Bomb Girls

Bomb Girls
Genre Drama
Created by
Written by Michael MacLennan
Directed by Ken Girotti
Adrienne Mitchell
Anne Wheeler
Starring
Country of origin Canada
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Janis Lundman
  • Michael MacLennan
  • Adrienne Mitchell
  • Michael Prupas
Producer(s) Wendy Grean
Editor(s)
  • Teresa De Luca
  • Tad Seaborn
Location(s) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cinematography Eric Cayla
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 45 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Shaw Media
Release
Original network
Picture format
Original release January 4, 2012 (2012-01-04) – April 29, 2013
External links
Official website
Production website

Bomb Girls is a Canadian television drama that debuted on January 4, 2012 on Global and Univision Canada in Spanish.[1] The plot profiles the stories of four women working in a Canadian munitions factory during World War II, beginning in 1941. Originally intended to be a six-part drama mini-series,[2] two seasons have aired.[3][4] The show began airing in the United States on ReelzChannel on September 11, 2012[5] and in the United Kingdom on ITV3 on November 10, 2012 and in Ireland on TG4 on 6 January 2013.

Characters

Main characters

Other characters

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 6 January 4, 2012 (2012-01-04) February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)
2 12 January 2, 2013 (2013-01-02) April 29, 2013 (2013-04-29)

Episodes

Season 1 (2012)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Viewers
(millions)
11"Jumping Tracks"Adrienne MitchellMichael MacLennanJanuary 4, 2012 (2012-01-04)1.487[7]
Young socialite Gladys Witham begins working at Victory Munitions, a bomb factory, at the start of World War II. Taking a job as a secretary during the factory's Blue Shift, Gladys arranges to become a floor worker instead, after being inspired by the other women floor workers. Kate Andrews, also a newcomer, has begun working at the factory after running away from her abusive father; she is reluctantly taken under the wing of Betty McRae, the factory's best worker. Blue Shift floor matron, Lorna Corbett, clashes with Marco Moretti, an Italian-born worker at the factory. Meanwhile, Vera Burr is severely injured while working on the assembly line, and ends up in the hospital.
22"Misfires"Adrienne MitchellMichael MacLennanJanuary 11, 2012 (2012-01-11)1.153[8]
After an accident during bomb testing which leaves a factory worker, Archie Arnott, critically injured, the factory comes under scrutiny regarding safety regulations. The girls on the Blue Shift line are blamed for the accident, which results in Gladys attempting to get the girls to stand up for themselves. Vera, recovering in the hospital, grows depressed about the condition her injury has left her in. Meanwhile, Kate poses for pin-up photos in order to obtain a fake security clearance form, and Lorna uses Marco's Italian background to raise suspicions about him, resulting in him being fired.
33"How You Trust"Ken GirottiEsta SpaldingJanuary 18, 2012 (2012-01-18)1.086[9]
After some of Gladys' things are stolen from her locker at the factory, she decides to find out who is behind the recent thefts. Lorna sends Kate to work in the storeroom as punishment, after suspecting Kate is the thief; while there, she befriends an African-Canadian man named Leon Riley. While tracking down another Blue Shift worker, Hazel, who Gladys believes is the thief, she discovers that Hazel has been sleeping with James, her fiancé. After going to Marco's house to drop off his paycheck, Lorna feels guilty about getting him fired; the two grow closer and eventually kiss.
44"Bringing Up Bombshell"Ken GirottiJohn KrizancJanuary 25, 2012 (2012-01-25)0.885[10]
A propaganda newsreel is being filmed at Victory Munitions, and to her chagrin, Betty is chosen to be the spokesmodel for the factory. When the newsreel portrays her as a housewife with children, Betty is upset and angry with the director; she later confesses to Kate that she wishes she could be "that girl" in the film. After a slow start, Vera and Archie befriend each other in the hospital, and he attempts to talk her out of committing suicide. Meanwhile, Marco and Lorna consummate their affair, while Gladys, depressed about her fiancé's affair, looks for ways to act out.
55"Armistice"Anne WheelerShelley EricksenFebruary 1, 2012 (2012-02-01)0.932[11]
It's Armistice Day, and the factory is planning on hosting an event to commemorate the holiday. However, everyone is at odds: James discovers that Gladys has been receiving letters from a soldier she'd accidentally agreed to marry, and the two fight over their respective indiscretions; Leon invites Kate to sing in a club with his band, which causes a rift between Betty and Kate; Lorna and her husband, Bob, clash after they find out that one of their sons is being awarded a medal for bravery. And at the hospital, Archie contracts sepsis and asks Vera to help him commit suicide, to end his suffering.
66"Elements of Surprise"Anne WheelerMichael MacLennanFebruary 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)1.039[12]
Amidst the chaos following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the girls on Blue Shift find themselves facing their own challenges. Gladys' parents discover she has been lying to them about her job at the factory and conspire to have her fired, while James is recruited into the military. Her affair with Marco has left Lorna pregnant, and she is at odds with how to deal with it. Vera is convinced to come back to work at the factory, but struggles with PTSD. Meanwhile, Kate and Betty deal with Kate's father, who has tracked her down, and Betty confesses her true feelings to Kate, with disastrous results.

