The 100 Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Remember Me
Amanda Festa
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Clarke has blood on her hands – and The 100 Season 2 Episode 9 deals with the repercussions she faces for killing Finn early in "Remember Me."
In fact, "Remember Me" picks up right where The 100 Season 2 Episode 8 left off. Clarke has blood on her hands – literally. A lot of blood. It is figurative, sure, but in the opening scene it is also right there in the first frame – a reminder of that gut-wrenching moment we have all spent the last few weeks trying to forget.
This is a turning point for Clarke and for the rest of the Ark survivors. First of all, Clarke's actions have forever changed the shape of her character.
While she has killed before in the course of the show, whether it be in self-defense or to end Atom's pain, killing Finn is a defining moment. It has hardened her, surely, and it has also unwittingly cast her in a position of power, but like Spiderman (and Voltaire) reminds us, "with great power comes great responsibility." The question remains, how will Clarke handle this power?
There have been many people shown in leadership roles throughout the series. The Ark has been led at different times by Jaha, Kane and Abby; the Grounders by Anya and Lexa. Now the discussion of leadership is brought to the forefront. It has been clear since the Ark was brought down to the ground that a power struggle has been forming between the old Ark government and the new ways of the young survivors of the 100.
It is finally acknowledged outright that this is a new world and in this new world the students have become the teachers. Clarke is in control and her actions in "Spacewalker" have cast her – without a doubt – as the person people are looking to for answers.
Abby: She's a child. They're being led by a child.
Kane: So are we.
But what kind of leader will she be? "Remember Me" is her call to arms. She is dealing with the emotional fallout of her actions as well as the reactions of those around her. Lexa lets the alliance stick – even though Grounder justice was not adequately served – because she acknowledges that Clarke's actions will haunt her, and that's punishment enough.
And haunt her, they do. Clarke is haunted by hallucinations of Finn. His appearances mark her journey, both through her own guilt and remorse, and also as she joins the trek to bring his body back to the Grounder village. She sees his hand guide hers as she lights the pyre, an affirmation of the knowledge that she is once again doing what needs to be done.
But how does one become a leader for the greater good while dealing with their own grief? Lexa shares the story of Kastia, her girlfriend who was tortured and killed. Lexa believes that love is weakness and leadership and love are mutually exclusive concepts.
The dead are gone, Clarke. The living are hungry.
Lexa
The idea of weakness (love) versus strength (leadership) is one that has got our little shipper hearts pounding tonight. Since early on in the series, I saw the extreme potential of the Clarke and Bellamy pairing. Bellarke fangirling aside, there is no denying their interactions have provided insanely strong character development for both.
Part of what I love about Clarke and Bellamy is their easy way of being with each other. They have a very instinctual chemistry and can get a read off of the other without much explanation. And although they don't always agree, there is a hard-won respect between them that is just fantastically portrayed by Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley.
Bellamy's facial expression when Clarke tells him she doesn't want him infiltrating Mount Weather because she can't lose him? Well, it was just about my favorite moment.
Bellamy: If I'm going to take orders from you, I need a better reason.
Clarke: I can't lose you, too.
But, in the end, Lexa's words hold weight. Love is weakness and to be a successful leader, she can't let her personal emotions cloud her rational judgment. After Bellamy calls out Lexa's right-hand man, Gustus, for poisoning the peace offering as a means to put the kibosh on the alliance, Lincoln asks him how he knew.
He'd do anything for her, to protect her.
Bellamy
It is easy to draw the unspoken parallel to his similar relationship with Clarke, and it is interesting to see Bellamy acknowledge this connection. Unfortunately, at the same time, Clarke is coming to an opposing realization – one that will soon send Bellamy into the eye of the storm brewing at Mount Weather. While I hate to see him go, I am interested to see him take on this mission with Lincoln.
The episode also dealt with Raven's mourning and her slow acceptance of Clarke's actions. Framed for attempting to poison Lexa, she is given the opportunity to work through a range of emotions. But after she is subjected to a significantly less harsh version of the punishment that would have befell Finn, and watches Lexa torture and kill Gustus, she seems to realize the humanity in Clarke's actions.
Ultimately, "Remember Me" said goodbye to Finn, and we will miss him. While Finn's death may have been premature, it was also unavoidable. Even in the face of his crimes, Finn's character had an innocent, incorruptible nature that just couldn't survive in the world they are now living in. His love for Clarke was pure and most certainly led to his demise. As she echoes Lexa's words to his disappearing shadow ("love is weakness"), we can see how the argument can be made. After all, Finn's love for Clarke led to his inevitable downfall.
What's next for Clarke? What does her new outlook mean for the future of Bellarke? Will Bellamy and Lincoln be the next big bromance, or will Bell be the overprotective big brother we all know and love? Who else is excited to see the Grounders and Sky People work together to bring down the Mountain Men?
This episode definitely warrants a re-watch, so be sure to watch The 100 online before next week!
