10/10 sci-fi shows are incredibly rare, however one CW collection bought very near being a masterpiece — and The 100 might 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 shortly advanced into a lot extra.
The collection grew to become one of many uncommon TV adaptations to surpass the books it was based on, and it tackled heavy matters in attention-grabbing methods. It was simply one in every of The CW’s best original shows, however just a few key selections 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 Collection Wasn’t Afraid To Lean Into Its Troublesome Themes
The 100 had lots of the hallmarks of a normal CW present, however it was an amazing sci-fi story, even by community TV requirements. It may be tough to deal with style tv on community TV, as there are usually extra constraints relating to 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 appearing and choreography, which helped carry its survival story to life properly. The early seasons of The 100 requested arduous however needed questions on how far individuals will go to outlive — and whether or not tribalism and the cycle of violence are ever issues we might be freed from.
It might 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 might have developed right into a masterpiece over time, however issues started to go downhill because the collection neared its ending.
The 100 Might Have Been A Masterpiece, However It Had Some Evident Points
These Issues Contributed To Its Two Greatest 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 might by no means be a ten/10. Addressing these issues head-on might have saved the collection from its two largest fan betrayals, and it could have been a internet optimistic for the present general.
Associated
The 100’s finest demise was a double-edged sword, because it bought 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 range and delicate material. Regardless of being a collection that boasted a various forged of characters, it did not at all times 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 appearing 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’ closing two outings.
These flaws damage The 100‘s legacy repeatedly, however they’re most noticeable in The CW’s present’s two largest missteps.
These flaws damage The 100‘s legacy repeatedly, however they’re most noticeable in The CW’s present’s two largest missteps. It doesn’t matter what else the collection had going for it, it might 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 robust chapter of tv. Nevertheless, the writers killing off Lexa understandably sparked controversy — and it caused many to quit The 100 for good.
Though Alycia Debnam-Carey leaving the present was partly chargeable for Lexa being written off, The 100‘s creators might have gone about this with much more care. As an alternative, Lexa’s demise wound up leaning into Hollywood’s harmful “bury your gays” trope.
It is a horrible method 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 robust 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 method 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 Closing Season
This Was The Closing 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 large 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 kinds in The 100 season 7, keen to betray the individuals he loves most — each Clarke and Octavia — in favor of beliefs that have been completely out of line together with his character. Each the lead-up to his shift and his conduct got here out of left area, however this wasn’t the one drawback.
Associated
The 100 might 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.
Ultimately, 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 individuals. However with Bellamy being one in every of her individuals — the center 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 might have had among the finest 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.
