Wrapping up the show with 7 seasons in its bag, “The 100” according to me is one of the most underrated shows ever. Since its release in 2014, it has seen a lot of changes in concepts and ideas through the years. Sticking true to its Sci-fi genre roots, it was still heavily cast under the teen drama umbrella since the 2010-2015 years of the CW shows were mostly made for an audience comprising teens. “The 100,” albeit started as another page in this common clause of the young adult series quickly changed tracks and focused more on the ‘survival of the fittest’ route.
The show is set in a dystopic version of the earth, allowing the writers to work with a blank canvas. This means that the show had ample opportunities to display the representation of different groups and let me tell you, that is exactly what it has done. With a cast full of POC and the protagonist, Clarke Griffin being the first Bisexual lead in a CW show, “The 100” has shown the potential to be something amazing from the start. The LGBTQ+ community is represented and sexuality is not shown any prejudice from any of the characters at any point. Just like any series, “The 100” fandom is also full of multiple ‘ships’. One of the biggest being the Clarke-Lexa romantic duo that won the heart of every person who watched. Nothing is better than watching two badass womxn falling in love!
Badass characters bring me to another important aspect of the show. It is full of amazing female leads. Not only does this show bring us a very strong female lead but every side character and the female villain is portrayed in a way that does them justice. In Season 2, Dr. Tsing is one of the main villains in the show. Usually, female villains are either portrayed as the ‘femme fatal’ or the ‘evil queen’ who are eventually led to their downfall owing to their emotions. However, Dr. Tsing is a refreshing character, a sociopath who lets her cruelty rule her till the end, even if it means killing a bunch of innocent teenagers to get their blood.
“The 100” is known to break stereotypes. It shows how people with a disability don’t always have to be flat characters. Raven Reyes who has a paralyzed leg after being shot at becomes one of the most important characters in the series. Also to be acknowledged is the fact that most TV shows aren’t good with complex disability characters but Raven Reyes’s disability is quite well written. The show doesn’t divert its attention from the challenges of her paralysis. This is a plotline that stays significant for 6 seasons but not in a way that overshadows her entire character. Men don’t shy away from showing emotions in this show, and through such a portrayal “The 100” seeks to normalize male vulnerability. Be it Hollywood or Bollywood, the film industry avoids having male characters display emotionality. “The 100” breaks this stigma, and if anything, you will see more breakdowns by the male characters as compared to females which in a weird way is quite refreshing.
A major sub-plot that is quite subtle but openly present is the mental health of the characters. “The 100” is a show about survival and the things that we do to protect our loved ones. Genocides become a common feat in the show and the effects are seen throughout the seasons. “The 100” has a great way of showing character development and growth, unlike any other show I’ve watched. Each action has a repercussion in this dystopia. We learn pretty quickly that to bemoan the loss of amazing characters is something you need to get used to pretty early on. Octavia Blake, or the girl under the floor, has come a long way in the show. From someone who wasn’t even supposed to exist, she became a warrior and a leader on her own accord. Her relationship with Lincoln becomes a vital part of her character, he helps her grow and, in every season, we see the impacts Lincoln had made on her. Their relationship also quickly breaks the Good Girl-Bad Boy trope that has become a cliché now. “The 100” is just not like every other show you see.
However, just like a lot of amazing shows, this one too somehow managed to mess up some of the characters and plotline in the last season to avail of better shock-impact. I won’t give out any spoilers but I will warn you that some parts in the last season will disappoint you (but the season finale somewhat makes up for it, I’ll give it that). While we see plenty of romantic pairings in 7 seasons, “The 100” doesn’t let them eclipse its true sci-fi roots. Love is a luxury in this world of violence and blood. A show that has the words “Blood must have Blood” painted over everything just gives you the image of what it is trying to portray. Agreed that it starts with some very cringy cliché vibes but work your way through it and you will find a hidden masterpiece.
I have made a lot of my friends watch the show and each one has thanked me for introducing them to it. So, I must insist that you check it out because “The 100” deserves a lot more attention and recognition. From strong female leads to 6 new planets or even finding people who have been alive for 100+ years, this is not a show you can ever get bored watching.
Now, I can only hope that I have managed to convince you!