Ep 1. No Place Like Home

In the first episode of Wentworth's first season "No Place Like Home", we are introduced to Bea Smith, a married woman who is convicted of trying to kill her abusive husband. Bea's life takes a dark turn when she is sent to a maximum-security women's prison called Wentworth, located near Melbourne.

The episode opens with Bea being brought into Wentworth and immediately realizing the harsh realities of prison life. She is strip-searched, given her prison uniform, and assigned a cell with another inmate named Doreen. Doreen is a friendly and helpful inmate who explains the prison's rules and social hierarchy to Bea. This is the first glimpse we get into the complex and often brutal relationships between the prisoners.

We are also introduced to some of the prison staff, including Governor Meg Jackson, who is shown to be strict but fair, and Vera Bennett, a young officer with a chip on her shoulder. Both women immediately clash over Vera's inexperience, and Bea picks up on the tension between them.

As Bea tries to adjust to life in prison, she discovers that her former lover, Harry Smith, is also being held in Wentworth awaiting trial for armed robbery. Harry is a dangerous criminal and has connections to a powerful gang of inmates led by Franky Doyle. Franky is a charismatic and manipulative prisoner who is also Harry's ex-girlfriend. Bea makes the mistake of approaching Franky for protection, but Franky sees an opportunity to use Bea to her own advantage.

The episode also introduces other key characters, such as Liz Birdsworth, an elderly inmate with a drinking problem, and Jacs Holt, the leader of a rival gang. The tension between the different groups of inmates is palpable throughout the episode, and it's clear that Bea is going to have to navigate this dangerous terrain if she wants to survive.

"No Place Like Home" sets up the season-long arc of Bea's journey from a vulnerable new inmate to a hardened survivor. We see how the other characters slowly start to underestimate her, but Bea proves to be a quick learner and soon starts to find her place in the prison's pecking order. We also see her struggle with her guilt over what she did to her husband, and the fear that her daughter might end up in foster care.

Overall, the first episode of Wentworth effectively sets up the show's premise and introduces us to its strong ensemble cast. The writing is tense and compelling, and the performances are excellent, particularly Danielle Cormack as Bea Smith. We are left eager to see what happens next and how Bea will navigate the dangerous world of Wentworth prison.