Bad Girls (series 7)

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Bad girls series 7 dvd.jpg
Original Region 2 DVD
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 13
Release
Original network ITV
Original release May 10, 2005 (2005-05-10) – December 19, 2005 (2005-12-19)

The seventh series of British drama series Bad Girls premiered on ITV on 10 May 2005. The series concluded on 19 December 2005 with a Christmas Special. Series Seven consists of thirteen episodes.

The series is significant in that it marks the departure of Jack Ellis, who had appeared as Jim Fenner since the beginning of Series One. As Series Six was initially to be his final series, Ellis decided to return one last time. This series also sees the departure of Tracey Wilkinson, who had played the part of Di Barker since Series Two, Philip McGough who was first introduced in Series Two as prison doctor, Malcolm Nicholson, James Gaddas who appears for the final time as main character Neil Grayling (making a one-off guest appearance in the first episode of Series Eight) and Tristan Sturrock who has played Colin Hedges since Series Five.

This series sees the introduction of Nicola Stapleton (Janine Nebeski), Rebecca Hazlewood (Arun Palmer), Liz May Brice (Pat Kerrigan), Laura Rogers (Sheena Williams), Andrew Scarborough (Kevin Spiers) and Ellie Haddington (Joy Masterton) respectively.

Cast

Storylines

The series picks up several weeks following the revelation that Fenner had framed Karen Betts in the hit-and-run. Fenner, now convicted for his crime, is struggling to come to terms with his new surroundings and is targeted by the other prisoners as they know that he is an ex-screw. Following an attack in the shower block, Fenner requests to be moved to segregation for his protection. Meanwhile at Larkhall, It is revealed that Frances Myers has become the new governing governor of Whitehouse Prison; Neil announces that he will be taking on full responsibility of G-wing as they are short staffed and offers Colin the position of senior office in Fenner's absence. Tina, having been recently released, finds it difficult to adjust to life on the outside, and is upset that Ben was not waiting for her and that she is not pregnant; she makes a desperate attempt to be sent back to Larkhall and successfully gets whats she wants after setting fire to a clothes shop. The Two Julies are eager to make contact with Tina and are told by Ben that Tina wants nothing to do with her past and subsequently discover that he is having an affair with Buxton. Neil, with the help of the Julies, make the discovery that Ben works in different jobs under two different names within the prison and upon finding Ben with Natalie, Ben is arrested and placed in the same prison as Fenner. Fenner sees this an opportunity to frame Ben for his crime. Two new prisoners, Janine Nabeski and Arun Parmar arrive on G-wing and Janine is determined to make Arun suffer for confessing their crimes in court. Fenner, having revealed to Di that he did, in fact steal Karen's car on the night of the hit-and-run tries to convince her that he loves her and wants to start a family. Di, in two minds, decides to help him and they frame Ben for Fenner's crime. Fenner is eventually released and reinstated as G-wing governor. Now that Fenner has become governor, he sets new ground rules for the inmates. Natalie, having intimidated the other women, now holds the position of top dog and has set her own rules. With the help of Darlene, Natalie forces the other inmates to pay tax by handing all their possessions over to her in order to receive her 'protection'. Janine, in fear, is keen to get on Natalie's good side after Natalie stabs her in the eye with a pin. As Fenner and Natalie's illicit affair continues, he moves her up to enhanced and gives her a job in the library in order to keep her sweet so that she doesn't reveal their affair to Di. However, Di and Natalie soon come to blows when Di becomes suspicious. Sylvia receives some good news when she discovers that her recently deceased Aunt Margaret has left her a house and a large sum of money which gives Malcolm the perfect opportunity to get his hands on it by proposing to her. When Sylvia becomes aware that in order to receive the money, she must stay single, she finds it difficult to reveal the news to Malcolm.

When new prisoner, Laura Canning arrives G-wing, she is met with hatred by the other inmates as she has been convicted of stabbing her mother 27 times to death, while the whereabouts of her older sister are unknown. Colin tries to understand why Laura has committed the crime and it is revealed that Laura was bullied by both her sister and mother. Colin finally gets Laura to open up about her sisters whereabouts. Laura's sister is found alive and Laura commits suicide. An elderly nun, Sister Thomas arrives on G-wing convicted of fraud. While trying to convince everyone that she did not intend to keep the stolen charity money for herself, she does win the hearts of the other inmates, except Natalie, who attacks her. The women become convinced that they have found God through Sister Thomas and together they work on completing a charity blanket which is to be donated to The Little Sisters of The Poor to raise money for aids victims in Africa. Arun reveals to Sister Thomas that she used to be a man when Arun's visitor is caught trying to smuggle in hormone medication and she is put on cellular confinement when she refused to divulge what the medication is. When new prisoner, Pat Kerrigan, convicted of murdering her abusive boyfriend, arrives at Larkhall, she takes Sister Thomas hostage. And it is soon revealed that Sister Thomas used to work at a home for young girls, including Pat and her friend, Lucy and that they were abused by Sister Thomas and a priest, Father Kelly. When Father Kelly is forced to go to Larkhall, the truth comes out that they are both guilty. While Pat becomes a hero to the victims who suffered at the hands of Sister Thomas and Father Kelly, she makes several friends when she is met with a warm reception from the other inmates once she has returned from cellular confinement. When it is discovered by the women that Arun was once a man, Neil takes it into consideration whether or not to send her to a man's prison with protests from the inmates. While the women continue to bully Arun, Pat threatens Natalie to back off and the pair get into a brutal fight. When Pat beats Natalie down, not only does Arun get to remain at Larkhall, Pat becomes top dog in the process.

