{{Short description|Pilot episode of Our Girl}} {{Infobox television episode | series = [[Our Girl]] | image = Pilot (Our Girl).jpg | caption = DVD cover | director = [[David Drury (director)|David Drury]] | writer = [[Tony Grounds]] | editor = Ben Drury | airdate = {{Start date|2013|03|24|df=yes}} | length = 88 minutes | next = [[Our Girl series 1#ep1|Time]] | season_article = | episode_list = List of Our Girl episodes }} "'''Pilot'''" (also referred to as "'''Our Girl'''"){{efn|The film was aired under the title "Our Girl", but since the [[Our Girl|television series]] began airing, it became known as "Pilot".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010r4kr |title=Our Girl – BBC One |first= |last= |date= |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=BBC One |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204211939/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010r4kr |archive-date=4 February 2019 }}</ref> This article refers to it as "Pilot" for consistency, and to distinguish it from the TV series.}} is a 2013 [[military drama]] film which serves as the [[television pilot]] of the [[BBC]] series ''[[Our Girl]]'', initially created as a standalone project. It was directed by [[David Drury (director)|David Drury]], produced by [[Ken Horn]], and written by [[Tony Grounds]], who eventually went on to create the series. The film focuses on a loud young woman with little future named [[Molly Dawes]] ([[Lacey Turner]]) and her decision to leave her troubled life behind to join the [[British Army|army]].
Grounds based the film's plot on the idea that no conscript is "merely a soldier", and pitched it after hearing of a story about a woman becoming a well-respected army medic despite her rough start. Primarily filmed at the [[Army Training Centre Pirbright]], and being commissioned on the condition that it would include Turner, Grounds developed the story and summarised it as following a "female combatant but she is also a daughter and a sister". The film aired on [[BBC One]] on 24 March 2013. Despite being met with mixed critical response, with many criticising the film's story but praising Turner's performance, it earned high viewership and was well-received by audiences, resulting in the series being conceived.
==Plot== 18-year-old [[Molly Dawes]] ([[Lacey Turner]]), who lives in the [[East End of London]], discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating, and after vomiting in an alleyway, she feels that her life has no purpose and decides to join the army as a [[combat medic]]. Encouraged only by the manager of the recruitment office, Sergeant Lamont ([[Paul Fox (actor)|Paul Fox]]), she initially keeps her decision a secret from her family, which consists of her controlling father Dave ([[Sean Gallagher (actor)|Sean Gallagher]]) and doting mother Belinda ([[Kerry Godliman]]). When the truth is exposed, Dave demands she changes her mind, threatening to disown her if she does not, leaving her to make the heartbreaking decision to step away as she heads off to training camp. Here, Corporal Geddings ([[Matthew McNulty]]) initially doubts Molly's merits as a potential soldier, but she strives to prove herself and eventually earns the respect of her peers, even reuniting with her mother Belinda when she visits her to apologise for Dave's actions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/12/bbc-dramas-luther-our-girl-peaky-blinders-book-guest-stars/ |title=BBC Dramas 'Luther', 'Our Girl' & 'Peaky Blinders' Book Guest Stars |first=Patrick |last=Munn |date=4 December 2012 |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=TVwise |language=English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207173609/https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/12/bbc-dramas-luther-our-girl-peaky-blinders-book-guest-stars/ |archive-date=7 December 2012 }}</ref>
==Production== Writer and creator [[Tony Grounds]] credited the idea that "no conscript is merely a soldier - they are someone's child or sibling, parent or spouse" with the commissioning of the film.<ref name="Our">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/our-girl |title=Our Girl |first= |last= |date=12 March 2013 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=BBC Media Centre |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240710121138/https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/our-girl |archive-date=10 July 2024 }}</ref> He based the film's plot on a story he was told while visiting an army base with a friend, which entailed a young woman who was as "angry as a feral cat" during her [[basic training]] and had little chance of [[passing out (military)|passing out]] who went on to become "one of the finest combat medics to have served in Afghanistan".<ref name="Our" /> As the idea stuck in the back of Grounds' mind, and having always wanted to write "a story of hope" about "the young and disenfranchised finding the 'thing' they are brilliant at", he pitched the idea after [[John Yorke (producer)|John Yorke]], an executive on the BBC's drama department, asked Grounds if he had any ideas for projects that could involve actress [[Lacey Turner]], resulting in the film's conception.<ref name="Our" /> [[Ken Horn]] and [[David Drury (director)|David Drury]] were brought in to produce and direct the film, respectively.<ref name="Our" /> Grounds developed the story and summarised it as being about a "female combatant but she is also a daughter and a sister". He added: "Every soldier is a citizen first and we explore their choices that lead them to an Army training camp and how the ensuing months will change their lives forever".<ref name="Secures" />
