Episode 5.3
Written by Phil Ford
Produced by David Crean
Directed by Jim Loach
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Snowball has managed to escape Larkhall and the armed heavies hired by Yvonne to stop her in her tracks. She and her beloved Ritchie are briefly reunited, until Snowball threatens to shoot their hostage, Karen. Ritchie steps in to stop Snowball from going too far, but ends up getting shot in the stomach. Yvonne is devastated when Karen breaks the news, and during a visit to the hospital, decides to forgive her son. However, the only thing Ritchie is interested in is being reunited with Snowball and he pleads with his mum to pass on a letter. Affected both by her ordeal and the sight of her ex-lover in a hospital bed, Karen suggests that she and Yvonne make a detour to the nearest pub.
Although Snowball is now safely back at Larkhall, Neil is suffering the fall-out from her escape attempt. He’s now painfully aware that his career is on the line and that privatisation is increasingly likely. Di, still at loggerheads with Neil, has discovered ‘Gnasher’s’ true identity – Julie O’K and Al – but realises that she might be able to turn things to her advantage if the threats keep coming, particularly if they refer to her husband’s sexuality.
The Costa Cons, Phyl Oswyn and Bev Tull, arrive at Larkhall and are immediately disgusted by the squalid conditions. They’re accustomed to the sunshine of the Costa del Sol and the luxury of their villas. The screws are amused by their apparently naïve attitude, but Phyl and Bev are a lot craftier than they look. Within hours they’re downing smuggled G&Ts and thinking of clever schemes to make their 5 year stretch just that little bit more bearable. And they start by persuading a grieving Denny that Bev can contact the dead.
As she crosses Bev’s palm with a bottle of gin, Denny is unaware that she and Phyl have already pumped Di for details of Shaz’s tragic death. Remarkably, con trick or not, the séance gives Denny the impression that Shaz is at peace and, more importantly, has forgiven her for abandoning her to her death. Later, Denny also makes her peace with Yvonne who tells her that Denny will always have a home with her when she is released. In fact, why don’t they make it official by finding out if she can be adopted into the Atkins family?
Bobby’s suicide has left Hollamby in emotional and financial turmoil. Although she’s devastated by her loss, she can’t help feeling that he let her down, especially now that her home is due to be repossessed. In desperation, she decides to speak with Henry. After learning that he too has lost a spouse, Hollamby feels an immediate affinity with him. Later, Barbara can’t help but raise an eyebrow when she overhears Hollamby singing Henry’s praises to Di.
Snowball is consigned to the punishment block following her second escape attempt. Once the news that she shot Yvonne’s son filters down to G-Wing, she becomes less popular than the inmates than ever. Julie O’K and Julie J demonstrate their disgust by bringing her semi-raw chicken for dinner, something that gives the ever-resourceful Snowball an idea.
Read the factsheet written by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies to accompany this episode:
Episode 3 - Alcohol