The 100: 15 Most Effective Cliffhangers

The 100 found most of its success in the element of surprise, specifically with the way that each episode heightened the expectations for the following episode.

Throughout the past five seasons, the show has managed to introduce a few cliffhangers that could even be considered iconic.

But what really works when using cliffhangers as a writing device in your work is using it effectively, allowing it to influence future episodes and to make a statement with it. The 100 has leaned on that many times, usually to serve as a reminder that the stakes are always higher on the show.

From death to destruction to utter chaos, there is never a question that a cliffhanger on The 100 will have a lasting impact moving forward for all of the characters involved.

Which cliffhanger(s) did you find most effective?

1. "Pilot"

Although The 100 is known for picking up the quality after the first four episodes, the ending of The 100 Season 1 Episode 1 makes it clear that the stakes are higher than any of the characters could have expected.

2. "Unity Days"

The delinquents and the adults thinking that the other group is dead was a way for the show to use the element of surprise and lack of knowledge well. The delinquents had to make tough choices to survive because they thought they were the only ones left with the way The 100 Season 1 Episode 9 ended.

3. "We Are Grounders – Part II"

A first season finale is crucial, it is what convinces your audience that your story can continue to thrive with new ideas. Introducing Mount Weather during The 100 Season 1 Episode 13 left the fans completely intrigued about The 100 Season 2, and the faith of two male leads left some room for fun teases about if they were even still alive.

4. "Spacewalker"

Finn represented the originality of The 100, and with his death, during The 100 Season 2 Episode 8 came the realization that no one was truly safe. Ending the episode on that note also conveniently made the hiatus start on a shocking and interesting note.

5. "Survival of the Fittest"

Bellamy just had a really hard return back to Camp Jaha. He was reunited with his partner who sent him to a possible death, then he thought of a plan with his sister's boyfriend who left him to be harvested because of his addiction. This was when The 100 truly pulled no punches so knowing that Bellamy was facing a terrifying faith was using the love the fans had for their favorite to have them at the edge of their seats at the end of The 100 Season 2 Episode 10.

6. "Blood Must Have Blood, Part One"

That parallel of Clarke, Bellamy, and Octavia all facing Mount Weather from different directions all alone was a beautiful choice to end The 100 Season 2 Episode 15 with. It made us feel like there was no way they would win this, and there was nothing predictable about the finale itself.

7. "Watch the Thrones"

Bellamy never did anything wrong in his life ever, but watching him commit to a group that the audience was meant to question was definitely a creative way to prepare fans for his arc during The 100 Season 3 Episode 4. But his people being murdered and his girlfriend getting killed is all water under the bridge now, right?

8. "Thirteen"

The 100 Season 3 Episode 7 was controversial, to say the least, it still continues to be a choice that The 100 made that then spiraled into other ones each season that face backlash. Losing Lexa was hard enough for fans, but the instruction of the flame was effective if only because the show is nearing its sixth season and it still can't seem to unclench this plot so do with that what you will.

9. "Join or Die"

There was this buildup that came with Luna being introduced so having her emerge mysteriously and deny the role of Commander during The 100 Season 3 Episode 13 was pretty epic. It didn't rush showing us who this character is, giving us a tease and then leaving us with that as we prepared for a whole episode dedicated to her.

10. "The Tinder Box"

The fourth season faced some uneasiness about how much time was wasted on a solution of the week plotlines that never amounted to anything, but Ilian burning down the ship during The 100 Season 4 Episode 5 was a significant sign that they wouldn't just be able to survive the end of the world so easily.

11. "Die All, Die Merrily"

The audience followed Bellamy as he was kidnapped at the end of The 100 Season 4 Episode 10, so interchanging his realization that Clarke had to grab him before they shut the bunker was twice as chilling. Then you add Octavia and the grounders seeing that they can't get inside and it all becomes a real question of what could possibly happen next.

12. "Praimfaya"

If that time jump wasn't enough of a shakeup, getting to check in with Clarke during The 100 Season 4 Episode 13 as she talks to Bellamy thinking he came back is the perfect way to structure suspense and worry for what actually happened the past six years. Of course, sometimes those questions don't actually need answers.

13. "Sleeping Giants"

There is no reason to pretend like fans weren't waiting for Bellamy and Clarke to reunite. Having The 100 Season 5 Episode 3 building up to that moment and then ending with an iconic recognization of how much these two matter made up for the fact that it was the last scene of the episode.

14. "How We Get To Peace"

Bellamy poisoning Octavia is a game-changing choice for the show, and regardless of whether it felt like this twist and the impact that it had was explored enough, it was still effective to end The 100 Season 5 Episode 8 that way.

15. "Damocles – Part Two"

Although there is a case to be made for a new planet being an effective cliffhanger earlier on in the season. Still, ending The 100 Season 5 Episode 13 on that note increased the curiosity going into the upcoming The 100 Season 6.