"Bad Girls" Recaps: Episode 3.11 "Battle Lines"

Facing off — Helen goes about her business — that is, until a certain indignant inmate interrupts.

Nikki: Miss Stewart.
Helen: Hiya, Nikki.

Who wouldn't love to see that beaming face in response to the sound of her voice? But Nikki can't even register it while she has her hackles up. Well, maybe she registers it a little. She starts out calm and nice as she explains her concerns about Femi. But she gets upset when Helen toes the bureaucratic line.

Helen: If she's got a specific problem, she has got access to the language line.
Nikki: Well, how does she know that? She needs a translator on hand, at least till she gets her routine sorted.
Helen: [staring, her mouth a thin, disapproving line, almost daring Nikki to keep talking]
Nikki: C'mon, Helen. I thought you were meant to be all-powerful these days.
Helen: [not taking the bait; turning to go] I'll look into it.
Nikki: [loudly, as Helen walks away] Is it right she got eight years?
Helen: The judge said he wanted to set an example.
Nikki: So some bastard drugs trafficker pays her a pittance to swallow smack, and she gets hung out to dry.
Helen: I don't make the bloody law, Nikki.

Sigh. These two. Nikki just stands there, thwarted again. She looks like she wants to grab Helen by the shoulders and shake her, but she also seems to know that Helen has a point, as far as it goes. And maybe that's the real problem: Helen just doesn't go far enough these days. On any front.

Or maybe Nikki is just watching Helen go, like I am.

sexy chain alert!