Season 2 (2013)

On February 7, 2012, Bomb Girls was renewed by Shaw Media for a second season consisting of 12 episodes.[13][14][15] The second season premiered on Global Canada January 2, 2013.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Viewers
(millions)
71"The Quickening"Adrienne MitchellRaymond StoreyJanuary 2, 2013 (2013-01-02)1.126[16]
Gladys has returned to work at the factory, this time with her parents' blessings, who are using her as part of an advertising campaign. However, she finds herself still at odds with them, wanting to do more to help the war effort. After being nearly outed, Betty scared of being fired, begins dating Ivan, an engineer on the Blue Shift. Lorna looks to terminate her pregnancy and turns to Vera for help. After months of searching, Betty finally finds Kate, but is met with resistance from Kate's father, who is later accidentally killed in a struggle. Betty and Kate cover up his death and Kate returns to her old job.
82"Roses Red"Adrienne MitchellMichael MacLennanJanuary 9, 2013 (2013-01-09)0.858[17]
Kate is found by police detective who asks her to identify her father's body, unaware of her fake identity. His questions rattle Kate, and she considers leaving again to keep Betty safe. Betty's focus on Kate frustrates Ivan's attempts to move forward with his relationship with Betty. Gladys' fiancé, James, has returned for the holiday, but he reveals that he nearly failed his officer training and has a nervous breakdown. After plans to spend Valentine's Day with Gladys fall through, Vera ends up spending the evening with a dashing soldier. When Lorna suffers a miscarriage, Bob and Marco have a confrontation at the hospital.
93"The Enemy Within"Don McBeartyAlison Lea BingemanJanuary 16, 2013 (2013-01-16)N/A
When Gladys finds out about Marco's father being held in an internment camp in Petawawa, she asks her father for his help in getting Marco's father a hearing. She accompanies Marco and Mrs. Moretti on a trip to the internment camp, but the trip leads to disaster, with Gladys, Marco, and Mrs. Moretti being held prisoner overnight. Kate has taken up drinking to cope with her depression and Leon suggests that Betty take Kate to his church for cheering up; Betty finds enlightenment in Leon's sermon and subsequently breaks up with Ivan. Meanwhile, Lorna attempts to teach life skills classes at VicMu, Bob looks for a job, and their son Eugene returns home on leave.
104"Guests of Honour"Don McBreartyJoseph KayJanuary 23, 2013 (2013-01-23)N/A
With Eugene home, Lorna plans a dinner in order to celebrate his success in the war; her doting on Eugene sets her at odds with Sheila, while Eugene is more interested in flirting with the girls of VicMu. Leon again reaches out to Kate, but she explains that singing no longer brings her joy. Betty matches wits and strength with an escaped German POW, who tells her she can't hide her true self forever. Kate is encouraged by Betty to move on with her life and decides to join Leon's choir. Vera and Carol are at odds due to their social and economic differences, but find themselves moving towards a tentative understanding.
115"The Harder We Fight"Jerry CiccorittiJulia CohenJanuary 30, 2013 (2013-01-30)N/A
Tensions within the factory and at home come to a boiling point. Carol and Vera struggle to one-up each other in the fight to see who will win the coveted position of office manager. Gene continues to court Gladys, who finds herself drawn in by his daredevil attitude, despite heavy opposition from Lorna and Adele Witham, who disapprove. Betty takes an instant disliking to Reggie, a new arrival, viewing her as cocky and dangerous; after a brief fistfight, however, they call a uneasy truce. Kate focuses on her pursuit to get a boyfriend and accidentally draws the interest of Ivan. Meanwhile, Marco deals with harassment from a police officer.
126"Where There's Smoke"Jerry CiccorittiMichael MacLennanFebruary 6, 2013 (2013-02-06)N/A
Against the backdrop of a war bond event at Victory Munitions, sponsored by Witham Foods, everyone struggles with their own private war. Betty and Kate are forced to come to terms with their confusing friendship, which drives them apart; Kate seeks solace in Ivan while Betty grows close to a Women's Army Corps soldier, Teresa. At the insistence of Shelia, Lorna and Bob attempt to reach out to Eugene, who is suffering from battle fatigue, but with little success; Lorna finally agrees to let him return to the front lines to fight. After Gladys discovers her father has been paying for her room at the hotel, she looks to James for help, only to be devastated after he is killed in battle.
