Screw

An interesting watch.

The first couple of episodes present a rather believable picture of a male prison wing, coupled with a serious attempt to present the punishment vs rehabilitation conundrum.

Then things take a sharp turn downwards with the drive towards excitement straining credibility.

But then things pick up again. The final episode offers us a believable explanation for the wing boss's behaviour that goes some way towards regaining credibility.

Overall this is a credit-worthy series and certainly worth watching.

An alright drama with a few lighthearted moments. I never found the overall plot arc of the series that interesting, it all just felt a bit improbable and the main characters did odd things that even in hindsight I don't really think make sense (particularly Leigh Henry, who is in charge of the wing).

I enjoyed some of the side-plots more though, and liked some of the characters. It's quite balanced with the characters, not making the 'not very PC one' and the 'inappropriate sexual comments one' pure evil, but making them feel relatively 'real'.

I do kind of wish that the show hadn't had a big overarching 'threat', and had just done shorter stories exploring prison life for all involved, as some of the lighthearted moments are very fun, and the writing isn't bad overall.

The show does go out of its way to portray most prisoners as sympathetic characters, many of them with mental health issues, and most of the serious character discussions about the topic and the implied intent of the show writers is very pro trusting, supporting, and loving prisoners, and rails against the idea of punishing them, and sometimes even of having a prison system at all . Whether you find that grating or agreeable will depend on your personal opinions and experiences I suppose.

Overall wouldn't say I recommend this show, but wouldn't tell anyone not to watch it either. It's OK.

Cong. To Jamie-Lee O'Donnell for good start as leading actor :) along with Nina Sosanya who got her own series, finaly!

Writers should do more plot in first episode so people would understand that is show about day by day life of C block and not Orange New Black sitcom.

I spent 25 years as a correctional Officer in the US so I figured to check out a show about prison in England to see how they would portray the environment. I am amazed that half way across the world and a different culture would portray the same environment and problems facing correctional staff as in the US. I guess we are not as different as we would like to think. The show might not be for everyone, but those of us that work in this environment will find a kinship and familiarity with the officers in this show no matter what part of the world you find yourself.

Comparatively, I wouldn't describe this prison drama as "gritty" at all. But it is a drama set in one wing of men's prison, a wing where all types of inmates are housed, especially those not suitable elsewhere such as those needing psychological care. Some have stories that are compelling, while others they focus on suggesting they may become bigger players only for them to disappear into the crowd.

You have a team of wardens with a boss who has a secret she desperately trying to keep hidden, and a new recruit she immediately seems to dislike. A new recruit whose behavior suggests she just might be as dodgy as assumed. You have the inevitable stoic veteran, and the officers trying to do a good job, another overzealous and the type who sympathizes a bit too much with the prisoners.

They deal sensitively and fairly with some topics like transgender prisoners and survivors of child molestation. There are a few brilliant scenes that show the variance of "life inside" far different than that one knows about of the US incarceration system, whether its between prisoners, wardens or a combination of both. Some are even heart-warming in their moments of humanity.

It doesn't really stand out thus far from any of the prison dramas I've watched, and certainly not those like Wentworth or Oz, but it's not a waste of time either if you like the genre. I would definitely watch more episodes as they become available.