The episode also includes scenes set outside the prison, which follow Franky Doyle (Nicole da Silva), a former inmate who is released on parole.
The episode begins with Franky (Nicole da Silva) giving an interview on radio about her time inside Wentworth.
While Franky is doing the interview, Bea (Danielle Cormack) is watching the world go by while travelling back to Wentworth after the fire.
That evening, Bridget and Franky discuss the fact Joan knows about their relationship, Doreen (Shareena Clanton) gives Joshua over to Nash (Luke McKenzie) and Bea starts to cut herself.
Atkinson warned that her character gets too confident too early because it becomes apparent by the end of the episode that Joan will not make prison life easy.
[7] The episode featured Socratis Otto and Tammy Macintosh resuming their respective roles of Maxine Conway and Kaz Proctor, making their first appearances as regular cast members.
[8] Regular cast member Aaron Jeffery who played Matthew "Fletch" Fletcher had left the show off-screen and prior to "First Blood" airing.
[9] It was mentioned that "a new and bigger filming location for the series in western Melbourne, which on-screen will appear as a new wing of the prison.
"[8] David Knox for TV Tonight stated "Now filmed at a new location in western Melbourne, and helmed by a new Series Producer in Pino Amenta, there are changes on screen and behind the scenes.
[16] TV Choice included the episode in their "pick of the day" feature and a writer said that it brought about "big changes" in the series.
[18] Matt Baylis from the Daily Express criticised it, singling out scenes featuring Joan being held in a cell with a glass window.
[19] However, Gerard O'Donovan (The Daily Telegraph) disagreed and praised the scenes as "a triumph of camp, lip-quivering menace in a glass-walled cell."
She added that "First Blood" was "an absolute belter, featuring a cast of fabulously strong, variably humane female characters.
"[22] Herts & Essex Observer stated "Welcome back to Wentworth Prison, the Australian jail where the staff are arguably more dangerous than the inmates.