137"Party Line"Rachel TalalayMichael MacLennanMarch 25, 2013 (2013-03-25)N/A
It's harvest time and as the girls pluck the bounty of their victory garden, Vera uncovers a TNT shortage, shining an unwelcome light on the men of the Blue Shift – and jeopardizing her burgeoning friendship with Marco. Meanwhile, as preliminary reports of a successful raid on Dieppe are broadcast cross-country, Gladys isolates herself to fight her own private battles and Betty has an unexpected reunion with a soldier. Lorna fights for her long coveted home telephone, but any success is tempered by her growing fears for the safety of her sons.
148"Fifth Column"Rachel TalalayPamela Pinch & Raymond StoreyApril 1, 2013 (2013-04-01)N/A
While out with the girls, Gladys finds herself a magnet of unwanted interest – first from a mystery man at the factory, and then from an overly-curious redhead at the Jewel Box who plies her with questions about the factory. Meanwhile, in a bid to get closer to her daughter, Lorna enlists Kate to volunteer with her at Sheila's hospital. Kate does her best to reach a shell-shocked soldier, while Lorna faces her own shocks from Sheila. Betty's budding relationship with Teresa intensifies – attracting some unwelcome attention.
159"Something Fierce"Bruce McDonaldJoseph KayApril 8, 2013 (2013-04-08)N/A
Writing an article on Women at War, legendary and controversial journalist Dottie Shannon visits the factory – ruffling feathers and shining a light on the stark disparity between women and men's salaries. After this revelation, Lorna is torn – does she pursue a raise and risk the wrath of her male co-workers, or consent to the status quo "for the good of the war effort"? Gladys runs into Clifford Perry (Tahmoh Penikett) in the most unexpected of places and learns the true extent of the shadow-world of intelligence. Kate is faced with a career conundrum when she's offered the chance to sing in a live revue – only to discover that it's a bawdy burlesque show.
1610"Romeo Foxtrot"Bruce McDonaldAlison Lea BingemanApril 15, 2013 (2013-04-15)0.605[18]
News that passenger ferry, SS Caribou has been torpedoed off Newfoundland in the Battle of the St. Lawrence, gives the war a new sense of urgency on the home front. Clifford impresses upon Gladys the importance of wartime intelligence and keeping tabs on her friends, but Vera misconstrues Gladys's newfound interest in Marco. Marco further questions his allegiances after his mother is wrongfully accused of stealing at Witham Foods. Lorna decides to give dance class a whirl and finds herself smitten with dancing and possibly with the teacher. Kate struggles with an unforeseen consequence in connection with her engagement to Ivan, while Betty personally experiences the difficult plight of being a soldier's girl.
1711"Kings and Pawns"Paolo BarzmanRaymond StoreyApril 22, 2013 (2013-04-22)N/A
The Governor General's upcoming tour of Victory Munitions has the factory in a whirl. On the surface it's all flowers and curtsies, but the Earl's visit has set many wheels in motion. Gladys is unsettled after being dismissed by Clifford who informs her that her intelligence has led to ensnaring Marco, a man she believes is decent, albeit misguided. Meanwhile, Marco's options are dwindling as he is appalled to learn that the non-violent anti-war statement he planned with Frank has morphed into something else – to be perfectly timed with the Earl's visit. Lorna enlists Bob in her ongoing dispute with Sheila, a move which backfires on Lorna.
1812"Blood Relations"Paolo BarzmanMichael MacLennanApril 29, 2013 (2013-04-29)N/A
A blood drive calls on everyone at VicMu to donate to the boys fighting Rommel in Egypt and while some are eager to give, others feel uneasy about getting drained. Kate's glow in the wake of her happy reunion with her mother and her upcoming wedding is dimmed by the reappearance of Detective Brodie and his questions about her father's death. Clifford reveals the breadth of his talents to Gladys and he offers her an unexpected opportunity. Lorna grapples with decisions that could have life altering consequences for those she loves. Vera makes a clear statement vis-à-vis Marco, forcing him to examine old patterns. Meanwhile in a brave sacrifice, Betty demonstrates the ultimate expression of love.

