In ‘Hakeldama’, The 100 draws a line in the sand when it comes to reacting toward injustice. Each of our major characters are given opportunities in this matter and each of them have something different to say. These moments serve as the most direct insight into where The 100 wants to take us. Characters are either going to learn from past mistakes, or allow the past to continue its vicious cycle. At the end of ‘Hakeldama’ (which translates to “Field of Blood”), claims are staked and positions are taken. For now.
Clarke and Lexa have finally come to rule on the same wavelength. Initially, Lexa keeps Clarke “prisoner” once they discover the field of massacred Grounders caused by Pike, Bellamy and Skaikru. It isn’t long until Lexa lets Clarke have a shot at trying to understand the situation at Arkadia as she goes on a covert mission to meet with Bellamy. In the end, despite Bellamy betraying Clarke in a heartbreaking scene, Clarke escapes and is able to convince Lexa that old “eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” lesson is true. If there’s to be Grounder retaliation, it won’t come from the hand of Lexa.
Bellamy has every opportunity in the world in ‘Hakeldama’ to reverse his decision to join Pike’s army. He defends himself saying he’s always been this person and, in some ways, he’s right. Bellamy grew up as a selfish protector, willing to sacrifice anything and everything for his sister and only his sister. Octavia is the only person who can truly convince Bellamy of something and even though she currently identifies herself as a Grounder, Bellamy believes that this newfound strength keeps her safe. His relationship with Lincoln seems destined for doom, however, as Bellamy cements himself as the enemy in Lincoln’s eyes. Bellamy doesn’t want to hurt Lincoln, but he believes Trikru as a whole are responsible for this entire mess started back when The 100 first landed on earth. I’d love to see more feisty bro-downs between these two as friends and Bob Morely and Ricky Whittle have a really easy chemistry that is fun to watch. I have a feeling that train has come and gone.
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Getting back to Bellamy’s scene with Clarke, all of the Bellarke ‘shippers out there surely had their heart torn out as we were led down what felt like a road of healing and accord, only for Bellamy to slap handcuffs on Clarke’s wrist. I don’t believe Bellamy and Clarke make a good romantic couple, but they do make a good King and Queen. If they could be co-Chancellors, I’d vote for them. They understand each other’s faults, failings and strengths more than any other duo on the show and have truly been through hell together. When Bellamy looked as if he might backtrack his newfound path with Pike, I should’ve been more wary of my joy. The 100 doesn’t have to kill off characters to provide a good gut punch. It has deftly made us invested in these people’s futures and this moment is a sure step back. Delicious.
And then we have Thelonious Jaha. For a man that has given himself over to death in sacrifice of his own people, it makes the most sense he would be The 100‘s take on faith or religion. His faith-based trek across the Wasteland was entirely biblical and he found exactly what he was looking for! Of course he now feels assured in his beliefs, even if they are most definitely a horrifyingly rotten cyber-evil.
The 100 has been very, very light on religion, almost suggesting that this new world is post-religion. There isn’t mention of any of the major religions or figures and characters seem to believe in themselves and the basic will of good when it comes to deity. I’ve found this to be an incredibly refreshing and hopeful take on the apocalypse. Our biggest enemies are ourselves and the only thing that will change that is ourselves. In today’s society, we see religion and technology as entirely mutually exclusive. We created technology, not God. That society is gone in The 100, and it makes sense that in a world devoid of technology and religion, that they become the same thing. We don’t yet know the motives of A.L.I.E. or the City of Light but they are using Jaha as their Son and guiding his hand when spreading the good word.
In the path of this evangelism, we find Raven. Poor, poor Raven. She’s arguably the strongest character on the show and her despondency regarding her physicality is heartbreaking. She’s smart but she doesn’t know yet how to employ her brain without her physical self as well. She’d do anything for a cure to her injury. Enter Jaha. Raven initially refutes Jaha’s claims but we know that won’t last long. She takes the “red pill” and discovers that the pain is gone. A.L.I.E. has another crusader and a very powerful one at that.
For a plot that originally scared me as I didn’t feel the need to employ technology as a story element in this world, I couldn’t feel more different today. The City of Light represents religion, technology and drugs and temptation all in one. For a world where tribal fighting is the biggest cause of discord, everyone on earth pretty much has it figured out. Everything terrible in the world has been jettisoned but it’s all about to come back as one mean, pissed-off ex-boyfriend. This might be The 100‘s most brilliant move yet.
“People die when you’re in charge!” – Bellamy
Check out Monkey Fighting Robots’ reviews of previous episodes of ‘The 100’ here:
