Sandy. He informs her that they've uncovered Megan Barnett's body in a quarry. He wants to make a deal with Sandy in exchange for information on Fitzwater. Sandy has to think about it. Colleen saunters into the laundry wondering if they're all fighting about the exposed kitchen racket. Sandy claims to know who the lagger is. Colleen looks a touch worried until Kate shakes her head "no". Judy goes to the races and puts five dollars on "Archie's Pride". Marie comes into the rec room after having received a visitor. She tells the other women that Doreen was Vinegar Tits tame dog at Barnhurst. Lizzie is furious, but Bea is forced to shut her up and admit its true. Marie inquires what their stance on laggers is now? "Archie's Pride" wins and Judy makes a bundle. She insists on buying champagne.  While the three of them laugh and drink, Judy spies a familiar figure at the other end of the restaurant. It is Jock Stewart.  |
Storyliners: John Mortimore, Andrew Kennedy, Michael Freundt, Dave Worthington
Script Editors: Ian Smith (251)
| (246) to (250) |
