‘The 100’ Was a Sci-Fi Masterpiece Utterly Ruined by Main Controversy

A CW present that was extensively acclaimed and a fan-favorite amongst sci-fi followers? It sounds laborious to consider. The channel is greatest identified for its teen exhibits like Gossip Lady, Riverdaleand The Vampire Diariesthat are usually bursting with drama and cliché storylines, however not all its exhibits had been like this. One sci-fi present specifically stood out for excelling in writing, appearing, and world-building: The 100. Working for seven seasons from 2014 to 2020, Jason Rothenberg led a CW sequence that defied expectations.

Reasonably than counting on tropes and trite teen drama plot factors, the sequence largely charted its personal course and developed a passionate fanbase. Regardless of an acclaimed run, with 4 of its seven seasons receiving a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, The 100 confronted its fair proportion of criticism and controversy, significantly in Season 3.

What Is ‘The 100’ About?

Based mostly on the YA sequence by Cass Morgan, The 100 takes place in a world the place the Earth has been ravaged by nuclear warfare. Hundreds of individuals escaped into house on one thing suitably referred to as the Ark. This station orbits Earth, and 97 years have handed since they escaped. Three generations have been born on the Ark, however they’re now working out of assets and must discover a answer. The leaders of this station determined to ship 100 (therefore the title) juvenile detainees to Earth to find out whether or not the planet had develop into liveable. That is solely the start of many choices that we uncover on the journey of The 100 that make you query the morality of all of the characters.

‘The 100’ Began Out Robust and Raised the Stakes for CW Exhibits

The youngsters quickly uncover that the planet is now uninhabitable and that sure people have survived and fashioned their very own cultures, languages, and beliefs within the 97 years since the remainder of humanity has died out. The primary few episodes of the sequence begin out as a typical CW sequence with loads of teen drama, however in a number of episodes, it abruptly shifts to a sequence which you can’t assist however take significantly.

Earlier than you already know it, you understand that, just like exhibits like Sport of Thronesnobody within the sequence is protected, and being a “essential character” means nothing if their demise strikes the plot ahead. Most notably, the sequence was praised for creating characters with stunning arcsa few of which made the characters unrecognizable from after we first met them. However whatever the many positives and strengths of the sequence, a number of controversies tainted The 100’s status all through its run.

‘The 100’ Fell Sufferer to One of many Worst TV Tropes

First launched in Season 2, Alycia Debnam-Carey joined the present as Lexa, the Commander of the Grounders. She unites the Grounder clans in opposition to the Mountain Males. One of many essential characters, Clarke (Eliza Taylor) — and pseudo-leader of the people from the Ark — and Lexa start as enemies, and their relationship units off a roller-coaster journey. They kind alliances and betray each other, till finally the 2 of them develop emotions for each other and bond over the shared burden of main a folks on this harmful world. In Season 3, Episode 7, they lastly reconcile and share their first intimate scene. Sadly, proper after their intercourse scene, Lexa by chance will get shot by a stray bullet meant for Clarke. Lexa had develop into a beloved character, and their rising relationship was one of many many causes followers beloved the sequence.

This demise led to an uproar from followers and unfold like wildfireand a dialog about in style media and the “bury your gays” trope. Basically, the concept is that LGBTQ+ characters hardly ever have a cheerful ending and usually should cope with loads of hardships in in style media, like homophobia, bullying, and even demise. In a number of articles by Autostraddlethey illustrated that lots of the lesbian and bisexual characters die.

One 2014 record detailed how there have been 242 useless lesbian and bisexual characters on TV. Whereas Rothenberg insisted that the choice was made for story causes (and, sensible causes, as a result of Debnam-Carey had been solid as a sequence common in Worry the Strolling Lifeless), he later apologized, saying he regretted perpetuating any tropes, no matter whether or not that wasn’t the intention. Because of this controversy, for a lot of in popular culture, The 100 grew to become synonymous with the “bury your gays” tropeand the sequence misplaced a serious portion of its fan base. Regardless of this, the sequence went on for 4 extra seasons.

‘The 100’ Confronted Extra Backlash in Season 7

Whereas no controversy was as widespread because the “bury your gays” trope for the sequence, the seventh season acquired backlash for the way it dealt with a essential character’s story arc. As talked about beforehand, the sci-fi present was praised for its robust character arcs full of progress. One nice instance of this was Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley). The character started as an boastful, antagonistic insurgent who continuously clashed with Clarke. Because the sequence progressed, Bellamy advanced right into a selfless chief who ceaselessly disagreed with Clarke however supported her selections. Within the seventh season, there was a big departure for the character.

Not solely was he absent for a lot of the sequence, however he was brainwashed by the Disciples and their chiefturning into primarily a really passionate cult follower. And after threatening to give up Madi’s (Lola Flanery) Flame sketchbook, he will get shot by his closest buddy: Clarke. Sure, that Clarke. Followers had been outraged by the choicecalling it poor writing and claiming it was finished solely for shock worth. The sequence had undone a strong, efficient six-season character arc with poor writing within the ultimate season.

Rothenberg defended the writing and believed it aligned with the present’s general themes of survival, life, and demise. However there have been additionally behind-the-scenes particulars that possible affected the storyline. In response to a TV Information interview, Morley requested for diminished display screen time within the ultimate season so he might take a break. It doesn’t matter what the explanations had been for this pivot, it led to a disappointing ending of The 100a promising sci-fi sequence that was already marred by controversy.