Episodes

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Main article: List of Bad Girls episodes
# Episode Writer Director Original airdate Viewing figure
84 Episode One Phil Ford Julian Holmes 10 May 2005 6,210,000
Fenner discovers that life behind bars is no picnic for a former PO when he finds himself on the receiving end of some very rough justice from his fellow inmates. Buxton takes over as Top Dog and starts a protection racket with the help of Cake. New arrivals, Janine Nebeski and Arun Parmar, arrive on G-Wing and suffer at the hands of Buxton. The Julies give Tull a makeover. Hollamby falls victim of voodoo.

Note: first appearance of Janine Nebeski (Nicola Stapleton); and Arun Parmar (Rebecca Hazlewood)
85 Episode Two Liz Lake Julian Holmes 17 May 2005 6,050,000
Fenner returns to Larkhall as the new Governor of G-Wing. Sylvia receives some unexpected and fortuitous news that soon has her jumping for joy. On overhearing the rumours of her windfall, greedy Dr. Nicholson suddenly finds her irresistible. The Julies are sacked from the servary and replaced by Oswyn and Tull.
86 Episode Three Polly Eden Lance Kneeshaw 24 May 2005 5,640,000
Fenner reveals the truth about an attack on him in prison. Buxton is ruling the roost on G-Wing and it seems that everyone is in her debt. She even has a cushy job working in the library, which serves as the perfect place to set up a trap for Palmer. Di slaps Buxton, following a set up by Nebeski.
87 Episode Four Phil Ford Lance Kneeshaw 31 May 2005 5,050,000
Outside the gates of Larkhall, a swarm of press await the arrival of 18-year-old Laura Canning, who's been convicted of brutally stabbing her mother 27 times to death. Fenner has a vesectomy, telling Di he is having counseling after being raped. Di returns to Larkhall and warns Buxton to watch her back. Cake pays the price for making thoughtless remarks about Julie S's breast cancer.
88 Episode Five Liz Lake Laurence Moody 7 June 2005 4,840,000
When an elderly nun called Sister Thomas Moore arrives at Larkhall, Buxton takes it upon herself to show her that the habit offers no protection from the evil on G-Wing and beats her up. A solicitor reveals the condition to Sylvia on her aunt's will. Di plants scissors in Buxton's cell. Palmer hides away from the wing to keep her secret hidden.

Note: first appearance of Pat Kerrigan (Liz May Brice), Sister Thomas Moore (Colette O'Neil)
89 Episode Six Liz Lake Laurence Moody 14 June 2005 5,560,000
A new tough inmate, Pat Kerrigan is transferred to Larkhall from another prison and she's more than a match for Buxton. However, the focus of Kerrigan's attention is the saintly Sister Thomas Moore. Sylvia fears that she could lose Malcolm if she tells him the truth about her aunt's will, they go ahead with the wedding. Grayling has sex with Sylvia's son Bobby Darren. Buxton reveals Palmer's secret.

Note: final appearance of Colin Hedges (Tristan Sturrock), Sister Thomas Moore (Colette O'Neil) and first and only appearance of Father Kelly (Peter Ellis)
90 Episode Seven Paul Mousley S.J. Clarkson 21 June 2005 5,180,000
Palmer is suicidal. The thought of being transferred to a men's prison is intolerable. Kerrigan is furious that Buxton's taunts have driven Palmer to despair and steps in to defend her. Di visits the MBU and convinces a mother, Sheena Williams, to give her baby to her. The salon is closed and the Julies return to the servery while Oswyn and Tull serve time down The Block for being caught drunk.

