First Blood (Wentworth)

Last updated

"First Blood"
Wentworth episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 1
Directed byKevin Carlin [1]
Written byJohn Ridley[ citation needed ]
Original air date10 May 2016 (2016-05-10)
Running time46 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Libby Tanner as Bridget Westfall
  • Jacquie Brennan as Linda Miles
  • Sally-Anne Upton as Lucy Gambaro
  • Ra Chapman as Kim Chang
  • Charli Tjoe as Tina Mercado
  • Martin Sacks as Derek Channing
  • Luke McKenzie as Nash Taylor
  • Maddy Jevic as Lee Radcliffe
  • Richard Sutherland as Alan Doyle
  • Jason Geary as Radio DJ
  • Bessie Holland as Stella Radic
  • Sophia Katos as Mel Barrett
  • Katerina Kotsonis as Officer Murphy
  • Lisa Maza as Koori prisoner
  • Michelle Nisbet as Muslim prisoner
  • Milla Cormack as Tess Doyle
  • Demi Sorono as Kim Chang Stunt Double
  • Paul Rochford as Prison guard
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Blood and Fire"		Next →
"Poking Spiders"
Wentworth (season 4)
List of episodes

"First Blood" is the thirty-fifth episode of the Australian drama series Wentworth . It is also the first episode of the show's fourth season, and was broadcast on 10 May 2016. The episode's story begins four months after the events of the previous episode, "Blood and Fire". "First Blood" saw the introduction of Kate Jenkinson's character Allie Novak, former prison Governor Joan (Pamela Rabe) returning as an inmate and the beginning of a rivalry between central character Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) and Kaz Proctor (Tammy Macintosh). The episode also includes scenes set outside the prison, which follow Franky Doyle (Nicole da Silva), a former inmate who is released on parole. It was the first episode of the show to be filmed at a new rebuilt set. It has received generally positive reviews from television critics. Reviews regarding scenes in which Joan is incarcerated in a glass-walled cell were less favourable.

Contents

Plot

The episode begins with Franky (Nicole da Silva) giving an interview on radio about her time inside Wentworth. While Franky is doing the interview, Bea (Danielle Cormack) is watching the world go by while travelling back to Wentworth after the fire. Vera and Channing are discussing the re-built prison block. Will (Robbie Magasiva) and Vera (Kate Atkinson) are standing with other prison guards awaiting the arrival of the other prisoners from Walford. When settling back into the new block, multiple prisoners welcome Bea back with gifts and Lucy Gambaro gives Bea a shiv in the belief that Bea may need it. Then a prisoner, Allie, comes to see Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) informing her that Kaz wanted to see Bea but is told by Maxine that Kaz would have to meet Bea. Bea has a meeting with Vera about how they can work together to help the prison. Bea requests that the prison has conjugal visits that Walford has. Bea then goes and meets with Kaz where Kaz spitefully welcomes Bea back to the prison. Kaz then gives Bea a bottle of alcohol. Franky and Bridget Westfall (Libby Tanner) have been shown to be enjoying a lot of personal time together. Although it is shown that someone is watching them.

That night a van comes to Wentworth and Joan (Pamela Rabe) comes out of the van and the staff all become uneasy but Vera reassures them that it is just until her trial. The next day, the prisoners all witness Kim (Ra Chapman) scaling a barbed fence due to being on drugs. Bea is visibly disgusted. Kim has to be restrained by the prison staff on a hospital bed. Vera and Will discuss the possibility that it is meth she is on. When Bea and Maxine beat up the prisoner they believe supplied Kim the drugs, Kaz tells her gang that Bea is now the abuser. When Doreen leaves Bea alone in the showers, Allie comes in and looks at Bea naked, Bea then closes the curtain and finishes her shower. Bea walks over to Allie and confronts her. They end up having a fight in the shower when Bea pushes her into the wall. That evening, Bridget and Franky discuss the fact Joan knows about their relationship, Doreen (Shareena Clanton) gives Joshua over to Nash (Luke McKenzie) and Bea starts to cut herself.

