The 100 Round Table: The Point of No Return

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Have you started breathing again after the shocking events of The 100 Season 2 Episode 12

Clarke makes a controversial decision, Octavia and Lincoln reunite and we meet a new group of desert dwelling survivors. After "Rubicon," we have so many questions, starting with how the writers fit so much action in one hour! 

TV Fanatic staff writers Lindsay MacDonald, Paul Dailly and Amanda Festa, along with TV Fanatic Super Fan Marko Pekic, zero in on the events of "Rubicon" and what it means for the future of The 100.

Was Clarke justified in her actions in regards to the missile launch? Do you think she should have handled things differently?

Lindsay: What I love most about this show is that there is no right or wrong, just people making impossible choices. If there had been some 'last minute idea' to save everyone, then it wouldn't be The 100, you know? There is no deus ex machina to swoop in at the last minute and fix everything. As tragic and cold-hearted as it was to watch Clarke abandon all those people, I think it only adds more depth to her character and a really dicey secret for Abby, Lexa, and Clarke to be keeping from their people.

Marko: Clarke's decision showed us just how much she has changed. The Clarke we once knew would never handle things this way and her father and Finn wouldn't be proud. She is playing with other peoples lives and that is a line Clarke would never cross. Clarke cherishes life and sacrificing anyone no matter Grounder or Sky People is not acceptable. I know a war is brewing and people are going to die, but it's terrible to choose who is going to die and who is going to live. Also, was anyone else disappointed that the Ice Nation was just another fraction of the Grounders? I hoped they would get a huge icy introduction next season.

Paul: I don't know. Everything happened so fast and she acted like anyone else would. She was nervous and Lexa being in her ear didn't exactly help. In a way, I think she owed it to the Grounders to tell them and save everyone, but Lexa had a point that they'd know there was a mole.

Amanda: I agree with Lindsay, one of the most best and most unique aspects of The 100 is that there is no easy answer or quick fix to the problems at hand. Where other shows might have had a last-minute solution, The 100 doesn't sacrifice quality for safety. And I think it does impact our viewing experience. Because on other shows, when watching a tense episode, part of my brain is queued in to "Well, they would never kill x, or y would never do that," and with The 100, we know that's not the case.

Like Marko says, the character has grown a lot. I personally think her arc is similar to that of a character like Rick on The Walking Dead. Once they reach the brink, they pull back and re-evaluate their methods and it's a circular pattern where there is a constant push and pull between their humanity and ability to lead successfully. 

The anticipation for the battle at Mount Weather has been building for some time. After the events of "Rubicon," the gloves are off. How will the missile strike impact the type of battle we see going forward?

Lindsay: I think it will have exactly the effect that Lexa hoped, uniting the Grounders even more against the Mountain Men. But you have to be a little worried for those kiddos inside Mount Weather now. They're innocent in this fight, but very few people will be inclined towards mercy after a missile strike.

Marko: It looks like the missile will give the Alliance the upper hand in this war, because Cage thinks he's already won after using the missile. Overall, I agree with Lindsay that this will unite the Grounders, but it also can tear them apart. I'm curious to see how the writers will use this story later on.

Paul: I think Mount Weather is setting themselves up to fail. The missile is a war crime. It signals that the war has begun. I don't think Mount Weather stands a chance against the Grounders.

Amanda: The missile strike definitely ups the ante. Where I was already predicting the Grounders being pretty merciless when it comes to the folks at Mount Weather, I think all bets are off now. Lexa and the Grounders are not going to be receptive to any suggestions of taking it easy. Before the missile, I think Clarke would have fought Lexa on this. But, like Paul says, the missile is a distinct act of war and, post-missile, I think the Sky People are going to be much more easily persuaded into doing whatever it takes to win.

Lincoln hasn't gone full-reaper yet, and it appears that Octavia isn't holding a grudge. Will Bellamy be as forgiving?

Lindsay: I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get more from that revelation that Lincoln let Bellamy get captured. I was hoping Octavia would be just a smidge more upset about it. If we know one thing about Bellamy, it's that he's volatile and totally capable of holding a grudge. I don't think he'll be so quick to forgive.

