Whew. Man. The 100 has a way of really cranking up the intensity. We all knew that everything was going to hit the fan sooner or later, and it appears that is has finally done so. Boy, was it worth the wait or what?
On this week’s episode: Bellamy receives help from Raven, Wick, and some Mt. Weather residents in shutting off the acid fog, but puts himself in danger to achieve that goal. Octavia discovers that Clarke and Lexa knew about the missile before it hit, while Clarke and Lexa discover some things about themselves. Jaha and Murphy’s mission to the City of Light is derailed by a mine field.
So much to talk about, and so little time. This week’s episode was very much about relationships. I can only imagine that before a war, everyone is emotional. Prior to war, emotions must be at an all time high. I will preface anything I say in an article with this: I am not a practicing “shipper.” I’m not saying that I won’t root for couples on television, (because let’s be honest: If you didn’t root for Chuck and Sarah on Chuck, you have no soul) but I’m not among the Twitter activists who are insistent that one relationship should happen over another. That being said, there was a big moment for some practicing “shippers” tonight. I’m certainly not opposed to a Clarke and Lexa pairing, but it almost didn’t feel earned to me. I’m certain that Lexa’s character was on an emotional rollercoaster, and that is something that Grounders are not used to feeling. “Love is weakness,” Lexa told Clarke after she killed Finn. I think that maybe the war, and not Clarke, that are causing her “weakness.” This, of course, is my interpretation of what I’m watching, but it wasn’t totally clear to me. She could be playing a tactic for all I can tell (and I haven’t ruled that out, considering the Octavia situation). Alycia Debnam-Carey and Eliza Taylor were fantastic, though. Don’t you agree?
I was very pleased to see the return of Wick in this week’s episode. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m a huge fan of Steve Talley’s work. My only beef is that we haven’t seen more Wick this season, and I certainly hope his “relationship” with Raven will lead to further appearances. I thought that Wick and Raven’s…ahem…celebration…was a little bit more fitting. Mostly because the conflict in Raven was so much easier to sense. She and Wick have had a longstanding rivalry , but she saw something new in him today. I think the “moment” happened because their emotions were running high too. Clarke and Raven will both have some serious emotional hurdles to get over before they can be with anyone, so their hesitance was completely believable.
Despite being a relationship heavy episode, there was plenty of action to keep everyone occupied. Bellamy’s action sequences were some of the best that the show has done yet. A lot of The 100‘s great action moments have come from outside, but playing with the indoors and confined spaces of Mt. Weather worked very well in this case. Bob Morley is going to make a great action star.
I was a big fan of the Jaha/Murphy story. Even though things get intense, every show needs a sense of hope. Most mainstream shows (The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, etc.) can lay on the emotional burdens and not let up for awhile. Hope is what Jaha is providing for the show. Perhaps it’s the amount of bleak TV I watch on a daily basis, but even I was surprised by Jaha’s unrelenting optimism. I’m not saying it’s bad, because it isn’t, but I was certainly surprised. Murphy is a character that I’ve always rooted for, and I think this is the best possible course for him. He’s the ultimate cynic, but you can see hints of Jaha’s effect on him. He’s undergoing a wonderful transformation, and I’m really excited to see how this journey turns out for these characters.
Really, another well done episode of The 100. I’ve always been able to feel what the characters are feeling, and my heart is pounding right along with the show each week. The acting is superb (especially Eliza Taylor…I mean seriously. Wow.), the story feels like a natural progression for each character, and the intensity never lets up. I’m constantly amazed at how The 100 continues to tear my attention away from any distraction possible, and they do that by providing strong characters, great action sequences, and an overall great story. The only downside? There are only two episodes left!
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode as much as I did? Are you excited for the two-part finale? Let us know!
[Photo via The CW]
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It’s not a tactic. Writers confirmed the Clarke/lexa kiss was genuine from both parts. The Clexa story was my favorite in this episode. They’ve been my favorite dynamic this season. I knew since 2×10 that Lexa had feelings for Clarke. So great that the main character is bisexual. I hope they continue to explose this with Clarke. I don’t know what you mean with earned? They’ve been haning out together for a while, alot longer than Wick and Raven. How could you say they’re earned and no Clexa? There’s been no build up to Ravick. Me thinks you just don’t want Clexa together. Clarke DID say she wasn’t ready, so it’s not like they’re in a relationship.
I disagree and i also felt Wick/Raven had a lot more chemistry
Okay?
I like Raven and Wick too and I think they have chemistry. I just find it funny that this is only their 2nd time interacting and it’s earned, but the LGBT pairing has been interacting all seaon long, and bonding, and it’s not earned. This isn’t to yuo but to the reviewer.
I think I recognize you. You always hate on any ship that doesn’t involve Raven.
Anyway twitter is going nuts for Clexa, so that’s good.
Allow me to clarify: “I’m certainly not opposed to a Clarke and Lexa pairing, but it almost didn’t feel earned to me.”
I believe that the use of almost indicates that it did still feel earned, but it didn’t feel quite right. I indicated above that I am not opposed to a Clarke and Lexa pairing. At all. All I meant was that the moment felt a little bit forced. The moment, not the relationship. The relationship makes a whole lot of sense, but I was simply responding to what I saw in the episode in particular. So again, when you said “I don’t know what you mean with earned?” I meant the moment, not the relationship.
Raven and Wick, on the other hand, was a different ballgame for several reasons.One, I think Raven’s emotions were played stronger. They were easier to pick up on. Even with Wick’s long absences, they’ve established a strong chemistry in limited time for the two characters. It was a good contrast to see Clarke explicitly state she’s not ready, while Raven took the reckless route.
Does that help? Sorry again for the confusion. I certainly didn’t mean to upset you! I loved the episode altogether!
Sorri if I was harsh. It’s just that I’ve been seeing a lot of homophobic comments since the kiss(not from you) and it was upetting me.
Like…the fandom loves Raven and Wick getting together after they had only one episode of interaction. (I love them too btw)
Clarke and Lexa have had buildup almost the entire season showing them bonding, growing, and leading together, and then some people want to say it came out of nowhere.
Anyway, I’m glad to see other reviews for this episode agree with me and all the articles praising this relationship.
No worries. I’m glad to know that people love the show so much to get emotional over it (like I often do). In previous reviews, I’ve been a strong advocate of each female character, and I think the reveal of Clarke’s bisexuality was important because it was so nonchalant. No drama, she just IS. It’s an incredibly well crafted show.
Kickass Clarke savin Octavia! I wish Octavia knew.
I’ve always shipped Bellarke, but I’ve been more into Clexa lately! I KNEW they’d have a little romantic since “Survival of the Fittest”. It was so obvious. So much chemistry.
Raven and Wick are great too! Wick is so adorable!!
I really enjoy Murphy and Jaha together. Who knew this strange pairing would be so great? I can’t wait to see what they find!
I’m just so pleased we’re getting bisexual representation on this show (and in television in general). Who better than Clarke?
Agreed. I think her reveal was very tastefully done!