Note – This was a [sort of] review I did for Afterellen.com when season 1 of ‘Bad Girls’ was being released over in America in ‘05.  Also note; its not very good.

“Hard hitting, original and controversial. ‘Bad Girls’ depicts the personal trials and triumphs of prison inmates and officers alike… this is a drama where fear and brutality meet friendship and compassion, and where corrupt staff, treacherous inmates, drugs and violence all combine to test the mettle of those thrown together 24/7”- Official press release.

The UK’s prime-time prison drama, which first aired in the UK over six years ago, is finally going to be released on DVD for US viewers. ‘Bad Girls’ is a prison drama not for the faint-hearted, and, one that has the potential to be fraught with cliché and stereotypical representations of lesbians in UK prisons. It would not be an under-statement to say that ‘Bad Girls’ is indeed ‘Cult viewing’, drawing in at its peek, only 8.5 million viewers.

The show, has however, managed to portray some very real, and very interesting characters, as well as dealing with much over-looked issues of sexuality within a prison setting, relationships between prison officers/inmates, drugs, suicide, rape and- lets not forget what the show does best; prison officer corruption and abuse of power.

The first episode of season 1 plunges its viewers straight into life at ‘Larkhall prison’, allowing it’s characters; inmates and prison officers alike, to develop at a natural and realistic pace. It’s not surprising to learn that ‘Bad Girls’ has a very strong list of female characters who take centre stage, forcing the male characters of the show to remain in the sidelines.
Jim Fenner is the exception to this rule; the opportunistic “screw” (Prison officer) who seemly has nine lives as well as no conscience, is always involved in something he shouldn’t be, which makes for shocking but often funny viewing. From Shell Dockley, ‘Larkhalls’ resident psychotic lifer, to “the two Julies” whose adventures and plots are both hilarious and touching to watch; this is a show of real contrasting and complex characters.

Yes–‘Bad Girls’ is hard-hitting and controversial; you don’t need to look further than episode 2 (aptly named: Drug Wars) where inmate Nikki Wade is forced to squat over a mirror, completely naked, with the door wide open, by the DST (dedicated search team), to realize that this show isn’t afraid of portraying the harsh reality of prison life.

DST Officer – “Legs apart, squat down.”
Nikki – “God, it must drive you mad not being able to touch me.”
(Yeah- the ‘Uncut’ and ‘Warning’ stickers on the box sets are there for a reason, some scenes are not all that easy to watch).

Fortunately the show isn’t without its humour; ‘Bad Girls’ would be nothing without its sharp one-liners and sarcastic remarks which come from inmates and officers alike. Sylvia Hollamby (“Bodybag”) is the cynic in the officer’s mess- the epitome of the “never listened, never learned” officer who doesn’t like change and would be happy if all inmates were locked up 24/7. Her character is tough and resolved, completely old school; but completely enjoyable to watch- She cannot go un-mentioned.

Hollamby– “Well excuse me! Well I think it’s us women officers should be complaining about urine tests, it’s alright for the men’s prisons, they’re always showing themselves to each other but I don’t want to watch women going to the toilet.”

Hollamby– “There’s about as much chance of Zandra Plackett coming off the nasty as there is of Cliff Richard inviting me up to his hotel room for cream cakes and sex.”

‘Bad Girls’ is not primarily a lesbian based show, but the show is not without its lesbian, bi-sexual or just plain confused characters. To date, ‘Bad Girls’ has portrayed six major lesbian relationships throughout series 1-6, and, rather disappointingly, only one major relationship of a bi-sexual nature. It seems clear that ‘Bad Girls’ , like many other dramas, has made some steps towards greater visibility for lesbians on prime-time television but like the others, seems to forget about the bi-sexual women out there that also need to be represented.
Still, the utter matter-of-factness of the lesbian content is refreshing but not surprising given that ‘Bad Girls’ is conceived, written, and produced entirely by a gay/lesbian team (Shed Productions’ Maureen Chadwick, Ann McManus, Eileen Gallagher, and Brian Park).

