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* NotUsedToFreedom: Lizzie Birdsworth was in jail for 40 years, however she was freed after the real murderer confesses on their deathbed, however she is unable to live a normal life and ends up back in again several times [[spoiler:she ends up released into her family after the parole agrees]].

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* NotUsedToFreedom: Lizzie Birdsworth was in jail for 40 20 years, however she was freed after the real murderer confesses on their deathbed, however she is unable to live a normal life and ends up back in again several times [[spoiler:she ends up released into her family after the parole agrees]].
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** Also Officer David Bridges.
* ShoutOut: The series was based on Within These Walls, a UK Prison Drama and several references are possible to see:
** Within These Walls focused more on the Prison Staff and their private lives with only a few of the Prisoners as focus.
** The Liberal Governor in both shows clashes with the Hard Nosed Senior Officers about Prison reform.
** Within's governor is a early Erica Davidson, in fact the actress Googie Withers was offered the part but turned it down.
** Also Within These Walls had lesbian characters.
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* NotSoDifferent: Erica Davidson and Vera Bennett butt heads over how to treat the Prisoners. However both had poor relationships with their mothers and with men.
** Ironically Vera accused Erica of running Wentworth as a holiday camp, however she became Governor of Barnhurst and it remains a low security Prison that was more like a holiday than a punishment.

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* HesBack: Well three in the series did characters return with memory loss and it's clear they might get a early release but in Wentworth it doesn't go smooth.



** Bobbie Mitchell, a girl with anger issues, learnt a skill and fell in love while working on day release, she returns for a wedding and shows her old friends her engagement ring.

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** Bobbie Mitchell, a girl thief with anger issues, issues due to a poor family life, she loses the anger, makes friends with the officers and inmates, learnt a skill and fell in love while working on day release, she is paroled to a kind old retired officer and returns for a wedding and shows showing off her old friends her engagement ring.



** Also there was poor Mum who was released and clearly didn't want to leave. She is greeted by her daughter, who promises to give her a home just not with her, it turns out she told everybody including Mum's grandchildren that she was dead. Mum ends up back in Wentworth after deliberately shoplifting.

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** Also there was poor Mum who was released and clearly didn't want to leave. She is greeted by her daughter, who promises to give her a home just not with her, it turns out she told everybody including Mum's grandchildren that she was dead. Mum ends up back in Wentworth after deliberately shoplifting. shoplifting, but she finds a ally in her granddaughter and stays out again.



** The best examples include [[spoiler:Bea Smith, Noeline Burke and Joan Ferguson (in the last episode)]].

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** The best examples include [[spoiler:Bea Smith, Noeline Burke Smith who left for Barnhust twice, Chrisse Latham and Joan Ferguson (in the last episode)]].episode)]].
*** However TheBusCameBack for favourites like Margo Graffney, Reb Kean and Doreen Burns.
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** Julie Egbert also had a bad trip, it was [[spoiler:arranged by Joan to stop the wedding nearly ending in her death in a Garage Truck.

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** Julie Egbert also had a bad trip, it was [[spoiler:arranged by Joan to stop the her wedding to Steve Ryan]], she wanders around and nearly ending in her death in a Garage Truck.
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** After Joan is given LSD by Lionel Fellows' gang, she has a nightmare of a trip with her crimes forced on her, it ends with Joan stabbing her beloved dog to death.
** Reb Kean was dealing what she was told was Cocaine it was PCP and after being given a overdose and smashes up her cell.
** Julie Egbert also had a bad trip, nearly ending in her death in a Garage Truck.

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** After Joan is given LSD by Lionel Fellows' gang, she has a nightmare of a trip with her crimes forced on her, trial with Meg Morris as judge, the jury being the inmates she harmed, it ends with Joan stabbing her beloved dog to death.
** Reb Kean was dealing what she was told was Cocaine it was PCP and after being given a overdose and smashes up her cell. The only good thing was it scared Bobbie off drugs.
** Julie Egbert also had a bad trip, it was [[spoiler:arranged by Joan to stop the wedding nearly ending in her death in a Garage Truck.

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* AntagonisticOffspring: Pat O'Connell, was in for aiding her husband and oldest son David's escape, she tries to go straight but her son escapes and she aids him again. However he ends up shooting a guard and after his hearing goes back he kills himself. Pat gets a happy ending, she appeals her first conviction and is divorced and paroled with her younger children returned to her.
**

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* AntagonisticOffspring: AntagonisticOffspring:
**
Pat O'Connell, was in for aiding her husband and oldest son David's escape, she tries to go straight but her son escapes and she aids him again. However he ends up shooting a guard and after his hearing goes back he kills himself. Pat gets a happy ending, she appeals her first conviction and is divorced and paroled with her younger children returned to her.
** Noeline Burke's whole family are thieves, they don't take charity they just take.
** Bobbie Mitchell is from a bad family and it explains her behaviour.





