Wentworth

Looking back now, Prisoner was a laugh riot. Dad and I were laughing when they repeated the original series, again, that seems so cheesy now, if of course unrealistic, judging by the larger than life plots, and some highly and insanely unlikely scenarios, that caused a bit of eye rolling. Oh, how times have changed. This new, better series is more modernized as now having security cameras with much better looking women and better actors, although the ones from the original must be praised too. Don't fault them, it's what they had to work with. We retain our chief characters from the original, though some, altered, here and there, especially Vera 'Vinegar Tits' Bennett, played wonderfully by a familiar Seachange face. Danielle McCormack holds her own, very strong as Bea, and a much hotter looking Frankie Doyle, is a very animated and absorbing character, wonderfully played by De Silva, up there by McCormack. Even the brief Jim Fletcher character is reprised by McCleod's Daughter's Aaron Jeffrey. But it's Pamela Rabe as the notorious Joan Ferguson, who's really scarring and creepy to the max. I was impressed and admired her take on the role, that's so creepily haunting, I prefer her to Maggie's Kirkpatrick's portrayal. It's great to see different actors do the same role, putting their own spin on it. Hey if they copied the other actors, it would be boring, and unwatchable, but when actors breath a lot of originality, life and traits into that role, you know it will be, and I'm not just saying that about Rabe's, but her performance was the one, who had the real effect on me, that sly smile, and those unreadable expressions in that steel gaze of hers, that only leaves you wanting more. This is one of those successful remakes, a much scarier and tougher Prisoner this time around, some women you don't want to mess with, the much younger ones, some real cuties. Hey, if you want laughs and escapism, just go back to the original, as this one, a much more serious and intense series, is far different from what went on 24 years earlier. Excellento.

I absolutely loved Wentworth. I don't think I've ever been more surprised by how much I've liked a show quite like this one. Every episode of every season is good. It's addicting. I binged the entire series as quickly as I could and I would dare to bet you would to if you haven't seen it yet. It takes a look at the lives of the women inmates and the staff at Wentworth prison. This show is intense, violent, gritty, intelligent, all of those. It's a pretty if cast and there's not a weak link among them. They all do a fantastic job. I can not recommend this show enough. Give it a chance and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Initial skepticism of trying to remake a classic serial drama like Prisoner was quickly dispelled in the first few minutes of episode 1. This is a completely new take on a long running series from the 1980s with the necessary level of added grit needed in 2013. Whilst employing many of the well known character names; the "new" version has created juicy variations to the originals. Those familiar with the original series should not allow themselves to by put off in the early stages by casting of different types to play the original characters. Ep 1 was edgy, well paced and the acting overall was very good. If Wentworth can maintain the same intensity over its remaining 9 episodes of season 1, it will be a treat to watch. As well as seeing how the initial variation to different main characters develop, perhaps growing into their more familiar traits from the original series as the new series progresses. Clearly this re-make is attempting to tell the background story as to how the likes of Bea Smith, Vera Bennett, Meg Jackson and Frankie Doyle came to be like they were in the original Prisoner series.

I was a huge fan of the first season of Wentworth Prison when it was shown on Channel 5 in the UK last year. I thought the series proved to be a great 'standalone' drama with high quality production values, excellent writing and acting. The series at the same time also paid subtle and gracious homage to Prisoner, a special and ground breaking show. Well the second season doesn't disappoint, building on the quality of the first season, and it is mostly down to the clever introduction into the Wentworth mix of one character - Joan Ferguson. Pamela Rabe is simply brilliant as Joan Ferguson - taking on the mantle of one of the most iconic of TV characters and breathing a new 21st century life into her is no easy job, but Rabe achieves it, obviously relishing the opportunity to play such an unusual female character. Rabe's on screen presence, controlled physical stillness and a real glint in the eye hides an obvious wealth of feelings, which comes out in small doses throughout the season, in carefully played scenes where unexpected kindness and sincerity adds real depth to an already complicated individual. The 'new' Joan Ferguson has obvious OCD and abhors physical contact. Her compulsion to control every part of her environment (including her office) her staff and prisoners is wonderfully realised by Rabe, with a series of subtle physical ticks, cold stares and calculating mental games with everyone around her. Great use is made of prison security cameras which become Joan's 'All seeing eye'. Clever adaption of surgical gloves is used as a visual tease (and a wink) in the early episodes of what is to come from Joan later on. The writing, production and cast are universally excellent once again, with particular mention to Nicole da Silva and Danielle Cormack who play Frankie and Bea. As in the first season, the use of slow motion image capture and end sequence music is particularly effective. I for one can't wait for season three.

The last thing I ever expected to appear in the TV listings was a new series based on the excellent Prisoner Cell Block H! Being a big fan of the original series I had to see what it was like.

The acting is good and it has the same mix of tragedy and tension as the original. I think it's a good move that they didn't try to exactly copy the characters and stories of the original, instead opting for some familiar names and a whole new story with some reminders of Prisoner for the fans.

You have to hand it to Australia, there are some genres of TV they do better than the rest of the world, namely soap opera and prison drama. Great stuff, I will definitely be tuning in next week. Well done to Channel 5 for buying in something worth seeing for a change.