The 100 Round Table: Burning Down the House
Caralynn Lippo
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Things went from bad... to worse... to sorta okay... and all the way back around to bad again on The 100 Season 4 Episode 5.
During a tense stand-off between Roan's Ice Nation army and Clarke's people, Ilian managed to find the chance to destroy Arkadia. That makes Abby and Raven's nightblood research the only remaining known chance to protect humanity from being completely wiped out by the incoming radiation.
Below, TV Fanatics Yana Grebenyuk and Allison Nichols are joined by Samantha Coley from Tell-Tale TV to discuss everything that went down during “The Tinder Box.“
Check out their thoughts, and chime in with your own by leaving us a comment below. (Be sure to tune in for The 100 Season 4 Episode 6 on Wednesday, March 15th at 9/8c on The CW.)
The Raven and Abby EMP brain damage twist – dramatically compelling/a cool way to move the nightblood plot forward, or just plain aggravating?
Allison: I was really happy to see that actions had consequences. There were warnings that using the EMP could be dangerous and have side effects, and we are actually getting to see that happen. I'm not happy that Raven is seriously injured, again, or that Abby could die, but I was thrilled that there were consequences.
I really liked that ALIE's code is still inside Raven's head. It's so cool to me, and, yeah, it is useful because it does progress the nightblood plot forward. I'm curious if there's any code left in Abby's brain.
Samantha: I'll admit when I first watched it I was terrified. As a huge fan of both ladies, I'm kind of averse to their lives being in extra danger compared to everyone else. But having rewatched The 100 Season 4 Episode 5 a couple of times now, I agree with Allison.
So what? I survive long enough for everyone else to die? I can't do that Abby. Even if it costs me my life, you have to let me go.
Raven
It's satisfying to see the repercussions of The 100 Season 3 in so many different ways past The 100 Season 4 Premiere. Plus, if they both have super brains now, I'm sure they'll figure out how to save each other, along with everyone else.
Yana: I agree with both Samantha and Allison. I was really worried about yet another thing going wrong, but it's also expected to have something that bad carry over from the events of The 100 Season 3.
And the super brains will probably extend beyond saving themselves, which is important... if the hallucinations don't harm them first.
Ilian destroyed Arkadia. What's in store for him now?
Allison: A beat down? I mean, that's my hope. There's no way Skaikru is just going to let him off the hook. I'm not sure how they will punish him, but there will be hell to pay.
Ilian is down a destructive path, but he's not that much different than Octavia right now. Octavia is also on a dark path, and maybe the two of them can work through their shit together.
Samantha: Jail? A nap? The longest time-out ever? Incredible regret and remorse? Listen, I understand what ALIE took from him. I know how it's eating him alive, and he's on a quest for vengeance now. But destroying people's homes is selfish and horrible.
I don't think he should die, but I definitely want to see him come to realize how selfish and awful destroying the Ark was; actions have consequences. He could have smashed up all their tech, but he literally said his goal was to destroy their entire ship, and that puts him on my shit list.
Yana: I'm actually on his side, at least to a point, because I know Arkadia will figure out another way out of this mess.
But the way that Ilian was focused on not harming anyone but the tech stood out to me. He literally turned back to save Niylah and Octavia, because his enemy was this technology that he only saw the negative side effects of.
There's also the fact that he didn't know anything about what's going on with the end of the world. He just thought he was getting rid of this ship that housed dangerous things.
And let's be honest: Who thought it was a good idea to let a grounder that no one knows roam around their one chance at survival? They literally invited him in and then left him alone... what was he supposed to do?
What did you think of how the Sky People/Azgeda stand-off was actually resolved, between Riley's interference, Bellamy talking him down, and Clarke/Roan's cave negotiation?
Allison: I really like that Clarke and Roan solved their issues through discussion and compromise. It shows that not every issue needs to be solved through war.
Honestly, Riley bothered me. WHO LET HIM ON THAT MISSION?! I mean, come on, Skaikru! Point me to the person who allowed him to go, and I will kick his or her ass.
It was just aggravating that people commented on how he shouldn't be on the mission, and yet he still was. I mean, really? It kind of ruined Bellamy's scene with him for me, honestly.
Samantha: The conversation between Clarke and Roan was great. Clarke is such a competent leader/negotiator, and she's unshakable when people threaten her. Like Allison, I really enjoyed that they were able to reach a compromise without fighting.
Your move, Wanheda.
Roan
Riley felt like a huge waste of time. No one would have actually brought him on that mission, and he has zero emotional value for the audience.
It made Bellamy's speech feel hollow. He was an obvious plot device to move the relationship between Bellamy and Echo forward, which is fine, but not all that compelling. Those two could have had a more interesting plot without Riley.
Yana: Someone needs to explain to me how Clarke said she would have let her mother die to stop ALIE, and then gave in to Roan five seconds later to save Bellamy. I have so many questions about that.
I love all the Roan/Clarke scenes because they work as opposing leaders in a sarcastic but understanding way that usually helps both sides. I'm also really excited for a Bellamy/Roan/Clarke road trip, because when it's the three of them, the interactions are even better.
As for Bellamy and Echo understanding each other through Riley, I don't care in the slightest. Bellamy probably will see that he's not defined by the worst example in his life like Echo. But I was just watching and thinking how wonderful that orange glow of the background looked, so you know I wasn't into it.
Niylah returned! What did you think of her reappearance, and what are your hopes for how her character is included in the season ahead?
Allison: I've missed Niylah! I'm so glad she is still helping Clarke and Skaikru out. I'm hoping to see a lot more of her. In what capacity? I have no idea. I just want more of Niylah.
Samantha: Seconding Allison, I'm so ready for more Niylah in any capacity!
Yana: I'm so freaking excited to see Niylah again. She's this genuinely good person who always helps them and is brutally honest with everyone. Very similar to Luna in that sense, someone in Arkadia who could be that sounding board for them.
I'm sure we will be reintroduced to her through Clarke, but I hope that after that she will transition into her own character, much like Echo did.
What was the episode's best moment, scene, or quote?
Allison: I really enjoyed Monty stepping up and showcasing his military skills. He was the MVP of the hour for me. I was just so proud of him.
This is a tinder box. One shot, and we'll be at war.
Monty
Samantha: Raven's euphoria when she finds the rocket. I love this moment between her and Abby; these two ladies care about each other so very much, and they're two of the smartest people on the show. And it's always good to see Raven smile.
Yana: Ilian walking around and planning his big explosion. It's obviously a horrible thing, but I was laughing at how interested he seemed to be in all this. In general, I think I'm a big fan of how Chai plays him from episode to episode. There's different layers there and this week he was scheming the whole time.
Caralynn Lippo is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