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* MamaBear: Several of the older inmates become like mothers to the younger ones:
** Lizzie Birdsworth takes the blame for the [[spoiler:manslaughter of Kay White]] in-place of [[spoiler:Linda Jones]] whose parole was soon and so she could be free and be with her son.
** Myra Desmond who was the second good top dog died during the Ruth Ballinger siege, she was given the choice of who died next and choose herself.

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* AntagonisticOffspring: Nancy Mccormack took the blame for the murder of her abusive husband by her son Peter however after realising that her son has been abusing his new wife, she makes him confess and she is freed.

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* AntagonisticOffspring: Pat O'Connell, was in for aiding her husband and oldest son David's escape, she tries to go straight but her son escapes and she aids him again. However he ends up shooting a guard and after his hearing goes back he kills himself. Pat gets a happy ending, she appeals her first conviction and is divorced and paroled with her younger children returned to her.
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** Reb Kean is very harsh to her rich parents explaining that parental neglect caused her behaviour.

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Nancy Mccormack took the blame for the murder of her abusive husband by her son Peter Peter, she finds the prison difficult, but in the end becomes a mother figure to the inmates, however after realising that her son has been abusing his new wife, she makes him confess and she is freed.
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* BeingEvilSucks: Joan Ferguson acknowledges this about herself and she hates the person she is.


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* CardboardPrison: Barnhurst is such a low security prison that it doesn't have a fence, but it's unnecessary as it's 10 miles from the nearest town meaning the guards would pick up the prisoners.
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* GuileHero: In the final few episodes [[spoiler:Rita Conners]] has Cancer and has [[spoiler:Joan]] to escort her for treatment, while chatting she reveals that she planned to rob a Finance Company with the idea that she fools the cops [[spoiler:by pretending to throw the money to someone, but instead hide it in the toilets for someone to get later]]. The offer of [[spoiler:$250,000]] tempts [[spoiler:Joan]] and they commit it, however [[spoiler:Joan is arrested with the money]] and it's revealed that [[spoiler:Rita]] double crossed her and thus ends [[spoiler:Joan's time in Wentworth]].
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* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler:Joan]] does this with [[spoiler:Ernest Craven]] after he offers to remove [[spoiler:Ann Reynolds and make Joan Governor]]. However she didn't realise this would mean the mental health of [[spoiler:her old friend Lorelei Wilkinson who is in jail raped and falsely accuses Ann of making her say it]], thankfully it goes very wrong, [[spoiler: Ernest pays with his life and Joan escapes firing and will remain a officer]].


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** Also Ernest Craven is this at Blackmoor, then at Wentworth, thankfully he gets what comes to him [[spoiler:he is murdered by Lorelei after threatening her again and she exposes his corrupt behaviour]].

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* DrugsAreBad: Drugs are presented negatively, Bea Smith [[spoiler:lost Debbie]] to an overdose and would stop at nothing to keep them out of Wentworth. After Joan is given LSD she kills her dog after a terrible nightmarish trip, Myra Desmond tripped as well, Reb Kean was given PCP and smashes up her cell but we don't see her trip and Julie Egbert also had a bad trip.

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* DrugsAreBad: Drugs are presented negatively, several characters died and Top Dogs and dealers end up badly:
**
Bea Smith [[spoiler:lost Debbie]] to an overdose and would stop at nothing to keep them out of Wentworth. During her first time at Barnhurst, Top Dog Marie Winter has Bea's food doped with Magic Mushrooms, Bea finds the trip terrible and finds the staff willing to turn a blind eye as it stops the inmates misbehaving. She bashes Marie.
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After Joan is given LSD by Lionel Fellows' gang, she kills has a nightmare of a trip with her crimes forced on her, it ends with Joan stabbing her beloved dog after a terrible nightmarish trip, Myra Desmond tripped as well, to death.
**
Reb Kean was dealing what she was told was Cocaine it was PCP and after being given PCP a overdose and smashes up her cell but we don't see her trip and cell.
**
Julie Egbert also had a bad trip.trip, nearly ending in her death in a Garage Truck.

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** Reb Kean after realising she has given [[Phyllis brain damage]].

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** Reb Kean after realising she has given [[Phyllis [[spoiler:Phyllis brain damage]].



** Lexie Patterson also leaves never to return partly because of her baby.

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** Lexie Patterson also leaves never to return partly because of The Freak but also her baby.



