|
|
 BEA SMITH
Played by Val Lehman
The original Top Dog of Wentworth Detention Centre, Beatrice Alice Smith appeared in the very first episode of Prisoner and didn't leave until 400 episodes later.
Bea was a double murderer - killing her husband's mistress then as soon as she was released on parole killed her husband. During Bea's first time in prison, her daughter Debbie didn't get any support from her Father and later became a drug addict. As soon as Bea was on the outside she visited Debbie's grave and later shot her husband in the head, on the doorstep of their home. Of course, Bea ended up back inside but she expected this and more or less continued back in her role of Top Dog - after a showdown with Frankie Doyle who had temporarily taken over while Bea was away.
So, drugs and children were something which Bea had very strong opinions about. She hated drug users and hated crimes committed on children. Some of the other women inside often disagreed with her 'rules' on drugs and Bea had an almost constant battle to try and keep them out of the prison. For the most part it worked: the other inmates were too scared to cross her and face the consequences.
Bea had some of the most explosive storylines during her stay in Wentworth. One of her most memorable was when she tried to stop her best mate Lizzie escaping in a tunnel underneath the prison grounds. The women had discovered a way out when they found a maze of old tunnels below the building, which led them out of Wentworth and into freedom. The women planned their escape while a prison pantomime was taking place. Bea realised that Lizzie was too old and frail to escape this way so she went after her and climbed into the tunnel after her. Unfortunately another prisoner Anne Griffin found out what Bea was up to and covered the entrance to the tunnel over so nobody could get back out. The tunnel collapsed while the women were on the run, crushing one of them. Realising she was trapped with Lizzie and Doreen on one side of the rubble, Bea decided that they would walk back into the prison - but they couldn't get out. It took hours and hours before they were rescued and Bea almost went crazy thinking they would all die but luckily their cries for help were heard and the three women made a recovery in the prison hospital.
When new prisoners Sandy Edwards and Dr Kate Peterson arrive, Bea is isn't feeling too well in herself. She thinks she has cancer as her Mother died of it but Dr Kate thinks that it is actually a problem with one of Bea's kidneys. When examined properly it is discovered that this is the case, and Bea needs an immediate kidney transplant. While she is away in hospital her position of Top Dog is taken over by Marie Winter, who then takes is upon herself to organise a huge riot. As soon as Bea is well enough to return, she takes sides with Sandy and they work together as Top Dog to overturn the evil Marie who is running Wentworth into the ground.
Things are going ok for Bea until officer Joan Ferguson arrives. They become instant enemies when Bea finds out that Joan - 'The Freak' - is running an illegal book, bashing prisoners, pushing drugs and generally making Wentworth an even worse place to be in. Despite numerous attempts by Bea and the other women, they just couldn't beat Joan who always came out on top. That was until 'The Great Fire of Wentworth (episodes 326/327). Bea finds the perfect opportunity to finish Joan once and for all - by killing her. She arranged a small fire in the prison, and a diversion which led Joan to the isolation cells where Bea would be waiting to attack. All was going according to plan, until the fire got out of control. Bea and Joan were both trapped inside the burning building. Bea kept collapsing from her injuries and breathing the smoke while Joan could only look on - a security gate was separating them and Bea was the only person who had they keys. In true Prisoner style though, they both managed to escape to the roof where with the help of another prisoner Paddy Lawson where they were rescued.
So from escapes and bashings to fires and feuds it seemed that Bea was going to be the Wentworth top dog forever. However, she wasn't. She has a final confrontation with Joan in episode 400 but this time Joan wins and Bea is transferred to another prison.
Although we don't really hear from Bea much after her leaving, we find out in episode 536 that she has died trying to stop a riot at Barhurst prison during a huge fire.
© 2004 On The Inside. Not to be reproduced without permission.
|
|
|
Classic Moment:
Bea makes her third escape by walking out of the gates disguised as a trainee officer
Taken from episode 352.
|
