Franky & Bridget

Love in for Australian prison drama Wentworth, Franky & Bridget (fridget), Bridget Westfall, Franky Doyle, Nicole da Silva and Libby Tanner. Also for Wentworth pairing Bea x Allie (Ballie).

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Number 14: "I'm not a good person" (3x07)

Back to episode seven of season three again for a scene that's actually a hard watch but it's also so important to the developing story between them and for Franky's own development. It is of course the last of their counseling sessions - although they don't know that at the time. Bridget, who is a tincy bit pissed off because Kim very publically accuses her of f*cking an inmate, doesn't give Franky her usual slack and actually pushes her. Like, really pushes her. The topic is Franky's abusive mother and Franky doesn't want to engage. The harder Bridget pushes the more angry and out of control Franky gets. When Franky shouts that she would kill her mum if she walked in the room, Bridget tells the inmate that she isn't a killer and gets a response she hadn't bargained for. Franky confesses to accidentally killing Miss Jackson (waaay back in season 1). Bridget stops her saying anything further as if Franky goes into detail then she will "have to report it." Let's be honest, the inmate has just confessed to killing the ex Governor, so Bridget should be reporting it regardless.

Franky pointedly asks if Bridget still thinks she is a good person. The psychologist avoids the question by saying that Franky is starting to trust, which is of course a positive thing. Franky responds that it came at a price - i.e. she thinks she has blown any chance with Bridget that she may have had.

The thing is, she hasn't. There is no disgust on Bridget's face as she battles to maintain her composure. As Franky falls apart in front of her she grips the arms of her chair and slams her eyes shut. I have always read it as her fighting back the urge to reach out to Franky and physically comfort her.

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Number 15” "I fucking love you" (5x08)

In fandom's we hate angst...but then we also kind of love it too. Other than the scene in Franky's room in episode three (which I hate and is absolutely not on this list), this is the ultimate angst scene of season five. It comes in the eighth episode and by this point we can see that poor Bridget is absolutely falling apart. She is hitting the drink and just can't take being so near to Franky at Wentworth and not being with her. As she says to Franky - "I fell really fucking hard and I can't deal with this'. Then add to that the fact that Ferguson sees Franky and Allie kissing (trying to hide what they are actually getting up to) and gleefully goes straight to rub it in Bridget's face. By this point she needs to leave for the sake of her own sanity. When Franky is brought to the office she finds Bridget packing and tries desperately to talk her out of it. Bridget tells her that "all she thinks day and night" is Franky. It's actually heartbreaking, especially when Franky cups her face and pleads. Franky talks about escaping and running off to another country together but Bridget tells her she is dreaming. As Bridget goes to leave Franky tells her "I fucking love you" and Bridget says "I fucking love you too."

What's really angsty about this scene is that it appears to be the first time Franky says that she loves Bridget to her. It's such a desperate and sad context for it to be said in and I was glad that in episode twelve they had Franky go to Bridget and say it in a more hopeful context. The fact there is a depressing montage of Franky breaking down crying in her cell as an emotional Bridget drives away just piles more angst onto an already large heap of angst.

I would like to add a note here. I have seen criticism in the past about Bridget bringing her problems into work and it always makes me mad. In life, if you have sh*t going on at work, you unwind at home. If you have sh*t going on at home, you can get some peace from it at work. Well, Bridget goes to work and Franky is there. She can barely go near her anyway and that is compounded by Franky pushing her away. Then she goes home to the space they were sharing and she is alone and missing Franky terribly. There is nowhere to get away or distract her from her sh*t. I can't imagine what that would feel like and it would have a detrimental impact on anyone and their metal wellbeing. Rant over, sorry!

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Number 16: "So, you got my back?" (3x07)

We are back to season three's wonderful seventh episode with this scene. For context, Vera (whilst attempting to emulate Ferguson), tries to bribe Franky into being her snitch and when Franky refuses the Deputy Governor threatens to reinstate the verbal abuse charge. So, when your parole is threatened, who is Franky going to call on? Nope, not Ghostbusters - Bridget of course. When Franky finds her in the corridor and tells her what Miss Bennett has threatened to do, Bridget says it won't be a good look if Vera does that. As Bridget goes to walk away, Franky grasps her arm. It's the first bit of physical contact between them and Bridget doesn't shy away from it, even when Franky keeps her hand there. The inmate asks if she has her back.and Bridget says yes. They lock eyes meaningfully and Bridget's eyes briefly flutter to her lips before she walks off. Unfortunately, Kim has witnessed the interaction and now knows full well why Franky didn't want to get it on with her.

The scene is another step forward in their developing romance. It shows Franky's faith in Bridget and Bridget's returned unwavering support. It also shows how Bridget is finding it harder to keep her professional barriers up with the inmate.

