Ep 9. To the Moon

In Wentworth season 1 episode 9, titled To the Moon, the focus shifts back onto the relationship between Franky and Erica. The two women have been growing closer over the course of the season, bonding over shared experiences of abuse and betrayal. However, their relationship takes a dark turn as Franky becomes increasingly possessive and controlling of Erica.

Meanwhile, a new prisoner arrives at Wentworth: a transgender woman named Maxine. The other inmates are initially wary of Maxine, unsure how to treat her or what pronouns to use. However, Bea takes Maxine under her wing and helps her settle into life at the prison. Maxine proves to be a valuable asset to the women, helping them with their beauty routines and offering emotional support.

The main plot of the episode centers around a planned prison protest. The inmates are fed up with the inhumane conditions and lack of resources at Wentworth, and they decide to stage a demonstration to demand better treatment. Bea, as one of the leaders of the group, rallies the women and organizes the protest.

However, Franky has other ideas. She is feeling threatened by Erica's growing friendship with Bea, and she manipulates Erica into sabotaging the protest. Erica agrees to Franky's plan, but she quickly realizes the gravity of what she's done. She tries to back out, but Franky threatens to expose her own secret if Erica doesn't follow through with the plan.

As the protest unfolds, tensions rise and the women become increasingly desperate. The guards are outnumbered and overwhelmed, and there are several close calls as the inmates try to push their way through the prison gates. In the end, the protest is quashed, but not before there are some serious consequences for the women involved.

To the Moon is a tense and emotionally charged episode, with strong performances from the entire cast. The themes of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal are explored in depth, and the episode raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be a friend and when loyalty crosses the line into coercion. Overall, it's a gripping installment in the Wentworth series and a standout episode of season 1.