by Hayley Charlesworth
“Crossing the Rubicon” means going past the point of no return, and that is the case for a number of characters in this week’s The 100. With both triumphs and failures, and a lot more death, significant developments happen across all running storylines to ensure that nobody will ever be the same again.
“Crossing the Rubicon” means going past the point of no return, and that is the case for a number of characters in this week’s The 100. With both triumphs and failures, and a lot more death, significant developments happen across all running storylines to ensure that nobody will ever be the same again.
With Murphy and Jaha, the point of no return is a literal one. Robbed by the mysterious Wastelander Emori of their supplies, but given a hint towards reaching the City of Light, they stand on a point where they could return home and survive, or continue on their path and risk death. In Mount Weather, an undercover Bellamy arms Jasper and the 47 in a revolt, with the help of an imprisoned President Wallace.
But the big event once again concerns Clarke, for whom the ends now justify the means, and the blood on her hands may never wash off. Thanks to Bellamy, Clarke becomes aware of a missile aimed by Mount Weather at a meeting of the twelve clan leaders at 'Ton DC. Rather than warn people and begin an evacuation, Clarke and Lexa slip out unnoticed, sacrificing their people to not jeopardise Bellamy’s position in Mount Weather. A nearby Octavia and Lincoln remain safe, while Clarke rescues Abby, but significant characters remained inside 'Ton DC, their fates currently unknown.
But the big event once again concerns Clarke, for whom the ends now justify the means, and the blood on her hands may never wash off. Thanks to Bellamy, Clarke becomes aware of a missile aimed by Mount Weather at a meeting of the twelve clan leaders at 'Ton DC. Rather than warn people and begin an evacuation, Clarke and Lexa slip out unnoticed, sacrificing their people to not jeopardise Bellamy’s position in Mount Weather. A nearby Octavia and Lincoln remain safe, while Clarke rescues Abby, but significant characters remained inside 'Ton DC, their fates currently unknown.
The Rubicon of the title may literally be invoked by Murphy and Jaha, but Clarke is the focus. This is played out in a stunning scene between mother and daughter, as Abby is visibly disgusted in Clarke’s decision, begging for Clarke to tell her it was all Lexa, and not her. The army and alliance may remain strong, and Bellamy still has opportunity to succeed. But even if she wins the war, what will it have turned Clarke into? It is these moral questions that keep The 100 so gripping, where even its heroine can be labelled a monster, and its villains can be heroes.
President Wallace is a villain. He strings up Grounders to harvest their blood. But the harvesting of the 47’s bone marrow appals him, providing Bellamy an unlikely ally. The parallels between the Wallaces and the Griffins are in no way accidental. Cage usurps Dante as Clarke usurps Abby. Clarke commits terrible sins for the “greater good”, and Dante atones for his sins in the name of the “greater good” by helping the 47. It is a masterful piece of storytelling, superbly performed by all the actors involved, and The 100 continues to evolve into one of the most exceptional and complex shows on television.
President Wallace is a villain. He strings up Grounders to harvest their blood. But the harvesting of the 47’s bone marrow appals him, providing Bellamy an unlikely ally. The parallels between the Wallaces and the Griffins are in no way accidental. Cage usurps Dante as Clarke usurps Abby. Clarke commits terrible sins for the “greater good”, and Dante atones for his sins in the name of the “greater good” by helping the 47. It is a masterful piece of storytelling, superbly performed by all the actors involved, and The 100 continues to evolve into one of the most exceptional and complex shows on television.
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