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The Best Episodes of Bad Girls

Every episode of Bad Girls ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Bad Girls!

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Bad Girls is a British television drama series that was broadcast on ITV from 1 June 1999 to 20 December 2006 and starred Simone Lahbib, Mandana Jones, Debra Stephenson, Linda Henry, Jack Ellis and many

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 9 - The Leaving
    8.9/10(47 votes)

    S2:E9

    The Julies saw Josh in the yard and told him why Crystal didn't show up. He was annoyed and, when he later saw Crystal, gave her the ring he had bought her and stomped off. Zandra collapsed again; Later, she asked Crystal to pray for her. Shell found Babs' diary and didn't like the entry about her that called her a ‘Psychopath'. Dominic kissed Zandra, prompting her to say ""At least one of my dreams came true"". Shell stole Babs' diary and was quoting parts of it to other people, much to Babs' discomfort. Tissues at the ready because, at that point, Zandra suffered a fatal seizure. The girls held a memorial service for Zandra, during which, Crystal read a note that she had found from Zandra. Dominic arrived half way through with Zandra's baby, Robbie. Crystal had more days added to her sentence after spitting at Dr Nicholson for not helping Zandra enough. Baba entered Shell's cell and demanded her diary back – when Shell refused and started making fun of her late husband, Babs lost her t

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Jayne Hollinson

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  2. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 1 - Back From the Brink
    8.9/10(61 votes)

    S3:E1

    This episode picks up where series 2 ended. Jim's enjoyment in Shell's cell soon comes to an end as she violently stabbed him with the broken bottle - Karen heared his screams and called in all available staff. Despite her protests, Helen drove Nikki back to Larkhall and was reassured of her ability to do so when she heared about the mayhem on the wing. After numerous attemps to make Shell give in, The officers (now in full riot uniform) stormed into the cell and finally overpowered Shell and got Jim out. Shell was then taken down the block. Helen smuggled Nikki back to her cell and because of the mayhem upstairs, no-one noticed! As the episode ends, we see Jim flat-lining on the stretcher, with Marilyn screaming and Dr Nicholson trying in vein to resuscitate him...!

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Maureen Chadwick

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  3. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 8 - Uninvited Guests
    8.8/10(60 votes)

    S3:E8

    Shell and Denny celebrated their freedom with a drugs and vodka binge...and Sylvia and Bobby Hollamby received a terrible visit from the pair, hell-bent on revenge! G-Wing was in chaos due to the escape and Jim Fenner a very worried man - especially when Shaz was brought back to Larkhall and questioned. Crystal was horrified to find Shell and Denny on her doorstep but agreed to let them stay the night - Shell, as vindictive as ever, repaid the favour in a way that would have disastrous consequences for Crystal's future. Simon Stubberfield was sacked as prison governor. Denny and Shell, armed with false passports, wigs and stolen cash, made their way to the airport but where were they going, and had left Larkhall behind forever?

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Phil Ford

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  4. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 16 - Coming Out
    8.8/10(88 votes)

    S3:E16

    On the day of Nikki's trial, Fenner tries one last time to jepordise her chances by trying to blackmail Di into putting a scalpel into Nikki's bag - luckily, Di refused as they left for court. Virginia O'Kane received a hostile reaction from all the girls except Tina Purvis, who was beaten up by her sister for being so sympathetic. Back at the courthouse, evidence has been given and the jury have their verdict - Nikki's sentence is reduced to three years for manslaughter...time she has already served so she is a free woman! As Di entered the bathrooms to check things are OK when she saw the lifeless body of Virginia - with Yvonne standing nearby...is she capable of murder or has Fenner set her up? In sunny Spain, we finally catch up with escapees Shell and Denny - the Spanish police have found them but we are left to wonder whether they survived after jumping into the sea to escape! In the final scene Nikki was in a club with Trish but no Helen - she walked sadly outside and heare

    Director:Diana Patrick
    Writers:Ann McManus, Maureen Chadwick

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  5. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 5 - Mistaken Identity
    8.6/10(50 votes)

    S2:E5

    New inmate Barbara Hunt arrived on the wing...except it wasn't really barbara. Due to a mix up by Sylvia, it was actually Mad Tessa Spall! The councillor, Meg Richards, arrived to take the group therapy sessions. Zandra had more severe headaches. Shell teased 'Barbara' and got more than she bargained for when she pinned her against a wall. Nikki received a postcard from Helen. Yvonne gave Sylvia the idea of claiming compensation for her neck injury. After getting Yvonne a private visiting room, Fenner collected his payment later that evening at the golf course from Charlie's golf caddy - unknown to him, he was photographed! 'Barbara' (Mad Tessa) threatened Karen with a syringe of HIV positive blood - they have obviously had a run in at the last prison Karen worked in! Dominic realised the identity mix-up and alerted the other PO's - Jim then saved Karen. Zandra collapsed in pain! The real Barbara Hunt was brought onto the wing.