In October 2012, the film was announced, as well as Turner's casting as its protagonist, [[Molly Dawes]].<ref name="Star">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a431532/switchs-lacey-turner-to-star-in-bbc-army-drama-our-girl/ |title='Switch's Lacey Turner to star in BBC army drama 'Our Girl' |first=Kate |last=Goodrace |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018150641/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a431532/switchs-lacey-turner-to-star-in-bbc-army-drama-our-girl/ |archive-date=18 October 2023 }}</ref> On her casting, Turner expressed her excitement to be a part of the project: "I am so excited to be a part of ''Our Girl''. It is a beautifully written drama of one girl's journey through life. Molly is such an interesting character who shows such strength and determination. She's a girl who you cannot help but love".<ref name="Secures">{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/lacey-turner-secures-soldier-role/28875487.html |title=Lacey Turner secures soldier role |first= |last= |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Belfast Telegraph |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240710115317/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/lacey-turner-secures-soldier-role/28875487.html |archive-date=10 July 2024 }}</ref> Yorke was "delighted" that Turner was part of the project, and billed Molly as being just as "colourful, unique and powerful" as Turner's ''[[EastEnders]]'' character [[Stacey Slater]].<ref name="Secures" /> Grounds was vocal about how necessary attention to detail for the plot was and explained the bones of the story as being "one girl's journey from a somewhat out of control miscreant, working in an East Ham nail bar, to someone who is an asset to her country". He sang praises towards Turner for her understanding of the plot and her character, commenting that she "was able to breath an astonishing life into the complex character of Molly Dawes".<ref name="Our" /> The film's plot was later teased to follow Molly's journey through her training and into active service in Afghanistan.<ref name="Star" />
Grounds commented that scenes of basic training were filmed at the [[Army Training Centre Pirbright]], with permission to film being granted through "skilled and careful negotiations with the [[Ministry of Defense|Ministry of Defence]]". He added that soldiers from the camp were "accommodating" as they helped with details including how uniforms were worn, how to salute, and how to march.<ref name="Our" /> The actors were placed alongside real recruits undergoing training, meaning the film's stars had to "rise to the challenge".<ref name="Our" /> Scenes that took place inside aircraft were reportedly filmed at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Midlands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2012/11/28/exeastenders-star-lacey-turner-at-raf-cosford-to-film-new-bbc-drama/ |title=Ex-EastEnders star Lacey Turner at RAF Cosford to film new BBC drama |first= |last= |date=28 November 2012 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Shropshire Star |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202070755/https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2012/11/28/exeastenders-star-lacey-turner-at-raf-cosford-to-film-new-bbc-drama/ |archive-date=2 December 2012 }}</ref> Horn later revealed that sequences of the film that were set in Afghanistan were filmed in a [[quarry]] in [[Leighton Buzzard]], adding that it rained on both days of shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Faboutthebbc%2Fentries%2F85987717-ceaa-362b-b839-744f030fa4ea |title=Our Girl: Recreating Afghanistan in South Africa |first=Ken |last=Horn |date=19 September 2014 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=BBC |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223104220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/85987717-ceaa-362b-b839-744f030fa4ea |archive-date=23 December 2014 }}</ref> The film was completed three years after the initial meeting was held.<ref name="Our" /> The episode first broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 24 March 2013 at 9:00pm.<ref name="Return" /> After the pilot episode aired, it was announced that a five-episode television series which would continue the story had been commissioned.<ref name="Full">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a535163/lacey-turners-our-girl-picked-up-for-full-series-on-bbc-one/ |title=Lacey Turner's Our Girl picked up for full series on BBC One |first=Tom |last=Eames |date=2 December 2013 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620002037/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a535163/lacey-turners-our-girl-picked-up-for-full-series-on-bbc-one/ |archive-date=20 June 2024 }}</ref>
==Cast== <!--[[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Television#Cast_and_characters_information]] on lists states "cast listing should be ordered according to the original broadcast credits, with new cast members being added to the end of the list [...] articles should reflect the entire history of a series, and as such actors remain on the list even after their departure from the series [...] "main" cast members are determined by the series producers (not by popularity, screen time, or episode count) and generally have a set order in the credits, recurring and guest stars will not necessarily be credited in the same order in each episode in which they appear, so their place in the list should be based on the order of credits in the first episode that they appear."--> {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * [[Lacey Turner]] as [[Molly Dawes]] * [[Mimi Keene]] as Jade Dawes * [[Kerry Godliman]] as Belinda Dawes * [[Sean Gallagher (actor)|Sean Gallagher]] as Dave Dawes * McKell David as Dean * Dan Black as Artan * Frieda Thiel as Proud Mary * Vanessa Babirye as Sharon * [[Cecilia Noble]] as Elizabeth * Grant Davis as Perry * Ged Forrest as Derek * [[Andrew Scarborough]] as Sergeant Peters * [[Steven Miller (actor)|Steven Miller]] as Corporal Leech * Stuart Ward as Corporal Brammer * [[Katherine Pearce]] as Katy * [[Lucy Briers]] as Major O'Brien * [[Dominic Jephcott]] as Major Hart * [[Matthew McNulty]] as Corporal Geddings * Fiona Skinner as Corporal Richards * [[Modupe Adeyeye]] as Jayne King * Laura Kirkman as Lauren * Beth-Zienna Williams as Di * Catherine Hayworth as Holly * Sarah Dungworth as Donna * Sheena Glean as Joanna * Katy Phipps as Lisa * Aveen Stewart as Charlie * Harriet Madeley as Nat * Joanna Sawyer as Becky * Branwell Donaghey as Sergeant Adams * Harry Ferrier as Chris Ingrams * Ciaran Clancy as Alex * [[Teresa Churcher]] as Mrs Frewin * David Ryall as George * [[Paul Fox (actor)|Paul Fox]] as Sergeant Lamont }}
