Before season three aired, The 100 was one of the most critically-praised shows on The CW. It was a show that garnered acclaim from all around the Internet. Everyone was talking about this show, and everyone was praising its writing and its characters. Slowly but surely, The 100 picked up momentum.
And then, this season happened.
Now, more than ever, The 100 is the target of critical scrutiny, backlash, and bitterness. It’s once well-rounded characters have fallen prey to character assassination. The show doesn’t seem to remember who it is anymore or anything that happened in the two years preceding this season. As a fan of this show, I’m disappointed and angry that something so beautiful could go awry so horribly in such a short amount of time because of a showrunner’s lack of empathy and a writers’ room filled with people who don’t understand their own characters. And as a critic, I’m just appalled that this promising show could fall from grace so easily.
And I’m not the only one who feels that way! That’s why I’ve gathered together some members of my team, as well as some ladies from our sister site, 4 Your Excitement, so we can talk about how badly this show messed up and how desperate it is for a reboot when it returns next season. Let’s dive in, shall we?
WHAT, SO FAR, IN THIS SEASON WAS MOST OFFENSIVE TO YOU IN TERMS OF BEING A FAN OF THE SHOW AND OF BEING A CRITIC?
Ilene:
Hands down, Bellamy Blake’s character development. I understand the need to show multi-dimensional characters, and that the writers of the show wanted to show the audience moral gray areas. But at what cost? We, as an audience, should be able to see why characters do the things they do — make the decisions they do — and not have to decipher motives from tweets, news articles, and interviews. Bellamy is the male lead of this show and for the writers to just throw out his character development, his “heart” to Clarke’s “head,” did nothing for the plot, nothing for the other characters, and undermined everything we had learned about Bellamy Blake thus far.
Bellamy’s core was that he would do anything to protect his sister. But when Pike threatens to turn her in, instead of reacting with the rage we are all so familiar with, he just nods along. It’s a shame when such a multi-dimensional, strong, and caring lead that we all originally hated regresses so far that his core traits are completely erased. It doesn’t help that his “redemption” is being handled just as poorly — it’s both chunky and crass and in your face. It does not move the plot forward, it does not represent Bellamy Blake, and it basically exists in a vacuum. We already knew why Pike was motivated, and that gray area was already established. Bellamy’s character assasination really messed with this season for me.
And don’t get me started on Lincoln.
Verena:
Honestly, there are a lot of things wrong with this season. But to me the most offensive was the treatment of Lincoln. My sweet baby child. Where is the brave warrior with a heart of gold? He’s gone and has been replaced by a shell, and as a fan of the show — and Lincoln as a character — that broke my heart. If you’d ask me to sum up his role in season three, I couldn’t do it. That’s how irrelevant he’s become. His death wasn’t surprising as we all knew Ricky was headed to American Gods, but Lincoln’s whole existence this season was a cruel joke. That’s just no way to treat your characters, no matter what may have happened behind the scenes. Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!
Emmy:
I think that the writers’ logic behind this whole season has been quite offensive. It’s really hard just to single out a moment because, for me, it feels like they thought that we wouldn’t notice how poorly this season has been done. From the lack of any solid Lincoln storylines to the complete character assassinations of both Clarke and Bellamy, the main feeling I get is the writers were just throwing everything in simply because they could.
If I really had to pick out a moment, it was the introduction of Pike to Arkadia. That whole storyline and every little tie to it has been horrible. It has brought a Bellamy that we don’t even know existed and worse — we were given no clues as to why he’s been reacting this way. From the second Pike and his hate-spewing rhetoric was introduced on the show, I’ve been dying for him to be killed already, which is a first for me because anyone who knows me knows I love a good villain.
Abby:
Am I allowed to say all of it? I have several issues with this season, from horrible character regression, to Pike’s takeover, to the City of Light. Every reason I have loved The 100 for the past two years has essentially gone out the window. Clarke’s bravery, leadership, and ferocity? Not so much anymore. Bellamy’s compassion and how I grew to not hate him? Gone. Monty and Jasper’s bromance? R.I.P. bros. You get where I’m going with this.
It all comes down to characters, and how literally nothing has felt right this season. I know that, as a show, the story needs to grow and evolve — they couldn’t have stayed on that drop ship or in Mount Weather forever — but this feels like an alternate universe. I mean, Indra was going to stay behind at one point, and I just can’t deal with that. My only favorite intact right now is Octavia, but for how long? #SaveOctavia
Lizzie:
I want to say all of it too, because there’s so much that I have problems just fixating on one thing. But if I close my eyes and try to concentrate on what’s the worst? Bellamy wins. Bellamy, who was kind of an idiot at first, but one who grew so much. And then, this season happened. And, boy, did they just straight-up murder one of my favorite characters for the sake of... I’m not sure. Shock value? The pacing has been off this season, and that has hurt Bellamy more than anyone. Almost every storyline can work if you do them right — if you give people REASONS to act one way or another. Bellamy wasn’t allowed that, so I’ve basically been staring at the screen all season thinking: "Who are these people and what did they do with my faves?"
