A four week break had resulted in The 100 slipping from the forefront of my mind, but last night's spectacular return episode brought everything back to where it rightly belongs. A full cast combined with many fantastic quotes, and a juicy 'Hunger Games' style showdown made for a superb hour's viewing. "DNR" was written by Miranda Kwok, with Mairzee Almas directing.
It's difficult to figure out where to begin with this episode because it was so well rounded, but I'll discuss the lab first. Raven, Murphy and Emori featured almost exclusively here, with its former inhabitants such as Clarke, Abby and Roan having returned to the mainland somehow. This part of the episode irked me somewhat because the last episode left this on a cliffhanger. We don't know whether the cure Abby developed and delivered to Clarke was given to the others that were there too, but I'm guessing it wasn't because Roan would have taken that into account later in the episode.
That aside, however, Lindsey Morgan as Raven was superb to watch, and Erica Cerra's guest appearance as Becca instead of the usual ALIE was sublime. Playing a hallucination, Becca talked Raven into opting to go to space to be free and die instead of the alternative which was to return to the mainland and seek shelter in the bunker. Raven's choice was admirable, and she wasn't the only one to make such a choice, with Murphy and Emori opting to head in a different direction as well, from what I could gather from a rather bizarre scene toward the end of the episode.
If you're gonna go out you might as well go out with a view.
On the mainland, the character and story development were both a level above normal, but the developments were also impressively easy to follow despite their depth and complexity. Kudos to the creative team there for a start. The bunker Jaha had discovered in the last episode was very much the center of attention here, causing a political storm among the three major players - Azgeda, Skaikru, and Trikru. The trio just don't want to live happily ever after, it seems. Trikru in particular won't tolerate the presence of Azgeda - they even went so far as to try to assassinate Roan. Skaikru insist there's room for everyone and want everyone to get along, and Azgeda's king, Roan, feels the same for the most part, though his people might tell a different story.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent Trikru and Azgeda fighting for the privilege of occupying the bunker, Clarke decided to play her final, most powerful card before things got out of hand. She met with Gaia, Indra's daughter, the girl who fled with the Flame - which seems like months ago. Clarke's intention was to ascend as the Commander, having become a Nightblood thanks to Abby's trial radiation cure. Mere moments before this was due to happen, Roan halted proceedings saying, in a nutshell, that what was happening was undemocratic and made a mockery of their religion because Clarke's blood was altered through science, not through interitance, and that instead of fighting a traditional war to determine the winner of the bunker, each clan's best warrior should face off in a fight to the death, with the winner securing the right for his or her people to occupy the bunker and set the terms.
Surprisingly, for once, everyone agreed, but Clarke and Bellamy were correct in guessing that with no capable warriors who were handy with weapons other than guns, their chances of winning the bout would be slim.
I'm here for the war.
The 'Hunger Games' theme clearly runs strong here. Thirteen warriors get to fight it out - and they have the entire city of Polis for the battleground, which is another exciting prospect. This should be pretty epic to watch, but I can't help but wonder if the conclusion is somewhat foregone, given the promo depicts Roan and Octavia (who returned to put her hand up to fight in the episode's final scene) among the competitors. I find it highly unlikely both will meet their end - my money is on them both ending up in the final two, and refusing to kill the other and win the battle. Either way, hopefully it's good to watch.
Earlier in the hour, Octavia got a bit of practice in when she took on three of Iliyan's village members after they forced her hand. Octavia showed great restraint and patience, but she rightly spared no effort when the time came to take them on, even if she did go a little further than necessary once they were dead. This episode did a lot for me in terms of Octavia and Iliyan's partnership, and I'm keen to see it continue.
The remainder of the Skaikru-affiliated characters spent their time making some tough choices with regard to their approach to the next phase of their journey on Earth. It appears Jasper shares his views on life in a Mount Weather style bunker for the next five years with a great deal more people than I was aware of, one of whom was Harper. In addition to her raw introduction to life-altering choices a few weeks ago, Harper made the decision to part ways with Monty, who believed the bunker was the best way forward - and who would also have a critical role to play in its success given his engineering experience.
The group not in favor of relocating to the bunker locked themselves in a room and proceeded to get drunk. In my mind this hurt their cause somewhat because they could have taken their stand sober and more coherently explained their stance. Jaha and Bellamy were among those trying to clear the group out, but Bellamy's superb quote just below stopped that dead in its tracks.
You sent them down to die. The difference now is that they have a choice.
This is one of the best one-liners in The 100's history. It speaks unanimously for each of the founding members of The 100. For once, they are in charge of their lives and deaths. They had no choice when they were sent to the ground - that decision was made for them with no input from them whatsoever. Now, those in that room hold all the power over their destiny, and, just like Raven and Octavia, regardless of whether they seek refuge in the bunker or try to get to space to live out their final days, they have absolute control over their decision, and they should have every right to make that call provided it doesn't inhibit the free decision-making of others.
Countering that with equal credibility, however, was Monty. Love eventually won his heart over and he opted to stay with those who didn't want to go to the bunker purely so he could help Jasper and Harper should they change their minds. But it was his powerful exchange earlier in the piece with Harper which gives the guy enormous credibility in my book. His quote follows below:
This is the first time I ever thought you were a coward.
I can definitely see where Monty is coming from with this. The option Harper and Jasper have chosen would make more sense on a logical level if there was no definitive option to survive the incoming radiation. But this time, there is. The bunker is the biggest breakthrough so far for everyone on the ground, and it's exceedingly likely it will protect its inhabitants from the radiation. So even if you would be confined to it for five years, surely that's better than losing your life?
From Monty's perspective, Jasper, Harper and the others refusing to go to the bunker are opting out of the possible hardship and inconvenience, and complain of being tired of the constant fighting, and that makes them cowards in his mind. To be honest, I think he's right. Adding to that, we know Jasper has been consistent in his 'give up and let me die already' views right throughout this season, but Harper's decision to take that side is very recent, and not one I would have picked her making. Still, that decision belongs to her and her alone. Monty deserves a lot of credit for not losing his mind and trying to have her forcefully removed.
Are you really going to die when there's a way to live?
In summary, this was a really solid return episode with lots of great moments and quotes. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. One of the things this series has been consistent with during all four seasons is that those who have hope, determination, and resilience, will always come out better off. There's no doubt these three attributes will present themselves in next week's battle for the bunker. Forcing characters to make decisions is a great way to foster character development, and that proved true again tonight. In saying that, those who are staying are making a clear and conscious decision to do so, and I can't argue with that.
I really hope Raven makes it to space so we can see space in this series once more, and also so she can enjoy her seemingly numbered days alive. I'm pleased Clarke wasn't made Commander just yet, but I don't think that's far off. Monty really shone, and what happens with Jasper just got a lot more interesting now that Harper is involved as well.
As always, thanks a lot for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode so please do share them in the comments below. I'd also be keen to hear whether you would choose to go to the bunker, or stay behind, along with why! See you all back here next week.
