G-Wing is rehearsing for HMP Larkhall's Spring Fashion Show. It's a huge event—a chance for the women prisoners to glam up and have fun, and for the Governing Governor, Simon Stubberfield, a chance to boost the prison's image. But things go badly wrong when pregnant inmate, Carol Byatt is discovered unconscious in her blood-stained bed. The finger is pointed at negligent Senior Officer Sylvia Hollamby. But new Wing Governor, Helen Stewart comes up against closed ranks when she tries to conduct an investigation.
Anxious to show the inmates that she's doing the best for them, Helen calls the whole wing together. Although she assures the women of her deep regret at the tragedy, she tells them that no officer is to blame. But the women are angry—and they want Hollamby sacked. A near riot ensues, led by lifer Nikki Wade. The POs at Larkhall are incompetent and the system is a disgrace, so why should the inmates make the staff look good by parading in front of the VIP guest-list at the fashion show? Forced into a corner, Helen calls Nikki's bluff. She cancels G-Wing's participation in the show and places the furious inmate on Rule 43—solitary confinement on the punishment block.
Rachel Hicks, a vulnerable young inmate is enduring the vicious bullying of her cellmate, Denny Blood, sidekick of G-Wing's psychotic ‘top-dog', Shell Dockley. Shell has discovered that Rachel is doing time for possession and is pressuring her for a list of her suppliers on the outside. The longer Rachel holds out, the angrier Shell gets. It seems that the teenager's only hope of salvation is Fenner. After he arranges for her to be given a cushy job cleaning the PO's Office, it seems that it's a price Rachel is willing to pay.
A new inmate arrives on G-Wing—‘Smelly' Nellie Snape—a woman whose reputation and pong precedes her. Julie Johnston and Julie Saunders, ‘the two Julies', are horrified when Nellie is given a bunk in their cell and soon begin working on a cunning plan to get rid of her and her unhygienic habits as soon as possible. Nellie is due at court the following day, so the Julies alter the dress Shell was due to wear at the fashion show to make her look presentable. The plan works and the Julies heave big sighs of relief. Now all they have to do is avoid Shell.
Shell was relishing the prospect of strutting her stuff on the catwalk and is furious when it is cancelled. As Fenner's ‘bit on the side', she orders him to “fix it, or else”. Fenner takes advantage of his friendship with Stubberfield and alerts him to Helen's decision, complaining that it will stir up bitterness and resentment amongst the inmates. Stubberfield agrees and orders Helen to back-track. But how can she overturn her decision without saving face? The answer lies down the block, the one person who is even more contemptuous of it than she is—Nikki Wade. Nikki is scathing to say the least, but Helen perseveres and manages to strike a chord by telling her that they can both either climb down or fall victim to the ‘old boys' network'.
Back on the wing, Nikki makes an announcement to the other women, telling them that she has struck a deal with Helen, giving her personal assurance of good behaviour in exchange for their participation in the fashion show. This news is greeted by cheers and Nikki is treated like a hero. Fenner, although irritated by the turn of events, clearly has a measure of admiration for Helen's tactics and smiles ruefully as she leaves the wing.
The fashion show is a resounding success. The inmates are thrilled and, much to Stubberfield's relief, the VIP visitors are suitably impressed. The inmates are taken back to G-Wing, and Rachel is relieved to be returning to the solitary of her new cell on G3. But as it turns out, she has a new companion for lights out—Jim Fenner.
Memorable Moments
Hollamby – “My Bobby’s doing his braised meatballs tonight.”
Lorna – “Lucky you.”
Bodybag – “I am Lorna, I've been salivering all day.”
Fenner – “Morning ma’am.”
Helen – “Please Jim, I’m not the bloody queen!”
Nikki – “Now let me say it for her, well what's she's telling us is that we're none of us safe in here, because even when we're bleeding to death, we don't get believed. Well I'm telling her from us, you can't run this prison unless we help you, and if we don't get respect from your screws then don't think that we're going to make you look good in front of your VIP visitors because we're not! So, you can shove your stupid fashion show up your arse!”
Helen – “Fine, consider it cancelled! This wing will not be taking part. (Points at Nikki) You are on rule 43!”
Julie S – “Who are we?”
Julie J – “We’re the two Julies.”
Julie S – “And who can come between us?”
Julie J – “Nobody and nothing ever.”