Isabella:
I’ve also got to go with Bellamy’s characterization. He has had one of the best story arcs on TV and it was ruined this season. The fact that Jason Rothenberg chose to not show it on screen is very frustrating. We’re not even allowed to watch Bellamy somewhat growing into this person and we’re just supposed to take it at face value? No, we’re not dumb. I also don’t get why this arc was done in the first place. I can’t even get into Rothenberg trying to justify it by saying that he knew of liberal people who became really conservative and scared after the 9/11 attacks. I mean... what?!
Jenn:
Agreed 110% with all of you, and especially you, Abby. This whole season has been really shoddy storytelling-wise and pacing-wise. But the most offensive thing to me is the fact that writers and Jason don’t even seem to know their own characters anymore. That’s the reason I have so many issues with shows — writers seem to forget the amazing nuances that made their characters who they are. And when that happens, you don’t just make your fans upset; you mar your characters. Characters suffering for the sake of bad storytelling is what truly offends me, and The 100 has produced that in spades this year. Yay?
Melissa:
The one thing I loved about the previous two seasons of this show was just how solid the characterizations were and the plot; there were no massive holes and it was just so great to finally see that on TV.
... And then this season happened. I totally agree with all of you on the treatment of Bellamy Blake’s character. Because to have him regress as a character further from even where he was even in season one? That was just so painful to watch. It’s like everything he is as a character and everything that is important to him — like, you know, his sister — was put on the back-burner so that he could be part of the Pike storyline. I’m not going to get into Pike because he just makes me so angry it’s insane.
Another thing that really, really annoyed me was the entire situation with Lincoln. You give us this amazing character and just dump him in a jail and then kill him? NO THANKS. Not here for this treatment.
THE SHOW SEEMS TO HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH PACING THESE DAYS: REVELATIONS AND BIG MOMENTS ARE UNDERCUT WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DEVELOP. IN WHAT INSTANCES HAVE YOU SEEN THAT OCCUR THIS SEASON?
Ilene:
Clexa. Where to even begin? Jason Rothenberg’s decision to place Clarke and Lexa sleeping together over the plot of the show is absolutely mind-blowing to me. For someone who values plot and in-depth character development, to throw away serious character development and plot time, along with downgrading Clarke to a stereotypical love interest hurts my soul. This show is called The 100, not The Commander. Why, this season, was I asked to care more about Lexa than Clarke? To throw away Clarke’s stubborn, willful, and kick-ass personality and downgrade her to the Commander’s love-sick love interest is pitiful. And this was all so we could get a scene where they sleep together? It’s crass, it disregards the viewers, it undermines the story, it weakens both Clarke and Lexa’s relationship, and it forced both a reconciliation and death to all happen in a matter of minutes.
Emmy:
The escalation of the war between Pike, Skaikru, and the Grounders. For me, it has felt like all this hatred and the leap directly to genocide happened WAY too quickly. There wasn’t a foundation established, no background story, no insight whatsoever. The election of Pike as Chancellor should have taken longer. Like, where did he suddenly get all those supporters when Kane had more people in Arkadia than Pike did? It’s kind of like the writers forgot that the 100 have only been on the ground for a grand total of four months. Too much has happened far too quickly, especially in this season. There hasn’t been a slow burn for anything.
Lizzie:
I’m going to go with Ilene on this one. The Clexa was less than it could have been — mostly because it was so rushed as to be utterly nonsensical. Everyone’s motivations seemed to be off, and that’s partly because no one was given time to explain their motivations. Clarke was mad at Lexa for exactly two seconds, then she got over it, then she was full on in love, then they were having sex, then Lexa was dead, and I was here mourning what could have been. It’s insulting. The reconciliation shouldn’t have happened so fast. The “love scene” shouldn’t have happened so fast. And then Lexa’s death shouldn’t have happened so fast. It’s like a theme! Everything happened TOO FAST.
Isabella:
In reference to Ilene and Lizzie, I’m pretty sure this show has no semblance of time. If I’m correct, the Clexa kiss happened only six episodes after Finn died, meaning Clarke got little to no time (at the most maybe two weeks?) to “get over” Finn. Of course, there is the excuse that in this world, they have to act fast or else they might be dead by the next day (see: episode).
But I have to agree in one part on the Clexa pacing. I didn’t really have an issue with how quickly Clarke forgave Lexa, but more of an issue with the fact that they consummated their relationship and were incredibly happy and then in the next moment, Lexa was dead. There was quite a bit of potential to see Clexa happy and at peace before Lexa died, but it didn’t happen. I just think that the writers got in way over their heads with this one.