    Director:Laurence Moody
    Writer:Maureen Chadwick

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  6. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 6 - Losing It
    8.6/10(50 votes)

    S2:E6

    Sylvia was severely repremanded for her mix-up last week and, when she blamed her neck injury for being ""below par"", was put on an exercise regime. Zandra was diagnosed with low blood pressure and appalling eyesight after her fainting episode - was the Doctor right and did he care? Barbara revealed that she was in prison for helping her terminally ill husband to die and seemed uncomfortable about sharing a room with a lesbian. Shell appeared to be further losing her sanity. Sylvia (and her shellsuit!) were laughed at by everyone. Shell bullied Barbara into getting a pen from art class and then made her write 'Fenner is a rapist' on the wall. Helen visited Nikki, much to Sylvia's shock. Nikki defended Babs when Shell accused her of all the vandalism. Karen discovered that Sylvia's neck wasn't really bad enough to have to wear a neck-collar. Helen became head of the lifers unit.

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writer:Martin Allen

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Bad Girls

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  7. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 3 - Visiting Time
    8.5/10(49 votes)

    S2:E3

    The police arrived at Jim Fenner's house and interviewed both him, and his wife Marilyn about Shell Dockley, and Jim's assault on her. Marilyn and Jim decided to stay together for the children's sake but Jim persuaded Marilyn to send Shell a letter, saying that she had broken up their marriage. Stubberfield told Karen Betts that he wanted her to take over as wing governor after Helen's departure. New Prison Officer, Di Barker, arrived on the wing and seems like a nice quiet girl. Julie J learned that her kids are back in the UK and wanted them to visit. Bodybag took great pleasure by refusing. Jim returned to the wing; he confiscated all the letters that he had sent Shell – now she had no evidence against him. He even told her that he loves her - just so she would lie and tell Stubberfield that she made up the allegations. She did and Stubberfield believed her. Denny's mother, Jessie, didn't show up for the visit. The Julies polished the stairs more than was necessary – Sylvia fell do

    Director:Laurence Moody
    Writer:Mark Wadlow

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  8. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 8 - Babes Behind Bars
    8.5/10(46 votes)

    S2:E8

    Dominic returned from his holiday. Shell told Karen about her childhood - both her parents sexually abused her! She is then worried about her kids, who were staying with her. Karen then set up a visit for her with her mother Rita so that she could discuss the kids. During the meeting, the truth came out and Rita was quick to blame Shell's father. She was told that Shell's children would be taken into care. Yvonne distributed mobile phones to Denny and the 2 Julies - they set up a sex chat line, with Yvonne's daughter Lauren's help. Dominic wass shocked to learn that Zandra had a malignant brain tumour - she needed further tests to determine if it was operable or not. Later, Dr Nicholson unsympathetically told her that it's inoperable and that she had months to live! Dominic voiced his anger that the Dr was doing nothing to help her and that she should be released for her final months. Shell joined the Sex line plan, now called 'Babes Behind Bars', much to Yvonne's annoyance. On Crystal

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writer:Maureen Chadwick

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  9. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 10 - Family Plan
    8.5/10(43 votes)

    S2:E10

    Denny and new inmate Shaz seemed to be getting on very well. The 2 Julies hatched a hilarious, madcap plan to get pregnant. Karen wanted to know exactly who it was who broke Shell's arm, no-one, including Shell herself, grassed on Babs. Julie J had the idea of inviting the man, John, who she spoke to through 'Babes Behind Bars' to visit her...then she...er...relieved him under the table! He got very annoyed though when Julie dropped the yoghurt pot, in which she was collecting the sperm!!!!! Hardnut, Renee Williams arrived - she obviously knew Yvonne and they seemed like bitter enemies. Denny and Shaz somehow escaped from their cell after lock up and vandalised the toilets. no-one knew that it was them. Shell seemed jealous of the time Denny was now spending with Shaz. The rig was up for 'Babes behind Bars' after a phone was found! Renee tells Yvonne that she had had an affair with 'Her Chalie' - Yvonne obviously didn't beleive her until she mentioned a scar that he had in a very priva