* NotUsedToFreedom: Lizzie Birdsworth was in jail for 20 years, however she was freed after the case was investigated, however she is unable to live a normal life and ends up back in again several times [[spoiler:she ends up released into her family after a heart attack]].

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* NotUsedToFreedom: Lizzie Birdsworth was in jail for 20 40 years, however she was freed after the case was investigated, real murderer confesses on their deathbed, however she is unable to live a normal life and ends up back in again several times [[spoiler:she ends up released into her family after a heart attack]].the parole agrees]].


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** Shelia gives Lexie one after she refuses to be a runner.

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* NeverMyFault: Ros Coulson, believes she shouldn't be in jail, but she still murdered Toni Mcnally for murdering her mother, she tries to escape but in the end accepts it.

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* NeverMyFault: Ros Coulson, believes she shouldn't be in jail, but she still murdered Toni Mcnally for murdering her mother, she tries to escape but in the end accepts it.it and focuses on her studies.
** Kay White refused to accept blame, she was a secretary at a factory where the women were working as a scheme and she was a gambler with the factory's funds, she ends up inside and some of the women want her to pay up, she ends up gambling bets she can't afford and is willing to blame anyone other than herself for it.
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* HollywoodHeartAttack: Lizzie does have a heart problem and has suffered a few heart attacks but also uses it to cover up prison dealings.
* HollywoodPsych: Laura Gardiner has Dissociative identity disorder [[spoiler:formally known as multiple personality disorder]] her other is Brandy a foul mouthed prostitute, upon realising it Dr. Weissman cures her with hypnosis in a short time which is impossible.


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** Reb Kean after realising she has given [[Phyllis brain damage]].
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* CordonBleughChef: Mrs O'Reagan was the cook for the early years, there was regular jokes about her food being terrible and she blamed the inmates working with her, she finally left after scalded by hot fat.

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** Pat O'Connell, manages to go straight once her original case is overthrown and she is rewarded her two younger children



* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term in prison, resulting her being moved, Doreen upset dresses down Vera that if she died tommorrow nobody would mourn, when Doreen leaves Vera is really hurt by her words.

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* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term in prison, resulting her in Doreen being moved, moved to another ward, Doreen upset dresses down Vera that if she died tommorrow tomorrow nobody would mourn, when Doreen leaves Vera is really hurt by her words.[[note]] It doesn't helped that Erica has warned, in fact promises Vera that if Doreen loses her job, Vera would be reported and if she displays similar behaviour again she would be fired.[[/note]]

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** Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term in prison, resulting her being move, Doreen upset tells Vera that she

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** Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and Lou Kelly's face after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term she hits [[spoiler:Nora Flynn]] in prison, resulting the stomach causing her being move, Doreen upset tells Vera that she a miscarriage.


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* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term in prison, resulting her being moved, Doreen upset dresses down Vera that if she died tommorrow nobody would mourn, when Doreen leaves Vera is really hurt by her words.

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* AmbiguousCrimmalHistory: Doreen Anderson's criminal history is briefly suggested that she was in and out since she was younger but the full list is never given. Then there's Barbie Cox who is a dumb blonde that says about three lines, even The Freak is lost for words when she reads the chances [[spoiler:it has been suggested the writers didn't know why she was in jail]].

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* AmbiguousCrimmalHistory: AmbiguousCriminalHistory: Doreen Anderson's criminal history is briefly suggested that she was in and out since she was younger but the full list is never given. Then there's Barbie Cox who is a dumb blonde that says about three lines, even The Freak is lost for words when she reads the chances [[spoiler:it has been suggested the writers didn't know why she was in jail]].


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** Doreen confronts Vera in her own home, Doreen was working in a hospital and after Vera went with [[spoiler:Chrissie to see Elizabeth]] Vera had remarked about Doreen's term in prison, resulting her being move, Doreen upset tells Vera that she
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* AmbiguousCrimmalHistory: Doreen Anderson's criminal history is briefly suggested that she was in and out since she was younger but the full list is never given. Then there's Barbie Cox who is a dumb blonde that says about three lines, even The Freak is lost for words when she reads the chances [[spoiler:it has been suggested the writers didn't know why she was in jail]].


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* DepravedHomosexual: It's highly suggested of Joan Ferguson, with her gloves.
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** Also there was a character called Edna Pearson who only briefly appeared in the show, however her character suffered massive cuts after complains from a viewer who like Pearson had been accused of attempted murder of her husband so Pearson was removed from her remaining episodes.

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** Also there was a The final episode ends with the fates of several character called Edna Pearson who only briefly appeared still unknown like [[spoiler:Kath Maxwell or Rodney Adams]] it has been noticed that they are missing in the show, however her character suffered massive cuts after complains from a viewer who like Pearson had been accused of attempted murder of her husband so Pearson was removed from her remaining episodes. final scene.
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The show's success in the UK helped pave the way for other Australian Soap Operas like Series/Neighbours and Series/HomeAndAway.

