If you are looking for a post-apocalyptic, dystopian drama series, there are several places you could turn to. However, few (if any) are so gripping, moving, and exciting as each and every episode of The 100 continues to be. The 100 consistently elevates its game to the next level and keeping fans engaged in excellent stories.
This week on The 100: Raven is pushing Clarke to decide who gets to live on the Ark and who doesn’t. Murphy returns to Arkadia to steal food for himself and Emori, but discovers much larger issues upon his arrival. Clarke, Bellamy, and Jaha follow up on a lead for a bunker that could save everyone. Octavia and Indra work to hunt down the stolen flame for Roan. Luna and two other grounders come down with radiation poisoning, so they come to Abby for medical help.
I was blown away by the stories in this episode. It seems like I’m always saying to myself that The 100 will soon hit its ceiling, only to have them surpass it with the very next episode. Tensions on the show are running at an all-time high thanks to the impending radiation, which makes the heartbreaking, devastating moments all the more so. Take Raven and the radiation patients (dibs on that band name) for example. I was moved enough when Murphy turned out to have a conscience and stole the medicine to help. But, when Raven, who has clearly wrestled and struggled with the fact that not everyone can be saved, walked in and saw that little girl die was an absolutely heartbreaking moment, but nailed by every actor. Richard Harmon and Lindsey Morgan had particularly good episodes.
The Jaha/Clarke/Bellamy story also really worked well. Jaha’s character has been interesting since the City of Light debacle, mostly because the people generally mistrust him. But what really made this story interesting was seeing his leadership style reflected in Clarke and Bellamy. They were both critical of him and now they are both put in positions that he was in as Chancellor. Leadership is a funny thing.
Probably the best part about all of this is that the writers have decided not to keep the impending apocalypse a secret from any of the characters. Every show under the sun has tried to craft big reveals or only give certain characters knowledge of an event, which has resulted (normally) in disaster. Sometimes, twists work, but we live in such an over-analyzing society today that so many of the twists can be guessed or inferred when reviewing the episode for the 500th time. But this show, much like The Flash, provides a sense of transparency. It turns out to be much more truthful and interesting to tell characters the truth and have them navigate the world after learning it, instead of manufacturing dramatic stories to keep the show’s status quo in tact. All that to say, tackling the apocalypse head on is a better strategy and it seems to be working for them.
A few other thoughts:
- I can’t decide if Jaha’s nudges to Clarke and Bellamy about needing each other is foreshadowing an eventual relationship, or if it’s just there to tease the ever-rabid shippers.
- “If there is a hell, well I guess I’ll see ya there”
- How much of the energy being spent on the Ark would be more beneficial in repairing something similar to Mt. Weather? Can adding the drop ship save 20 more lives? I’m really upset by this problem so I’m trying to solve it myself.
- I didn’t talk about Octavia very much, but she’s (for lack of a better term) fierce.
Every step that The 100 took in this episode was a good one toward a solid future for the show. Even though I’m terrified about how this is going to go down and who’s going to survive it. But, that excitement is one of the best things about The 100 as a whole. Jason Rothenberg straight up told me he’s optimistic about a Season 5, so that’s gotta be good news, right?
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know in the comments!
The 100 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on the CW
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