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Number 17: "I want to come home" (5x02)

So, Season five is mostly just traumatic, especially the episode three to episode eight chunk of it. However, just before it all gets really angst riddled, we get a beautifully filmed scene between them. Bridget summons Franky to an after hours session (which she later gets told off for by Vera). With the blinds to the hall closed, as soon as they are alone they fall into each other's arms and there is an outpouring of emotion. Franky wants to come home and Bridget is desperate for that too. She is also worried sick because Franky attacked Ferguson in the mess hall (ironically because Joan mentions Bridget). All this adorable hugging and kissing is cut short by a knock on the door. They leap apart and Will Jackson enters because the police want to interview Franky.

I think all the little details in the scene are excellent. From the moaning into the kisses and the face cupping - something that's repeated in a lot of their scenes together, you can really feel all the emotion, worry and fear. The lighting is also beautiful and makes it very atmospheric. It literally makes it a rare moment of light in a bleak heavy going season.

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Number 18: "At least we will be inside together" (6x03)

Words cannot express how much I loved the third episode of season six. It was bittersweet, because it was also their last episode, but what an ending we got. Every single one of their scene's was great and this is one of three that made the list. 

They are at Franky's rail car hideout and the on the run inmate is refusing to go to hospital despite being shot. Bridget jokes that because she is aiding and abetting Franky they are going to end up in Wentworth together. Despite it being a joke, this is what Bridget is genuinely risking for Franky. She also claims she would end up being top dog, which I wouldn't actually put past her if the worst had happened. Franky tells Bridget that she has had "the best time" with her and Bridget tells her not to give up. It's the end of the scene that is really sweet though. When Bridget suggests she go home to get medical supplies, Franky begs her to stay with her. They cuddle up together and despite honouring Franky's wish, you can see how worried the psychologist is. Despite being in agony, Franky just looks content to be held again...and its really f*cking cute.

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Number 19: "There is pleasure in pain Gidge" (3x04)

We are back in season three, in more of the early flirty interactions. They don't get much more flirty than this moment from episode four. Bridget stops to speak to Franky in the exercise area of the yard (although we see her subtly watching Franky work out from the background as the scene begins) and notices her new tatoo. When she points out it looks painful, Franky says there is "pleasure in pain" and uses her new nickname for her. Plenty of flirting follows and Bridget is completely unflustered by it, even when Franky says that Bridget is "turning her on" by confirming her twelve hours of sessions are required for the parole board. If anything she looks amused by Franky and leans into it, using it to get her point across. Franky (with a huge grin on her face) blatantly checks Bridget out as she walks away. Bridget is completely aware and looks back and smiles.

This is just a really fun scene and it really helps build on the dynamic from their early scenes. This is probably my favourite Bridget outfit from season three (she wears it again in episode seven and nine) and it's nice to see her with her hair down. No Franky fan will bemoan getting to watch her flex her muscles either!

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Number 20: "Sounds like a breakthrough" (4x02)

If the scenes in the first episode of season four are designed to show the attraction and dynamic between Franky and Bridget, then the second episode delves more into a deeper emotional connection.

Franky picks Bridget up after work outside Wentworth l, which doesn't seem to align with the policy of being careful, but I digress. Franky is quiet and thoughtful and Bridget is initially fearful that the other woman may be about to break up with her. Instead Franky acknowledges that she needs to move out and stay at her own place if she is going to learn to stand on her own two feet again on the outside. If Franky is worried how Bridget would react then her worry was misplaced. The psychologist gets it and encourages that it "sounds like a breakthrough."

I find Bridget's calm and supportive reaction really touching. Although she knows it's for the best, she must be disappointed as she is clearly loving having Franky there. The kiss at the end is also adorable. Sadly, this is the last scene of season four where we see both of them together. At least it's a good one.

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Number 21: "Where are you staying baby? (6x01)

Most of the Fridget Season content was in episode three but we did get a cute scene in episode one. Franky, now on the run, sneaks into Bridget's house to see her and ask for help. Bridget is wearing a medical boot and is on crutches. Franky's concern for her, especially considering her own predicament, is really touching. The way they fall into each other's arms is also really sweet. I really like the dialogue in this scene - Bridget's concern that Franky has somewhere safe to stay, Franky's acknowledgement that she didn't tell Bridget she was breaking out because the psychologist would have talked her out of it.

Their reunion is short, as they are disturbed by the police banging on Bridget's door. In some ways, this makes the scene even better because obviously Bridget can't let them into the house. The way she blows them off at the door is brilliant and surprisingly savage. This, coupled with her frustration and disappointment to find Franky has legged it whilst the police were distracted, shows she is willing to lie for Franky and isn't giving up on her. As proven in episode three, far from it.

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Number 22: "I have a free slot this afternoon" (3x07)

Episode seven of season three is a gold mine of Fridget scenes and this is the first of four that appear on this list. It's the scene where Franky tries to ask about Jodie's hearing but Bridget tries to keep professional boundaries up in regards to discussing other inmates. Those boundaries get very flexible though when Franky starts flirting with her. When Bridget offers Franky her free counseling slot that afternoon, the inmate suggestively asks if Bridget would like her to fill it. The psychologist can't hide her amusement or her enjoyment at their interaction. It's interesting that Bridget allows this degree of flirtation and openness in the corridor where they could be observed by someone. It sets a pattern for the rest of the episode because there are two later corridor encounters that do raise suspicion to others.

