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Bad Girls Recaps: Episode 1.4 “The Victim”

THIS WEEK’S RAP SHEET:

The casualty: Rachel gives up.

The creeper: Zandra makes a break for it.

The castoff: Nikki is patient, but Trish is not.

It’s off to work we go – There’s Helen in her dorky Peugeot. And there’s Dominic with his motorcycle, which doesn’t appear to be running very well today. Helen sees him struggling and pulls over to offer him a ride.

Look at the way she’s smiling as she rolls down the window. Sometimes Helen does a little thing with her tongue. I’m not sure how to describe it: a wiggle? a ripple? a shiver? I think that last word is more apt for my reaction, not her action.

Dominic is a little too happy to be climbing into Helen’s car, if you ask me.

When Helen gets to her office, there’s plenty of drama waiting for her: Zandra wants an abortion. Helen tries to make sure Zandra’s certain about this, but Zandra’s so blustery and full of attitude, it’s hard to know what to think.

Helen: Look, I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m just saying, have you thought it through?

Zandra: I’ve thought about nothing else, have I? Last thing I need round my neck right now is a kid.

Zandra gets a little teary for a moment, but then she mouths off again: “Anyway, you get a better deal in here, don’t you? Reva Dobson got made into a red band when she had hers.” Helen says that getting a better job is no reason to have an abortion, and anyway it doesn’t work like that anymore.

Helen: I run a different regime now.

Zandra: It’s not different inside the screws’ heads. You can’t change that so easy.

When she sees Helen’s weary face, Zandra relents and apologizes. She asks why Helen’s trying to talk her out of it, but Helen says she’s just trying to make sure Zandra’s doing the right thing – even though she thinks she probably is.

The officers’ lounge – Sylvia is inspecting her posture in the mirror. She worries she’s “starting with a stoop” because of the heavy keys they have to carry around. Poor Hollamby. Never mind what the prisoners go through: This place is hell on the guards. I guess that’s why they’re so vile – it’s nurture, not nature.

As Sylvia rambles, Rachel mops. Sylvia yells at her to hurry up, not realizing that Rachel’s taking her time so she can hang around Jim a little longer.

Lorna and Dominic show up with Zandra.

Sylvia: Where’s she skivin’ off too?

Zandra: Day by the seaside, Miss.

Sylvia: I believe it and all. It’s like Buckland’s in here. They’ll have us wearing red coats and doing party turns next.

Lorna: We’re on our way to the clinic.

Sylvia: There’s always something wrong with them, isn’t there? Have you noticed?

Lorna: She’s having her termination, remember?

Sylvia: Oh, right. Well, why didn’t you say?

Zandra: I find it hard to talk about my real feelings, Miss.

Lorna cuffs herself to Zandra and they follow Dominic out.

I don’t know really know whether Hollamby said “Buckland’s” or something else, partly because I’m a clueless American and partly because Hollamby mumbles. Let’s call her Mumbleby.

The clinic – Zandra sees all the stares from the other patients as they notice her shackles. She says loudly, “Wondering how I did it inside? Why do you think they call ’em screws?” She tugs on her chains and starts to make a remark about bondage, but Dominic and Lorna shush her.

Hey, I was enjoying that. Sassy Zandra is pretty great.

A woman scorned – Rachel’s pouting in her cell. Fenner stops by for a visit, but Rachel’s not feeling very friendly. She says Jim’s been ignoring her, but Jim says he just has to make sure Shell doesn’t “grass him up” (turn him in), so he has to “keep her sweet.” Rachel, why do you believe all the crap that comes out of this man’s mouth?

Jim pretends to consider getting Shell transferred to another wing.

Rachel: Am I really the only one?

Fenner: Course you are, love. [kissing her forehead] I’d never let any harm come to you.

I think maybe that was the proverbial kiss of death, Rachel. And the kisses he’s planting on your lips right now are the disturb-ial kisses of blecchh.

A serious matter – A nurse gives Zandra a gown to put on.

Zandra: [to Lorna] It’s gonna be cozy, this, isn’t it, Miss? You and me lying on the bed together while I have my operation.