Production

On 21 April 2015, Foxtel announced that the episode would be screened in May 2016. [2] SoHo aired a special show titled "An Audience With the Cast of Wentworth" on 3 May 2016. It was designed to offer the audience an insight into the show and build anticipation for the series premiere later that month. [3] The episode first aired on 10 May 2016 in Australia. [4]

The episode picks up four months after the events of the previous episode. A fire destroyed parts of the prison and several inmates had to be transferred to another facility until construction was completed. [5] The episode marks a change in character dynamic as prison staff take on new roles. Vera is promoted to Governor and Will is promoted to Deputy Governor but still has a target on his back. [6]

Atkinson told Carena Crawford from All About Soap that the episode features Joan returning to the prison as an inmate. She explained that writers included "psychological jousting" between Vera and Joan that is "really delicious". "First Blood" marks the first time Vera appears to have the "upper hand" over other characters. Atkinson warned that her character gets too confident too early because it becomes apparent by the end of the episode that Joan will not make prison life easy. [7]

Casting

The episode featured Socratis Otto and Tammy Macintosh resuming their respective roles of Maxine Conway and Kaz Proctor, making their first appearances as regular cast members. [4] Kate Jenkinson was also introduced during "First Blood" as new inmate Allie Novak. [8] Regular cast member Aaron Jeffery who played Matthew "Fletch" Fletcher had left the show off-screen and prior to "First Blood" airing. [9]

Locations

It was mentioned that "a new and bigger filming location for the series in western Melbourne, which on-screen will appear as a new wing of the prison." [8]

David Knox for TV Tonight stated "Now filmed at a new location in western Melbourne, and helmed by a new Series Producer in Pino Amenta, there are changes on screen and behind the scenes." [10]

Reception

"First Blood" was watched by 140,000 Australians according to overnight ratings regarding the original airdate. [11] In the United Kingdom 930,000 watched the episode on Channel 5. [12] Seneca Cabrera from The Bit Bag stated "Wentworth does not like to disappoint their fans when it comes to releases. Episode 1 was shown yesterday, May 10, to give you a start of another season packed with exciting revelations once again." [13] Graeme Blundell for The Australian described the episode's opening as "an eerie and atmospheric opening sequence" [1] Elaine Atwell writing for AfterEllen said "I watched this episode, and I realized just how happy I am to be back behind bars." [14] Atwell also praised the character development of Kaz during the episode, adding "even just one episode in, Kaz emanates an electricity that feels like standing too near a power station. She hums with it. Her face is tight with it..." [15] "First Blood" was included in Soaplife's "Must see TV" feature. The features writer opined that it returned with plenty of stories and it was "all change" for the characters. [16] TV Choice included the episode in their "pick of the day" feature and a writer said that it brought about "big changes" in the series. [17]

Linda Howard from the Evening Times said that the episode sets up the show for another "turbulent season". [18] Matt Baylis from the Daily Express criticised it, singling out scenes featuring Joan being held in a cell with a glass window. They noted it was implausible for her to be able "to smell things and spot tiny details that unsettle all who visit her" while behind glass. [19] However, Gerard O'Donovan ( The Daily Telegraph ) disagreed and praised the scenes as "a triumph of camp, lip-quivering menace in a glass-walled cell." She added that "First Blood" was "an absolute belter, featuring a cast of fabulously strong, variably humane female characters." [20] Michael Moran from Bt.com bemoaned the dearth of realism in the episode. They were cynical about a prison governor being incarcerated in their former place of work. They added that "First Blood" is "to be watched as it was made: with tongue firmly in cheek." [21]

David Roy of The Irish News called this episode "A welcome return for the best prison drama on telly." [22] Herts & Essex Observer stated "Welcome back to Wentworth Prison, the Australian jail where the staff are arguably more dangerous than the inmates." [23] Meanwhile, David Stephenson from Express said " I’ve always wanted to see what happens when a woman willingly throws herself on to razor wire. The result was rather gross, and ear-splitting. Some moments in the drama were so out there, the continuity announcer warned the audience about “disturbing scenes” on returning from every commercial break." [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Prisoner</i> (TV series) Australian television drama series

Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera, which broadcast on Network Ten from February 27 (Melbourne) February 26 (Sydney) 1979 to December 1986 (Melbourne), though the series finale would not screen until September 1987 in Sydney, where it aired as a three-hour film that was split into three one-hour episodes at the much-later time-slot of 10:30 p.m., running eight seasons and 692 episodes.