Production

The series was created by Michael MacLennan and Adrienne Mitchell and based on a concept by Debi Drennan and Maureen Jennings. The first season was written by Michael MacLennan, Esta Spalding, John Krizanc, and Shelley Eriksen and directed by Adrienne Mitchell, Ken Girotti, and Anne Wheeler. The executive producers are Janis Lundman, Michael MacLennan, Adrienne Mitchell, and Michael Prupas.[19] The first season producer is Wendy Grean. The editors are Teresa De Luca and Tad Seaborn. Eric Cayla does cinematography on the show. Aidan Leroux is the production designer, Joanne Hansen is the costume designer, Valentine Prokop is in the sound department, and Marie Nardella is in makeup department. Mario Rachiele adds visual effects to the program. The score is composed by Peter Chapman, and music supervision is by Andrea Higgins of Arpix Media.

The series was filmed in Toronto with a converted furniture factory in Etobicoke standing for the Victory Munitions Factory.[20] Season 1 was filmed from September 12 to November 16, 2011.[21] Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions are the production companies. In Canada, the series is distributed by Shaw Media; internationally the series is distributed by Muse Distribution International.

Despite critical acclaim and a growing fan base, on April 22, 2013 Global TV and Shaw Media announced that Bomb Girls would not return for a third season. They did however suggest that a two-hour TV movie serving as a series finale could air sometime in early 2014. Disappointed viewers launched a campaign via savebombgirls.com in an effort to get this decision reversed.

Bomb Girls - Facing the Enemy

In October 2013, Shaw Media announced that production had begun on a two-hour television film.[22] The original cast, including Meg Tilly, Jodi Balfour, Charlotte Hegele, Ali Liebert, Antonio Cupo, Anastasia Phillips, Michael Seater, and Peter Outerbridge reprised their roles. The film was shot in Toronto and Hamilton until November 20, 2013. This was confirmed by Ali Liebert.[23] The film, titled Bomb Girls - Facing the Enemy, premiered on Global TV in Canada on March 27, 2014.[24]

See also

References

  1. Harris, Bill (2011-12-27). "'Bomb Girls' keeping it Canadian". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  2. "Media - Shaw Media". shawmediatv.ca.
  3. "TV : The Loop". tvguide.ca.
  4. "Shaw Media renews Global Original Miniseries, Bomb Girls". newswire.ca.
  5. Barabbas, Bomb Girls, and Beverly Hills Pawn Join Reelz Fall Lineup
  6. "TNB A&C - 21 Questions with Brett Dier - The Nervous Breakdown". thenervousbreakdown.com.
  7. "Top Programs – Total Canada (English) January 2 - January 8, 2012" (PDF). BBM Canada. 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  8. "Top Programs – Total Canada (English) January 9 - January 15, 2012" (PDF). BBM Canada. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  9. Brioux, Bill (2012-01-25). "The Brioux Report: Canadians love hockey, football and The Big Bang Theory". Toronto.com. Torstar. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  10. Brioux, Bill (2012-02-08). "The Brioux Report: Big Bang, CSI, All-Star hockey wins week before sweeps". Toronto.com. Torstar. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  11. Brioux, Bill (2012-02-08). "The Brioux Report: Canada bowled over by the Super Bowl". Toronto.com. Torstar. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  12. Brioux, Bill (2012-02-14). "The Brioux Report: The Grammy Awards hit high ratings note for Global". Toronto.com. Torstar. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  13. "Bomb Girls is renewed for second season". Toronto Star. February 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  14. "'Bomb Girls' renewed | Sympatico.ca TV Guide". TV Guide Canada. 2007-01-15. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  15. "Shaw Media | Shaw Media renews Global Original Miniseries, Bomb Girls". Newswire.ca. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  16. "Top Programs – Total Canada (English) December 31, 2012 - January 6, 2013" (PDF). BBM Canada. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  17. Brioux, Bill (13 January 2013). "Murdoch Mysteries lifts CBC's premiere week". TV Feeds My Family. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  18. "Redirecting". tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.ca.
  19. "Global's newest six-part prime time drama Bomb Girls premieres Wednesday, January 4" (Press release). Shaw Media. 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  20. Stinson, Scott (2011-12-28). "The ladies of Bomb Girls went from 'making pies to making bombs'". National Post. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  21. Vlessing, Etan (August 25, 2011). "Meg Tilly Takes Lead in Canadian 'Bomb Girls' Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  22. "Press Release - Press Releases - Media - Shaw Media". shawmedia.ca.
  23. "Ali Liebert talks "Lost Girl," "Bomb Girls," being Canada's Favorite Lesbian (on TV) - AfterEllen". AfterEllen.
  24. 'Bomb Girls: Facing The Enemy' TV movie set to air March 27, globalnews.ca, 5 March 2014

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 12, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.