by Hayley Charlesworth
Following on from last week’s grief-stricken mid-season return, The 100 returns to blistering tension and heart-stopping action, as the loyalty and strength of the alliance between Camp Jaha and the Grounders is trusted. Once again, this show proves that it is a master of cliffhangers and of storytelling, while also containing a cast populated by some of the finest female characters on television.
Following on from last week’s grief-stricken mid-season return, The 100 returns to blistering tension and heart-stopping action, as the loyalty and strength of the alliance between Camp Jaha and the Grounders is trusted. Once again, this show proves that it is a master of cliffhangers and of storytelling, while also containing a cast populated by some of the finest female characters on television.
While all eyes have been on Clarke as the emerging leader this season, it would appear that the fate of the alliance lies in the hands of Octavia Blake. As the only person to know the traditions and customs of both the Skypeople and the Grounders, she is the bridge between the two worlds. Being chosen as Indra’s successor as a warrior is sure to cause tension, but Octavia has proven herself time and again to be a strong, resourceful woman. While The 100 never strains to make this explicit, the leading roles in this new society are all occupied by women: Clarke, Lexa and her predecessor Anya, Abby, Indra, and now Octavia, while the male-led Ark and Mount Weather are both products of an old system. With the exception of Byrne, who had led the guard of Camp Jaha, all the expendable characters over the past few episodes have been male. It may not be an intentional message, but by reversing these stereotypical gender roles in the Alliance, they are using an easy shorthand to make the point that true leaders emerge on a level playing field, away from tradition and prejudice.
This makes a conversation between Clarke and the Commander Lexa all the more interesting. With them both fearing for their lives while trapped by a radiation-mutated gorilla, Lexa reveals that the spirit of a deceased Commander chooses its successor. By detailing this to Clarke, is it possible that they are foreshadowing Clarke being chosen in the instance of Lexa’s death? Between this and Octavia’s choosing, the politics of the alliance are just as thrilling as the action.
This makes a conversation between Clarke and the Commander Lexa all the more interesting. With them both fearing for their lives while trapped by a radiation-mutated gorilla, Lexa reveals that the spirit of a deceased Commander chooses its successor. By detailing this to Clarke, is it possible that they are foreshadowing Clarke being chosen in the instance of Lexa’s death? Between this and Octavia’s choosing, the politics of the alliance are just as thrilling as the action.
At the other end of the spectrum are Jaha and Murphy. Both outcasts from their new society, Jaha recruits Murphy to lead him to Wells’ body, and later to join him and a small band of others to find the City of Light. There is a comment to be made here on religious belief, as Jaha’s faith in the City of Light is almost evangelical to Murphy’s cynical doubter. But both characters are men who feel personally wronged by the world, and who have blood on their hands. Perhaps they are more alike than they think.
But while there may be growing unity elsewhere, betrayal is the source of the cliffhanger between Bellamy and Lincoln. With Lincoln disguising himself as a Reaper, he intends to lead Bellamy inside Mount Weather. But it would appear his addiction has not yet left him, leaving Bellamy to the Harvest for a shot of the Red. Whether Bellamy is able to free the trapped Monty and Harper, and rescue the 47, or whether he will become an unwilling donor himself, remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain: Bellamy Blake is in for a world of pain.
But while there may be growing unity elsewhere, betrayal is the source of the cliffhanger between Bellamy and Lincoln. With Lincoln disguising himself as a Reaper, he intends to lead Bellamy inside Mount Weather. But it would appear his addiction has not yet left him, leaving Bellamy to the Harvest for a shot of the Red. Whether Bellamy is able to free the trapped Monty and Harper, and rescue the 47, or whether he will become an unwilling donor himself, remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain: Bellamy Blake is in for a world of pain.
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