10/10 sci-fi exhibits are extremely uncommon, however one CW collection acquired very near being a masterpiece — and The 100 may have been if it hadn’t betrayed its viewers on a number of events. The 100 made its debut again in 2014, and whereas it initially appeared like your common teen dystopian present, it rapidly advanced into a lot extra.
The collection grew to become one of many uncommon TV variations to surpass the books it was based mostly on, and it tackled heavy matters in fascinating methods. It was simply one in all The CW’s greatest unique exhibits, however a number of key decisions prevented it from turning into a full-blown sci-fi masterpiece. Two of them even alienated audiences, pushing many to stop the collection altogether.
The 100 Was An Unbelievable Sci-Fi Present, Particularly By Community TV Requirements
The Sequence Wasn’t Afraid To Lean Into Its Tough Themes
The 100 had most of the hallmarks of a typical CW present, however it was an ideal sci-fi story, even by community TV requirements. It may be troublesome to sort out style tv on community TV, as there are usually extra constraints on the subject of budgets and content material. Regardless of this, The 100 managed to ship a narrative that was considerate and sometimes hard-hitting. And it did not look all that low-cost, both.
Because the collection progressed, it benefited from spectacular performing and choreography, which helped convey its survival story to life properly. The early seasons of The 100 requested laborious however essential questions on how far folks will go to outlive — and whether or not tribalism and the cycle of violence are ever issues we may be freed from.
It may have developed right into a masterpiece over time, however issues started to go downhill because the collection neared its ending.
Regardless of airing on The CW, these outings additionally leaned into the brutal nature of the present’s world, which helped The 100 stand out on the community’s roster. It may have developed right into a masterpiece over time, however issues started to go downhill because the collection neared its ending.
The 100 May Have Been A Masterpiece, However It Had Some Obtrusive Points
These Issues Contributed To Its Two Largest Betrayals
The 100 has one of many most controversial TV endings of all time, however its issues started sooner than season 7 — and so they contributed to the 2 betrayals that ensured the collection’ legacy may by no means be a ten/10. Addressing these issues head-on could have saved the collection from its two greatest fan betrayals, and it could have been a web optimistic for the present general.
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The 100’s greatest demise was a double-edged sword, because it offered viewers on the ruthless world of the CW collection however led to a few of its later issues.
For one, The 100 usually struggled when it got here to variety and delicate material. Regardless of being a collection that boasted a various forged of characters, it did not all the time deal with these gamers with the respect they deserved. There’s been dialogue of the collection failing its BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters, and its strategy to matters like psychological well being additionally proved questionable at instances.
The present can also be criticized for its plot holes, with its leads performing out of character throughout later outings and its science not fairly being as much as snuff. That is inevitable to a sure extent in science-fiction, however it’s a lot simpler to miss earlier than the collection’ ultimate two outings.
These flaws damage The 100‘s legacy repeatedly, however they’re most noticeable in The CW’s present’s two greatest missteps.
These flaws damage The 100‘s legacy repeatedly, however they’re most noticeable in The CW’s present’s two greatest missteps. It doesn’t matter what else the collection had going for it, it may by no means fairly come again from its worst two character deaths.
The CW Present Betrayed Its Viewers By Killing Lexa In Season 3
Lexa’s Demise Has Gone Down As One Of Its Worst Errors
Even earlier than The 100‘s storytelling points started to pull the sci-fi drama down, the collection betrayed its viewers, making certain its legacy could be tainted without end. This occurred in The 100 season 3, which was in any other case a powerful chapter of tv. Nonetheless, the writers killing off Lexa understandably sparked controversy — and it brought about many to stop The 100 for good.
Though Alycia Debnam-Carey leaving the present was partly answerable for Lexa being written off, The 100‘s creators may have gone about this with much more care. As a substitute, Lexa’s demise wound up leaning into Hollywood’s dangerous “bury your gays” trope.
It is a horrible manner for Lexa’s character to go, and even the later makes an attempt at giving her a greater send-off fall flat afterward.
Not solely does the collection kill off a powerful and beloved lesbian character, however it does so by the hands of a trusted parental determine who disapproves of her relationship with the collection’ lead — and proper after they lastly get collectively, no much less. It is a horrible manner for Lexa’s character to go, and even the later makes an attempt at giving her a greater send-off fall flat afterward.
The 100 Repeated Its Betrayal With Bellamy’s Demise In The Remaining Season
This Was The Remaining Nail In The Coffin For Many Viewers
As if Lexa’s demise wasn’t sufficient to harm The 100‘s legacy, the collection adopted it with one other big betrayal, 4 seasons later. Bellamy Blake’s demise was practically as controversial amongst viewers, albeit for various causes. Bellamy’s destiny leaned into the inconsistencies and shoddy sci-fi writing of the ultimate season, leaving many scratching their heads as they screamed at their televisions.
A collection of weird and underdeveloped circumstances lead Bellamy to turning into a villain of types in The 100 season 7, prepared to betray the folks he loves most — each Clarke and Octavia — in favor of beliefs that had been completely out of line together with his character. Each the lead-up to his shift and his conduct got here out of left subject, however this wasn’t the one drawback.
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If You Miss The 100, This 6-Season Sci-Fi Present With 95% On Rotten Tomatoes Is The Good Substitute
The 100 could have come and gone, however there’s one other epic twist-filled sci-fi present accessible to fill the void that is simply as bingeworthy.
Finally, Clarke kills Bellamy to guard Madi. And it is a selection that additionally feels out of character for Clarke, regardless of her willingness to do something for her folks. However with Bellamy being one in all her folks — the guts to her head — for six seasons prior, it is unbelievable she’d go this far, particularly to attain subsequent to nothing in the long run.
The 100 failed Bellamy, and after failing Lexa, this was the ultimate nail within the coffin for a lot of viewers. The collection could have had among the greatest sci-fi moments, particularly on community tv, however its missteps on these fronts are inconceivable to disregard. Together with its two weakest seasons, these moments stored it from reaching its full potential.
The 100
7/10
- Launch Date
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2014 – 2020-00-00
- Showrunner
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Jason Rothenberg
- Writers
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Jason Rothenberg, Mallory Kass