Jenn:
I think that having no sense of time, Isabella, is one of the things slowly choking the show. There are some shows in which that happens, and you just kind of roll with it. But with this show, we need to know when our characters became the people they are whenever we pick up an episode. The thing that made me SO mad this season is that Clarke spit in Lexa’s face in an episode, and then literally TWO EPISODES LATER, is suddenly extremely worried about Lexa dying?
I get that Clarke has compassion, but to me, none of the Clexa arc made sense in terms of pacing. And Clarke and Lexa both suffered as characters as a result. By rushing them into a resolution before Lexa died, you a) cheapened their story, and b) undercut Clarke’s emotions. Suddenly, she was in love when there was no gradual lead-up to that. And the problem is that Clarke’s emotional response was SO dramatic and SO severe when Lexa betrayed her that the rift between them needed time to heal so we could see their story progress from one of forgiveness to one of love. But for whatever reason, the show decided to rush everything about their story and everyone has suffered as a result.
I agree, too, Emmy with the pacing of the Grounder war. I get that time has elapsed between the season two finale and the point we pick up in the season three premiere, but really? What in the world happened and why is everyone on this show so totally and completely emotionally reckless and not at all who they were in season two?
ONE OF THE WORST STORYLINES IN RECENT YEARS ON THIS SHOW, IN MY OPINION, HAS BEEN “THE CITY OF LIGHT.” WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON IT, AND OF THE SHOW’S DECISION TO ROPE RAVEN REYES — ARGUABLY ONE OF THE SHOW’S STRONGEST WOMEN — INTO IT?
Ilene:
I am actually — surprisingly — not mad about this. I am really enjoying this storyline. I know! I am just as shocked as all of you. If one person is going to take down A.L.I.E., it’s going to be Raven Reyes.
Isabella:
When the story was first introduced, I thought it was so boring. I didn’t find it even worth tuning in for and paying attention to until the writers got Raven involved. My favorite character is Raven and I yearn for any and all scenes she’s in. Don’t get me started on how much she’s suffered, but at least we saw her somewhat happy during this storyline. And I cheered when A.L.I.E. told Jaha that Raven was too strong for her to control. Raven knows the truth about the City of Light, and now we just need for her to expose it.
Verena:
At first, I decided to ignore this storyline as much as I could. But the more it is explored, the more I find myself intrigued. Adding Raven into the mix was probably the smartest thing the writers did all season. She was one of my favorites from the start, but lately she had suffered for no good reason and I needed that to stop. Now what I want to see by the end of season three is Raven Rayes kicking everyone’s pretty butt.
Emmy:
Raven’s inclusion to the City of Light storyline is the only reason I started paying attention to it. Jaha is one of the worst characters on this show, and this storyline just made his presence even more intolerable. I really love that Raven was quick to notice that A.L.I.E. is crap, and that she is now worried that Raven may be the one to bring down their whole foundation. I am so here for that.
Abby:
WHY? It’s so bad. Number one, I think the City of Light idea is stupid and a cop-out. Frankly, the fact Raven got roped into it just pisses me off. If it had come shortly after Finn’s death, I could stomach Raven buying into it, but not now. This just felt like boredom in the writers room to me.
Also, Jaha can go away any time now.
Lizzie:
I’ve just started paying attention to it, to be honest, mostly because it was so boring. So so boring. Raven’s inclusion makes me care, at least, so in that regard... good for you, show. But the whole thing doesn’t strike me as Raven-esque, and that’s the problem with this season — everyone is acting out of character because the writers are just glossing over everyone’s motivations.
Jenn:
Well, okay — the whole argument from me about why this is crap is that Raven being introduced into this story is the ONLY REASON audiences (and most of us) care, right? Because Murphy is fun and all but Jaha is one of the weakest characters by far on this show. And the writers knew by separating him in this City of Light story that they would have to make us care about it somehow. Enter: Raven, a character nearly every single person I’ve talked to loves. Introducing a fan-favorite was a lazy way to tell the story though, in my opinion. Because if you remove Raven from the story, it’s a horrible story. So why even bother with it in the first place?
I think I like the story, but only in theory. In execution, it’s getting to the point where I just want to mute my screen or roll my eyes every single time I see Jaha’s dumb face. But I do totally agree — Raven being the one strong enough to break A.L.I.E. is GOOD and right.
Melissa:
I too hated the City of Light storyline... that is, until Raven showed up (well, I still hate it, but I hate it a little less). I am so excited to see what she does with it and how she goes about trying to destroy it. I hope it’s as satisfying as I want it to be. It won’t be as satisfying as seeing Pike dead, but satisfying enough.
CHARACTERS DON’T NEED TO BE LIKABLE TO BE GOOD, BUT THEY NEED TO MAKE SENSE. TALK ABOUT THIS!
Verena:
If there is one character this applies to, it would probably be John Murphy. During the first couple of episodes of season one, I didn’t have to try too hard to hate him — he was a stereotypical bad guy, after all. But once they made him a more complex character, likeable or not is debatable, I was done for. I’m a sucker for problematic faves. I’m praying to every higher power there is that the writers don’t mess him up.
