The 100 Season 5 Episode 3 Preview: The Wait is Finally Over
Yana Grebenyuk
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The last place we left off during The 100 Season 5 Episode 2 included an update of how things are going in the bunker right now, specifically with Kane walking into the fighting pits that Octavia created.
Taking this episode and The 100 Season 5 Episode 1 into account, we are now all caught up. The steps we took to catch up with where all of our favorites are so far and how they got there is complete.
The 100 Season 5 Episode 3 is using the title "Sleeping Giants" which doesn't give too much away, but it is safe to assume that this is about the prisoners that are still in the cryo chambers in space.
And the synopsis for the episode is, "Bellamy (Bob Morley) leads the charge investigating a potential way home. Meanwhile, Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and Madi (guest star Lola Flanery “Home Again,” “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”) deal with the new, uncertain threat to their home."
Now, this preview may contain some light teases about the third episode, with a specific focus on characters and scenes that have been discussed before or have been included in promotional videos and/or photos.
Proceed with caution if you like to be kept in the dark, but really, who likes that?
Space and Our Bellamy Blake Shaped Hero
Last we saw our out of this world space group they found a beacon of light in the prisoner ship. Now we know this was when Charmaine, Zeke, McCreary, and the others headed down to terrorize Clarke and Madi on the ground.
Sleeping Giants though picks up exactly where we left off; the core seven are trying to make sense of how they can get back home when they don't have fuel of their own.
They only have enough to get to the other ship and either ask for help or form a plan once they see what is going on there. It is obvious to us that they can knock on that door all they want, no one is home. Or rather, no one is home that can open the door.
This episode is big for the space seven because they don't get their own flashback episode, from here on out we follow along in present time and this is the first real time that we have seen them all working together on an adventure.
The dynamics are surprising, and yet it also feels like we never took a break from watching all of these characters interact with each other.
I will continue to mention that the Bellamy/Raven bond that was created at the end of The 100 Season 4 Episode 13 continues to be touched upon, with this episode possibly being the best one yet for them. They are sarcastic, and their banter is familiar, it is fun, and it offers some relief in between things hitting the fan.
Now while it seems like getting to the new ship solves their problems, they don't account for the fact that things get a little more complicated.
As the promo for the episode teased, the plan somehow turns to someone needed to stay behind for a very important reason.
In fact, I would say this entire episode has a big focus on what is important, and fans aren't even remotely ready for what this means.
Bellamy Blake though, this is his world and we are just living on it. There have been many layers to Bellamy over the seasons, and this episode is a reminder that there are even more to come our way.
There is plenty of Bellamy scenes in 5x03 that I could and plan to explore, but the core of them all come down to his heart. Things have changed up in space but what hasn't is the genuine constant desire to keep the people he loves safe.
Sleeping Giants reflects beautifully on this idea of the lengths that Bellamy will go to not only get everyone to the ground but also to keep them safe. This extends even more when you consider the question of who his people are and how that grows to include others.
Related: The 100: Bellamy and Clarke's Destruction of the Friend Zone
The Ground and Clarke/Madi Worry
Things were only getting worse on the ground for our two favorite survivors. When the episode picks back up, we are thrust right back into that action of Clarke and Madi fighting back against these new visitors.
The promo confirmed that Charmaine, Zeke, and McCreary are going to come face to face with at least Clarke.
They know she isn't alone though and that creates a problem because friendship just doesn't seem to be in the cards right now.
While this episode gives us more Clarke and Madi scenes, it also shines a light on these new characters that we have met so far.
Their reaction to Clarke and Madi's existence and the way they interact not only with one another but with Clarke as well says plenty.
These characters may be on one side, but they are extremely different. You see why they manage to work together, yet you also see that their journeys before they were traveling through space plays a big part in shaping how they approach situations right now.
Charmaine stands out the most though, so keep an eye on here especially when she is sharing the screen with Clarke. There is an awareness there that might surprise you.
As for Zeke, I could listen to him talk forever and for an episode that focuses heavily on the struggle that Clarke faces now that she has to fight back to survive again, this new character still somehow finds the time to be a freaking scene stealer.
Related: The 100: Clarke Griffin's Positive Bisexual Representation
Episode Structure Like No Other
Frustration. Expectation.
These two words have been on my mind since I saw the episode, and they are utilized quite often within the context of Sleeping Giants.
There are expectations that we as fans bring to the table, and it feels like it is heard throughout the episode. It doesn't mean that it gets used, but it is played around with in different variations.
In a way, it leaves you just breathless as you wait to see what happens next. It also manages to take you down multiple roads all in the scope of one episode, with both the writing and the directing aspects of Sleeping Giants lending a hand to this adventure that we are taken on.
Two groups are separated by literal Earth and space, but they have to come together at some point, and we have reached the time when it seems as possible as ever.
There is so much happening that it doesn't feel like you watched it all in under an hour, and I say this in the very best way.
5x03 will have you honestly wondering how there is time for all of this; it is fast-paced in a way that helps the show as a whole. So far we have gotten stories of everyone we love, and yet all we want is for them to come together again. Allowing there to be obstacles helps create arcs for the future and even sets up some wonderful moments for us fans.
But these obstacles aren't there for the sake of having something in the way, there is a reason for it, and it isn't prolonged to leave us in anticipation that could go on for three more episodes.
Everything is coming together again, and it is only just the beginning.
But I couldn't preview the episode without inviting you to pay attention to the story building that occurs from writers Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntyre.
As you absorb the way that they dialogue brings the episode together, also watch the way that Tim Scanlan directs the episode because it adds another layer to the beautifully creative journey that is highlighted even more with the way that certain scenes are filmed and presented to us.
Related: The 100: Mental Health and The Necessity of Moving On
Stray Thoughts
- I just have to tell you that 5x03 delivered probably my new favorite scene from the entire show. It is emotionally charged, dialogue shattering, and the cinematography created a remarkable moment. All you need to know though is that you all are about to have new dialogue to scream about for months. Important dialogue.
- Two characters share a scene, and nothing will be the same for my sanity again. It can't be called a reunion if the characters never met before, right?
- We finally get some quality time with our new favorite guy Zeke, and it is very enlightening.
- I have legitimate thoughts about Echo now, but first, you have to catch what exactly has me curious about a potential upcoming storyline.
- There is a glimpse of a newly formed friendship between two people in space, and I am here for it. There is nothing like a supportive and inspiring bond to help remind us how pure our favorite characters are.
The 100 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
Stick around TV Fanatic for more episode previews and reviews of this upcoming season, and watch The 100 online if you need to catch up on the adventure.
Yana Grebenyuk was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in April 2021.