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Phil Ford

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  10. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 13 - Oh What a Night
    8.5/10(62 votes)

    S2:E13

    In the final episode of series 2, it was the night before Sylvia's 30th wedding anniversary and she's having a big party at the prison. Sylvia quickly added Karen's name to her guest list. Rules are broken because the 2 Julies and Shell are to be waitresses at the party! They hatched a plan to get alcohol – they hid plastic bags down their ‘trakkie bottoms'. Crystal was due for release later that day but was delayed due to a transport problem. Nikki offered the nurse £3,000 to help her escape – the nurse accepted and brought a security pass to Nikki's cell later that night and told her that there was a nurse's uniform in a locker. All the screws were at the party so were not on the wing. Crystal was still waiting for the transport from the prison to be ready so Di offered her a cup of tea in the office while she waited. When she was alone – she eyed Sylvia's present from the staff – a carriage clock. The girls slipped ‘speed' into Sylvia's drink, making her high. Nikki managed to pass

    Director:Laurence Moody
    Writers:Ann McManus, Maureen Chadwick

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  11. Bad Girls Season 4 Episode 16 - Curtain Call
    8.5/10(39 votes)

    S4:E16

    In this thrilling series finale, the prison open day has arrived. Di and Neil are married but Jim still feels uncomfortable knowing that it's a marriage of convenience. Yvonne finally realises that her son and Snowball are setting her up but it's too late as she is carried down the block by Fenner. Karen & Jim find a planted gun in her bag so put it in her drawer. After the guests are taken outside by Sylvia and Di, 11:00 comes and Snowball's bomb detonates, seriously injuring Neil who was in the library - thanks to Roisin's quick thinking, his life was saved. Snowball, now dressed as a nun, was stopped at the last possible moment by Karen at the gate and immediately put down the block after being strip-searched. Sylvia and Jim maliciously put her in the same cell as Yvonne, and told Yvonne ""She's all yours, you've got 5 minutes""! Shaz and Denny were locked in a visiting room when the bomb detonated and are trapped - sadly for Shaz, she was too high on magic mushrooms to realise the da

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writers:Ann McManus, Maureen Chadwick

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  12. Bad Girls Season 1 Episode 8 - Falling Apart
    8.4/10(57 votes)

    S1:E8

    Julie J received a Birthday card from her son and discovered that it was a coded recipe for brewing alcohol. The Julies, along with Nikki and Denny, then try to make the alchohol. They were nearly caught by Sylvia but the Julies managed to distract her enough to divert her attention from the shed. Monica received the shattering news that her son, Spencer, had died from a fatal heart attack. Helen goes to the funeral with Monica and showed her compassion when she removed Monica's handcuffs. The inmates name their new wine in honour of Spencer.

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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  13. Bad Girls Season 1 Episode 10 - Love Hurts
    8.4/10(65 votes)

    S1:E10

    In the final episode of the first series, we saw a petition being passed around to bring back open visits, which were banned earlier by Stubberfield after he heard about the drug problem. Yvonne wanted to make Sylvia sign so she set up a Gospel choir. Eventually the plan worked and Sylvia signed...just to stop the terrible music! Shell told Fenner that she could fix him like she did Lorna Rose. This infuriated him, making him bang her head against a wall. She got back in his good books by writing some kind of letter to Mrs Fenner - we'll have to wait until the next series to find out the letter's content. Monica wanted to commit suicide again and took the drugs - Nikki saved her life but doesnt tell Helen in case it affected Monica's upcoming appeal. Monica won her appeal and, after being released, delivered a speech on TV about the women in prison, which made even the hardest inmates cry! Helen then ran straight from court to the tailors, where Sean was trying on his wedding suit, and

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Maureen Chadwick

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  14. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 1 - Tug of Love
    8.4/10(52 votes)

    S2:E1

    As the new series opened, we see Fenner in Helen's office. He obviously thinks that Helen had resigned and that he was the new wing governor. Nikki looked for Helen's car to arrive...it didn't. Zandra went into labour and was rushed to hospital where she gave birth to a baby boy. Helen finally arrived at the prison, resulting in Jim being annoyed that his dreams of promotion were once again shattered. New warden Karen Betts started work - she and Jim have met before it seems. Robin promised to visit Zandra at Larkhall in the future but then took the baby and left when drugs were discovered in Zandra's cell. Zandra then lost it and ran to the prison roof, threatening to jump off! Dominic saved her from a nasty death though by nearly falling off the roof himself! Nikki told Helen that she can't control her feelings for her but Helen still denied she returns the feelings. Shell somehow got a mobile phone smuggled in, dialled a number and said ""Can I speak to Mrs Fenner?""!

