I think the great tragedy with this character is that actually there were the ingredients there for a very different, but certainly very successful top dog. First off, the scene of her in the siege gunning down one of the terrorists offers the audience a strong start to what would become her reign as top dog. Sadly, this was not followed up by the same kind of toughness and daring behaviour, instead the flawed idea of a council, overshadowed most of her time on the show and got in the way of us seeing her in action. The council was an interesting idea but poorly executed and was always going to struggle against the established structure of the show without careful handling. Secondly, her seeming fragility actually could have played into a unique strength. We could've seen a woman, desperate to shake off her violence past, making real progress towards reform and possible release, but dragged back into the cycle of violence needed for her to protect her friends from villains like Lou Kelly and the Freak. It would have made for a real tragic story of her reluctantly thrust into the role of top dog when release from prison and the promise of a better life could've been just around the corner. It actually would have had echoes of Ian Bradley's original concept for the show of otherwise normal women dragged into crime and violence as a result of circumstances beyond their control. Thirdly, the fight with Lou Kelly when she loses the baby provides ample motivation for her to be dragged into a bitter feud with Lou that could've been more vicious and complex than the conflict Lou even had with Myra. This could've marked the essential turning point in her character from one reluctantly thrust into the role of top dog to her actively claiming the throne as everything else that matters to her would have gone. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. There were a lot of complications behind the scenes that meant the execution of stories during this time was not always as intended. What was clear here however, was that that was an opportunity for the show to have revitalised itself and maybe go in a darker direction. Ultimately, this period of the show is seen as a low mark, and one which signalled the end of the show. It's a shame as I think the actors did the best they could with the material they had to work with. There was some good moments here and there and they should not be overlooked completely.
There were a few issues with Nora being top dog: 1. She wasn't very tough. 2. Quite docile where the screws were concerned, never presented herself as being the slightest threat to the Freak. 3. She lacked a sense of humor. 4. Not shrewed. 5. Didn't stand out from the other top dogs. Thank goodness they found Glenda Linscott as AKA "Rita the beater" for her replacement. Otherwise the last season of Prisoner would've been a big let down.
I think the writers knew that... what makes prisoner work is the top dog vs the freak, thats what people tune in to watch, and Nora was the only one who didnt have a rival with the freak, not that she's ever stand a chance anyway, Nora was too small to fight anyone...
@@adamblackedition5529 I think Joan even commented how she expected more of a challenge from her so that shows Nora was not on the rivalry ground here. -_-
I didn't like her crime but it was hard to believe she committed it. I thought Kath Maxell (shouldn't had been) was the worst top dog. Nora was much better than her. I actually like Nora.
I liked the character but just not as topdog. It felt rushed and didn’t make much sense. They should have calmed down the “ comedy “ aspect of Aunty may and Willie and toughened them all up to take on the freak and Lou
Nora was not that bad a Top Dog . The show needed to catch it's breath after the intense drama of Myra's final months . It would have been over kill to have kept up the pace and Rita's era would not have been as iconic if it were not for the show switching down a few gears A decent actress who conveyed a sensitive top dog with more room for introspection . The Freak was also given a new direction during most of Nora's reign with her change of character during her time with Teri. People forget that Bea's era had a lot of slow periods and at times boring story arcs . As well as all the story arcs people remember .
I think the great tragedy with this character is that actually there were the ingredients there for a very different, but certainly very successful top dog.
First off, the scene of her in the siege gunning down one of the terrorists offers the audience a strong start to what would become her reign as top dog. Sadly, this was not followed up by the same kind of toughness and daring behaviour, instead the flawed idea of a council, overshadowed most of her time on the show and got in the way of us seeing her in action. The council was an interesting idea but poorly executed and was always going to struggle against the established structure of the show without careful handling.
Secondly, her seeming fragility actually could have played into a unique strength. We could've seen a woman, desperate to shake off her violence past, making real progress towards reform and possible release, but dragged back into the cycle of violence needed for her to protect her friends from villains like Lou Kelly and the Freak. It would have made for a real tragic story of her reluctantly thrust into the role of top dog when release from prison and the promise of a better life could've been just around the corner. It actually would have had echoes of Ian Bradley's original concept for the show of otherwise normal women dragged into crime and violence as a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Thirdly, the fight with Lou Kelly when she loses the baby provides ample motivation for her to be dragged into a bitter feud with Lou that could've been more vicious and complex than the conflict Lou even had with Myra. This could've marked the essential turning point in her character from one reluctantly thrust into the role of top dog to her actively claiming the throne as everything else that matters to her would have gone.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. There were a lot of complications behind the scenes that meant the execution of stories during this time was not always as intended. What was clear here however, was that that was an opportunity for the show to have revitalised itself and maybe go in a darker direction.
Ultimately, this period of the show is seen as a low mark, and one which signalled the end of the show. It's a shame as I think the actors did the best they could with the material they had to work with. There was some good moments here and there and they should not be overlooked completely.
Great analysis!
I have always loved Nora she was always one of my favourite people in the show
This video makes her look a lot more interesting than she actually was! Very well done.
Just shows what potential was wasted with this character.
This was the beginning of the end for me as far as Prisoner was concerned.
A shame Nora didn't kill Lou.
I liked Nora she was nice she would have been good looking after susie driscal
There were a few issues with Nora being top dog:
1. She wasn't very tough.
2. Quite docile where the screws were concerned, never presented herself as being the slightest threat to the Freak.
3. She lacked a sense of humor.
4. Not shrewed.
5. Didn't stand out from the other top dogs.
Thank goodness they found Glenda Linscott as AKA "Rita the beater" for her replacement. Otherwise the last season of Prisoner would've been a big let down.
Leave Nora alone do you think you could do any better
@@charlottethecat6302 totally agree with you there.😊
I think the writers knew that... what makes prisoner work is the top dog vs the freak, thats what people tune in to watch, and Nora was the only one who didnt have a rival with the freak, not that she's ever stand a chance anyway, Nora was too small to fight anyone...
@@adamblackedition5529 I think Joan even commented how she expected more of a challenge from her so that shows Nora was not on the rivalry ground here. -_-
I didn't like her crime but it was hard to believe she committed it. I thought Kath Maxell (shouldn't had been) was the worst top dog. Nora was much better than her. I actually like Nora.
Nora had a good end though... but so many questions that were never answered... how did harry find her and what exactly did he do with her..
I liked the character but just not as topdog. It felt rushed and didn’t make much sense. They should have calmed down the “ comedy “ aspect of Aunty may and Willie and toughened them all up to take on the freak and Lou
I didn’t think she was that bad. Lol
I rather liked Nora, I can't understand the dislike of the character.
Nora was not that bad a Top Dog . The show needed to catch it's breath after the intense drama of Myra's final months . It would have been over kill to have kept up the pace and Rita's era would not have been as iconic if it were not for the show switching down a few gears A decent actress who conveyed a sensitive top dog with more room for introspection . The Freak was also given a new direction during most of Nora's reign with her change of character during her time with Teri. People forget that Bea's era had a lot of slow periods and at times boring story arcs . As well as all the story arcs people remember .
Would've been my #1
Wait, you have her as one of the 100 greatest characters at #98 three years ago, now you're saying she's one of the worst at #20? What gives?
Nora gives in
The worst top dog of all time.
Nah, that award would go to Alice who was in the seat briefly the following year. She didn't have a clue what to do without asking Rita.