8x53 - Episode 641

July 15, 1986

Lexie is stopped just in time from getting to Maternity and returned to the other women as Wentworth has to be disinfected following the Golden Staph outbreak. Kath siezes her chance in Rita's absence and sets up a casino in the Rec Room. Lorelei and Nancy worry that Rita will take advantage of the work release on the boat to kill Joan - indeed, she has something just along that line up her sleeve...

8x54 - Episode 642

July 17, 1986

8x55 - Episode 643

July 22, 1986

Stranded at sea, Joan decides to head for a nearby island to try and get help, and is pursued by Rita, intent on killing her as revenge for Slasher's death. However, Nancy is determined to stop her - and Joan turns out to be the one who has to save Rita's life in the end. On the boat, Roach is falling for Mick and decides that she isn't going back with the others. Back in Wentworth, Kath throws her weight around with the other girls.

8x56 - Episode 644

July 24, 1986

The aftermath of the boat dramas reverberate around Wentworth as Kath plots to put Rita and her supporters in her place. Joan is still missing - until the noise of a helicopter overhead signifies her return from apparent death. Lexie and Lorelei plan a surprise party for Merle to try and win her over to their side, but Kath gets Vicki to help ruin the party for her. Nancy's son comes to visit and he has a few surprises in store for her.

8x57 - Episode 645

July 29, 1986

Rita, Alice and Nancy await their fate following Joan's unexpected return to Wentworth as she tells Ann how she managed to escape the island. Kath decides it is time for her to make a bid for the Top Dog position. Lorelei is beaten up by Kath's supporters for defying her and standing up for herself. Nancy's new daughter-in-law turns up at the prison to ask her advice. Rita gets out of Solitary and ambushes Kath on the stairs.

8x58 - Episode 646

July 31, 1986

8x59 - Episode 647

August 5, 1986

8x60 - Episode 648

August 7, 1986

8x61 - Episode 649

August 7, 1986

8x62 - Episode 650

August 12, 1986

8x63 - Episode 651

August 14, 1986

8x64 - Episode 652

August 14, 1986

8x65 - Episode 653

August 19, 1986

8x66 - Episode 654

August 21, 1986

8x67 - Episode 655

August 21, 1986

8x68 - Episode 656

August 26, 1986

8x69 - Episode 657

August 28, 1986

8x70 - Episode 658

August 28, 1986

8x71 - Episode 659

September 2, 1986

8x72 - Episode 660

September 4, 1986

Spider and Vicki attack Sarah and spray-paint her white. Incensed, Sarah takes drastic action and places poisonous chemicals in the air conditioning system, causing mass illness and evacuation of H Block. Lisa's sudden inability to speak is diagnosed as all being in her head. Joan suggests to Ann that they start a prison shop.

8x73 - Episode 661

September 4, 1986

Spider tries to burn down the shop and is worried that Joan will bash her to punish her. When her attacker comes in the middle of the night, though, it's not Joan... Kath is made trustee in charge of the shop. Rita is reluctantly appointed to try and keep Sarah in line. Spider's confession about Lester prompts Lisa to get her voice back.

8x74 - Episode 662

September 9, 1986

Joan catches Rodney in the process of bashing Spider. Lester's belongings are delivered to Lisa in jail.

8x75 - Episode 663

September 11, 1986

Rita forces Sarah to face some home truths. Kath, Merle and Rodney go on a day out to buy contraband for the shop.

8x76 - Episode 664

September 11, 1986

8x77 - Episode 665

September 16, 1986

The Freak appears to finally have beaten Rita as she arrives at Blackmoor, where she is stunned to spot a familiar face amongst the inmates. Back at Wentworth, Kath is aiming to be the new Top Dog.

8x78 - Episode 666

September 18, 1986

8x79 - Episode 667

September 18, 1986

8x80 - Episode 668

September 23, 1986

8x81 - Episode 669

September 25, 1986

8x82 - Episode 670

September 30, 1986

Inadvertantly on the run, Merle finds herself a new playmate and a comfortable hiding place from the authorities. Back at Wentworth, Ann suffers the consequences when Lorelei is threatened by Craven.

8x83 - Episode 671

October 2, 1986

Rita attempts to lure Craven into a fight to the death, intent on avenging the attack on Lorelei. Merle makes the most of her new-found freedom and has a ball with her new pal Tommy.

8x84 - Episode 672

October 7, 1986

Craven continues his reign of terror at Wentworth - but it is about to come to a bloody end. Merle manages to turn an innocent game with Tommy into a police siege that is only ended with the intervention of Ann.

