The pot has been boiling all season for a series finale that goes out with a bang, and now that we’re less than a week away – it’s anybody’s guess on who will make it out alive.
With 99 episodes down and only one spectacular finish to go, Wentworth set the finale in place during last night’s penultimate episode. And already have we been teased of some of the drama that will unfold.
Spoiler alert, we’re not holding back.
Judy Bryant (Vivienne Awosoga) has learned from her father that she looks to be acquitted of all charges in the coming days, immediately sending her to topdog Lou Kelly (Kate Box) and demanding their bomb-escape plot to be called off. But Lou’s only out for revenge on the screws, and her extra-explosive way out has been brought forward, ready for absolute destruction when the show finishes next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ann Reynolds (Jane Hall) has officially gone off the rails and looks to be just about unhinged. Informed that Judy was likely part of the terrorist act that killed her daughter, she allows the bomb to enter the prison so Judy can be caught and finally punished for her crimes.
Outed as a cop, Rita Connors (Leah Purcell) is under guard watch for her own safety, but she’s still out to clear her name and get out of prison, all while assisting Governor Will Jackson (Robbie Magasiva) in stopping the escape plan Lou has been brewing. In doing so, former villain-turned-hero Marie Winter (Susie Porter) becomes a code-black casualty after protecting Ruby Mitchell (Rarriwuy Hick) from Lou’s crew, and is killed by the topdog, “for Reb“.
In what feels like the B-plot of the season, Joan Ferguson (Pamela Rabe) faced her trial for the murder of her amnesia-alias Kath Maxwell. Just when it looks like Vera Bennett (Kate Atkinson) is about to sacrifice everything to ensure Joan is put away for good, she confesses to lying about her amnesia and having gained full memory in court. It’s a move that keeps her in prison, leaving Joan’s most burned enemies questioning the move. With a sickening smirk but eyes filled with hope, we’re left wondering if she’s got an ulterior motive, or if maybe, just maybe, she’s turned over a new leaf.
So what else should we expect in the finale? Here’s a look at some of the smaller storylines that we’ll probably see wrap up in some way next week:
Boomer (Katrina Milosevic) is pregnant, and now it’s a mission to carry to full term in a prison where anyone could get shivved (or exploded) on the daily. After being put in a wheelchair thanks to Judy, Allie Novak (Kate Jenkinson) has been struggling with her quality of life. We’ll either see her take a tearful death to be with longtime lover Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack), or find some meaning and will to push on, wheelchair bound and all.
Ever since the birth of his daughter, Jake Stewart (Bernard Curry) has been itching to get back into Vera’s good graces. Could we finally see them come together and make the happy family we all know they can be? And Linda Miles (Jacqueline Brennan) has been Ann’s lapdog all season, but after signs of some humanity still left in her, will she finally become as adored as the trio of Will, Vera and Jake?
We’ve been in wait almost all season for this big finale, and to know it’s finally all coming to a head fills me with anticipation. I’m so glad we got a taste of the good stuff last night – Marie’s murder and Joan’s shocking “I’m changing my plea to guilty” announcement got my teeth sinked in.
This has been a great season, but the wait has been a little underwhelming. And I wish we saw the beginning of this bomb explosion play out this week much like we did the seige in season seven, but, if it can all fit in the one hour slot without feeling too crammed, I’ll allow it.
Lou has by far been the most exciting character to watch this season. She’s just been on such a roller coaster but we’re finally going to see her plan play out and watch her get revenge on the people she wants it for the most. I’m hoping she doesn’t get all of her just desserts and becomes a casualty of her own doing, but, I can see Lou slipping away in a method that makes up sympathise with her.
Speaking of characters we love to hate – could we really be seeing Joan turn into a a loving human who wants the best for Vera? Is this a real timeline that exists out there? Joan’s whole arc has been nothing short of a villainous tone, so to see her seemingly protect Vera at the trial by pleading guilty and putting herself away really leaves me shocked. But as Vera noted, Joan doesn’t do anything without finding something in it for herself. So if we’re in for a finale Freak-twist, I will be ecstatic. As long as it keeps Vera alive and well.
I do wanna see our prison heroes get some well-deserved happy endings too. The foursome of Rita, Ruby, Allie and Boomer all look to be in a spot of trouble right now, but if they can survive whatever is in store during the finale, then I hope their roads ahead (without us) will be peaceful and deserved. And I especially hope we see Rita cleared of all charged whether she emerges out of the finale or not, her name deserves to have the slate wiped clean after three years of watching try and fail.
With a bomb at the centre of the finale next week, here’s my judgment on who’s gonna make it out alive:
Vera is the only person I can almost 100% say will make it out of the finale still intact and with baby Grace in her care. It would be an incredible injustice to the fans to see her taken away from Grace and not get the perfect ending she deserves. Her character growth from the very first episode of Wentworth ever has just been incredible to watch, and I’d hate to see it all go to waste with a death thanks to either the Freak or Lou’s bomb.
I think Boomer, Will and Ruby will be alright too. Their deaths would be great if this was just a season finale, in order to give other characters some more development and death from them. But with nowhere to go after this series finale, they’d be pretty disappointing. I wanna see Boomer have her little baby, Will finally be at peace with what he’s done at Wentworth, and of course see Ruby get out of the damn place.
I think Allie, Jake and Rita are a little far off. All of them lose something if they go and I think it would make for an interesting finale if they were to become a victim in this prison explosion. Allie’s death has been played with almost all season, so I can see it. And the contrast of watching Ruby/Vera tend to a wounded and slipping away Rita/Jake would be almost as heartbreaking yet fascinating to watch as Boomer’s mercy killing of Liz Birdsworth (Celia Ireland). And I don’t think it’s really Wentworth if we’re not picking off one or two heroes in the story.
Lou, Judy, Ann and the Freak all are my top picks for final justice and a definitive goodbye. They’ve all played the villains, and while everyone could turn the corner and have a happy ending, sometimes the ‘get-her’ death is just as sweeter. Each of them have got reasons to make me wanna see them go down (cough, Judy, cough), so I hope we see some viewer-victories next week. No doubt one of the bad guy’s is gonna go, so take your pick as to which one falls in the flames (callback to Joan in the season three fire, maybe?).
Redemption for some, revenge for others. That’s what’s on the cards when Wentworth enters its final episode ever next week. I hope we see some flashes of the future or where the remaining characters all ended up. After 100 episodes, it’ll be worth seeing just how their stories ended. And a nod to some of the greats who have left before would be amazing.
The end of an era is upon us, so let’s brace for impact. GET THE TISSUES!
What about a spin off prequel focussing on either Jac’s or Marie’s crime empires? Or even both! We could have them vying for control of Melbourne’s brothels! If anyone from Foxtel is reading this, I’ve got a scriptwriting degree and am happy to come back to Aus…