Lorna asks the nurse if there’s only one door. The nurse says there’s also a fire exit, but it’s got an alarm. So Lorna unchains Zandra. Oh, Lorna. Do you not see how crazy Zandra’s acting? Does she seem trustworthy to you? Also, tell the truth: Are you gay? You’re so butch. I bet you take those shackles home with you at night. You know, just to inspect them and keep them in proper working order.

Lorna warns Zandra: “One false move.” Zandra snarks about shinning down a fire escape in her “kleenex” hospital gown.

Dominic, who looks even paler than usual, excuses himself and says he’ll be right outside.

This is where the phrase hospital “theatre” comes from — At the clinic, Zandra wants to know what the abortion will be like. She asks what they’ll do with the baby and starts to sob. Lorna gets uncomfortable and goes to get the nurse. The minute Lorna leaves, Zandra schools her features and starts to figure out how to sneak out.

That was impressive, Zandra. For a minute there, I actually started to feel sorry for you. And it was a nice touch when you asked about the “dead babies.” Sheesh.

Rachel’s cell — Shell stops by to make sure Rachel is still in her clutches. “You’re gonna do somethin’ for me. Well, your mother is.” And what might that be? She wants some “sweeties,” of course. You know. Ecstasy. (I whispered that; could you tell?)

Rachel says it won’t work because her mother is bringing Maddie (Rachel’s 10-month-old daughter) today, but Shell says that’s perfect: Rachel’s mom can hide the drugs in Maddie’s nappy.

Rachel: I can’t ask my mother, Shell. Anything but that.

Shell: Stop whining, will ya?

Rachel threatens to tell someone what Shell’s up to. Shell just titters, then goes over to the notice board, where there’s a photo of Rachel’s daughter. Shell takes it down, takes a pen, and scrawls two X’s over Maddie’s eyes, saying, “Shame if anything happened to her.”

That is messed up. So is this: Before she goes, Shell says, “Disobey, and I’ll cut your tits off.” Eeek. I just involuntarily crossed my arms.

The clinic — Zandra manages to steal someone’s coat and just walk out, right behind Dominic’s magazine-browsing back. Run, Zandra! Dominic, you’re cute, but you’re useless.

Wait: I’m glad she found a coat, but what about shoes? Is she shuffling out in paper slippers?

Mum wasn’t born yesterday — Rachel calls her mother about the package for Shell. Her mum sees right through it and doesn’t want to play. Her mother looks nice enough. Maybe Fenner was right about Rachel being a good kid. Or maybe she would have been, if it weren’t for the likes of him.

Rachel’s phone card runs out before she can convince her mum to do this life-saving favor for her. I can’t believe this girl’s bad luck.

Lorna loses it — Lorna and Dominic discover that Zandra has “done a legger.” Dominic says they’d better call Larkhall, but Lorna says no way. She’d rather look for Zandra than start looking for another job.

OK, we’re 11 minutes in, and still no Nikki. Whine.

A cry for help — Rachel tells Fenner about the shituation with Shell. Fenner just doesn’t want to deal with any of it, but Rachel’s understandably concerned: “She said she’ll cut my baby … she’s gonna kill me, I know it!” Jim tells her to shut it and pull herself together.

Why does “shut it” sound so much nastier than “shut up”? Maybe it’s just the Fenner factor. He could sing a lullaby and it would sound nasty.

A charming house — Make that a huge house. Where are we? We’re at Robin’s house. Zandra is there to talk to him. Great: This is what she wants to do with her freedom? Before Robin and his mother can throw her out, she drops the bomb: “What about our baby?”

Man, the lack of Nikki-Helen scenes is really ruining this episode. It’s all so over the top. Zandra, you’ve essentially just turned yourself in. So much for getting your life back.

Shell’s cell — Fenner sure is getting a lot of sugar in this episode. And he’s still the worst kisser on the planet. I think I understand the word “snog” in a way I never have before.

Fenner tells Shell he’s going to have Rachel transferred to another prison, but she says he doesn’t have the clout. “I’m in with those that have,” he says. He tells Shell to leave Rachel alone until he can get rid of her. And then he plants another audibly sloppy kiss on Shell’s crazy mouth.

Shell, can I borrow your pen? I need to X my eyes out.

Robin’s house — Robin’s mother doesn’t seem like someone who’s just had a nervous breakdown. She seems more like someone who’s training for a boxing match. As she spits vitriol at Zandra, Robin just sort of stands there. Zandra says, “Why don’t you speak to me?” He finally grows a pair when his mother threatens to call the police. He tells her to leave them alone so he can sort this out.