Ilene:
Exhibit A: Bellamy Blake!
I hated his character beginning of season one, but he made sense. His motives were always protecting his sister above everyone else’s safety. He was a douchebag, but his motives were clear. I also hated Kane mid-season one (now he’s a fave) because of his self-righteous “must obey all rules, screw sentencing 300 people to death attitude.” But, again, his actions made sense. He was doing what he thought was right, and as an audience, we were able to sympathize with him (even if we didn’t like him) because what he was doing came from a place of logic.
Finally, Murphy is my problematic fave who must be protected at all costs... even if he would sell out everyone in ten seconds flat (and I agree with what Verena said).
Oh, and Pike is actually a terrible human, but he’s a good character — his actions make sense for what we know about him. His character has purpose and drive and plot. He moves the story forward, even if I hate him. This season just happened to disregard the core values of a lot of characters.
Emmy:
A great example of this is Jaha. Unlikable as all get out AND he doesn’t make any sense. The writers needs to be consistent with making their unlikable characters make sense. They did a great job with Murphy, and Kane in the first season, but have failed with Jaha and are epically failing with Bellamy. As Ilene can confirm, I wasn’t on the Bellamy boat on the first season but it made sense to not like him at first. It’s like they forgot how to write his character all of a sudden. Same thing with Jaha. I hated him during the first season, but — again — the reasons to hate him made sense because his motives made sense. Now, he’s just crazy and there’s no method to the madness.
Abby:
I am going to mention Kane here, because he is one of my least favorite characters. While he slowly is becoming less of a jerk, he started out pretty awful. Kane has become a driving force of the show, especially now that he is coming around to the idea of compromise. Let’s remember he was the “Big Bad” before Pike was. He’s not great, but he is necessary. I know people are liking him more this season, but I still find him wholly unlikable.
Lizzie:
YES. This. And The 100 had done this so well in the past. Bellamy in season one wasn’t exactly likable, but he made sense. Kane is another good example of this. He’s gotten better now, but he wasn’t anyone’s favorite at first. He always made sense, however. And what about Murphy? He’s problematic at best, but he also makes sense. Bellamy this season? Jaha in general? Now, THOSE don’t make sense. At all.
Jenn:
Totally agree with everyone talking about Jaha. He’s become one of the actual worst characters because he makes no sense. He just kind of exists to cause occasional trouble and annoy me. His story was far more compelling when he was on the Ark, but now? Now, not so much. Also if anyone should escape to the City of Light, it should have been led by one of the kids. Jaha has a lot of pain and is older, but the kids have done some horrific things to survive that I bet they wish they could undo.
I agree regarding Kane though — the show found a way to redeem his character, and it was a slow progression but a good one. Now he’s a leader in all the right ways and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Same thing with Murphy: I absolutely LOATHED him as a character but the show has really done a great job of making him both redeemable and also (in some ways) irreplaceable because of the levity and comedy he brings to the series.
But the problem is that so many characters this season are making no sense whatsoever. I don’t have to like Pike, but I need to understand his motivations. And as he is now, literally all of his motivations are... what? “Kill the Grounders because if not, they’ll kill us?” That Pike’s character had no build-up and has been turned so severely into this season’s villain is baffling and maddening, considering the fact that we did not get to know him before this season. We are missing a lot of what would make him a good villain by barely knowing anything about him except for the fact that he apparently likes genocide.
I don’t need to like every character on this show, writers, but at least give them some compelling motivation for their behavior.
Melissa:
I’ve been bored and over Jaha since season one. I’ve never felt anything for him and I just don’t care at all. I used to be like that with all the adults but Kane and Abby (more so Kane) have both really grown on me especially when they actually started listening to the kids and understanding how things are on the ground. John Murphy is, much like all of you, my problematic fave and I don’t know what I would do if he wasn’t in my life at this point. Here’s to hoping they don’t mess his character up too.
And I’m not going to discuss Pike because we have to keep this PG and it’s just a bunch of really inventive swear words that run through my mind when I think of him.
WE ALREADY TOUCHED ON THIS BRIEFLY, BUT LET’S DISCUSS BELLAMY’S CHARACTER THIS SEASON AND HIS TRAJECTORY. DID IT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?
Ilene:
I did talk about this, and the term “I can’t even” applies here. Someone bring in the Blake triplets — those are my feelings.
Verena:
No. Do I really need to elaborate? What annoyed me the most was the changing relationship between Bellamy and Octavia. Once upon a time, he would have died for her. Now, he barely seems to care. It also felt like, despite his actions, Bellamy always acted according to a certain moral code. That morality has been disregarded. In favor of what, I ask?
Emmy:
Jason Rothenberg owes Bob Morley a huge apology. Just saying because he’s assassinated Bellamy’s character almost beyond recognition. For a second, I thought there had been an episode that I missed where Bellamy had been taken by body snatchers and lobotomized.
