Episode 1.1 - Them & Us
Written by Maureen Chadwick
Produced by Brian Park
Directed by Mike Adams
G-Wing is rehearsing for HMP Larkhall’s spring fashion show. It’s a chance for the 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 bloodstained bed. The finger of blame is pointed at negligent and lazy 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. A near riot ensues, led by lifer Nikki Wade. She confronts Helen, telling her that the POs at Larkhall are incompetent and the system is a disgrace – 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 shoe 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 smarmy Principal Officer Jim Fenner, but his help always comes at a cost. After he arranges her to be given a cushy job cleaning the PO’s Office, it seems that it’s a price Rachel is prepared to pay.
Shell was really looking forward to strutting her stuff on the catwalk and is furious when Helen cancels it. 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 women. Stubberfield agrees and orders Helen to back track. Helen is aghast. How can she overturn her decision without losing face? The answer lies down the block. 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 smile 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 safety and solitude of her new cell on G3. But as is turns out, she has a new companion for lights out: Jim Fenner.