This flirting is broken up by the new intake (well, new old intake) to Wentworth. It's Kim, and she immediately throws herself at Franky. Bridget is visibly jealous of whatever intimacy there is or has been between the two inmates. She need not worry though, as later in the episode when Kim tries to initiate something, Franky discovers she has too many feelings for Bridget to have casual sex with someone else. 

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Number 23: "Yes, I'm a lesbian" (3x05)

The second of the counseling sessions on this list comes from the fifth episode of season three. Having established trust with Franky in the earlier scenes, Bridget dents that in their final scene of episode four by hinting that Franky may have had something to do with an attack on Bea in the yard. Franky is her usual blend of charmer and little sh*t  as she presses Bridget to rebuild the trust by talking about herself - she wants dirt. Bridget bats that away by explaining that as the prison psych she has to be "damn careful" what she tells anyone. Then she presses Franky on an altercation with Liz in the earlier group session. Franky deflects by asking Bridget when she had her first experience with a woman. After a bit of back and forth, Bridget (despite her earlier protestations) does give something of herself away to Franky, and tells her "yes, I am a lesbian, now can we move on?"

That's all it takes to get Franky to engage again and her chuffed grin is actually really sweet. It surely confirms to Franky that the attraction she is sensing from the psychologist is very real. 

[darkshines1984]

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Number 24: "Lucky undies!" (4x01)

The first episode of season four had some great scenes. Sadly, they couldn't all make this list but this one certainly had to be included. And no, it's not just because Bridget is scantily dressed! I think the joy of this episode is that it portrays them just going along in their everyday life. It's lovely to see them interacting whilst doing something mundane like their morning routine. Its made even better by the playfulness exhibited. Having lucky undies feels very Franky and the play wrestling over them is super cute. I love Bridget's accent, especially when she says "ger off," and Franky's parting line "I want my undies back you thieving minx!"

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Number 25: "I could never get used to this, not after what we had" (5x10)

Once Bridget quit her job at Wentworth in 5x08 I am sure I wasn't alone in fearing that would be the last we saw of her in season five (or possibly ever). So, I was very relieved when she visited Franky in the following episode. It's a great scene too and only just missed out on the top thirty list. This scene is the second visit from episode ten and it is my favourite of the two because Bridget comes bearing a bit of good news and therefore gives hope to Franky. Due to this, Bridget is more relaxed and her body language is flirtatious. You certainly get a real sense that she isn't abandoning Franky, she just needed to get out of Wentworth for her own sanity. I love the opening exchange, when Franky comments that she could get used to being visited every day. Bridget replies "I could never get used to this, not after what we had."

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Number 26: "I want to get inside that mind of yours" (3x04)

Who doesn't love the various therapy sessions from season three? This is the one furthest down my list simply because the bulk of the conversation is about Bea snatching top dog off Franky. Although it is interesting to watch the way Bridget gently pokes and prods to encourage the inmate into talking. Despite Franky's hesitancy, Bridget seems to understand her enough to creep through the cracks.

It also has a couple of great lines. The two that spring to mind first is Franky's reply - "Just my mind?" - when Bridget tells her she wants to get inside her mind. Then, she says Bridget is trying to "poke her" to see if she "bites". If you love the way Franky expresses things then her description of Bea is also very funny. If you adore Bridget then it is worth noting that her jaw game is particularly strong in this scene, especially as she tried not to react to the "just my mind" comment.

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Number 27: "I love you and i'll be back" (5x12)

Franky does the impossible and escapes from Wentworth. The first thing she does is run to Bridget's new work place. As Bridget is leaving they lock eyes across the street and Franky shouts "I love you and I'll be back." There is no time for Bridget to process this or react - she just looks shocked - before Franky turns on her heels and is gone again. Prior to this we have only heard Franky tell Bridget she loves her once, in desperation. This feels much more real and authentic.

This scene, like the first kiss, is another short scene that is really significant in terms of driving the storyline. Like that kiss scene, there is too little interaction for it to go really high on the list but it's the type of moment you can watch over and over again and it still makes you smile.

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Number 28: "Come here" (3x12)

Franky's season three journey mercifully ends on the happy note we were all hoping for. She exits Wentworth on parole to the honking of a car horn. Her hot girl (Bridget), is there waiting for her with a hot, poorly parked, hire car. Franky's megawatt grin when she sees Bridget, and the psychologist's returning smile is enough to lift anyone's spirits. Franky confidently closes the distance between them, grasps the back of Bridget's head and eagerly says "come here". Then goes in for their first kiss. Bridget then turns them so Franky is against the Porsche and they kiss again, both smiling into the kiss.

The scene is short and uplifting. The background music ('home' by daughter) works perfectly in the background to help build the moment. After three seasons of teal, it's great to see Franky in civies and we all went mushy over Bridget's leather coat!

Honestly, I could watch the scene over and over again. Yet, due to its shortness and lack of dialogue I can't justify it going too high up the list.