Foxtel’s long-running series is wrapping up in a few weeks, and with nothing to lose, the final season might just be the most riveting of them all.
Last Tuesday night the fifth episode of Wentworth’s ninth (eight; part two) and final season went to air, and between Lou Kelly plotting the screws’ demise and The Freak cosying up to an acquaintance from her past, the show is producing some gripping, edge-of-your-seat television. So spoiler alert now!
If you’re a die hard fan who’s caught up with all of the latest drama happening inside the prison, you’re anxiously anticipating just what Vera Bennett will do knowing Joan Ferguson has regained her memory, or whether Allie Novak will covertly come after Judy Bryant for attempting to kill her, despite the protection order in place by prison top dog, Lou Kelly.
But if you’ve once fallen out of love with this Australian sensation full of excellent local talent, now is absolutely the time to get your binge on and catch up while you still can.
Yes, long are the days where Bea Smith and Franky Doyle were battling for power, and the show certainly changed once both of them had exited the series entirely during season six. Some episodes fell flat or strung out longer than they needed to, and it was also hard to grow the same love and affection for newer inmates than those who launched the show into its stardom back in 2013.
But it almost feels like the show has been given the all clear to do whatever it wants to give the fans what they deserve, and invite former ones to rejoin before it all wraps with a total of 100 episodes.
Wentworth killed off two of its major characters just in the first two episodes this year, and it doesn’t look to be done there when Pamela Rabe’s ‘Freak’ gives her signature icy, long stare, letting the audience know her chosen victims’ days are numbered. Not to mention we’ve had a fight for top dog power, rogue staff almost killing inmates with ‘torture devices’, and… Boomer trying to make a baby? Yeah, that one you’ll have to see for yourself.
Watching some of these characters develop in only a few episodes proves that the show is on a trajectory to produce a truly satisfying ending. I mean, who else was waiting all of last year to watch Lou become one of the most dangerous top dogs yet? Now that she’s finally at the steam press she was born to stand behind, she’s one of the best faces to root for (or against) in the show. 2020 left me asking for big character changes, and 2021 is delivering!
Jake Stewart who I think we all kind of loved to hate and expected to die at the hands of The Freak, is now someone who I’m desperately hoping can make it out of the show alive, living a long and happy life with Vera and their daughter. How is THAT happening?
Or Allie, who’s been on such a rollercoaster ride since she walked into prison – from drug abuse, to revenge-for-Bea (a personal favourite), to badass top dog – has finally entered new territory for her character: living with a permanent disability, and finding her quality of life out of it too.
Even Vera, who pretty much spent four seasons pining for the coveted role of ‘Governor’ (and two seasons trying to keep it) has developed into this hardcore, don’t-mess-with-me Industries Manager, and remains the only one rightfully cautious of Joan Ferguson being back in the prison.
The characters on the show during this final season might look mostly different to those introduced in the first season, but the energy, talent and emotional impact they create is just as thrilling.
Nine years of fantastic Australian television is not slowing down just because the show is on its last legs. It’s picking up and taking fans with it on the Wentworth journey we’ve all wanted to be a part of.
You’re immersed with the characters, you’ve chosen what side you’re on, and you’ll be standing by ready to shiv whoever looks twice at your designated ally.
With nothing to lose, Wentworth’s final season is well and truly for the fans.
