In the twelfth episode of the second season of The 100, this show was specifically designed to destroy everyone. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The 100.
Trigger Warning: For discussion of police brutality, nonconsensual medical procedures.
What the hell is wrong with The 100.
Mount Weather
I can’t deal with any of this. I can’t. Somehow, this episode is even more suspenseful and emotionally unbearable than “Coup de Grace” and “Survival of the Fittest” COMBINED. I was on edge the entire time because EVERY SINGLE PLOT COULD HAVE ENDED IN DISASTER. I must admit that the 47’s attempt to protect their own nearly triggered me because of a lot of the imagery evoked by the armed guards attacking the kids felt too familiar to me. And I think that was intentional, for what it’s worth. We’re meant to view the treatment of the 47 as a monstrous injustice. Bodies are literally used to fuel the lives of others here, and thus, they’re victims of the state within Mount Weather. Their only value is in their exploitation, which is mistakenly and malevolently referred to as “special.” I don’t think that Dr. Tsing or Cage went through any sort of moral acrobatics in order to justify what they did. They simply believe they’re superior, and that they have a destiny to the land (and bodies) who exist outside Mount Weather.
And yet, there is resistance. It’s a sad thing to watch these kids get beat down, to know that every few hours another member of the 47 is lead to their death, and to be aware of just how vicious and evil these people are. While the 47 are fighting for their lives, Cage and his supporters are plotting the bombing of a peace meeting. They’re the literal worst in every sense imaginable, and I WANT THEM ENDED. So it’s very satisfying that this episode gives us some sort of release from the unending nature of the horror being perpetrated on these people. Bellamy – with President Wallace’s direction – provides them with this moment by flooding level five with air from the outside, killing all eleven Mount Weather personal as the kids watch on in satisfaction. WHICH INCLUDES DR. TSING, WHO DESERVED THAT DEATH AND SO MUCH WORSE. (I’m only slightly bummed out by it, though, because Rekha Sharma is such a fantastic actress and I’ll miss seeing her.) How will Cage continue the program with his prized doctor? I don’t doubt he will, but Bellamy may have bought them more time than he expected to.
Jaha
So, I’m not surprised by the turn of events in his plot. Jaha is utterly unfazed by the duplicity of Emori, despite that she’s now stranded the group without any supplies, including food and water. It’s within Jaha’s characterization, of course, so I don’t find his story to be  unbelievable. Strangely, I was more drawn to Murphy’s brand of nihilistic hope. I don’t feel like the show is interested in redeeming him just for the sake of it. And I don’t even see a redemption in this plot. He simply exists as a wholly negative character who is aware that he’s perceived negatively by those around him. He’s an outcast, but one whose actions got him to that point. He has a chip on his shoulder, sure, but is that what motivates him to follow Jaha to the rumored City of Light? No, I don’t think so. I believe that the hope of a life away from the Ark and the 100 is all that Murphy cares about. He’s far more interested in an existence where he has – as close as is possible – a blank slate.
I’m not so sure that the City of Light can provide that, given that we don’t even know if it exists.
Clarke
I imagine that The 100 might actually be too exhausting to watch in any casual sense. I think it lends itself incredibly well to the Mark Watches format because I never have to worry about whether or not my videos are entertaining. This show continually escalates stakes and risks, and it repeatedly puts its characters in nightmarish moral situations. “Rubicon” is no exception, and I think parallels could be drawn between this episode and “Twilight’s Last Gleaming.” Who do you sacrifice? What’s worth the greater good?
I don’t envy the decision that Clarke had to make here. I understand why it was made, too. Bellamy was the keystone to this whole plan to take down the Mountain Men, and it was horribly risky to do anything that might key them into the fact that there was a spy within their walls. At the same time, that doesn’t make any of this easier to watch. It’s unbearably uncomfortable and horrifying to know that Lexa was so certain that sacrificing many of her own people (as well as the people of the other eleven tribes) was worth it. No matter what Clarke does to save her own people, she’ll always have to live with her decision. She could have warned people, but she didn’t. Is that worth it? Was the greater good served by this?
I don’t know. We only see the immediate aftermath of the missile attack, and it’s horrifying. Abby scolds her daughter for what she’s done, and it’s a brutal scene to watch. Yet it’s followed up by images of the bomb site, which are even worse. I have no idea where the story can go from here. What if the clans discover what Lexa and Clarke did? Will they view that as strength, or will they seek revenge? What about Abby? She promises to keep the secret, but how long will that last?
I have no clue. What the hell is wrong with this show.
The video for “Rubicon” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– IÂ will be at numerous conventions in 2016! Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be seasons 1 & 2 of The 100, Death Note, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
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