Written by: Kevin Berge
Courtesy of: seriesubthai.co.
Quick Take: The CW's The 100 begins like any other series on the network but slowly takes shapes into one of the most unique and brutal shows on television. The post-apocalyptic science fiction show grows with its characters and takes its time to build its world while rarely slacking on the pace with no fear of even killing off important characters for the sake of raising the stakes.
***While there will be no clear spoilers from here on out, it is possible that allusions will be made to events and decisions that could affect first time viewing of the show. If you don't want to have anything to affect your viewing experience, take a step back for now.***
The CW has a formula for success on their network involving a lot of good looking actors, multiple romantic subplots, and a plot that keeps up high drama between the characters. The shows are filled with just the right mix of stereotypical characters to keep fresh conversations for a few seasons before repeating the process with some new names.
The 100 begins showing many similarities with that formula. The actors all seem to be cast because they look good on camera. There are a variety of stereotypes: the strong female character, the cute quirky guy she quickly falls for, the nerdy best friends, the token black guy to provide diversity, and the prettiest girl of the group who is secretly troubled by all her being-pretty-isn't-enough problems.
However, that set up is an illusion, perhaps attempting to rope in the expected audience before showing its true colors. The series starts slow but gets better and better as it abandons those trappings and becomes a survival story where those who live become stronger, more complex, and flat out cool to watch.
The set up of The 100 is not too hard to follow. 97 years after nuclear war ravaged the Earth seemingly making it uninhabitable, the only known survivors, a few thousand people, live in a massive space station called the Ark which orbits Earth. With resources almost depleted, 100 "expendable" prisoners under the age of 18 are sent to the Earth's surface to see if it is finally livable again.
These kids are sent to their death but also, in a sense, given a second chance to live. Luckily, they survive the descent and begin to create a society of their own which splits the group as they decide how to act and who should lead. All of this is not helped by an environment that is still dangerous and other life on the planet that does not take too kindly to the newcomers.
The CW has a formula for success on their network involving a lot of good looking actors, multiple romantic subplots, and a plot that keeps up high drama between the characters. The shows are filled with just the right mix of stereotypical characters to keep fresh conversations for a few seasons before repeating the process with some new names.
The 100 begins showing many similarities with that formula. The actors all seem to be cast because they look good on camera. There are a variety of stereotypes: the strong female character, the cute quirky guy she quickly falls for, the nerdy best friends, the token black guy to provide diversity, and the prettiest girl of the group who is secretly troubled by all her being-pretty-isn't-enough problems.
However, that set up is an illusion, perhaps attempting to rope in the expected audience before showing its true colors. The series starts slow but gets better and better as it abandons those trappings and becomes a survival story where those who live become stronger, more complex, and flat out cool to watch.
The set up of The 100 is not too hard to follow. 97 years after nuclear war ravaged the Earth seemingly making it uninhabitable, the only known survivors, a few thousand people, live in a massive space station called the Ark which orbits Earth. With resources almost depleted, 100 "expendable" prisoners under the age of 18 are sent to the Earth's surface to see if it is finally livable again.
These kids are sent to their death but also, in a sense, given a second chance to live. Luckily, they survive the descent and begin to create a society of their own which splits the group as they decide how to act and who should lead. All of this is not helped by an environment that is still dangerous and other life on the planet that does not take too kindly to the newcomers.
Courtesy of: tv.com.
The primary cast do not immediately impress. The warring leaders of the 100 prisoners are Clarke Griffin played by Eliza Taylor and Bellamy Blake played by Bob Morley. Both actors are clearly charismatic but do not have a lot to work with. Clarke's love interest Finn Collins played by Thomas McDonell is not just bland but unlikable.
The adults in the story are the more known actors including Paige Turco (TMNT II, All My Children) who plays Clarke's mother, Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy) who is the lead authority on the Ark, and Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) who is the second in command in a sense.
That said, the momentum slowly shifts between the two sides. The story on the Ark becomes less interesting while everything on the ground becomes more engrossing. The actors come into their own just as the characters do, having far more fun with the warriors fighting for their lives than the oblivious teens seeing what grass looks like for the first time.
Even from the beginning, it is easy to appreciate the way the show is shot. The affected Earth always feels real and beautiful with hints of danger. What really makes the show stand out though is its makeup design that constantly works to show the hardships these kids go through. No one recovers quickly from an injury, making these "pretty kids" grimier with each passing episode.
Speaking too much of the story would spoil much of what makes it so effective, but a viewer should not grow attached to characters for too long because either they die or fundamentally change repeatedly under harsh conditions. In these fights for survival, questions of morality are in constant flux. It becomes hard to watch at times.
If you are wavering early on the series, know that it continues to get better. The second season takes a massive leap, making the series one of the best on television where it becomes easy to root for these characters even as they make decisions that you'd never expect they would ever face watching the early parts of this series.
If you love science fiction, post-apocalyptic worlds, or just tales of survival where choices are never just black or white, The 100 is the show for you as long as you can stomach some teen angst for a while.
The adults in the story are the more known actors including Paige Turco (TMNT II, All My Children) who plays Clarke's mother, Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy) who is the lead authority on the Ark, and Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) who is the second in command in a sense.
That said, the momentum slowly shifts between the two sides. The story on the Ark becomes less interesting while everything on the ground becomes more engrossing. The actors come into their own just as the characters do, having far more fun with the warriors fighting for their lives than the oblivious teens seeing what grass looks like for the first time.
Even from the beginning, it is easy to appreciate the way the show is shot. The affected Earth always feels real and beautiful with hints of danger. What really makes the show stand out though is its makeup design that constantly works to show the hardships these kids go through. No one recovers quickly from an injury, making these "pretty kids" grimier with each passing episode.
Speaking too much of the story would spoil much of what makes it so effective, but a viewer should not grow attached to characters for too long because either they die or fundamentally change repeatedly under harsh conditions. In these fights for survival, questions of morality are in constant flux. It becomes hard to watch at times.
If you are wavering early on the series, know that it continues to get better. The second season takes a massive leap, making the series one of the best on television where it becomes easy to root for these characters even as they make decisions that you'd never expect they would ever face watching the early parts of this series.
If you love science fiction, post-apocalyptic worlds, or just tales of survival where choices are never just black or white, The 100 is the show for you as long as you can stomach some teen angst for a while.