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Maureen Chadwick

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  15. Bad Girls Season 6 Episode 12 - Series 6 - Episode 12
    8.4/10(36 votes)

    S6:E12

    Kris Yates has made a dramatic escape from Larkhall prison and her lover Selena is in the spotlight for being her accomplice. In the final episode of the current series, Karen Betts is relieved to have some evidence against Jim Fenner. But when it's dismissed as weak, Karen panics, could she end up behind bars for a crime she didn't commit? Tina O' Kane is convinced she's pregnant and is naively planning a rosy future with Benjamin once she is released. Soon Bev and Phyl conjure up a seance for Tina to contact dead Al to tell her all the good news. The lights are dimmed and wide-eyed Tina and Darlene are soon treated to the gruff, Scottish accent voice of Al coming from the mouth of Bev. But there is trouble ahead when Darlene is told the name of the murderer. Soon an almighty fight breaks out on G-wing when six-footer Darlene Cake and Natalie Buxton fight for their lives. Meanwhile, Selena is delighted to find runaway Kris but is duty-bound to hand her to the authorities. Will Selena

    Director:Jim Loach
    Writer:Phil Ford

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  16. Bad Girls Season 8 Episode 6 - Series 8 - Episode 6
    8.4/10(33 votes)

    S8:E6

    G-Wing is buzzing with excitement, Julie S can't wait to see her son David and meet his bride to be. Pat Kerrigan is excited too - at the prospect of being rid of Natalie Buxton for ever. Wing Governor Lou Stoke is looking after her drug addict sister Vicky following her suicide attempt. Phyl and Bev are overjoyed when their delivery of alcoholic fruit arrives. Janine Nebeski starts receiving mysterious love letters. And since her daughter showed up, Joy has taken to drink.

    Director:Laurence Moody
    Writer:Paul Mousley

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  17. Bad Girls Season 1 Episode 4 - The Victim
    8.3/10(59 votes)

    S1:E4

    Zandra decided that she wanted an abortion, after a talk with Helen, Dominic and Lorna were assigned to take her to the clinic. At the clinic, she escaped for a few hours but, to the PO's relief, was found, still inside the clinic. The PO's didn't tell Helen about it because they knew they'd get an official warning. Back at Larkhall, Shell was still making Rachel's life hell by wanting Rachel to make her mother bring drugs in! Nikki learned that her girlfriend, Trisha, is seeing someone else. Rachel's Mother didn't bring any drugs and later, Shell once again intimidated Rachel as a result. Next morning, as Zandra woke, she screamed as she saw Rachel hanging next to her! Helen ordered a full inquiry into Rachel's suicide.

    Director:Laurence Moody
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 2 - Shit Happens
    8.3/10(63 votes)

    S2:E2

    New officer, Karen Betts, starts at Larkhall and reveals that she and Fenner have history. Helen is torn between duty and desire as she battles to hide her true feelings from Nikki, when she has no option but to transfer her to another prison after she slaps Dominic. Fenner discovers Shell's deceit and his anger knows no bounds but his wife wants him gone.

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Martin Allen

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  19. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 2 - The Turn of the Screw
    8.3/10(47 votes)

    S3:E2

    Dr Nicholson succeeded in saving Jim's life and he was quickly rushed to hospital. Sylvia, enraged at the fact that Shell wasn't being punished for her attack on Jim, decideds to take justice into her own hands - after a word with Dr Nicholson, Shell was transferred to the 'muppet wing'. Julie Saunders decided to apply to be a part of a tagging scheme so that she could see her son David's school play. Jim continued to recover well at the hospital. Sylvia excelled herself when she put Mad Tessa Spall as Shell's cellmate and, with the help of PO Wheeler, took further action by making Podger Pam attack her. Later in the week and to Sylvia's disgust, Shell was later allowed back on G-Wing - Sylvia then called on the PO's to go on strike!

    Director:Mike Adams
    Writer:Jayne Hollinson

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  20. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 7 - The Great Escape
    8.3/10(48 votes)

    S3:E7

    A fly-on-the-wall TV documentary crew, Kicking Productions, arrived at HMP Larkhall to make a series, creating havoc in the process. Jim Fenner wanted Shell Dockley out of Larkhall for good, and so was willing to go to any lengths to get rid of her...even helping her to escape! Helen told Nikki about Jim's assault on her - meaning that Jim now had yet another enemy on G Wing. Buki's tough girl image disappeared when she was found bleeding in her cell after a violent display of self-harm - and it was all caught on camera by the documentary crew, along with shocking revelations about her childhood. Shell, Denny and Shaz succeeded in their attempt to escape using the keys and money that Jim had left them - unfortunately for Shaz, she sprained her ankle and so had to be left behind...Sylvia realised numbers were down and so began frantically searching...to no avail!

