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BAD GIRLS 101 - (1999-2006): The show is set on G-Wing of HMP Larkhall, a fictional women's prison in South London, England. It deals with an assortment of female prisoners and the officers and staff (both women and men) who are in charge of their care.
The first series (season) focuses on Helen Stewart, the new wing governor, and her attempts to improve prison conditions, introducing new tactics and regulations that, in theory, will help the women's lives and allow the wing to run more smoothly and affectively. Unfortunately, these improvements get in the way of the status quo to which a few of the senior officers' cling, as they are the ones who have to deal with the prisoners on a daily basis. They've been at their jobs a good many years (using well established, but often corrupt tactics), while Helen is young, inexperienced and highly idealistic.
Gaining her officers' respect and cooperation turns out to be near impossible for Helen. Where she does find support is with some of the prisoners who can see a change for the better in their lives since Helen's arrival. One prisoner in particular, Nikki Wade, catches Helen's attention. Nikki is a tough, but intelligent lifer whom other prisoners listen to and rely on. She stands up for herself and others against the "screws" (the officers) and is not afraid to speak her mind. Helen sees her as a possible ally from within and an example of someone with great potential for reform and self-improvement. As Helen begins to treat Nikki like a human being, with kindness and respect, Nikki slowly starts to trust Helen, and gives her respect and help in return. Of course, as time passes, Nikki and Helen's feelings for one another get extremely complicated... thus establishing the heart of the first 3 seasons of Bad Girls.
The first series starts out extremely dark in tone and the storylines are a bit series and heavy in nature. Episodes one through four in particular can be difficult to watch at first as they are gritty and realistic, and don't hold back on any punches. The pace of the series is rapid and to the point. The characters' dialects are thick and varied. So to an American audience, not used to watching this kind of show, it could seem too foreign. However, given time, and maybe a bit of repeated viewing, I think you'll find that the quality of this program is far superior and unique than most of what US TV has to offer. As the first season progresses, the hard hitting approach to storytelling does lighten up a bit as characters become more fleshed out and relationships become more defined and developed. Yet even through series two and three, the relevance of the stories that are told still hold true to the original purpose of the show.
Of course, Nikki and Helen have become the main focus of my viewing. Their complex relationship has been the topic of endless discussions between my friends and I. There is so much there to pick apart and piece back together. With each step along the way there is rarely a false note in the writing of their relationship development, and the delivery is spot on. Because the characters are so well defined and portrayed you can understand everything they say and do. That's not to say I agree with all the choices Helen and Nikki make, but I believe they are always coming from a place of truth for who they are as individual people... and what their relationship is according to the unique situation in which they've found themselves.
Below are character descriptions and picture galleries. These pages should give you a sense of how the show progressed over its eight year run.
I am in the process of writing a report on the Nikki/Helen relationship as I see it. And I'm working on a lengthy Fan Fiction piece based on these two characters. I'll also be writing season overviews... eventually. So look for these new pages... hopefully sometime this year.
Disclaimer: This is a fan site. All photos acquired from the Internet.
All sources have links posted here.
BG OFFSITE LINKS PAGE
BG CHARACTER CHART
CHARACTERS: Spoilers!
Series 1 Series 2
Series 3 Series 4
Series 5 Series 6
Series 7 Series 8
Episode Guide in
Pictures: Spoilers!
Series 1 Series 2
Series 3 Series 4
Series 5 Series 6
Series 7 Series 8
ATTENTION:
Please email Lesbianation.com and request that they put Mandana and Simone on their Top 10 Women We Love list. Email more than once... and often. Thanks.
1/05/07 - Awesome news!
LOGO has acquired all 8 seasons of Bad Girls, to begin airing in February. Check your local listings for air dates. If you don't have LOGO, contact your cable company and request it.
Please contact LOGO and thank them.
11/10/06
From Shed Productions:
US Update: Shed announces that its US agents, UTA (United Talent Agency), have closed... a format deal with cable broadcaster FX, part of the Fox family of channels, enabling it to develop a US version of the UK hit 'Bad Girls'.
Please write Shed Productions and let them know we would like to buy the entire UK show in Region 1 DVD format!
Get Season 1 on DVD in Region 1 to start your collection.
For you impatient people, like me, who can't wait for the rest of the Region 1 BG DVD's, I recommend getting yourself a region free DVD play and buying the UK DVD box sets of each season.
OLD NEWS:
5/2/06 - Fantastic NEWS!
Simone (Helen) and Mandana (Nikki) have been voted into Lesbianation.com's Top 10 Women We Love for May!!
Congratulations to Mandana, Simone, and to the Fans for making it happen!