Marko: Doubt that Bellamy will hold a grudge against Lincoln, especially if the rescue mission ends well. Octavia's speech was so powerful. I loved it. I could really feel the relief on her face when she saw Lincoln. I just hope they will give the addiction story more space to develop because I'm really enjoying it.

Paul: No way. He'd be dead if Maya's curiosity ever got the best of her. The two of them won't get on well ever again. Bellamy will probably make Octavia choose between them.

Amanda: From what we know about Bellamy's character, I don't think he will be quick to forgive. Not only did he basically sign Bellamy's death sentence, but he put the Grounders and Arkers future in jeopardy.  However, who knows? I was surprised Octavia was so quick to overlook it. Sure, she was relieved to see him alive, but she heard from his own mouth that he hung her brother out to dry and she barely batted an eyelash. That was unexpected. Marko makes a good point about the addiction storyline. Because there is that angle there, Lincoln's actions can be perceived in a much more sympathetic light. 

We met a new character and learned of another group of survivors. What are your first impressions of Emori and the Wastelanders?

Lindsay: This show doesn't even have to try to do romances, they just pop out of the woodwork on their own. Murphamy can take a backseat to Memori any day. That being said, I'm a little nervous about the Wastelanders. We know next to nothing about them, except they somehow have rocket launchers. That's terrifying.

Marko: Emori was intriguing, I enjoyed the bond between her and Murphy. But currently I can't get invested in the Wastelander story, because there is a little war going on. But, when the war passes, I can see them being an intriguing threat.

Paul: I liked Emori. It was a good twist that she was leading Camp Jaha to trouble, but she was doing what she had to to survive. Anyone would. The Wastelanders seem like an interesting bunch.

Amanda: I am particularly enjoying the Murphy character development we have been getting in the last couple of episodes. If you had told me in The 100 Season 1 that Murphy would become one of my favorite characters to watch, I would have been skeptical. I am a huge fan of anti-heroes with growth potential and Murphy has the makings of a great one. His genuine connection with Emori was instant and believable. She gave him an opportunity for a fresh start, but he chose to be up front about his "bad guy" status and I liked that. I am really excited to learn more about the Wastelanders. They live on the outskirts, and they seem most impacted physically by the radiation. What is their relationship to the others on the ground? I am very curious to find out!

What are your thoughts on Jaha's faith-based journey to the City of Light and the role that Murphy plays in this quest?

Lindsay: Jaha has been sounding a little preachy to me lately, so I'm glad Murphy is there to provide some comic relief. I'd love for the whole trek through the desert based on nothing but faith, trust, and pixie dust to work out for everyone, but this is The 100. It's going to end in tears. I also can't help but see the parallels between Jaha's journey and the Exodus story, and I'm worried our ex-Chancellor might pull a Moses and never make it to the Promised Land.

Marko: I think Jaha is pushing it a bit to far at this point. When he started this journey, I liked his optimistic approach, but now it just seems like an act of desperation. Murphy has really gathered positive momentum; his character has edge and his interaction with Jaha is really great. Murphy's harsh look at the world cancels out Jaha's blind optimism and makes them really entertaining to watch. Currently, they are easy prey in the Dead Zone, let's see who will hunt them next.

Paul: It was a very odd pairing to begin with, but I'm loving the direction it is going. I expect some more peril before they reach their destination.

Amanda: I think it's such an interesting choice to start this plot while so much is going down at Camp Jaha, Ton DC and Mount Weather. Like Marko mentions, it's hard to deviate focus from the battle at hand. Yet, how genius to bring in this faith-based journey to a destination filled with so much hope? However, if The 100 has taught us anything, it's that things are very rarely what they seem. I don't foresee their future in the City of Light being very bright! 

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The 100 Season 2 Episode 12 Quotes

Touch me again and I'll end you. In a non-criminal way.

Murphy

Being a good leader means knowing which battles to fight.

Kane