Telly Talk: Rampant reboot

This month I’ve found myself pretty much addicted to the new Netflix drama Orange Is The New Black. Specially commissioned by Netflix, and loosely adapted from an autobiographical novel, it tells of a nice middle class American woman who goes into prison for a crime she has committed years before and her slow change from her outside persona into someone within the system. It’s good. I know people who watched all 13 episodes in a single sitting, but I like to savour my delights. Still, it didn’t take me long.

“My joy at female-dominated casts in jumpsuits knew no bounds”

Fast forward to this week and lo and behold my heart skipped a beat when I heard that the original women behind bars – Prisoner Cell Block H – had been given a dusting down, updated and released once again into its world of captivity. My joy at female-dominated casts in jumpsuits knew no bounds.

Truly, it’s not often that you get drama in which women speak to women without men playing much of a role in the discussion on TV. They’re not coy; social niceties are replaced by strategic allegiances and there is a real physical power and at times menace from these ladies. Just like in Orange Is The New Black, only more so.

Also, here’s the thing, I have very fond memories of stumbling in as a teenager and as silently as possible watching late night Prisoner Cell Block H in utter delight at the outlandish and truly convincing (save for the wobbly walls) storylines that were dished up. I’m so pleased. They’re still here. And so are, in some form, the original characters. Awe. Some.

Episode one sees the arrival of Bea Smith – I know! – who, through flashback, it is revealed is on remand for the attempted murder of her abusive husband. Her overpowering priority is her daughter Debbie. For fans of the original characters… there’s more. Mrs Fletcher is the governor. Lizzie Birdsworth is not quite as geriatric but just as well-meaning, and Doreen Anderson has her little daughter with her in her cell. Even Vera Bennett can be found on the warders’ side, only this time she’s decidedly prisoner-friendly as opposed to the ‘Vinegar Tits’ we grew to know. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time though.

But this is not just a gentle stroll down memory lane. Within the first few minutes we see a prisoner sexually bartering with a guard, Bea subdued with a tranquiliser, and graphic nudity. There’s a rise in crystal meth being traded behind bars, and hard nut Frankie Doyle (yes – I did a double take at that. Bet a certain Scottish shock comic would love to know he almost shared his name with this prison’s sexually harassing Top Dog contender) looks like she’s behind it. There’s also a power struggle amongst the prisoners. Extensive and uncomfortable to watch searches that Bea is assured will soon seem routine to her. And even an a capella rendition of ‘He Used To Bring Me Roses’, the original chart-topping theme tune. Well done, Channel 5. I’m ever so pleased with you.
Wentworth Prison, Channel 5, Wednesday 28 August 2013