<i>Wentworth</i> (TV series) Australian television series

Wentworth is an Australian television drama series. It was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013, and it concluded on Fox Showcase with its 100th episode on 26 October 2021. The series serves as a contemporary reimagining of Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986. Lara Radulovich and David Hannam developed Wentworth from Reg Watson's original concept. The series is set in the modern day and initially focuses on Bea Smith's early days in prison and her subsequent rise to the top of the prison's hierarchy. From the fifth season onward, the series shifted to emphasize more of an ensemble format.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the crime drama television series Wentworth originally aired on SoHo in Australia. The season consisted of 10 episodes and aired between 1 May and 3 July 2013. It was executively produced by FremantleMedia's director of drama Jo Porter. The series is a remake of Prisoner, which aired on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986. Lara Radulovich and David Hannam developed Wentworth from Reg Watson's original concept. The season was shot over four months from 10 October 2012.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the crime drama television series "Wentworth" premiered on May 20, 2014, on the Australian network SoHo. The season, consisting of 12 episodes, was executive produced by Jo Porter, Fremantle Media's director of drama. The storyline continues three months after Bea Smith's actions in the previous season, including the murder of Jacs Holt, and the rise of Franky Doyle as the top dog among the inmates. The introduction of a new governor, Joan Ferguson, brings further complexity to the season's events. The season gained several nominations and awards.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on SoHo in Australia on 7 April 2015. It was executively produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprises 12 episodes. Season three picks up four months after Bea's return to Wentworth following her escape and revenge murder of Brayden Holt.

Bea Smith (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Bea Smith is a fictional character from the Australian television drama Wentworth, portrayed by Danielle Cormack. She was introduced in the first episode of the series "No Place Like Home", broadcast in May 2013. Bea is notable for her storylines of being abused by her husband Harry, avenging the death of her daughter by murdering Brayden Holt and being the top dog in Wentworth Prison. Bea has had rivalries with Franky Doyle, Jacs Holt, Kaz Proctor and Joan Ferguson. Bea was the central character in Wentworth until her exit at the end of Season 4.

Franky Doyle (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Francesca Rose Doyle is a main character, former protagonist and a former prisoner of Wentworth Correctional Centre. She served mainly as the primary antagonist for season 2, before becoming a protagonist for season 3. In season 4, Franky was released from Wentworth after she fought for her innocence, and began her career as a legal aide. She returned for seasons 5 and 6 as the series' main protagonist, until her release and subsequent departure from the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxine Conway</span> Fictional character

Maxine Conway is a recurring character from Wentworth, portrayed by actor Socratis Otto. Maxine is notable for being Bea Smith's bodyguard and also for being transgender within the series. She was dating Gary until she stabbed him.

Bridget Westfall is a recurring character in Australian television drama Wentworth. Bridget is introduced as the prison's new psychologist to help the inmates. She is portrayed by Libby Tanner. Bridget is notable for her relationship with Franky Doyle, which proved popular with fans of the television series. Other main storylines have involved Bridget's friendship with prison officer/governor Vera Bennett, Bridget's support and assistance to other prisoners, and helping to reveal Ferguson's true colors.

Jessica Warner is a fictional character from the Australian television series Wentworth, portrayed by Georgia Chara. She made her first appearance during the season episode "The Danger Within," broadcast on 10 June 2014. Jess was murdered in the final episode of the third season.

William Jackson is a fictional character in Wentworth Prison. Will is portrayed by Robbie Magasiva. Will is notable for his friendships with Matthew Fletcher and Bea Smith. Will has also been involved in a one-sided rivalry with Joan Ferguson.

Joan Ferguson (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Joan Ferguson is a fictional character in the Australian television series Wentworth, who serves as the main antagonist from season two to season five. Joan is portrayed by actress Pamela Rabe. Her storylines centre on rivalries with Will Jackson, Bea Smith and most staff and inmates. She is introduced in Season 2 as the new Governor of Wentworth Prison following Erica Davidson being fired but becomes a prisoner in Season 4 and remained until the end of the fifth season. The character was presumed dead between the sixth and seventh season, when she was revealed to be alive in the latter. She returned in the eight and final season.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on SoHo in Australia on 10 May 2016. It was executively produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprises 12 episodes. Season four picks up four months after the fire at Wentworth.

