In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's The 100.
"A Sort of Homecoming" was written by Sean Crouch and directed by Jessica Harmon
Well, the mystery of what happened to Gaia turned out to be incredibly disappointing. It had nothing to do with the mythology of the season. It was simply the narrative removing her from the board likely because Tati Gabrielle was less available this season. Yes, it all leads the narrative back to Earth. The season has been hinting at that being the final destination for the series. The various strands of humanity would make it back to safety on the planet they all once called home. A war just has to be fought before that conclusion can occur. In Bill's mind, it's a war he has been preparing to fight for a long time. He has formed a civilization entirely built around the need to prevail and transcend. He sees it as the only viable option for humanity. No one has a choice in the matter. That too is an overwhelming idea throughout this episode. Bill persuades people to fighting alongside him by depriving them of any choice whatsoever. Sure, Sheidheda gets to decide the way he will retrieve Madi for the Disciples. But that's certainly less power than he has typically functioned with over the course of this season. He still manages to survive though. It will be rewarding when Indra finally does get to kill him. It's thrilling to see her and Gaia working together once more. But again, it's clear the show is just delaying some of the inevitable moments. The audience gets the sense early on that Clarke destroying the helmet would eventually be problematic. The human race simply can't deny or forget the progress made. Once a discovery occurs, it becomes all-consuming to the world for better or worse. It becomes a part of humanity's DNA. The show has always stated that the human race was destined to fight amongst itself. It will always end in war. It has stated that mission and purpose over and over again. Friends turn against each other. Clarke killed Bellamy in order to protect Madi. That was such a frustrating decision because the show really did blow up that character completely in its final season. Some twist could still occur. Sheidheda is healed from his injuries quickly here. Bill had a purpose for him. Not much time is spent actually mourning Bellamy's loss though. Clarke is upfront about what she did. This is actually a very introspective hour that allows the characters to reflect on the journeys they have been on this season. This final year has been packed with so many plot developments. It has been overstuffed and underdeveloped at times. It's frustrating because it was unclear why the audience should continue to invest in every twist and turn that was happening. It shocked us just to prove that it still could. Bellamy's death did that. It just wasn't satisfying and rewarding. Octavia and Echo both admit that he truly died a long time ago. A stranger just happened to take over his body. His need for clarity eventually clashed with what this section of humanity needed from one another. Clarke wants her friends to survive. That's why she breaks the helmet. That doesn't keep Madi safe from the threats out there in the universe. It's not long before Bill understands just how important she is. Madi wants to protect her friends as well. Gabriel dies seemingly because they allow themselves to find peace on Earth once more. It's a premature decision. It's still rewarding to see Miller and Jackson in bed together talking about hope and survival. It's still uplifting for Jordan and Hope to continue bonding over the losses they've shared. It's still meaningful for Octavia to address her past as Blodreina. A lot of character moments like that work in this episode. It's also a lot of fun for Niylah to get drunk over alcohol she made a long time ago. These characters can still bond over the need to survive even in the most impossible of circumstances. They want to spread that joy and salvation to as much of humanity as possible. The consequences are simply always deadly though. Madi travels back to the Disciples believing it will keep her loved ones safe. In reality, it means a bomb is sent back to the bunker that surprisingly does damage to the structure despite it staying intact for so long. These plot complications do drag the narrative down. The season has been unfocused with too much effort shown to hopefully make the big moments work. Gabriel's peace with death was inherent in his character awhile ago. It just feels random and jarring for it to happen now. He returns to Earth. He has found his peace. It just means everyone else mourns about yet another friend dying because war is seemingly the only way to survive.
Well, the mystery of what happened to Gaia turned out to be incredibly disappointing. It had nothing to do with the mythology of the season. It was simply the narrative removing her from the board likely because Tati Gabrielle was less available this season. Yes, it all leads the narrative back to Earth. The season has been hinting at that being the final destination for the series. The various strands of humanity would make it back to safety on the planet they all once called home. A war just has to be fought before that conclusion can occur. In Bill's mind, it's a war he has been preparing to fight for a long time. He has formed a civilization entirely built around the need to prevail and transcend. He sees it as the only viable option for humanity. No one has a choice in the matter. That too is an overwhelming idea throughout this episode. Bill persuades people to fighting alongside him by depriving them of any choice whatsoever. Sure, Sheidheda gets to decide the way he will retrieve Madi for the Disciples. But that's certainly less power than he has typically functioned with over the course of this season. He still manages to survive though. It will be rewarding when Indra finally does get to kill him. It's thrilling to see her and Gaia working together once more. But again, it's clear the show is just delaying some of the inevitable moments. The audience gets the sense early on that Clarke destroying the helmet would eventually be problematic. The human race simply can't deny or forget the progress made. Once a discovery occurs, it becomes all-consuming to the world for better or worse. It becomes a part of humanity's DNA. The show has always stated that the human race was destined to fight amongst itself. It will always end in war. It has stated that mission and purpose over and over again. Friends turn against each other. Clarke killed Bellamy in order to protect Madi. That was such a frustrating decision because the show really did blow up that character completely in its final season. Some twist could still occur. Sheidheda is healed from his injuries quickly here. Bill had a purpose for him. Not much time is spent actually mourning Bellamy's loss though. Clarke is upfront about what she did. This is actually a very introspective hour that allows the characters to reflect on the journeys they have been on this season. This final year has been packed with so many plot developments. It has been overstuffed and underdeveloped at times. It's frustrating because it was unclear why the audience should continue to invest in every twist and turn that was happening. It shocked us just to prove that it still could. Bellamy's death did that. It just wasn't satisfying and rewarding. Octavia and Echo both admit that he truly died a long time ago. A stranger just happened to take over his body. His need for clarity eventually clashed with what this section of humanity needed from one another. Clarke wants her friends to survive. That's why she breaks the helmet. That doesn't keep Madi safe from the threats out there in the universe. It's not long before Bill understands just how important she is. Madi wants to protect her friends as well. Gabriel dies seemingly because they allow themselves to find peace on Earth once more. It's a premature decision. It's still rewarding to see Miller and Jackson in bed together talking about hope and survival. It's still uplifting for Jordan and Hope to continue bonding over the losses they've shared. It's still meaningful for Octavia to address her past as Blodreina. A lot of character moments like that work in this episode. It's also a lot of fun for Niylah to get drunk over alcohol she made a long time ago. These characters can still bond over the need to survive even in the most impossible of circumstances. They want to spread that joy and salvation to as much of humanity as possible. The consequences are simply always deadly though. Madi travels back to the Disciples believing it will keep her loved ones safe. In reality, it means a bomb is sent back to the bunker that surprisingly does damage to the structure despite it staying intact for so long. These plot complications do drag the narrative down. The season has been unfocused with too much effort shown to hopefully make the big moments work. Gabriel's peace with death was inherent in his character awhile ago. It just feels random and jarring for it to happen now. He returns to Earth. He has found his peace. It just means everyone else mourns about yet another friend dying because war is seemingly the only way to survive.
