Wow, just wow! There is only so much I can think of after watching last night's The 100. I am still trying to make up my mind about what I just saw and to come up with the right adjectives to describe this episode. A few I can come up with right now are: outstanding, mind-blowing, awesome, unbelievable, spectacular, incredible, fantastic and insane. And I mean insane in a good way. What this show does to its characters is just so insane that it's so good. Needless to say, this show deserves so much more than the ratings it's getting and I would even go so far as to say it deserves an Emmy. There, I said it. I have a lot of critical acclaim for The 100 and last night's episode in specific.
Coming back to Earth (heh) after my feelings for "Human Trials", here is a recap of what happened in the various locations that our characters are at.
After Clarke is brought into the camp, Abby soon realizes that she is not a Grounder but her own daughter. Clarke reveals that the other 47 are at Mount Weather instead of at a Grounders' camp. The morning after, Clarke is reunited with Raven while four more people reach Camp Jaha: Bellamy, Octavia, Monroe and Mel. Clarke immediately runs towards Bellamy and hugs him, and later also reunites with Octavia. Abby soon takes action when she sends out a search team for Kane, but Clarke and Bellamy are stunned when they learn there is no one going after Finn and Murphy. Completely ignoring Abby's orders, Clarke and the Blakes leave camp and, with Raven's help, get some guns and are off to the rescue. Abby later confronts Raven and even hits her, but Raven finally tells her the truth: Clarke is not a kid anymore. She stopped being one the day she was sent to Earth do die.
Mount Weather
President Wallace offers Jasper a chance to leave Mount Weather to get Clarke back. As Jasper discusses this with Monty, Maya is suddenly poisoned by radiation. Dr. Tsing says it's not looking good, but says there is an unorthodox method to make her better. That involves using Jasper's blood, and Jasper is all in. It actually works and Maya will soon be better.
Elsewhere in the mountain, Lincoln's non-voluntary participation in the Cerberus Program involves getting a lot of injections from a Dr. Cage and learning to fear the same high sound that the Reapers are afraid of. We later see him killing another participant in the program in order to get another injection with the highly addictive drug.
Later, Dr. Tsing, Dr. Cage and President Wallace discuss both issues. Dr. Tsing advises Wallace to move ahead with the 47 because the first human trial was a success. Dr. Cage, also head of security and Wallace's son, agrees and tells him he will look into the security breach that caused Maya's radiation poisoning.
After planting a tree for his deceased mother (awww!), Kane moves forward with his peace negotiations plan with the prisoner and two guards. When they stumble upon Grounder territory, Kane leaves all his weapons behind and orders the guards to leave. Upon untying his prisoner, he is attacked and taken to a Grounders' prison. There, he finds another prisoner, who is revealed to be... Jaha!
In the woods (Finn and Murphy)
As Finn and Murphy reach the Grounder camp, they discuss their next course of action. Surprisingly, Murphy is the voice of reason here as he believes that Clarke et al. are not here. However, Finn doesn't want to hear this and says they will attack in the night. When the Grounders are asleep, Finn sets their food supply on fire as a distraction. Sadly, they don't go unnoticed and Finn takes a Grounder hostage and demands to see the man in charge. Niko comes forward and says their leader is absent and that Finn can talk to him. Finn asks him where his friends are but Niko claims they are not here. Finn looks around at the camp to see if he's telling the truth.
The following day, Murphy holds all the Grounders at gunpoint while Finn searches the camp. When it becomes evident that they are not there, he spirals out of control and threatens to kill a Grounder. He decides not to, and Murphy urges him to leave. Just when they're about to, a Grounder woman makes an escape attempt. Finn opens fire and kills her. Other Grounders try to run but Finn is now completely out of control and kills everyone who tries to escape. He just kept shooting one innocent person after the other. As Bellamy, Clare and Octavia arrive at the camp, they watch in horror at all the bodies. While Finn is happy he finally found Clarke, the look she gives him suggest that happiness is far from mutual.
Really, what is happening to Finn? Some suggest he might have been experimented on by the Mountain Men, and this seems like a plausible theory to me. Of course, it might just be "natural" character development but then Finn would have to have changed from peacemaker to murderer in just over a week. The 100 is certainly a fast-paced show, both story-wise and character-wise, but Finn's change of character seems a bit too fast to me. Maybe there is more to it, maybe not. We shall wait and see.
Of course, there were plenty of other things to enjoy. The hug between Bellamy and Clarke certainly comes to mind, and it also shows how much things have changed since the pilot. Lincoln's storyline is very interesting and seems to confirm that the Reapers are experiments from the Mountain Men, though whether the Reapers are the goal of the experiment or the participants that failed remains to be seen. I am also curious what plans Wallace has in store for the 47.
I didn't expect Jaha to be reunited with another Arker so soon. As I wrote before, this show is moving at light speed with their storylines and I'm really loving that. If you look at the promo for next week, you can see that the two man are pinned against each other as a Grounder tells them one of them will die by the other's hand. I have no doubt that Washington and Cusick will kill these scenes next week (pun intended).
