Episode 3.5 - Blood Ties
Written by Liz Lake
Produced by Brian Park
Directed by Laurence Moody
Fenner returns to duty and is greeted by a jubilant reception from his colleagues. However, Fenner is also clearly anxious about what awaits him on the wing, and Shell wastes no time in making him feel very uncomfortable. Elsewhere, Di is delighted when she hears that Josh has taken her advice and applied to join the Prison Service. During their conversation, Josh’s mobile phone rings and Di takes the opportunity to steal a cloth from his bag. Di doesn’t realise that there is a nail stuck in the cloth and when she takes it from her pocket to have a feel, the nail falls to the floor and Shaz swipes it.
Helen has received some good news from Claire, Nikki’s solicitor. An ex-colleague of the policeman Nikki killed has come forward and alleged that he raped her. More importantly, she is prepared to give evidence on Nikki’s behalf, something that will drastically increase her chances of an appeal being granted. Although Gina is genuinely pleased when she hears the news, a number of G-Wing’s other POs are dismissive, Fenner chief amongst them. If Nikki is a miscarriage of justice, he’s a Christmas tree!
Sixteen-year-old crack addict, Buki Lester, arrives on G-Wing and proudly displays her body piercings. Shaz is hugely impressed by Buki’s tongue piercing and suggests that she and Denny should embark on a bit of DIY tongue piercing with the nail. Denny is reluctant, but caves in under Shaz’s overwhelming enthusiasm. Shaz quickly gathers together the equipment for the job and Denny sticks her tongue out for the piercing nervously. Big mistake! Buki is playing pool when she hears a scream of pain. She goes to investigate and is highly amused when she sees Denny sitting there with a nail sticking through her tongue.
The following morning, Shaz finds Denny unconscious and with blood still streaming out of her mouth. Denny is in critical condition. She has blood poisoning and needs an urgent transfusion. Meanwhile, Josh is over the moon when he hears that he’s passed the Prison Service entrance exam, but his celebrations are brought to an abrupt halt when he hears about Denny’s condition. Karen has discovered that Shaz found the nail in the bathroom and assumes that Josh must have left it there. She warns him to be more careful in the future.
Yvonne receives a visit from Lauren. She’s heard that her mum is being called as a defence witness and Charlie’s upcoming trial and demands to know what she’s up to. Lauren wants Yvonne to dump Charlie right in it, but it appears that her mum is preparing to stand by her man. However, the smug smile is wiped from Charlie’s face when Yvonne takes the stand and tells the truth about his dodgy dealings. Charlie is forced to speak in his own defence and accuses Yvonne of being a wronged, jealous woman out to get her own back on him for his affair with Renee Williams. As he steps down from the witness box, Yvonne notices him tip a rather obvious wink at the foreman of the jury and realises that all is lost. When the jury return with their verdict, they find him not guilty of everything but a paltry charge of handling stolen goods. He is free to go.
After giving an interview to the press, Charlie taunts Yvonne, making it clear that he never wants to see her again. Then a motorcycle screeches to a halt outside the court and the man riding pillion produces a gun. He shoots Charlie right between the eyes. It only takes Yvonne a few seconds to realise that Lauren is responsible.