8x85 - Episode 673

October 9, 1986

Joan consolidates her hold on Wentworth in the aftermath of Craven's murder, but she is forced to sacrifice Lorelei to protect her own job. Meg and Joyce find themselves in big trouble for disobeying Joan's orders.

8x86 - Episode 674

October 14, 1986

Joan's attempt to transfer Meg, Joyce and Marty away from Wentworth incurs the wrath of the union and the threat of an officers' strike. Kath loses her trusteeship after being set-up.

8x87 - Episode 675

October 16, 1986

Joan attempts to hide the important role she played in Lorelei's recovery. Rita, Alice and Brumby's escape attempt seems in jeopardy.

8x88 - Episode 676

October 21, 1986

Rita is back but Joan is determined to break the hold she has over the women. A television news team arrives at Wentworth to investigate Meg's claims of a cover-up.

8x89 - Episode 677

October 23, 1986

Kath and Rita do a deal and reach a compromise. Ann is reinstated as Governor by the Department, prompting Joan to make a surprise decision.

8x90 - Episode 678

October 28, 1986

Ann Reynolds' return to Wentworth and Joan's simultaneous fall from grace are the cause for major celebrations amongst the staff and inmates alike. Brumby begins plotting yet another ill-conceived escape attempt.

8x91 - Episode 679

October 30, 1986

Brumby's bashers are revealed and punished for their misdeeds. Marty places himself in considerable danger as he continues his attempts to help Spike.

8x92 - Episode 680

October 30, 1986

Marty's attempts to help Spike could spell trouble for Lisa Mullins. Kath finally manages to find Spider's contraband, but Rita could die as a consequence.

8x93 - Episode 681

November 4, 1986

Kath and Merle are forced to swallow their pride as punishment for poisoning Rita. Spider finds the evidence she needs to try and put a stop to Alice and Harry's budding romance.

8x94 - Episode 682

November 6, 1986

Joan gets a nasty shock on her first day in her new job. Kath contemplates an offer from Ron Willis to get Marty and Spike. Rita arranges a meeting for Alice and Harry to discuss his past.

8x95 - Episode 683

November 11, 1986

Rita and the girls plot revenge on Stud and Billy for the attack on Lorelei. Alice tries to find out the truth about Harry's past.

8x96 - Episode 684

November 13, 1986

Rita and Alice are cleared of trouble in the incident with the men. Kath makes her getaway, but is forced to leave Merle behind. Angry and humiliated, Joan threatens Dwyer and bullies him into helping her.

8x97 - Episode 685

November 18, 1986

In the aftermath of the escape, a distraught Merle is sedated and committed to a mental institution. Dwyer advises Joan to swallow her pride and return to Wentworth. The women, with the help of Lisa, plan a cruel humiliation for Rodney.

8x98 - Episode 686

November 20, 1986

Spider finally succeeds in pushing Rita too far. Rodney makes plans to get back at Lisa. Kath's escape could end with her in a pine box...

8x99 - Episode 687

November 25, 1986

Rita receives some devastating news from the doctor about her ill health. Kath finally manages to escape from her minders.

8x100 - Episode 688

November 27, 1986

Rita struggles to come to terms with the news of her impending death. Returned to Wentworth and rejected by Merle, Kath feels like she has nothing left to live for and prepares to commit suicide.

8x101 - Episode 689

December 2, 1986

Rita counsels Kath and stops her killing herself. The women find a weapon to defeat Rodney with. Rita tells Alice she has some big plans that nothing - and no-one - can interfere with.

8x102 - Episode 690

December 4, 1986

Joan surprises everyone when she volunteers to be Rita's constant help. Harry makes an unexpected announcement.

8x104 - Episode 692

December 11, 1986

Rita carries out the robbery but is recaptured and brought back to Wentworth in a bad way. Joan goes to pick up the cash but chickens out. Alice gets Tom to bring in his motorbike for Rita to ride in the grounds as a birthday treat. Ann is told her reforms have been accepted and Dwyer sacked. Rita announces she's standing down as Top Dog and wants Kath to take over. Harry is transferred to Barnhurst. Joan arrives at work next day to hear Rita died during the night. She finally picks up the stolen loot, but the cops are waiting for her and she arrives in Wentworth on remand overnight and is put in Solitary. Joan starts cracking up and is horrified when her meal is brought in by a very much alive Rita. She is taken away to another prison next morning as the women whoop and holler. Rita tells Alice she's ""going to be the oldest biker in the world"".