Season 1 of the show deals with the issue of sexuality within the confines of prison life, and does it pretty well too. The major storyline between Simone Lahbib, who plays the idealistic and fast-tracked wing governor Helen Stewart, and Mandana Jones who plays the hard-headed but intelligent lesbian Nikki Wade is a perfect example of a genuinely written and sensitive portrait of a straight wing governor who falls in love with a lesbian prisoner.

This storyline, which is followed up in later series, is there from the word go. From episode one of the first season, when Helen as a new wing governor takes a tough stance on the inmates and is met in opposition by Nikki Wade, there is chemistry in abundance. Their friendship is cemented when Helen Stewart seeks to make an ally of Nikki but ends up depending on her a lot more than she would initially like too.

Nikki: Don’t let the buggers get you down!
(Helen walks into cell, closes the door behind her and sits down next to Nikki on her bed)
Helen: What you reading?
Nikki: ‘Little Dorritt’, it’s a story about a terrible prison.
Helen: Thank goodness we got rid of all of those! (sarcastic)
Nikki: You’re doing your bit Helen, most of the girls in here know that deep down.
Helen: (In tears) Yeah? But for how much longer?
Nikki: Hey, come here! (puts her arm around Helen)

Helen who sees herself as completely straight and is indeed engaged (to a rather geeky looking gardener) begins to realize that she has feelings towards this woman, who importantly is a prisoner in her very care!! Obviously thinking that denial is the best way to go, Helen tries very hard and un-successfully I must add, to concentrate on her in-sanely boring gardener boyfriend instead.
Helen: Nikki, I think she needs some time on her own.
Nikki: What, in here? She’ll be lucky.Helen: I think I do as well.
Nikki: You’ve got Sean to go home to.
Helen: Yeah…G’night Nikki.
Nikki: Night Helen.
Their relationship is not only well portrayed and well explored but it manages to combine issues of sexuality with issues of morality. The very thought of a relationship with Nikki Wade goes against every rule that Helen has followed and must follow. For such an idealistic woman to have feelings for an inmate, no less a female inmate, it’s no surprise that she is left feeling confused and dejected. The on-screen chemistry between these actresses is wonderful to watch, and the power battles in the early episodes are not only true to character but are portrayed with real intensity and sincerity. And, man, can Nikki give some cheek:

Helen: I’m not having this Nikki, you’re not going to undermine the good order of this wing.
Nikki: So transfer me, put me on report, I don’t give a shit!
Helen: When are you going to grow up and stop all this macho crap? Why did you attack Michelle Dockley?
Nikki: I dunno, touch of PMT. (Nikki stands up to leave the room)
Helen: SIT IN THAT CHAIR!
Nikki: (Sitting down) Don’t you wish it was electric?
Helen and Nikki’s relationship leaves us in “cliff-hang” mode in the final episode of season 1 when Sean makes it perfectly clear how he feels about Helen (you’ll see what I mean). Needless to say, this is one relationship you don’t want to miss -It will make you fall in love with the characters, it will leave you frustrated, it may even make you cry; but it will make you smile.
Fenner: Morning ma’am.
Helen: Please Jim, I’m not the bloody queen.
There are other lesbian/bi-sexual storylines in season 1 of ‘Bad Girls’, the only one worth mentioning though is the rather strange and un-explained entanglements of Shell Dockley and Denny Blood. Shell Dockley, who likes to set fire to people’s hair and just generally be a psycho, is neither straight nor gay. In fact, her sexuality is never really explained and even though we see her involved with men and never make any declarations of bi-sexuality, we see her sexually involved with her side-kick, Denny Blood. Again, it seems that writers perhaps find it easier to write the lesbian storyline more than the bi-sexual one, for their relationship is never fully explored or even understood. Shell Dockley is the kind of character that will use sex to influence people, in fact, sex is all she’s ever known and perhaps that can go a long way to explain her relationship with someone who is technically just her best friend, her side-kick.
(They kiss) Shell: Enjoy that did you? Crystaaal?
Crystal: Will you two be so hot for each other when you’re burning in hell? I’ll ask God to forgive you.
Shell: Bollocks! In here, I’m God, remember it!
We will Shell, we will.

Published 2005 – Afterellen.com