Zandra reminds him that “fathers have to pay” — he can’t just ignore the baby. But Robin goes all mute again, so Zandra spits in his face and leaves.

Yes, she really did spit in his face. That was kind of awesome. And Zandra looks like some sort of possessed Kewpie doll when she’s mad. It’s almost cute, especially compared to Shell’s psychotic grimaces.

The lunch queue — Oh! It’s Nikki! Hi!

Rachel’s there too, and Shell’s being really nice to her (just like Jim told her to), which is only confusing Rachel. Helen watches the whole thing with a look of worry on her face.

Nikki sits with Monica, and immediately says, “Oh, dear.” Monica looks very depressed. She’s just found out that her son Spencer can’t visit today. He has a chest infection; nothing serious, but it’s killing Monica that she’s not able to take care of him.

Monica asks about Trish. Nikki says she’s kind of nervous about seeing Trish during the visiting hours. I would be too, if I were you, Nikki: White isn’t really your color.

Helen sits with Rachel and encourages her to “let people help you.” Oh, Helen: You’re that naive? You think Shell would help anyone? Also, you think Shell is a person?

Rachel doesn’t like that advice. Sometimes she shows glimmers of intelligence.

The clinic — Lorna and Dominic are just hanging around the clinic, looking mopey. Dominic insists that they call the prison, so Lorna finally agrees. Just as she’s about to dial, Zandra shows up.

I don’t know which is more tragic: Zandra going back to her captors, or Lorna’s hair.

Visiting hour — Rachel’s mum is there, but she doesn’t have the package or the baby. Rachel doesn’t even notice at first that Maddie’s not there.

It turns out Rachel’s mum has put Maddie “in care.” She tries to explain her actions by talking about the expense and Maddie’s quality of life, but it’s really all about how inconvenient a baby is for her and her man. Jeez. What’s next for Rachel? Is a meteor going to hit her? She’s obviously cursed.

Striking a bargain — As Dominic and Lorna escort Zandra back to Larkhall, Lorna gets an idea: She convinces Dominic they should keep the whole thing to themselves. She also has some choice words for Zandra:

Lorna: From now on, every time some con asks me to take the cuffs off while she has a baby or whatever, I’m gonna think, ‘Why the hell should I trust her?’ And I’m gonna put a lot of women through a lot of pain. Not because I want to, but because of what you just did. So think of that next time you piss one of us about, Zandra. Yeah?

Yeah.

Orange isn’t your color either — Trish finally arrives to see Nikki. They talk about home improvement and other mundane things. It’s awkward. But Nikki does sorta look like a Home Depot employee in that orange thing she’s wearing.

Nikki says she’s decided to keep her nose clean from now on. She reckons she’ll be out in 10 years if she does it right. She asks Trish if she can wait that long. Trish nods.

Wow. Ten years! I wouldn’t wait for you that long, Nikki. I’d wait for my girlfriend that long, though. Well, I’d probably find a way to get thrown into jail with her, actually. Mmm. Three-way in Miss Stewart’s office!

Nikki: Knowing you still love me is the only thing that keeps me going. You do still love me, right? Trish?

Trish: I’ll always love you, Nik. You know I will.

Nikki: That’s all right, then. What’s her name?

Nikki tries to stay calm, but as it dawns on her that Trish is dumping her, she yells, “You’re all I’ve got!” Trish says she knows that, but she can’t just stop living for 10 years.

Nikki collects herself and says she’s glad she’ll be free: “There’s a few nice girls in here.” It’s not very convincing. She and Trish agree that they’re still friends. Why do lesbians insist on staying friends with their exes? Even the homicidal ones, apparently. Well, especially them, I guess.

Plotting — Denny asks Shell whether Rachel’s mother brought the stuff. The answer is no, of course. Denny asks Shell what she’s going to do about that. Shell just grins and goes off to do whatever dastardly deed she’s contemplating.

I know it’s silly of me to wonder, but why is taunting Rachel so much fun for them? She doesn’t even fight back. I guess I don’t have a criminal mind.

Nikki’s cell — Monica stops by with good news about her appeal, but Nikki’s not interested. She’s staring at a photo of Trish and moping. Monica tries to comfort her.