Abby:
Nope. Season three Bellamy is who I thought season one Bellamy was going to turn out to be. Honestly, it’s pretty disappointing he doesn’t even back up Octavia anymore. It’s all sorts of wrong.
Jenn:
This is a classic case of great actors getting horrible storylines. Remember in season one when Bellamy was the worst and then he evolved into this compassionate leader? Remember how in season two it was all about self-sacrifice and partnership? Remember then how the writers undid all of that in season three because they needed to... Wait, actually I’m still not sure WHY Bellamy needed to become an absolute horrible human being. So he could be redeemed and help Octavia in the end? So that someone that we knew and cared about would be siding with the villain for most of the story? None of this makes sense. And the whole “catalyst” of Bellamy going dark and you know, becoming a genocidal maniac, was implied to be the death of his girlfriend — whose name I literally couldn’t remember and would barely be able to pick out of a line-up.
So what I don’t get is the fact that Bellamy barely ever wavered when he faced more harrowing circumstances. So why, suddenly, did he go from leader to mass murderer, apart from the writers needing a scapegoat for their horrible story and a stepping stool for the ascension of Pike?
NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE. NONE OF IT.
I feel so bad for Bob Morley.
And I have more rage than that, but most of what has needed to be said is already said.
Lizzie:
If I could curse, Jenn, I’d be doing it right now. It makes no earthly sense. I just. ... No. No. Look at Bob Morley’s face in any interview he’s given this season. That tells you all you need to know.
Isabella:
Speaking of, Lizzie. Just... this.
Melissa:
Bellamy wasn’t on the show until last week's episode, I’m not sure what you’re talking about!
...
APART FROM BELLAMY, WHOSE CHARACTERIZATION WAS THE WORST THIS YEAR SO FAR? EXPLAIN WHO AND WHY.
Emmy:
I’d like to nominate Clarke as the second to Bellamy as far as poor characterization. Clarke has been a fighter since day one and this season, she’s not been one. And it’s driving me nuts.
Abby:
I’ll second Emmy’s nomination. I know love and war are confusing, but the core of her character seems all messed up. I cringe thinking of where her character will end up as we move on from Lexa’s death. The girl has a habit of letting her guilt take her over.
Ilene:
I third Emmy and Abby’s analysis.
Lizzie:
Fourth!
Verena:
Yes to all of it.
Jenn:
FIFTH! I watched this past week’s episode and literally had the thought: “Is Clarke even the main character of her story anymore? Or are things just HAPPENING to her and around her?” Like, go back and watch the episode. Pretty much every decision Clarke had to make, apart from trying to steal the A.I. (which she FAILED TO DO anyway) has people deciding things FOR Clarke. Things are just happening around her and she is reacting to them, rather than her driving the actual action. I rewatched a few scenes recently from seasons one and two, and to see how much she’s been sidelined in her own story is kind of offensive. I know that Eliza Taylor is capable of more than just crying on cue or brooding, but she really hasn’t done much apart from that this season.
Melissa:
I agree with all of this.
OF COURSE, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS LEXA’S DEATH AND NOW THE RECENT DEATH OF LINCOLN -- BOTH EXTREMELY POPULAR, DYNAMIC CHARACTERS IN FANDOM AND THE REAL-WORLD OF THE SHOW. AND BOTH DEATHS HAVE RECEIVED (UNDERSTANDABLY) BACKLASH FOR THE WAY THEY WERE HANDLED. WHAT BOTHERED YOU ABOUT THESE DEATHS?
Isabella:
Wow, where do I begin? I guess I first have to say that I knew these deaths were going to happen. I mainly knew this because of how Ricky would talk about acting as Lincoln and use the past tense. Additionally, some spoilers about Lexa were released, too. Despite this, I still sobbed for both deaths. I didn’t expect the deaths to impact me as much because I knew they were coming, but apparently that didn’t prepare me any better.
My main issue with Lexa’s death was how she died, but not her goodbye scene with Clarke. In fact, I thought they gave Lexa a very sweet and long moment of death. Enough time for her to tell Titus what she wanted him to do and say her goodbyes to Clarke. On that: I hated that her death was an accident. It seemed like incredibly weak storytelling and, to make matters worse, it happened right after she and Clarke consummated their relationship and were given just a few moments of happiness together. I honestly think that it was really dumb and the writers should have at least done it in a more honorable way. And don’t even get me started on how the writers and Rothenberg fed Clexa fans false hope in order to win more viewers.
Lincoln’s death made me furious. I had heard about what happened before watching the episode and I seriously didn’t want to watch it. I avoided it for about three days before finally gaining the courage to power through the episode. We haven’t been given the full story of what we went on behind the scenes between Ricky Whittle and Jason Rothenberg, but we know that there was some form of bullying going on by Rothenberg to Ricky. Lincoln was barely given anything to do this season and was instead just locked up for the majority of it then killed off.