"No Place Like Home" is the first episode of the Australian TV series Wentworth. This episode introduces the major characters and focuses on protagonist Bea Smith being introduced to and trying to fit into prison life, while flashbacks reveal her domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and the circumstances that result in her coming to Wentworth.

Karen "Kaz" Proctor is a main character in the television series Wentworth. Kaz is introduced as one of Bea's supporters and is in a vigilante group called The Red Right Hand. Kaz is portrayed by Tammy MacIntosh. Kaz's main storylines have centred on her idolizing of Bea Smith and being a vigilante against men who abuse women.

"Fear Her" is the twelfth episode of the second season of the Australian television drama Wentworth, and the twenty-second episode overall. The plot of the episode sees Bea Smith take her revenge against Brayden Holt after escaping from the hospital during the previous episode. Other storylines focus on Franky Doyle's downfall as top dog, Doreen Anderson telling Nash Taylor about their baby, and Liz Birdsworth being re-arrested after being found in possession of a murder weapon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allie Novak</span> Fictional character

Allie Novak is a fictional character from the Australian drama series Wentworth, played by Kate Jenkinson. She made her first appearance during the fourth season episode titled, "First Blood", broadcast on 10 May 2016. The character was introduced as a new prison inmate and friend of Kaz Proctor, participating in their vigilante group, which has a vested interest in protecting women. One story writers developed for Allie was a romance with then-central character Bea Smith, a pairing that television critic Elaine Atwell has praised.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on Showcase in Australia on 4 April 2017, having previously aired on SoHo, and concluded on 20 June 2017. It was executive produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprised 12 episodes. The fifth season picks up just days after the death of Bea Smith and is therefore noted as the first season not to feature Danielle Cormack.

<i>Wentworth</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of television drama series Wentworth premiered on Fox Showcase in Australia on 28 May 2019. It is executive produced by FremantleMedia's director of drama, Jo Porter. The seventh season picks up a few months after the events of last season's finale, the presumed closure of the case of Joan Ferguson and the subsequent arrest of former acting Governor, Derek Channing.

References

  1. 1 2 "Law and disorder reign with ABC's Rake and prison drama Wentworth". The Australian . 7 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "Wentworth: Season 4 returning May 2016". Foxtel . 21 April 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Wentworth S4: An audience with the cast". Foxtel . 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Wentworth season 4 set for May 10 premiere". If Magazine . (The Intermedia Group). 30 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Wentworth Season 4 8.30pm Tuesdays on SoHo". Foxtel . Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "About Wentworth". SoHo. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Crawford, Carena (18 June – 1 July 2016). "Imprisoned!". All About Soap (377). Hearst Magazines UK: 57.
  8. 1 2 "Returning: Wentworth". TV Tonight . 29 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Aaron Jeffery won't return to Wentworth". TV Week . 23 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Wentworth jailhouse ready to rock". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Tuesday 10 May 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Weekly top 30 programmes". BARB . Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Wentworth Season 4 Episode 1: Where To Watch Online [Spoilers] – Part 1". The Bit Bag. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Wentworth recap (4.1): What's new Pussycat? - Page 1". AfterEllen . 12 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Wentworth recap (4.1): What's new Pussycat? - Page 2". AfterEllen. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Must See TV". Soaplife (383): 63. 18 June – 1 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "Today's choice". TV Choice (26). Bauer Media Group: 46. 25 June – 1 July 2016.
  18. ↑ Howard, Linda (27 June 2016). "Wentworth: More than just another television show about women in prison". Evening Times . (Newsquest). Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  19. ↑ Baylis, Matt (28 June 2016). "Last night's TV reviewed: The Real Story and Wentworth Prison". Daily Express . (Northern & Shell). Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  20. ↑ O'Donovan, Gerard (27 June 2016). "Wentworth Prison: the Aussie prison drama better than Orange is the New Black - review". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Moran, Michael (27 June 2016). "On TV tonight: Superfoods: The Real Story, Wentworth Prison and Handmade: By Royal Appointment". Bt.com . Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Are you watching?: Wentworth Prison series four, Mondays, Channel 5". The Irish News . 1 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Are You Owed a Pay Rise?: Channel 4 Dispatches, Today at Wimbledon...tonight's TV highlights". Hers & Essex Observer. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  24. ↑ "TV round-up: Wimbledon 2016 and The Living and the Dead". Daily Express . 3 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.