Photo via IMDB
Based on the novel of the same name by Kass Morgan, The 100 takes place nearly a century after a nuclear war wiped out most of life on Earth and left it a radiation-soaked wasteland. The survivors fled the planet and sustained the human race aboard a space station called the Ark. However, when it becomes apparent the Ark cannot support life for much longer, the Council decides to send 100 young offenders (since adult offenders are all executed) to the ground in order to ascertain whether Earth is habitable again.
The show follows the 100 as they try to make camp and survive on Earth despite antagonistic neighbors — which they call “grounders” — as well as those left behind on the Ark who must deal with their own problems as they monitor the 100 and the testy political situation of the space station.
The 100 centers on Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor), Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley), Octavia Blake (Marie Avgeropoulos), Finn Collins (Thomas McDonell), Jasper Jordan (Devon Bostick), Monty Green (Christopher Larkin), and John Murphy (Richard Harmon) who make up the main group of the 100. Meanwhile, Abigail Griffin (Paige Turco), Thelonius Jaha (Isaiah Washington), and Marcus Kane (Henry Ian Cusick) are the central characters on the Ark. Other main characters include Raven Reyes (Lindsey Morgan) and the grounder Lincoln (Ricky Whittle).
Photo via The CW
The 100 is a complex sci-fi teen drama that completely surpasses many other series in both the teen and sci-fi genres. The pilot is a bit rough around the edges — check out my review — and suffers under the strains of explaining the complicated premise of the show, establishing the characters, and hooking the audience to keep them coming back for more. However, The 100 quickly transcends typical growing pains in new series, becoming highly compelling by the end of the third episode, and in the fifth episode completely surpasses expectations.
By the end of the show’s first season, it was clear that The 100 would be 2014’s breakout show — similar to My Mad Fat Diary last year. Not convinced? Here are six reasons The 100 is fantastic and the best new show on television.
[This post contains spoilers for the first season of The 100.]
The Rock-It Show 