No Place Like Home (Wentworth)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 2013 |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Television drama |
No Place Like Home serves as the premiere episode of the Australian television series Wentworth. It introduces the central characters and centers on the protagonist Bea Smith as she adjusts to life in prison, with flashbacks exposing her history of domestic violence and the circumstances that led to her imprisonment.
Plot
Bea Smith arrives at Wentworth Prison and observes another inmate exchanging oral sex for cigarettes. While being processed by Will Jackson, Bea becomes distraught upon realizing she has not contacted her daughter Debbie, resulting in her being sedated.
Deputy Governor Vera Bennett escorts Bea to her assigned unit, where she discovers Franky Doyle and Kim Chang sharing her cell. Franky, who leads the unit, initially mocks Bea but shows curiosity upon learning Bea is a hairdresser. Bea also encounters other prisoners such as Liz Birdsworth, Sue "Boomer" Jenkins, and Doreen Anderson, who has her young daughter Kaiya living with her in the unit.
Franky pressures Bea into becoming a drug courier during a conjugal visit. Governor Meg Jackson, determined to halt drug smuggling, catches Bea with contraband on CCTV footage. Bea refuses to name Franky and is consequently placed in solitary confinement ("the slot"), where she hears Jacqueline "Jacs" Holt singing the theme from Prisoner, the series that inspired Wentworth. Will advises Bea that remaining silent is the safest approach in prison. When Bea again declines to betray Franky, she gains their respect and is allowed back into the unit.
Ignoring concerns from staff and prisoner advocate Erica Davidson, Meg releases Jacs early to weaken Franky's control over the drug trade. Jacs attempts to intimidate Bea into submission, but Bea resists and publicly humiliates Jacs. Jacs vows retaliation against Franky for orchestrating her time in solitary.
Seeing Jacs as a significant threat, Franky instigates a riot despite Liz's objections. Amidst the turmoil, Doreen leaves Kaiya in Bea’s care while joining Franky's faction. Jacs avoids participating in the riot but confronts Franky in her cell; after overpowering Franky's supporters, Jacs begins cutting off Franky's tattoos until Boomer intervenes.
While searching for Kaiya after losing sight of her, Bea discovers Governor Meg Jackson’s lifeless body. The episode ends with Will mourning Meg’s death as Bea stands stunned, bloodied.
Flashbacks
Bea suffers continuous physical and sexual abuse from her husband Harry, with flashbacks triggered by current events. She attempts to kill Harry by drugging him, tying him up in his car, and filling the garage with exhaust fumes but ultimately rescues him when Debbie calls an ambulance.
Harry later tells police he was suicidal but continues his abusive behavior toward Bea when alone.
Reception
TV Equals highlighted how the series modernizes its predecessor by focusing on sex, violence, and a multifaceted heroine. Bea Smith’s transformation from an attempted murderer of her abusive spouse to navigating prison power dynamics sets a compelling tone, underscored by a deadly rivalry between inmates Franky and Jacs.
Elaine Atwell of AfterEllen cautioned viewers that Wentworth delivers a darker and more intense experience than comparable shows like Orange Is the New Black, confronting trauma head-on.
John Crace from The Guardian described the show as featuring heightened violence and tension but expressed reservations about certain plot points. He praised the lead character’s portrayal and production values while noting the series appeals to audiences seeking gritty drama.
Ian Hollingshead of The Telegraph commended the gripping feud between Franky and Jacs, calling the cliffhanger irresistible and encouraging viewers to watch the next installment.
Ratings
The debut of Wentworth drew an audience of 244,000 viewers. According to Foxtel representative Jamie Campbell, "the number of viewers for Wentworth's premiere surpassed that of any other Australian drama series launch in Foxtel's history."