There were two minor issues I had with this episode. First of all, Jaha seems to grow a beard very fast as he has only been on Earth for like two/three days. I'm not sure Jaha will grow a beard that fast. Secondly, Abby's behaviour was a bit naive and mirrored Kane's style of leadership that she hated so much. Hitting Raven went too far, as basically all Raven did was the same Abby did a few episodes ago. I understand Abby wants to protect her daughter but I hope she finally realizes that Clarke is not a kid anymore.
All in all, a great episode and the best of the season so far, possibly even of the entire series.
Grade: 9.5/10
What did you think of this episode? Were you blown away by that ending as well? Do you think Finn has gone way too dark? How is that storyline going forward? And what are your thoughts on Lincoln, is he a Reaper now?
A promo for episode 6, "Fog of War", can be found here. The episode airs in two weeks, on December 2.
Great review Daniel! I'm giving this episode a 10 and I don't even care that nothing in this world is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis episode delivered every line, every scene. There was not one moment that failed to deliver. Not one. I'm not ashamed to say that I've already watched it again to make sure I didn't miss anything.
I know a lot of people are hating Finn right now and I get it but Thomas McDonnel is doing some of his best work. I've never been a fan of Finn's so this 180 isn't bothering me as much as it's making me curious. I want to know why.
I don't think a lot of reviews have spoke on it today but other than all of the obvious scenes, the one that made me "think" more than others was Dante and Cage. That quiet little 20 second scene seemed like a set up for something else. Dante "Just like that?" his "Hmmm" after Cage answered was like "Hmm, we'll see" I just felt it was more to it.
Favorite Part - The directing of Finn's massacre. Those final minutes should be on an Emmy reel.
Favorite Scene - Clarke crying to Abbie that she thought she was dead. Eliza Taylor was great there. Then Octavia crying to Bellamy that she couldn't save Lincoln. All of the hugs and Raven love.
Favorite Development - The Adventure Squad. More Bellamy/Octavia/Clarke.
High on my hit list - Jasper and Finn. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE KOOL AIDE GUYS.
Midway on my Hit List - Abbie slapping Raven. I understand so I forgive her. But damn. It's Raven.
High on my You Rock List - Monty.He is a joker but he is not a fool.
On my Prayer List - Lincoln, Kane and Jaha.
i thought the same thing with jaha growing a beard so fast, unless he's part werewolf no one grows a beard that fast LOL. it's a scary day when the psychopath is the voice of reason to the pacifist, i don't ship bellamy and clarke but that hug was amazing and these adults have got to get it through their heads that these so-called kids aren't kids anymore
ReplyDeleteGreat review Daniel! Couldn't have it write it better myself!
ReplyDeleteThe show is certainly insane! I love how bold it is and how it is willing to push the characters.
About Finn: I don't feel he made it to peacemaker to murderer from one week to another, the writers have been building up to it: starting with the premiere where he was taken prisoner and saw one of his fellow 100 being shot is already something to mess you up. Then he thinks the grounders took everyone else and rage just pills up, because he once trusted peace could be reached with the grounders, but after seeing his people get killed and kidnapped - he had no way of knowing they were on Mt. Weather- I think it just did a big number on Finn. Also he didn't just shot because he felt like it, someone escaped and he panicked, and the people just kept coming and then he completely lost it. It was still terrible and he is to blame for all the deaths, after all there was no reason to keep looking there and he should have listened to Murphy when he told him to go, but I don't think he intended to go massacre mode, it just happened. He panicked and in his face I saw fear, he thought that it was either him or them and he chose himself, which is actually something people would do.
The only thing I'm not sure of is Murphy's sudden change of heart; though I completely understand that what these kids have gone through may be able to change them both for worse and for better I feel Murphy's change to the good side hasn't been as explicitly explained as Finn's route to the dark side
I don't think Finn's change was a sudden turn either, only not given enough time on screen. Besides of what you said I think that in a twisted way he flipped this way especially because he was earlier the one with good intensions toward grounders. After all that happened - the loss of his friends (and most of all Clarke), his own capture, Raven's injury he now really hates Grounders. And to find Clarke and the others he might have felt (even subconciously) that he sort of had to shut his compassion off and focus on his goal because otherwise he wouldn't be able to do whatever it takes to find them.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the reality of what he has done will hit him and the impact will be felt, only it will come with some latency.
I dont'nt think it was only panic when he was shootinf yhe villagers, he looked almost transfixed. It was scarry.
Finn deserves to be punished. ARK LVLS! If they let him pass this one , would be the stupidest thing ever, look what they did to Murphy. Finn deserves the same.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review for an awesome episode, some of the great moments of teh season. And we are building torwards more. I cant wait to see the son trying to take out his father in Mount Weather.
Lincoln being turned into a "soldier", im seeing it's going to turn in him being able to resist whatever they inject him and he will help from the inside?.
I hope tehre are no consequenses on Maya's blood being on Jasper's system and that his blood is way stronger and now Maya will be able to walk outside. Does blood types dont care there? they just go for one eprson to another.
seriously? Murphy murdered his own, Finn killed grounders.