All in all, these two deaths were incredibly detrimental to the LGBT+ community and PoC. They fed into and reinforced two tropes that should be finished once and for all. Ricky and Alycia Debnam-Carey’s leaving of the show could’ve been solved in a different way other than death. I simply can’t accept whatever excuse Rothenberg comes up with because enough is enough. Stop killing off minorities in such horrible ways.
Verena:
I talked about Lincoln before so let’s focus on Lexa. We all know about the dead gay characters trope — it’s stupid and ridiculous, and we need to protect LGBTQ characters with all we have. But that is not really why her death upset me. It upset me way more because I loved Lexa. She was an amazing character who did not deserve to die in such an anticlimactic way. Had she died in an epic battle, maybe I wouldn’t have been as annoyed with this turn of events (jk, I totally would have). However, I do understand why Clexa fans are even more upset; that whole episode was a total cop-out. I did enjoy the both of them together, but their big moment was rushed, which — in my opinion — took a lot away from it. Go ahead and rage, fans. I’ll hold your poodle.
Ilene:
I am definitely in the minority here, but I have never liked Lexa or her character. I never saw a point to her existence other than to move the plot along, which, by mid-season, she was not even doing. Her purpose was to be a love interest and a supporting character and she was neither — it became The Lexa Show. The plot only started moving forward again after her death. Now, I think the way she died was terrible. I think the way they treated the Lexa/Clarke arc was tactless. I also believe the writers completely trashed their fan base by undermining the intelligence of their audience. Everyone knew Lexa had to die to move the story forward — but to a) lie to the fans about it for “shock value” and then b) do it in such a cliche way? It’s disrespectful.
Lincoln dying is just tragic. Lincoln’s entire storyline was tragic. I am okay with the fact everyone is at risk of dying, but his death was pointless and due to an actor being bullied. The entire Lincoln situation rubs me the wrong way. Both Lexa and Lincoln’s deaths had so much outside writer/producer involvement that it actually hurt the show.
Emmy:
The Lexa death didn’t really bother me as much as Lincoln’s death because it explained the whole Commander spirit background, connecting the A.L.I.E./A.I. storyline to what was going on with the Grounders. What bothered me was the way she died. She definitely deserved a hero’s death versus a stray bullet. Also the backlash from the fandom could have been avoided if it hadn’t been teased by the showrunner that she was going to be around for the finale. That was a HUGE mistake on his behalf.
Lincoln’s death is unforgivable. From start to finish, Lincoln’s presence on the show was a breath of fresh air — he showed us the humanity that lies within the Grounder community, and gave fans the connection they needed to the Grounders. I get that no one is safe on this show but like I stated earlier, this show needs to work on its pacing desperately. Lincoln dying in battle or later on, say, three seasons from now would have made more sense to me.
Abby:
I have a lot of feelings on Lexa’s death, but they mostly come out as a frustrated string of letters that don’t make sense. Look, I understand that Alycia Debnam-Carey had an awesome career opportunity come up. Great on her for taking it. There are only so many ways to write off a character, and pretty much none of them would have been satisfying to me in this specific case. Lexa quickly became my favorite character after she was introduced; somehow I related to her more and more with every episode she was in. More importantly, I admired her as a strong, but still vulnerable female character on television.
Now let me say this: I am incredibly upset that Lexa died, but I can’t say I’m mad at their decision to do it. If there had to be a permanent departure, I would have been livid if there had been a falling out between Lexa and Clarke. Like, if one had double-crossed the other or Lexa just straight up disappeared, I would legitimately have thrown something. So, again, I’m not mad that she died, but I am mad about how she died. A stray bullet? COME ON. She was the Commander. Give her death some dignity.
As for Lincoln, I don’t want to talk about it. I love you, Lincoln. You were the best.
Lizzie:
I understood that both characters had to die; or that they were both going to die. Lincoln didn’t need to die to move the story forward. That being said, the way both deaths were written was atrocious, and it all comes back to the main problem this season — pacing. Well, okay, this wasn’t just pacing. This was straight-up bad writing and bad writing decisions. Lexa’s death felt, frankly, disrespectful, considering what the character was and had been. And Lincoln’s death was just a joke. I mean, why build up his character so much to do this?
The worst part is, I don’t know how — at this point — I can trust a showrunner or a writing team that would let outside things influence how they handle characters. I’ve had this issue with Shonda Rhimes and I stopped watching her shows. I want my characters coherent, 100% of the time. Outside factors should remain outside. And if Rothenberg has shown one thing, is that he can’t do that.
Jenn:
So most people who are vehemently anti-Lexa’s death cite the fact that LGBTQ characters rarely ever get happy endings. And like, while I am really upset by the death of Lexa from a lazy storytelling standpoint, The 100 isn’t a show for happy endings. I mean, I would liken whatever this show has planned in its eventual series finale to the end of The Hunger Games series — whenever you face situations this dark and harrowing, sometimes happiness isn’t exactly realistic. So for Clarke and Lexa to end up together happily wouldn’t have made much sense given the context of this show. And the problem with Lexa’s death is that perhaps the show could have left a door open for her character to return and not killed her off, but that would have required extra pacing and forethought in terms of storytelling and some hoops to jump through for the writers.
