The writers didn’t make viewers wait much at all to discover the realities of any of the main characters. Besides the aforementioned one, who are a little rough for wear but otherwise on the mend, Clarke and the other 47 remain “guests” at Mount Weathers. Watching Clarke try to escape and being thwarted by the mountain men was fairly infuriating.
Watching Monty (Christopher Larkin) and Jasper choose this version of reality over Clarke was particularly problematic. At the beginning of season one, Clarke established herself as someone who didn’t leave anyone behind – except for Murphy, but that’s completely understandable. She nursed Jasper back from the brink of death, and now, when other people’s lives may still be at risk, Jasper has conveniently forgotten that little factoid. It appears as if Clarke is the only one that isn’t falling for the fairy tale. They may not be in chains, but make no mistake about it, they’re still prisoners.
The only person that isn’t locked up, metaphorically or otherwise, is Octavia (Maria Avgeropoulos) – and she may be worse off for it. At the heart of The 100 has always been Octavia and her persistence. Even poisoned, she maintains her spunky character traits as her story arc goes a little off the map. Although she’s the only member of the 100 who is technically unaccounted for, she’s in safe hands. If it wasn’t for Lincoln (Ricky Whittle), she wouldn’t have made it this far. It’s doubtful that the mountain men would have been able to treat her ailment. Both the poison and the cure come from nature, and the mountain men don’t exactly seem like they are keen on radioactive materials.
It’s a really interesting concept that the continued survival of the grounders was a side effect of evolution. Add to that the 100 and their natural adaptation of those genetic traits from living in space, and the writers have created a new depth to the narrative. Maybe that’s why Raymond J. Barry’s character, leader of the mountain men, seems to be hiding something. Could it be that he’s jealous of his new guests? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I doubt Clarke is just going to sit back and play nice for long before making another attempt to exit. She doesn’t do well with rules, unless they’re of her own making. And even those she’s been willing to break.
Tonight’s premiere was certainly a strong outing for the show, and The 100 is clearly setting the stage for an exciting new season. It’s still too early to tell where exactly everything is heading, but I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for Clarke and her less than loyal followers.