ReplyDeletelet's not forget the grounders have been doing the same to the 100, and tried to execute him and Clarke. Finn may have lost it but should hardly be punished. I wouldn't trust him with a gun again thou
they are both murderers, letw not forget Finn didnt want to hel´the girl on the cliff. Yeah Finn has lost it. I expect at least for them not tot rust him the same way they didnt trust Murphy.
ReplyDeleteFinn has literally lost the plot.
ReplyDeleteClarke killed over 200 with the blast off, Jaha and Kane 300 on the arc, so I guess a few more doesn't really count on this show.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and I agree with you about the beard as well as Abby being totally out of line - I guess frustration brings out the worst in people and the same thing is happening to Finn - frustration, hopelessness, he saw that his idealistic behaviour got them nothing and everything came at a tipping point for him where he just panicked, and pulled the trigger and then didn't know when to stop. He was always reckless and impulsive, and which those things resulted in ''cute'' actions in season 1 ... add PTSD, hopelessness and frustration to that - and you get psychotic.
ReplyDeleteFurther, the thing with Murphy being the voice of reason - well, I think he is scared of the grounders and what they can do to them (considering he was tortured by them in Season 1) and so wanted to pull Finn out before they did something reckless and exacted revenge upon themselves. Murphy only behaves like the creep that he is in front of his peers (The 100) ... he's far too scared of the grounders and in essence, still is a coward and bully.
Also ... the thing about who has more blood on their hands ... Bellamy unknowingly let 320 people die, Clarke fried 300 grounders in self defense - neither action can be condoned, but had they had other options ... they would have taken them.
Finn on the other hand has now murdered innocent grounders in cold blood ... and he'll need a major, major arc to redeem himself from that, because I don't think there really can be any coming back from something so massive (seriously, I was in near tears and had shivers run down my spine at that end). But considering they gave Kane a good redemption arc, I'm positive they will explore Finn's story, the reasons and the redemption, hopefully without resorting to killing him, because then people like us (who like a certain pairing on the show) will be on the receiving end of others =P
And speaking of pairings - OMG! that hug and that fireplace talk - which was so good, because really the reason Clarke was going all "Finn and Bellamy" was because she turned back and closed the hatch door on their faces and the guilt was killing her!
I don't know how we can wait 2 whole weeks ... we just got the show back!!! But I'm looking forward to the rest of the episodes! And oh God .. please let the ratings pick up! I need a season 3 and 4 and 5 and on and on!
Bellamy and Clarke were amazing in this episode. The hug made me melt...and really shows how far these two characters have come. Also, the campfire scene was perfect. Clarke still had the guilt of leaving her boys out to die...and Bellamy finally gave her closure. Also, the scene with Bellamy and Octavia was perfect. I've not only missed the Bellarke chemistry...but I forgot how much I loved Bellamy and Octavia's love for each other. Bellamy's love for his sister is what made me love him from episode one.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fan of Finn...but it was a little heartbreaking seeing him go insane in this episode. This doesn't make me like him more...it makes me sorry for him and like him less. Also, it's pretty bad when Murphy is the voice of reason. I actually love Murphy's character. There are times where I love him...and there are times when I hate him. I hope he sticks around for a while because he's the kind of character that is unpredictable...and you never know if he's going to do the right thing or not.
Abby annoyed me to no end in this episode...but thank GOD Raven put her in her place. It showed great maturity for Raven not to slap Abby back, but to calmly say that Clarke stopped being a kid when Abby sent her down to the ground to die.
Best episode this season. It's going to be tough to get through next week without The 100...
I have absolutely nothing more to say about this episode that has been already said by you. IT WAS MIND-BLOWING.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about an 'experiment' as a consequence of this crazy-Finn, and I think it would be kinda of weird, I hope for a better explanation, or maybe it's just the twisted mind of this weird young adult.
I hope I can see no killings from now on. I kinda got too attached to the grounders, and I got really really hurted when so many of them were killed in cold blood by Finn. [I would absolutely go to their funeral if i could]
That look when Clarke gets close too Finn, a disappointed/disgusted look, was the same that I caught myself doing.
I WANT EPISODE 6 ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finn's one of my favorite characters - so this episode was a hard one. There is so much killing on the show, that I did not think it was too awful. It was not cold blood to me, Finn snapped, despair and fear made him pull the trigger. He thought Clarke and the others were safe in the drop ship and then they were just gone. Being abducted once, he must have expected the worst. Was it really out of character ? I am not sure, he was more of a negotiator in the beginning but he killed in self defense the reaper and started actively fighting when he helped Bellamy in last seasons finale. The kids have been under attack since they landed, so I think his reaction is not out of the usual. Sad that he killed the wrong ones nevertheless. But do I care about those grounders he killed, not really, but I remember Roma who got speared and the kid with with the axe in his head quite vividly. I hope Finn gets a redemption arc like everybody else on the show.
ReplyDeleteLincoln is the only grounder I care about and his story arc is just awful and disgusting, I hope he gets away soon. Hopefully both Kane and Jaha will survive. The show cannot afford to lose people from the main cast as ratings are not good as expected in Season 2. I wonder what will happen to Clarke if the grounders find out she is one pulling the lever in the blast off.