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The show's success in the UK helped pave the way for other Australian Soap Operas like Series/Neighbours Series/{{Neighbours}} and Series/HomeAndAway.
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The show's success in the UK helped pave the way for other Australian Soap Operas like Neighbours and Series/HomeAndAway.

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The show's success in the UK helped pave the way for other Australian Soap Operas like Neighbours Series/Neighbours and Series/HomeAndAway.
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Although sometimes the object of derision for its infamous shaky sets and weak Continuity, ''Prisoner: Cell Block H'' is a cult show, and it found success not only in Australia, but also the United Kingdom, USA and Sweden. It also spawned two successful stage spin-offs.

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Although sometimes the object of derision for its infamous shaky sets and weak Continuity, ''Prisoner: Cell Block H'' is a cult show, and it found success not only in Australia, but also the United Kingdom, USA (where it rated higher than Johnny Carson), Canada (under the named Caged Women) and Sweden. It also spawned two successful stage spin-offs.
The show's success in the UK helped pave the way for other Australian Soap Operas like Neighbours and Series/HomeAndAway.

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* CrowdChant: In [[spoiler:the final episode]] the girls chant [[spoiler:Ferguson]] revealing to her and the whole of Wentworth that they know she's here possible [[spoiler:ending Rodney Adams' career at the same time]].



* EtTuBrute: Regularly did they betray each other for their own profit.



* HookerWithAHeartOfGold: Lots of these among the women. Two examples are: Chrissie Latham (if we overlook that one murder) and Marilyn Mason

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* HookerWithAHeartOfGold: Lots of these among the women. Two examples are: Chrissie Latham (if we overlook that one murder) and Marilyn MasonMason.
** Also Jessie Windom and Mabel Morgan who clearly dot on Lexie Patterson with Mabel caring for Lexie's dog while she's inside and Jessie going into to jail to protect her [[spoiler:the reason is because she is Lexie's biological mother]].
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* ChippendalesDancers: Twice one comes for Bea Smith's birthday and the second dances on a van hired by Jessie Windom after her release.


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* TomboynessUpgrade: Bea Smith went through one near the end of her time at Wentworth.
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* TheFaceless: In Blackmoor, Joan Ferguson knows a contact called Cynthia Leach, she helps Joan punish the transfers from Wentworth, however we never see her face when she appears and her voice is the only noticeable feature [[spoiler: this was because her actress had played a very iconic character in her previous appearance]].
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An Australian soap opera set in Wentworth Detention Centre, a women's prison. Despite original being written as a 16 episode miniseries, it ran for 692 episodes from 1979 to 1986.

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An Australian soap opera set in Wentworth Detention Centre, a women's prison. It was loosely based on the UK TV Series Within These Walls. Despite original being written as a 16 episode miniseries, it ran for 692 episodes from 1979 to 1986.
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* EarlyInstalmentWeirdness: In the early episodes Lizzie was more Franky's friends and disliked Bea, also in the 16 first episodes Doreen was more of a background character but once the show was extended she was fleshed out.

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* EarlyInstalmentWeirdness: EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the early episodes Lizzie was more Franky's friends and disliked Bea, also in the 16 first episodes Doreen was more of a background character but once the show was extended she was fleshed out.



** Sonia Stevens, was a policeman's wife who was the last rival of Bea Smith, she began playing the prisoners and The Freak, she ends up being kidnapped by a gangster to get her husband out of hiding [[spoiler:he faked his death and is killed afterwards]], she escapes and is on the run when the police catch up with her... and the storyline ends there, fans still question what happened to Stevens.

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** Sonia Stevens, was a policeman's wife who was the last rival of replaced Bea Smith, Smith as Top Dog after she left for good, she began playing the prisoners and The Freak, she ends up being kidnapped by a gangster to get her husband out of hiding [[spoiler:he faked his death and is killed afterwards]], she escapes and is on the run when the police catch up with her... and the storyline ends there, fans still question what happened to Stevens.

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* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: Regularly characters were written into the show only to disappear:

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* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: Regularly characters were written into the show only to disappear:disappear, however there is a solution to them but these are the ones that don't:


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** Sonia Stevens, was a policeman's wife who was the last rival of Bea Smith, she began playing the prisoners and The Freak, she ends up being kidnapped by a gangster to get her husband out of hiding [[spoiler:he faked his death and is killed afterwards]], she escapes and is on the run when the police catch up with her... and the storyline ends there, fans still question what happened to Stevens.

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