The 100 left us on a very dark note for its fourth season, with the planet becoming nearly barren from the apocalyptic storm that wiped out anyone in its path. The event was looming all season and prompted some to return to space (Bellamy, Raven, etc.) while others resorted to an underground bunker with our favorite badass and leader Octavia. With everyone fleeing, series protagonist Clarke remained above ground and below space right in the thick of things. We briefly saw Clarke had taken on a parental role to a young girl named Madi, which means Clarke was forced to abandon her self appointed duties for a new world where she is required to look out for herself and the young Madi. 

 

For the first half of the season five premiere, the six year time leap focuses on Clarke – similarly to how it all started back when the pilot first debuted. We really are thrown into this Clarke centric way of living, where the complex heroine is doing her best to survive at whatever cost. She initially goes through the motions of trying to access the underground bunker for help, companionship, or even a familiar face – even the more imperative notions of simply doing her best to scavenge for food (or bugs…) to provide some sort of sustenance. When she meets Madi and we leap ahead, they seem to have much more confidence in their skills having found a Eden-esque valley that looks to be untouched by the radiation that all had feared. By the time the ship from the previous finale is revealed, Clarke and Madi's sense of security is shaken up and they go from being around no one to feeling at risk by these heavily armed strangers that could be an opposing force to their views. 

 

A big part of the series picking back up is the damage Earth has taken from the war. While radiation may have been responsible initially, its long term effects have proven that Earth is becoming less and less habitable as everything outside of Clarke's 'Eden' has become scorched by the storm. As if they didn't have enough push-back finding solid ground before, this unscathed area makes me believe that there will be several hoping to optimize its resources for themselves like the new faction. Not much is known about the mysterious invading group that most likely has the same intentions, but they appear as be a force to be reckoned with, led by a woman by the name of  Charmaine Diyoza – who will surely leave you with an idea that she's a combative leader who isn't afraid to embrace forceful tactics. Clarke instantly notices that they are heavily strapped with guns, muscles and a 'hard-as-nails' expressions, so the suspense is something that becomes an immediate strength in the new potential plot. 

 

The 100 wouldn't be The 100 without its phenomenal cast / characters that have become beloved fictional characters for several years since its debut. Currently in space, some of our favorites like Bellamy, Raven and Murphy still reside – who were able to launch thanks to Clarke's sacrifice. Raven has taken a leadership role alongside Bellamy and even though the two don't always see eye to eye, their connection trumps any disagreements that surface in regards to their survival. Bellamy has since developed a relationship with Echo – which could be something we aren't as thrilled by given her previous involvement in trouble (to put it lightly.) While romantic bonds are prevalent in The 100 and most make sense, this seems more out of convenience because of their current living situation and one that most likely won't last too long (hopefully.) But with that being said, we still love you Bellamy! 

 

By the time the season premiere is in its final moments, we catch a brief glimpse at our favorite character Octavia. Firstly, you see two men in the underground bunker fighting gladiator style while onlookers cheer, and Octavia is shown sitting on a throne-like seat watching as if she's become a leader in this primitive population. They might not be the most effective in terms of negotiations, but the group of warriors couldn't have found a better person to call their queen. I suppose we'll have to wait until next week to find out how Octavia ended up as such a powerful, independent, crucial figure to this underground movement.

 

The 100 is one of few series that is able to actually find new places for characters to grow after five seasons. Clarke may not necessarily be my favorite of the characters, but the journey they managed to show in the first half of the episode was necessary and essentially to her progression. The highs of succeeding all the way to her lows of nearly taking her own life provided us all with an understanding of the isolation and loss that she feels. All of that plus seeing Raven kick some ass and Octavia as a leader were enough to convince me that it's going to be a strong season as always.The 100 is finally back with all of its best traits and new strengths, so I can't wait to see where they go next in the quest to survive. 

 

 

– I can't believe I've been covering this series for so long now and I'm extremely glad to return! It's like the family reunion you actually want to attend!

 

– Octavia as an underground bunker queen is everything I needed, now I just want to see her in action. 

 

– Keeping everyone separate for the time being is smart and will be a great way to reintroduce characters as they eventually cross paths in the coming weeks.