Nikki: Yeah, well. There’s my vegetable patch out the back and books to read. I’ll be fine.

Don’t forget the fiery little Governor who sashays down the hall now and then. I agree, Nikki: All that just might be enough to live for.

An “accident” — Denny and Shell play a little prank on Rachel. As Shell walks by Rachel with pitchers of hot tea, Denny “bumps into” Shell and the tea drenches Rachel. Hollamby takes Rachel to the nurse.

Shell: Sorry, Rach!

Denny: [under her breath] Especially if it singed your minge.

Shell: And Jim can’t get his sausage in.

They giggle. That was just gross.

Anything for love — Nikki’s still lamenting, and says it’s crazy to care about someone who’s kicked her in the teeth. Monica says that’s just how love is.

Nikki: The reason I’m in here. Love. I took out the copper who tried to rape her.

Monica asks for details. Nikki tells her tale: She turned up at the club (the one she and Trish own) one night to see a cop, D.S. Gossard, trying to rape Trish: “Come on, rug muncher. Have some of the real thing for a change.” Nikki grabbed a bottle and smashed it over his head. He laughed, so she stuck what was left of the bottle in his neck.

Whoa.

Monica tries to give Nikki some hope, but Nikki’s in no mood. She wants reality, not hope: “I’ll deal with it like I have to deal with everything from now on. On my own.”

Cue Patti LaBelle!

Rachel’s house of sobs — Rachel’s crying over the tea-spilling incident. Jim believes it was an accident. Rachel is convinced Shell’s trying to kill her and reminds Jim why Shell’s in prison in the first place: for “torturing the woman who took her boyfriend.” Jim tells her it isn’t as dire as it sounds, but Rachel knows it’s even worse.

Rachel: You said you’d deal with Shell, but you’re shagging her like you’d shag anything in a skirt. You’re just using me.

Oh, my God! There really is a brain in there somewhere!

She threatens to tell Miss Stewart what Jim’s been getting up to. Jim gets angry and says nobody would believe her and she’d just lose her “friends in high places.” You know what they say about friends like these, Rachel …

A serenade — Shell sings “Rock-a-bye Baby” through the cell wall. Rachel freaks out and tears up her cell. Hollamby says it like it is: “You silly, stupid girl.”

Home, sweet home — Zandra’s back. Lorna reminds her to keep quiet about what happened. Zandra agrees, but Dominic’s suspicious.

Lorna tells him they just don’t have a choice. She tells him to remember to look out for Number One. Do people still say that? Is it 1983 all of a sudden?

A lecture — Helen scolds Rachel for trashing her cell. She says it was a privilege to be on enhanced, and Rachel betrayed her trust. She tries to figure out what’s bothering Rachel, but Rachel won’t talk.

Helen: I’m going to have to punish you. You know that.

Rachel: Yes, Miss.

Hey! That’s my line.

Fenner interrupts. He tells Helen that Rachel had some bad news today about Maddie. He says he heard Rachel was upset, and thought that might be it. Yeah, and you thought you’d better say so before Rachel says anything about Shell.

Helen buys the explanation, mostly, but says she’ll still have to punish Rachel. She’s putting her back in the four-bed dorm with Denny, Zandra and Crystal. That’s the last thing Rachel wants — she’d rather go to solitary, but Helen’s being “lenient.” She sends Rachel away since the girl still won’t talk.

Hollamby delivers Rachel to her new digs. “I wouldn’t try your attention-seeking in here,” says Hollamby. “I don’t think Denny would appreciate it.” Denny says, “No, Miss.”

That’s an odd pair of allies.

Prepping for a meeting with Miss Stewart — Lorna and Dominic try to get their clinic story straight. Lorna still doesn’t want to get sacked and asks Dominic to keep the secret for her, if he won’t do it for himself. He looks very troubled.

Dominic, you have a strong moral compass. Clearly you’re in the wrong job.

Meal time again — Monica tries to comfort Rachel, but Rachel doesn’t really accept the help. Neither does Nikki, when Monica suggests that Nikki try to get something from the nurse to help her sleep tonight:

Nikki: Yeah, good idea. Has she got a loaded shooter?

Monica looks appalled, but Nikki says she’s only joking. Ha ha.

