Wentworth

Very similar to Orange Is the New Black, the only major difference is that Wentworth is strictly a drama, and humor is out of bounds. Otherwise, the two series are not that different. Both include flashback scenes that provide more insight into the characters, only Wentworth also focuses on the guards and not just the main character who is even pushed to the background in some episodes. I thoroughly enjoyed the first season and I’m looking forward to the next one. // Season 2 comes with a key change in the prison's leadership. With the arrival of Joan Ferguson – an interesting cross between Nurse Ratched and Reinhard Heydrich – the atmosphere gets sadistic, paranoid, and filled with scheming and intrigue. The series becomes more dramatic, gritty, and addictive. At least I find it hard to stop watching it, and I look forward to each new episode. // Season 3 is the most depressing one so far. The atmosphere gets even more tense. Governor Joan Ferguson intensifies her psycho-terror and only the most optimistic inmate would reach for the soap in the shower. Intrigue thrives on both sides of the bars, and the best thing is that the writing is so good that the plot doesn’t seem out of place for a moment. Everything feels extremely believable. // Season 4 was absolutely awesome. There’s nothing to criticize, I can only lavish praise on it. It has everything: a tense atmosphere, suspense, and plot twists. All of it is mixed in such a fantastic ratio that I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. Even as it escalates, it still feels extremely real. Joan Ferguson, just like Annie Wilkes, is some serious nightmare fuel for me. I'm getting chills just thinking about her. (09.09.2016)

I consider Season 5 the weakest one so far, which doesn't mean it's bad. Far from it. It’s just that the creators of the series got me too excited by the previous seasons, so I expected it to be even better. I'm sure many writers would give anything for even one such excellent season. With Wentworth, I’ve been satisfied for five seasons already and I hope the show will keep it up. (26.10.2018)

The first episode of the fifth series evoked conflicting emotions in me. Among the negative ones is a strong impression that without Danielle Cormack it's not the real deal anymore. I was not impressed by the introductory play on emotions (although it was quite understandable) or the expected return of Franky to prison (which was really too obvious). On the other hand, I was pleased with the old good atmosphere, quality performances by the actors, and absolutely crazy plotting both inside and outside the prison, so in the end, it was a decent rating. (23.10.2018)

Neither did the second episode fill me with boundless happiness, but I didn't experience any disappointment either. I just have a feeling that without the character of Danielle Cormack, the screenwriters have a harder time with their work. Franky is currently not enough to fill the void. I hope it will improve in the future. (23.10.2018)

Even though I still consider the third part to be above average, I am still accustomed to better experiences from the creators of Wentworth. The episode focused too much on Liz's testimony for my taste, and furthermore, the character of Kaz Proctor seems somewhat uninspiring to me, it could use some new impetus. 3*+ (23.10.2018)

This time the plot focused mainly on Sonia's storyline, but in this case I was quite satisfied. Her story brought a few successful twists, it's just a shame that the outcome was again very predictable. Joan Ferguson once again demonstrated her manipulative self in practice and it was worth it. (23.10.2018)

The plot of the fifth episode pleased me quite a bit, the intrigues in the prison continued cheerfully, and I could enjoy watching Franky's relentless efforts to escape, and the conclusion of the episode gave me hope that the character Kaz Proctor will no longer be stereotypically boring and perhaps will finally move forward. (25.10.2018)

The sixth episode seemed slightly underwhelming to me, and originally I wanted to rate it with three stars, but Joan Ferguson's cold intrigues forced me to add one more piece. Nonetheless, I still believe that the quality of the fifth season somewhat lags behind the previous ones. (25.10.2018)

Except for minor details, it was a successful episode, which had a slightly better atmosphere than the previous ones this time. I was never bored even for a moment, the creators managed to build up decent tension, there was also some action, and I enjoyed the intrigues of the Ferguson/Stewart duo. (25.10.2018)

Although the creators tried to make the episode interesting in every way, it didn't impress me completely, especially the scenes with Bridget Westfall didn't excite me too much this time. I think there didn't need to be so many romantic separations and reconciliations, it spoils the atmosphere and after a while it starts to get a bit boring. (25.10.2018)

I have decided to be generous and rated the episode with a full score because it had that old nourishing atmosphere again, with intrigue happening on both sides of the bars, and the story moved significantly forward. I love episodes like these, they never disappoint, entertain, and tune one in for the next continuation. (26.10.2018)

No way, another five, it looks like the creators are on track for the final third. It always amuses me when it turns out that the prisoners still have a lot to learn in order to even attempt to keep up with some individuals on the other side of the bars. The end of the episode further enhanced the already high-quality atmosphere. (26.10.2018)

So it won't be a coincidence anymore, it is becoming clear to me that the creators gathered their strength throughout eight episodes to properly polish the last four episodes (at least I hope there will be four, three have definitely turned out well). Even though Joan Ferguson is as likable as a guillotine, it would probably be boring without her. Nice lynching, by the way. (26.10.2018)

Yeah, it worked, the final episode of the fifth series was definitely worth it. The atmosphere was great, and yet the creators managed to make it even more intense in the end. And even though at one point I had the feeling that they slightly overdid the storyline, so I thought I knew exactly how their move would turn out, they managed to surprise me again, so full throttle. (26.10.2018)