As the 10th episode begins, the girls go to work cleaning the prison. Ferguson (Pamela Rabe) keeps a close eye on their progress. Meanwhile, Vera (Kate Atkinson) keeps a close eye on Ferguson. Derek Channing (Martin Sacks) enters Vera’s office and explains that he is there to investigate Jake. Channing makes it very clear that he is not happy with the accusations being made by Will Jackson (Robbie Magasiva). He is also suspicious of Vera, since she is sleeping with the accused. After the conversation ends, Derek and Ferguson have words in the hallway. Ferguson admits she is unimpressed with Vera’s work thus far. Derek responds that he is just happy the prison isn’t on fire. Franky (Nicole da Silva) takes the Internet posts to Iman (Zahra Newman). Iman insists she barely knew Mike Pennisi (Felix Williamson) and that he was simply an Internet troll.
Franky doesn’t seem so sure. Jake (Bernard Curry) is interviewed by Derek. Jake denies everything. He places the blame solely on Will and also mentions the earlier violent encounter. Jake makes contact with Turk (Andy McPhee) and tells him to hold off on the deliveries for the time being. Vera interrupts. Jake does his best to calm her concerns. Seconds later, Will confronts Vera. He apologizes for his earlier behavior, but remains adamant that Jake will take her down, if she isn’t careful. Again, Vera refuses to believe it. Meanwhile, Franky scours through Iman’s paperwork. She writes down a name, Zoe Taylor, and another key detail. Franky speaks with Kim Chang (Ra Chapman) and tries to borrow her mobile phone. Kim refuses, since she is still jealous of Franky’s relationship with Bridget (Libby Tanner).
Meanwhile, Derek interviews Bridget about her sessions with Jackson. She insists Jackson was only angry with himself. Kaz (Tammy Macintosh) reminds Jackson that he is running out of moves. Kim changes her mind. She lets Franky use the phone for a few minutes. Franky calls and requests a visit from Bridget. Bridget arrives moments later. Franky tells her about the new prisoner and her link to Mike. She gives Bridget the note and reveals it is the name of Iman’s therapist. Franky asks Bridget to speak with the woman. Afterwards, we watch as Iman makes a shank. Meanwhile, Liz (Celia Ireland) and Sonia (Sigrid Thornton) chat. Sonia offers Liz a drink, but Liz is hesitant, due to Sonia’s past. Liz gets Sonia to open up about the police officer. Sonia insists she killed the guy. Liz takes the new information to Vera.
Liz explains that Sonia went into all of the details. Liz agrees to sign a statement, but Vera doesn’t want to travel down that rabbit hole again. She realizes that Liz’s credibility has already decreased. In the workshop, Franky and Allie (Kate Jenkinson) begin putting their plan into action. Boomer (Katrina Milosevic) prevents it from happening. She catches Allie only filling the boxes halfway. Iman tries to sneak up on Franky, but Boomer gets in the way of that as well. Franky and Allie are ridiculed by Sonia. Sonia nearly kicks the girls out of the work group. However, Boomer agrees to let them stay. Boomer confronts Franky in her cell. She is aware that Franky is up to something and she wants to know what it is. Franky apologizes for neglecting Boomer, but she refuses to tell her anything about the escape. That night, Vera gets a scary visit from Turk. Turk searches the house for Jake, before telling Vera that he will kill him. When Jake returns home, he pretends the man is a loan shark.
Vera foolishly accepts the story. Then, Jake confronts Turk. He tries to end their current arrangement. Turk doesn’t seem ready to quit just yet. Back at work, Derek calls Jake into his office. Derek calls a phone number belonging to the one responsible. Unsurprisingly, Jake’s phone begins to ring. Derek makes it clear that Jake is in big trouble. However, he simply wants a cut of the action. Bridget returns to the prison. She tells Franky that Zoe ran a group counseling course. Both Mike and Iman attended. Will tells Kaz that he believes Jake could be fired. When he walks past Ferguson, she tells him that he is fighting a losing battle. Franky visits Iman’s cell and finds her necklace. Iman enters and a fight breaks out.
During the fight, Franky learns that Iman was dating Mike. Iman blamed Franky for hurting their relationship, so she killed him using Franky’s gun. Iman gets the best of Franky, before Ferguson enters and snaps Iman’s neck. Franky is interviewed by detectives. She remains adamant that she is innocent. She places the blame solely on Ferguson. When interviewed, the Freak pretends she heard a scuffle and saw Franky standing over Iman’s body. Jake watches on as Franky is locked in isolation. Derek speaks with Will, who doesn’t believe Franky is guilty. Derek also tells Will that the investigation has ended without any charges. He also tries to convince Will to resign. Will speaks with Kaz and tells her about his decision to resign. She tells him not to, since she needs someone she can actually trust. In the morning, the other inmates spread rumors about the murder. Allie tries to tell everyone that Franky had nothing to do with it.
Derek speaks with Vera about his concerns. He admits he is going to have to sideline her. He makes it clear that he will assume the role of acting governor. Franky is formally charged with Iman’s murder. At the end of the episode, Jake visits Ferguson in the library. He questions her about Iman’s murder. Ferguson admits it had the desired effect.
Wentworth Review
The 10th episode was likely the best of the season. Well, it was the best of the season, until Ferguson entered Franky’s cell and tossed Iman around like Jason Voorhees. Despite Ferguson’s superhuman strength being totally unrealistic and cheesy, the episode did a good job of creating interest. Something big needs to happen as soon as possible. Many of the storylines are starting to drag on for far too long. Thankfully, this episode seems to have pushed things in the right direction.
Vera is out as governor, Ferguson is planning something big, and Franky likely has nothing to lose. Is it time for Franky, Kaz, Will, and Allie to attack Ferguson? It feels like we’re building up to a big climax. The season truly hinges on its upcoming finale. Last season was disappointing and the finale did it no favors. Hopefully this one will be different. A strong finale could persuade viewers to tune in next time around.
However, I cannot see the writers killing off Ferguson. She has become the central figure of the show, while the remaining characters have been left in her shadow. It’ll be interesting to see how things play out. The 10th episode scores an 8 out of 10. Catch up with past recaps of Wentworth now!
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