    Director:Jo Johnson
    Writer:Jaden Clark

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  21. Bad Girls Season 3 Episode 11 - Battle Lines
    8.3/10(45 votes)

    S3:E11

    The Peckham boot gang arrives on G-Wing, causing chaos! Nigerian prisoner, Femi, can't speak a word of english and a peaceful protest about her treatment, led by Nikki, goes horrible wrong after the Boot Gang turns it into a full-scale riot! Charlotte Myddleton is shipped out to an open-prison. Al begins bullying Shaz but gets more than she bargains for from Yvonne - will Al and the rest of the Boot Gang ""waste her""?! During the riot, a new prisoner, Caroline, catches Nikki's eye. Violence erupted further when the screws, in full riot uniform, attempted to put the inmates into their cells! Helen was furious with Nikki after Sylvia told her about her envolvment with the 'peaceful protest'!

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writer:Jaden Clark

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  22. Bad Girls Season 8 Episode 7 - Series 8 - Episode 7
    8.3/10(32 votes)

    S8:E7

    The national news is reporting that Natalie Buxton has escaped from Larkhall and the inmates of G-Wing could not be happier - with the exception of Pat Kerrigan who is wondering what to do with the body. Security has been stepped up and Phyl and Bev can't smuggle in any alcohol, so they revert to blackmailing Dr Dunlop. It's the day of Tina's court appearance and she's hoping to be sent back to prison, but the judge releases her. Pat has to confess the truth to the two Julies. Sylvia has a date.

    Director:Jim Loach
    Writer:Liz Lake

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  23. Bad Girls Season 1 Episode 1 - Them and Us
    8.2/10(89 votes)

    S1:E1

    Rehersals for a VIP fasion show were underway. PO Sylvia Hollamby stupidly ignored a pregnant inmate's calls for a doctor but then worried when the inmate was found in a pool of blood the next morning - she then denied that the inmate had asked for a doctor. A near riot followed when the inmates discovered this! Nikki Wade was taken down 'The Block' for being the 'ringleader'. New wing governor, Helen Stewart, cancelled the fasion show but was then bullied into reinstating it by her superior, Simon Stubberfield, who said he'd sack her if she didn't! Another inmate, Rachel, was moved to a cell next to the vindictive Shell Dockley, who verbally abused her through the wall - unknown to her, Rachel was getting 'Special Attention' from PO Jim Fenner! Helen's Boyfriend, Sean, Arrived at her flat.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Bad Girls Season 1 Episode 2 - Drug Wars
    8.2/10(66 votes)

    S1:E2

    Monica Lindsay and Zandra Plackett arrived at Larkhall. We learned later that Monica has a 30 year old son, Spencer, who has down's syndrome. Helen Stewart took a stand against drugs and formed the Dedicated Search Team (DST). Shell forced Rachel to write to the DST naming Nikki - the DST then raided Nikki's cell but obviously found nothing. Denny took an instant dislike to Zandra, saying that she owed her drugs from the last time she was at Larkhall. Shell, once again, verbally abused Rachel.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Bad Girls Season 2 Episode 7 - The Set-Up
    8.2/10(46 votes)

    S2:E7

    Karen informed the staff of what Helen's new job would entail. Yvonne received a calendar from Charlie, featuring the photographs of Jim, at the golf course, taking the money. Zandra suffered a fit and is taken to the hospital for tests. Yvonne summoned Fenner to her cell to show him the ""4 developments"";- Photos of him and Charlie with the money. She informs him she wants out of Larkhall, he had no option but to comply. Yvonne wanted the car that she would be in to be held up for her to escape, but that isn't to be - Charlie was really arrested before she left Larkhall - she left anyway and tried to escape from a toilet window on the way to the 'hospital' - Jim latched on to her idea when he reads in a newspaper that Charlie has been arrested, and stopped Yvonne escaping. Helen secretly photocopied Niki's file.

    Director:Jim O'Hanlon
    Writer:Phil Ford

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Leaving" is the best rated episode of "Bad Girls". It scored 8.9/10 based on 47 votes. Directed by Mike Adams and written by Jayne Hollinson, it aired on 5/30/2000. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Back From the Brink".