Note: first appearance of Kevin Spiers (Andrew Scarborough)
91 Episode Eight Jane Marlow S.J. Clarkson 28 June 2005 4,800,000
Palmer's transfer is cancelled following Kerrigan and Buxton's fight. O'Kane discovers Oswyn and Tull's deceit. Di's marriage is in meltdown. Fenner can't believe that his wife has taken baby Dylan from his mother, especially as she doesn't even know the first thing about looking after a baby.
92 Episode Nine Paul Mousley Lance Kneeshaw 5 July 2005 5,510,000
Di and Fenner's marriage is over when he discovers her deceit. Tull is quick to the rescue when sleazy delivery man, Frank, attempts to rape Oswyn. Her daring actions prove doubly fortunate when they suddenly realise that they are staring freedom in the face. They kidnap O'Kane, tie her up and gag her in the back of the delivery van as she witnessed Tull hit Frank. They also face Sylvia and Malcolm when they arrive in Spain. They find Nicholson getting ready to inject Sylvia with a deadly substance, so Oswyn shoots Nicholson with a gun she found, killing him.

Note: final appearance of Malcolm Nicholson (Philip McGough)
93 Episode Ten Polly Edan Laurence Moody 12 July 2005 5,780,000
It looks like Fenner is about to get his comeuppance. He's the only PO present in the hanging cell when the girls of G-Wing go to lay flowers in memory of Atkins - will one prisoner get their revenge on evil Fenner? Tull returns to Larkhall and is attacked by Buxton, while Oswyn remains on the run.
94 Episode Eleven Phil Ford Declan O'Dwyer 19 July 2005 5,580,000
The atmosphere at Larkhall is euphoric - Jim Fenner is dead. However the arrival of new Governor of Larkhall, Joy Masterton, soon spoils the mood. She's ex-army, hard as nails, and set on a big shake up. Oswyn is returned to Larkhall and faces the wrath of The Master. Buxton impresses The Master and could finally get her weekend release. The entire wing own up to Fenner's murder, though the police are convinced it's Di.

Note: first appearance of Joy Masterton (Ellie Haddington)
95 Episode Twelve Paul Mousley Jim Loach 26 July 2005 5,490,000
Di has been accused of murdering Fenner and finds herself on the wrong side of the bars at Larkhall. How is she going to survive amongst the women she used to lock up? Buxton attempts to escape while out for the day but is stopped by a mob, organised by Kerrigan. Julie J begins to crack and starts seeing Fenner, In frustration, she punches Julie S, leaving her with a bloody nose. Williams is released, upsetting Kerrigan but she is later returned after her ex plants drugs at Dylan's foster carer's house and it looks like it was Williams.
96 Episode Thirteen
2005 Christmas Special		 Paul Mousley Martin Hutchings 19 December 2005 7,160,000
Julie S is thrilled that Julie J has been allowed to return to Larkhall. But Julie J is still haunted by the memory of Fenner and is convinced that she can see him lurking around the landings and stabs herself in the stomach. New inmate, Miranda Miles, worsens the atmosphere when prison Chaplain, Christy Mackay is convinced she is possessed and pleads with The Master to let her perform an exorcism. Hollamby suffers a panic attack while down in the cellar with Oswyn and falls down the steps, blocking the door and leaving Oswyn trapped. Buxton manipulates Miles into murdering Mackay.

Note: final appearance of Jim Fenner (Jack Ellis); , Di Barker (Tracey Wilkinson);, Arun Parmar (Rebecca Hazlewood); and Kevin Spiers (Andrew Scarborough)

Release

The original 'Series Seven' DVD on Region 4 from Shock Records contining its own unique cover art which differs from the UK cover art as Shock has used the same art as the UK for the previous series'

Reception

Episode BARB ratings
(viewers in millions)		 IMDb ratings TV.com ratings
7.1 6.21 7.9/10 8.9/10
7.2 6.05 7.1/10 8.9/10
7.3 5.64 6.8/10 8.0/10
7.4 5.05 8.2/10 8.4/10
7.5 4.84 8.5/10 9.4/10
7.6 5.56 8.2/10 9.5/10
7.7 5.18 8.4/10 9.8/10
7.8 4.8 7.7/10 9.2/10
7.9 5.51 8.4/10 8.8/10
7.10 5.78 8.2/10 9.6/10
7.11 5.58 7.8/10 9.8/10
7.12 5.49 N/A 9.1/10
7.13 7.16 7.2/10 8.7/10

Awards nominations

Home Media

United Kingdom

  • "Series Seven" – 7 August 2006 (4-DVD set distributed by 2 Entertain)[1]
    • "The Complete Series Seven" re-release – 20 February 2012 (3-DVD set distributed by Acorn Media)[2]
    • As part of "The Complete Collection" – 2 July 2012 (28-DVD set distributed by Acorn Media)[3]

Australia

  • "Series Seven" – 18 September 2006 (4-DVD set distributed by Shock Records)[4]
    • As part of "The Complete Collection" – 10 November 2010 (32-DVD set distributed by Shock Records)
    • "Series Seven" re-release (individual from "The Complete Collection") – 11 May 2011 (3-DVD set distributed by Shock Records)

References

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External links

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