(It would not, also, have made a lot of sense either way you sliced it. I mean, she is still the Commander and even if the show just simply had Lexa send Clarke away to the Ark again, this season is totally built on the foundation of seeing and interacting with the Commander and with Polis. I can’t really see an easy way of making excuses for not seeing the Commander on screen for like, the entire rest of the season.)
Nevertheless, I don’t have a problem with Lexa dying, because we knew it wold likely happen, so much as I have a problem with the horrible pacing and way in which she died. I mean, a stray bullet? Seriously? That’s the kind of storytelling one might see on a daytime soap opera. It was an insult to her character that she went out that way — by accidentally just walking into a room. Though I never really liked Lexa as a character, that was just plain lazy.
And then Lincoln? Oh, geez, Lincoln. First of all, it was a travesty that this show did absolutely nothing with him all season. His character had zero stories or motivation to do anything. And yet Ricky Whittle continued to be impressive and slay every scene he was actually in. All of the build-up to Lincoln’s death was beautifully acted. As far as the writing goes? It was absurd. Lincoln deserved so much more in terms of story and he got exactly zero of it.
Melissa:
What I hated most about Lexa’s death was the way in which it happened. She was this amazing warrior who died by a stray bullet not intended for her? That’s so insulting to that character. I understand why they had to kill her with Alycia’s other commitments work-wise. And it’s awesome that she’s working on another great show, but that death needed to be handled WAY differently.
Lincoln’s death hurt. I’m so happy that I knew where that storyline was going or it would have broken me. It was so unnecessary.
IF YOU WERE GOING TO FIX THIS SHOW IN SEASON FOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE SHOW MOVING FORWARD? (EX.: DOES JASON DESERVE TO REMAIN SHOWRUNNER, OR SHOULD HE BE REPLACED?)
Isabella:
I would probably try to channel as much of season one as possible. I feel like Jason tried really hard to make the world as large as he could that he lost a lot of what made the first season so good. We stuck with our main characters and were given really good character progression because of it. He’s got to commit to telling the best stories he can about our original characters and not push them to the wayside to focus on guest characters.
With that being said, I strongly believe that Jason either needs to get his crap together and stop killing off/hurting minorities or they’re going to have to replace him. I mean, we went through this with Community and the season that didn’t involve Dan Harmon as the showrunner definitely didn’t feel like the Community we all grew to love. I fear that that might happen if Rothenberg was replaced and that some of the stories he’s wanted to tell for awhile now wouldn’t happen. It’s just a really tough situation all around.
Verena:
Get rid of Pike, and everything related to this awful character and this stupid story arc. Focus on those people we fell in love with in the first two seasons. Give Bellamy a chance to redeem himself and return to his roots, give Raven something to fight for, have Octavia suffer through Lincoln’s death and not brush it aside. And most importantly, give Clarke back her spark. I miss the natural leader she once was. Stop killing people for no reason — no one likes unnecessary character deaths. Find a story that is interesting and go with it, instead of having several little story arcs that just don’t work together. One thing I want more of are female friendships. Always.
Ilene:
I miss the delinquents. I miss them trying to just survive Earth and rebuild a society. I want to see them trade with Grounders and see how everyone works within Grounder politics. This season lost focus and decided to throw all this crap at us and just expect us to accept it as truth. There was no linear progression from one story to the next, and it was as if we were dropped in a different show. I know The 100 is fast-paced, but this season left the characters in the dust. Seriously, where is my character development and growth? Also, if you have to constantly keep separating your main characters in order to stop their chemistry, THAT IS A PROBLEM.
Abby:
Have you seen X-Men: Days of Future Past? For real, though... I don’t even know. The factors that made the show so great in the beginning are null and void anymore. However, I’d like to get back to basics and see more of the 100 — you know, those kids they sent to Earth. I’m over the whole Pike/Arkadia/City of Light crap. I want the kids back, and I want them how they used to be. Alas, it probably isn’t doable at this point.
Emmy:
I agree — the show needs to go back to its basics. We need to see the 100 and Skaikru struggle and build their place on Earth up; it feels like we missed out on a bunch of steps. I want to see the main characters have more of a say in how things are run at Arkadia like they established their rules for the drop ship. I need all the adults except Kabby to go away because I honestly thought they were going to stay away for a while and we would have gotten a show about young adults trying to set up a civilization. I also think that the only way we’ll get this is if Jason Rothenberg steps down or is replaced, sadly, as it’s quite obvious he’s lost his way with this show.
Lizzie:
Get rid of Jason Rothenberg. I’m sorry, but at this point, I can’t trust the man with these characters, and if I can’t do that, why am I even watching?
