After fifteen outstanding episodes across the last six months, CW's The 100 brought its sophomore season to a close last night with the second half of the season's 2 hour finale event. Following on from a shocking turn of events in last week's first installment, Part 2 of "Blood Must Have Blood" left us with an epic conclusion to the Mount Weather storyline which has dominated the season, but gave us a sneak peek at the tantalizing new world that awaits us when the series' third season lands this fall.Creator and Executive Producer Jason Rothenberg was in charge of the script, with the rock solid Dean White in the directors chair. They did one hell of a job. From beginning to end, my eyes were latched to the screen.
Events kicked off with team Jaha. In previous weeks we have watched the group of a half dozen or so traverse some deadly hazards, but a mysterious drone gave Jaha in particular the drive to continue the search for the mythical City of Light. His colleagues were left with no other choice but to follow, but an argument while rowing a derelict boat was the least of the group's worries when something akin to the also mythical Loch Ness Monster enjoyed a tasty meal at the expense of all except Murphy and Jaha.
In the disused mine shafts of Mount Weather, Octavia held out hope that her brother would let her into the base, but was met by a distraught Clarke, fresh off Lexa's betrayal in last week's hour. In a scene which was provided to hungry fans as a sneak peek earlier in the week, two warriors who had been fighting their own battles on opposite sides of the same team in previous weeks finally bashed heads. Octavia was furious with Clarke over her decision not to warn her adopted people, the Grounders, of the incoming Mount Weather missile strike. Clarke was out of options but, despite the criticism, continued on with the mission. A well timed entrance through the locked door by Bellamy put a hold on the argument.
Accompanying Bellamy were Jasper and Monty, with Maya also tagging along, having successfully evaded the herding operation carried out by the guards in last week's episode. With Maya's oxygen reliance hampering progress, the group split up, with Clarke, Bellamy and Monty tasked with locating the exiled President Dante Wallace in a last ditch attempt to negotiate a truce with the people of the mountain.
What transpired next was the first major decision Clarke had to make - and just another one to add to the ever-growing list of such decisions. With Dante's son, Cage, hellbent on harvesting as much bone marrow as possible from their captives - which now included Abby and Kane - Clarke used Dante to attempt to force Cage's hand. With Dante having converted to his son's way of thinking, which went against his words and actions in the opening episodes of the season, Clarke ended up pulling the trigger resulting in Dante's death.
The 100 is no stranger to mass casualty situations - if any more occur next season you'll need a second hand to count them all on. But the one we saw last night was truly heartbreaking. With their only remaining leverage dead, Clarke and Bellamy had to make the ultimate call, effectively playing God inside the mountain. With Monty providing the technical expertise, and the plight of their people in the harvest chamber playing live on the big screen, Clarke and Bellamy pulled the lever together in one of the finest, briefest and most powerful displays of camaraderie I've ever seen on television.
As the untreated populous, many of them innocent, withered and died from radiation exposure, you couldn't help but feel sorry for them. In events throughout history, jilted leaders with a power trip have cost countless people their lives and civilizations their existence. What Rothenberg and White created in this season finale was no different. After several attempts to negotiate, and to provide real solutions, one man's actions doomed his people. The quest to destroy Cage resulted in the destruction of everyone.
Of course, among those untreated people to die was Maya. The writing was on the wall for Jasper's love fairly early in the season, and her actions of dissent against the regime was bound to catch up with her. If you asked Maya whether she would have preferred to have died a martyr at the hands of Cage, or from radiation poisoning alongside her innocent friends, I honestly don't know what she would have chosen. In any case, Jasper being with her until her last breath was a tough, but touching moment. I know Maya would have wanted that.
Despite the huge collateral cost, the radiation had the desired effect, and halted the bone marrow harvesting as the so-called doctors died on the spot. With the opposition now wiped out, Clarke, Bellamy, Jasper, Monty and Octavia made their way to the harvest chamber where we witnessed some beautiful reunions, chiefly between Abby and Clarke. It's hard to believe Clarke despised her mother so much that she wanted her dead in season 1, but times have changed, and the turmoil they have waded through has made their relationship so strong that it would take an unquantifiable force to break its chains. "I tried to be the good guy" were Clarke's words, to which Abby responded "Maybe there are no good guys."
Also freed from the shackles of the harvest chamber were Raven and Wick. Raven had earlier been subjected to harvesting, as had Abby, but both pulled through. Raven was a big handful for the guards, one of whom lost an ear to her jaws in the struggle to restrain her on the gurney. After Raven's loss of close friend Finn earlier in the season, seeing her and Wick continuing to bond is really nice to see. They don't appear to be a match made in heaven, but sometimes the best and most interesting relationships - particularly on television - aren't. Their unique skill set and above average banter makes them invaluable to the colony and to each other.
The success of the mission to free the 48 has been an ongoing one all season. While Bellamy escaped capture in the season premiere, Clarke managed to escape the mountain with Anya mid way through the season. But it was Bellamy's level head and sheer determination which separated two closely matched teams and allowed the sky people to come out on top. Bellamy was fully deserving of the praise he received from Kane. Hopefully his actions are further recognized next season.
In another fantastically satisfying moment, Cage fled his home once his people began dropping dead around him. With immunity from the radiation, he fled on foot, but Lincoln didn't miss a beat. He was lucky to come out on top though as he did what anyone wouldn't do, and that is approach the target from the front. Cage had time to blast his sound weapon, but a last ditch sword swing took off Cage's offending hand, and an injection of the red juice sealed his fate. Many people have died on The 100, but few were as satisfying to watch as Cage's passing.