==Reception== The pilot received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising Turner's performance and Molly's characterisation, but criticising the film's story. Dan Owen of [[MSN]] awarded the film 3/5 stars, commenting that Turner was "superb" and "made this drama excel" in the film, and "Molly's transformation from cheeky party-goer to a soldier with self-respect and discipline, still managed to be entertaining and occasionally quite moving", but was critical of how the "drama never quite managed to surprise", the script "didn't exactly rewrite the drama rulebook", and the "shortcuts" being taken in the story.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.uk.msn.com/what-to-watch/our-girl-lacey-turner-superb-in-bbc-army-drama |title=Our Girl: Lacey Turner superb in BBC army drama |first=Dan |last=Owen |date=24 March 2013 |access-date=20 June 2024 |website=MSN |language=English |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327001856/http://tv.uk.msn.com/what-to-watch/our-girl-lacey-turner-superb-in-bbc-army-drama |archive-date=27 March 2013 }}</ref> Sarah Crompton of ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' criticised the show's depiction of the [[British Army]], saying "the depiction of the army – which became too obviously her surrogate family – would be better suited to a glossy advertising campaign than a television drama, glamourising both its methods and its personnel" as well as Molly's character as being "boldly unappealing", but concluded that it was "a compelling 90 minutes", and awarding it 3/5 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/9949408/Our-Girl-BBC-One-review.html |title=Our Girl, BBC One, review |first=Sarah |last=Crompton |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=The Telegraph |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326034817/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/9949408/Our-Girl-BBC-One-review.html |archive-date=26 March 2013 }}</ref>
Tom Sutcliffe of ''[[The Independent]]'' criticised the film for being overly patriotic, explaining: "Tony Grounds's drama Our Girl was so unequivocally approving of the benefits of joining up that it seemed entirely possible that viewers at a loose end might consider giving Army life a go". He described the plot as being "familiar", as it consisted of "initial chippiness and doubt hardening into resolve and acquired discipline".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/tv-review-our-girl-starring-lacey-turner-bbc1-8547562.html |title=TV review: Our Girl starring Lacey Turner, BBC1 |first=Tom |last=Sutcliffe |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=The Independent |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620002035/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/tv-review-our-girl-starring-lacey-turner-bbc1-8547562.html |archive-date=20 June 2024 }}</ref> Sam Wollaston of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called it "clichéd and schmaltzy", and found it difficult to believe "that Molly from the start could be turned into Molly at the end in a few weeks", but found himself being "swept along" due to Turner's "gutsy, very watchable performance".<ref name="Foyle">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/mar/25/foyles-war-our-girl-tv-review |title=Foyle's War; Our Girl – TV review |first=Sam |last=Wollaston |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=The Guardian |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116144422/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/mar/25/foyles-war-our-girl-tv-review |archive-date=16 November 2023 }}</ref> Alex Fletcher of [[Digital Spy]] reported that audience reactions on [[Twitter]] were generally positive.<ref name="Return">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a468167/lacey-turners-our-girl-may-return-as-full-series-says-writer/ |title=Lacey Turner's 'Our Girl' may return as full series, says writer |first=Alex |last=Fletcher |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502092856/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a468167/lacey-turners-our-girl-may-return-as-full-series-says-writer/ |archive-date=2 May 2019 }}</ref> Based on official overnight figures, it gained an audience of 5.34 million viewers.<ref name="Full"/> Consolidated viewing increased this figure to 6.31 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4 |title=Top 30s / Mar 18 - Mar 24 / BBC1 |publisher=Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB)|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Girl">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/ourgirl |title=Our Girl |first= |last= |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=BBC Media Centre |language=English |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620002024/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/ourgirl/ |archive-date=20 June 2024 }}</ref> The pilot was nominated for best Single Drama at the 2014 [[Royal Television Society Programme Awards]].<ref name="Girl" />
==See also== *[[List of Our Girl episodes|List of ''Our Girl'' episodes]]
==References== ;Notes {{notelist}} ;Citations {{reflist}}
==External links== {{IMDb episode|2485988}} {{Our Girl}}
[[Category:Our Girl]] [[Category:2013 television films]] [[Category:Television films as pilots]] [[Category:Films directed by David Drury]] [[Category:2013 British television episodes]] [[Category:Films about the British Armed Forces]] [[Category:2010s British television series premieres]]