Jenn:
I agree with everyone in some way. In this case, I think a reboot in leadership is necessary. Rothenberg is far too absorbed in his own belief that what he is doing is right that he can’t see how he’s killing his own show. He’s far too close to this work, and in this case (unlike Community, Isabella), I feel like someone else taking over the reins could be good. Throwing away whatever plans Jason had for the rest of the series would be worth it if someone else who had a grasp on who these characters were and are came in and took over.
But I also do agree that this show needs to remember what made it special — its teenagers. I feel like we’ve lost a lot of who these characters are within the context of this grand, big world that has been created. The relationships between the characters are what I really care about. Not the City of Light. Not Pike. I care about Octavia/Clarke, and Raven/Bellamy, and Jasper/Monty, etc. I just want to see the characters I grew to love actually interacting and not simply existing to further plot.
Melissa:
I really want to see them get back to season one/season two in terms of feel. There is so much about those two seasons that is missing in season three, and the reason people were sold on the show. I don’t think the hook has really been present in season three. And just get rid of the City of Light and Pike.
THE SHOW DID A LOT WRONG THIS SEASON SO FAR. BUT DID THEY, IN YOUR OPINION, GET ANYTHING RIGHT UP UNTIL THIS POINT?
Ilene:
Kabby. That kiss was the best thing to happen all season. The first two episodes of the season felt like The 100 before the writers decided to murder the main characters character development. Miller and Harper — they are my everything. Murphy is so on-point, redeeming what I thought was going to be a crap storyline with the City of Light. I am currently super psyched for this.
Isabella:
I’m actually really happy with how the fight between Bellamy and Clarke went down in episode five this season ("Hakeldama"). It definitely hurt me, don’t get me wrong, but I’m glad that their feelings about Clarke leaving were finally out in the open. I’ll continue to say that some of the best scenes The 100 has to offer are the ones with Bellamy and Clarke together. Their scenes are just so moving.
Verena:
I’m really excited that they introduced some kind of origin story for the Ark. I’d like to see more of that. I can’t be the only one to wonder what the first years up in space were like, right? I also didn’t hate the A.I. they introduced and how it is connected to the Commander. I feel like I might regret those words in the future. Don’t ruin this story, please.
Emmy:
Kabby! The show got their relationship right — slow burn and all, and it was beautiful. I also loved the Commander backstory and actually want to learn more about it. Additionally, the only character they have written correctly has been Murphy. So thank you for that, writers.
Abby:
Um, pass.
Lizzie:
I’ll agree that they got Kabby right. But at this point, even that feels like too little too late.
Jenn:
The writers made me really care about Kane/Abby. I think Kane’s evolution has been one of the only things this show did right and seeing him as the selfless leader was great. (Also, I’ve already decided he’s basically a surrogate dad to Bellamy and Octavia at this point.). He and Abby have a really great story and generally I don’t care about the adults, but The 100 made me care again by selling their romance.
I guess apart from that, at least Raven and Octavia have been written consistently. That’s something. And Indra. More Indra please.
Melissa:
I agree with the Kabby. I didn’t think I would but then when they kissed last episode, I started cheering. So I mean, clearly I was more invested than I thought. Murphy is also always a great time so I can’t complain about him either.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT CHARACTERS/PLOT/OR WRITING?
Ilene:
Just because you have 16 episodes does not mean you get to just create conflict and shock for the sake of conflict and shock. Everything should have a very visible freaking purpose. Also, why is Roan an enemy now? What gives?
Emmy:
Slow your rolls, writers. We get that you have a short season order with episodes, but please don’t insult our collective intelligence and abuse our patience by rushing everything. There’s a reason other shows have filler episodes — that’s why they make more sense than this one currently does. Do us a solid and just write an episode of strictly background information and exposition. Please and thank you.
Abby:
Something that initially drew me to the show was the writers’ ability to show the complexity of uncertainty and vulnerability, but also strength and perseverance. It seems that lately the writers are trying so hard to undo the entire two seasons' worth of progress my favorite characters have made. Let’s just relax, bring back the delinquents, and remember to #SaveOctavia.
Lizzie:
Stop the drama for the sake of drama, please. This show already hurts its characters enough just by virtue of being what it is. No need for you all to add unnecessary drama to the equation, writers.
Verena:
To quote the great Hillary Duff: “Let’s go back, back to the beginning.” Focus on the original story you wanted to tell: a bunch of lost kids trying to find their way in a world that is not their own.
Isabella:
Stop hurting Raven!
Jenn:
Learn from your mistakes, rather than just pretending to care about what your audience has to say in order to appease them. Until you’re humble and admit your shortcomings, writers, your show will continue to fall further and further from grace.
Melissa:
I just need everyone to settle down and relax. Don’t rush into things, don’t try to make something you aren’t. We loved the show for a reason in the first two seasons, so we just need to find that groove again.
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