The 100 - a Simply Awesome Series

Warning
This guide and all of my reviews contain occasional bits of rude language,
and opinions some people might find offensive but for which I won’t apologise.
                    Don’t read any further unless you are open-minded.
As hard as I try not to give away too much, I can't guarantee there are no spoilers.

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The 100 (“The Hundred”) TV Series 2014 Ongoing. CW / Netflix/ DVD

Riveting, kick-ass storytelling that never looks tired with repeat viewing


97 years after nuclear war wiped out life on earth the “ARK” space station is failing. 100 juvenile offenders are sent to Earth to see if the planet is now habitable.

Similarities to the story of Australian colonisation are ironic, as 4 of the main character parts are played by Australian actors – two of them former stars of the soap opera Neighbours. Irony is heaped on irony when Terra Nullius once again proves to be a lie.

In this brave new world the focus is on survival, and there are only two types of people – strong people or weak.
Because this is about a post-nuclear world the storylines have a darkness to them; what lends the series much of its appeal is that ordinary characters are extraordinarily heroic.

 

It only takes a few episodes to become invested in some of the characters - this is excellent, character driven storytelling that quickly developed a huge following, with fans adopting some of the sayings and language of the show - a sign that even if this isn’t the greatest story ever told, it’s still very engaging.

I've been intrigued to see which of the main characters’ moral compass never wavers: Where characters do sometimes lose their way, the about-turn somehow never seems improbable. Moral ambiguity is what prevents The 100 from being “just another good story”, and the series is always fresh because storylines aren't formulaic and don’t just re-hash old moral questions.

This is supposedly a young adult series - I know I’m not the only old fart who has relished every moment of this show.

Relationships are well drawn on this show, and sexuality is refreshingly fluid. Even more refreshing: - strong female characters.

Season 1 is a bit Lord of the Flies meets Lost in Space: At first the most interesting bits are about the kids who've been sent to Earth, while in deep space back on the Ark the grown up stuff is less exciting as survivors work out if or how to get everyone else back down to Earth.
This is all held together by a fascinating exploration of who survived the nuclear war on Earth and how they did or did not get along.

Spoiler Alert
You can scroll down to the Ratings part of this review – or if you don’t mind a few spoilers, read right through for a brief outline of where each season goes.

Season 2 is a little more dystopian vs utopian as we look at Earth survivors and later what happens when the grown ups from the Ark reach Earth and try to rein in The 100. (Seriously, I’m a geriatric and I just want to strangle the olds in this show, which means they work as characters because they really irritate.)
Mix in a Josef Mengele type and introduce the two impressive characters Indra and Lexa.

 

 

Season 3 delivers an interesting spin on “belief”. It’s almost an exploration of the way Nazi Germany replaced "Proper" Religion with a State Ideology, this is served up with a tossed salad of myth, science and nuke history.
Jaha, leader of the “cult” doesn’t dress like a Bishop or ask for money but he reminds me enough of Catholic School 50 years ago I just want to stab him in the eye every time his smug fake serene face appears on-screen. The whole City of Light/ ALIE / Flame thing is so well put together, though, that I can’t fault it.

The 100’s other, more likeable characters are increasingly awesome this season; there is a fight scene in 0304 that makes for a really special moment – and that’s just early in the season before it builds to a great final episode.

There is not a lot of humour in the scripts, but I found myself grinning like a Cheshire cat every time Prince Roan appeared on the screen.

Season 4 Jaha is no longer a Happy Clappy but I still wish he would get written out of the show for no other reason than just ecch. Murphy has grown properly into who he is and makes for good “set dressing”. The overall story arc and narrative framework continue to impress mightily as all the clans face new challenges leaving us still caring about what is coming next.

Season 5 is marginally less riveting. Some episodes gave us important answers we were desperately searching for. Things are also just not quite the same with the loss of a couple of characters (romantic leads) that had the biggest fan following.

 

 

On the other hand, the shift in focus and introduction of new characters prevents the series becoming predictable, and allows it to re-invent itself. This season did not end with a cliff-hanger, but although the novelty has worn off, the quality of the story-telling is still high. I’ll be curious to see where the next season takes us.

M15+ Rating: There is regular, gory, visual grossness which is not gratuitous, but which could make some episodes of this series triggering. Some interesting challenges, and riveting fight and battle scenes.

Bingeability – I did watch the first 3 series straight through, to see what would happen – no mean feat for someone who has never been able to sit through one whole Star Wars movie. After that I had to wait for new seasons to become available, and waiting was hard. Definitely a desert island set.