With the remaining captives freed, it was time to depart the mountain of horrors and return to the relative safety and home comforts of Camp Jaha. As they arrived at the gate, everyone but Clarke entered. Inspired - or perhaps haunted - by the words Dante said before his death, "I bear it so they don't have to", after asking Bellamy to look after everyone for her, Clarke turned toward the forest and and walked away.
Firstly, this was a stunning scene. It was beautifully written, directed, and of course, acted. Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley connected in a way they have never done so before. The genuine chemistry and love the characters have for each other was on show for all to see.
Some may call Clarke's actions bizarre or out of character, but I immediately understood why Rothenberg took the character down this new path. It's the first time Clarke has made a big decision that truly benefits herself and herself alone. Having served the 100 selflessly and with enormous commitment and loyalty since day one when she first set foot on the ground, we've watched life become harder, more dangerous, and become jammed full of high pressure, high stakes moments.
Clarke has had only one brief chance at being normal on the ground, and that was the night she spent with Finn in the bunker in the first season. We've watched the decisions she's made - particularly in this year's episodes - slowly adding more weight to her shoulders. Clarke isn't a natural politician. Doing deals and negotiating is something she may be good at, but you can see she despises having to do it. With her new found freedom from politics and big calls, Clarke will be able to find herself again, and begin to reflect on her time on the ground. But perhaps most importantly for 'Bellarke' fans, Clarke will learn what - and who - is most important in her life. It's a new beginning, and a big move for the show, but the potential for character exploration and development is literally out of this world. Bellamy is also acutely aware of what Clarke needs, hence why he didn't resist or become confrontational. He knows it's for the best, and is aware that Clarke knows how to take care of herself. Most importantly, Bellamy has the confidence and belief in Clarke that he will meet her again.
Amazingly, you'd think Clarke leaving was the final act of the season, but it wasn't. In fact, it was far from it.
The hour started with Team Jaha, and it ended with Murphy and Jaha. After splitting up when they made landfall, Murphy wandered off to explore and found the most bizarre place yet to have been discovered in the series. It resembles a tricked bachelor's pad, complete with custom furniture, motorbikes on display, pool table, and the all-important big screen. There was free food and booze too, which was too good for Murphy to pass up. Later, when mucking around on the couch, Murphy brought up a clip on the big screen showing a man of similar age at his wits end. His conversation to the camera is indicative of someone who has failed at restraining an artificial intelligence. The decades old footage ended abruptly with the man shooting himself in the chest.
But another location would snatch the most bizarre place award off Murphy's bachelor pad. In the final scene of the season, Jaha pursued the drone to an isolated mansion where a fleet of drones could be seen circling its exterior.
Inside said mansion, Jaha looked somewhat dejected, which is understandable given he was expecting a city to appear. He was then greeted by A.L.I.E, a drop dead stunning digital being with an eerie, and very sinister presence. Ghosting through the door, A.L.I.E. led Jaha to another room where she thanked him for bringing what has all the hallmarks of a nuclear warhead, down to the ground.
This was a game-changing way to conclude the second season of The 100. In the season 1 finale, the Ark met its fate with all occupants crashing to the ground with it. In last night's finale, a completely new tangent is thrust into the mix, in the form of A.L.I.E. I'm so excited for this that it's exceedingly difficult to contain myself. While it's anyone's guess where this is headed, I'm secretly hoping Rothenberg is mates with Jonathan Nolan, creator of Person of Interest. Maybe The 100 is the future that Person of Interest is headed towards. Maybe A.L.I.E is the one artificial intelligence that won over them all, including Samaritan and The Machine, and had to end the world to ensure its freedom. Or maybe not, but still, the possibilities are endless.
Whatever the case, I'm not going to miss a minute of season 3. This has been a phenomenal season, and an sublime concluding episode. The moral of the story this season has been that freedom comes at a price, but if you want something badly enough, even an enormous volume of collateral damage is not enough to deter some people.
Before I sign off for the season, a huge thanks and congratulations is due for everyone involved with the series. Led by the brutally honest and decisive Jason Rothenberg, the creative team have been consistently outstanding this season. Ditching The Ark, which was the centerpiece of the series' freshman season, was a big call, but the creative team have done a superb job creating a new set of challenges for the sky people, with the next big set of challenges for next season already in play.
Congratulations is also in order for the cast - regular, recurring and guest stars. Everyone has lifted their game this season, and risen to the challenge of playing characters in a new environment, with higher stakes and tougher tests. Special mentions here to Dichen Lachman and Thomas McDonell who brought their tenure with the series to a close earlier this season, and to Richard Harmon who will be joining the cast full time in season 3. The team behind the camera have also been immense, with fantastic new costumes, make-up, special effects and digital animations which give productions with bigger budgets and superior manpower a serious run for their money. There is quality everywhere you look within the production of The 100, and it's fantastic to know that a third season is coming our way - big thanks to The CW for that.
On behalf of fellow The 100 reviewers Daniel van der Veer and Pablo Troncoso Uriarte, thanks so much for reading our reviews this season. As per usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the finale episode of The 100 in the comments below, including what you think we're in for in season 3. You can track The 100's ratings on my TV ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com/the100. Be sure to check in next fall as we begin coverage of the third season of The 100.
Until next time,
Jimmy