They even have pool tables in prison — Helen strolls by a game of billiards to ask Monica about her appeal. Monica says she’s got a date and her solicitor’s optimistic. That’s the least of her concerns at the moment:

Monica: I don’t know if I should say this …

Helen: Hmmm?

Monica: It’s Nikki Wade.

Helen: Oh. What’s she done now?

Monica: No no, it’s nothing bad. It’s just, she found out today her partner’s met someone else.

Helen: I see.

Monica: She was talking about ending it all. I mean, she was joking, and she’s tough as old boots, I know, but she did seem rather down.

Helen: Well, thanks for mentioning it. We’ll keep an eye on her.

I love the way Helen seems to have a visceral reaction to Nikki’s name. Too bad it seems to be the only Helen-Nikki connection we’re going to get in this episode.

I also love the way Helen says, “I see,” as if she’s thinking, “Don’t react. Do not react! Nikki’s single now. Oh, God, don’t react!”

The abortion briefing — What? That’s what Dominic called it. Don’t blame me.

Before they get to the subject at hand, Helen asks Dominic about Rachel — he’s her personal officer. Dominic is surprised that she smashed up her cell and says he’ll try to watch her. Helen also tells Lorna to keep an eye on Nikki. If I’m right about Lorna, she’s already doing that.

Lorna and Dominic tell Helen that everything went fine, except for the fact that Zandra decided to keep the baby. Helen’s not happy about that last bit.

Lorna: She was very upset, Miss Stew —

Helen: [sternly, raising her voice] Well, not as upset as I am.

Yow. Again! More scolding!

Desperation — Dominic tries to talk to Rachel, but she just yells at him. That is one unhappy young woman. Dominic gives up quickly, having been through enough with Zandra today.

Rachel starts to think better of it and tells Dominic to wait, but then she just says, “Nothing.” Then she finds Fenner and apologizes. He whispers in her ear: “Why would I wanna shag you? Christ. Just look at yourself.”

I hate that man.

Nighttime — In the four-bed dorm, Crystal asks Zandra why she trashed her cell. “I thought I’d get sent to the punishment block. Just wanna be on me own.” Crystal says the only one who will help Rachel is the Lord.

Zandra: [scoffing] Lord Longford, maybe. Him up there don’t give a s—.

In the middle of the night, Shell swings over a message for Rachel. (This is sort of the prisoners’ post: Items in a bag, swung outside from cell window to cell window.) The message is a crude drawing of Rachel with a line labeled “CUT HERE” slicing across her neck.

Rachel sobs and stares at the photo of Maddie with crossed-out eyes. That is unbelievably creepy.

When Zandra wakes up the next morning, she sees Rachel’s dead face. Rachel’s hanging from the window. Zandra’s screams ring down the hall.

Damage control — Helen calls the officers together for a quick meeting. Sylvia points out that they were told to watch Nikki last night, not Rachel.

Helen: [caustically] Yeah, all right, Sylvia, thank you. That’s a great help.

Sarcasm in the face of tragedy. Again I cannot help but swoon.

Helen asks them all to help her find out what drove Rachel to kill herself. The answer is right in front of you, Helen: See that guy with the bad hair and scowling face and (most likely) open fly?

In the breakfast queue, everyone looks sad. Nikki says, “So much for the new regime.” Then she sees Fenner and speaks her mind:

Nikki: You happy now? That the answer, eh? Bang us all up till we can’t stand it anymore. Give us all a body bag each when we come in, along with a blanket. Save you the effort, wouldn’t it? Just muck out the cells now and again before the flies get stuck in. It was you lot killed Rachel.

Monica shushes Nikki and tells her it won’t do any good. Nikki says it’s all bullshit. Monica notices Nikki has a letter in her hands.

Monica: That from Trisha?

Nikki: Everybody bullshits.

That night — The night calls are all about Rachel. One of the callers says, “You’re at peace now, girl,” and is answered with, “Not if she runs into my Uncle Norm, she’s not.”

Crystal can’t believe the lack of respect. She sings “Amazing Grace” out the window, clearly and sweetly. We see the exterior of the prison, and we see makeshift torches swinging from some of the cell windows. Everything seems to stop.

NEXT TIME ON BAD GIRLS: Everyone grieves and copes.

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