The 100: 215 “Blood Must Have Blood – Part 1” Review
Reviewed by Owen Bush.
After last week’s incredible outing, The 100 takes its epic story into the first part of its conclusion and of course, it was gruelling, adventurous, dangerous and most definitely impressive. With the final stretch only a week away, the episode grabbed the viewers by their hairs and gave them a good shaking, because it seems things were to not to be as they seem as blood must have blood, but allies don’t always stay allies.
With the end in sight, and that of the conclusion seeming imminent, we all were rooting for Clarke and her team to rummage through Mount Weather, pick up their friends – possibly killing Cage on the way – and arriving home safely for a nice cup of tea and a lounge around in Grounder headquarters. But as much as I wanted this desirable dream, this is The 100m and it wouldn’t end its richly grim second season without messing with the audience a little.
Nevertheless, the episode began with something I could only compare with a boisterous blockbuster. Bellamy had his sights set on continuing his subtle promise he set during the middle of the season – it was a nice touch, and linked well with sighting the allied plans. As Cage dribbled lies through Mount Weather, it seemed his control over the giant that is Mount Weather was slowly fading. Cage as a character has always been one I couldn’t really analyse very well, as his character is a little generic with his evil tones, but within this, there’s a much deeper connotation – his relationship with his Father, Dante, is either insane or passionate, almost seeming like Cage and his father have a strange relationship, possibly like that of Clarke and Abby (the latter being missing recently) – a nice, subtle comparison.
I was slightly confused why Dante helped Cage; although he may love his people desperately, it seems weird he would so suddenly change his mind, especially due to his son’s actions towards him and others. However, with The 44 stranded within the confines of Mount Weather, the writers cramped up the gore in every direction, looking to be an insanely butchering finale.
Clarke was ready for warfare as we were ready for what seemed to be the most intense episode yet. I’ve talked about Clarke’s (and many other characters’) character development throughout the last 15 weeks reviewing The 100, but as the stakes progress higher and higher, and the end seeming nigh, you fully recognize not just Clarke’s battle-wounded face, but her striking drive to succeed, almost against all odds. It’s triumphant to see such a strong and independent female leader, morally correcting TV shows of that of a similar genre.
Furthermore, I feel like I haven’t shined on Eliza Taylor’s wondrous acting over the past two seasons – her emotion and intelligence is needed to keep the audience entertained. She is the focus – the centre – of this ambiguous, ambitious show, and her skill is needed to keep the audience participation. She plays the role of Clarke with fluency and although it may come across as easy, you can tell she is trying incredibly hard to do her best – it’s perplexing to see for such a young, unknown star. The pacing and sequencing was perfect throughout the episode, but the planning stage of the episode almost structured the episode chronologically, helping motivate the story and stop the severity of complicated story arcs. Again, the whole scene felt like an import from a high-budget movie, or something more dramatic like Game of Thrones – which, The 100 does sometimes throw stunning similarities to.
Indra and Octavia continued to avenge the deaths and alterations to those they have loved, as they scavenge through the darkness of Mount Weather – seriously, the darkness. The only thing that really bothered me during this episode was the intensely ridiculously lighting during these scenes. I understand the directors want the murky and damp tone, but at the same time, these scenes were almost unbearable to try and see. Not a massive flaw perhaps, as this was only the one scene, but it makes audiences stumble during this gripping plot. However, as the episode neared its end, Octavia possibly took my favourite scene of hers from the whole season, with her heroic qualities shining beautifully, she stood away from her leaders, her friends, her homes, and she took a responsibility to protect those who have protected her – her brother, almost shadowing the memories of Season 1, and Octavia and Bellamy’s past, done in a significantly subtle but striking moment.
With all characters nibbling away at their fingernails in doubt at their exasperate plans, it seems relationships were the focus between Wick and Raven, and it was needed for an episode that is so heavy on action. The awkwardness may have been a little cringey compared to the dark themes that are being explored with the other characters, but it made for a realistic approach to love and heartbreak. However, whilst I say this, as the episode continued to throw more at us – the blood was soon to pour as Wick and Raven succeeded in their near-impossible task whilst murdering Mount Weather guards and nearly getting themselves killed. It was intense and fascinating to see these characters who have recently avoided action reach into The 100’s goodie-bag of explosions and have one for themselves, and even with this, Wick was sure to add a slice of humour to the show’s very harsh themes.
All guns blazing, as the real violence we’ve been waiting for since we ever suspected Mount Weather of its evil began. It was severe, and had total recognition of the season as a whole – I absolutely loved its refreshing tone. As this total war began, side-by-side stood Bellamy, Jasper and Maya also fighting for their lives. It was pleasant to see Monty back again, as his character has been a little faded recently, but I’m sure we’ll return to seek his intelligence – that is, if he makes it through this turbulent finale.
It would all come crashing down so soon, too soon, perhaps. With Clarke battling through war, it seemed Lexa had realized that Clarke would never accept her – and with that, she would never owe or love anyone more than her people, as Lexa took one of the most frustrating yet triumphantly crucial moments of the season, forming a truce with Mount Weather, only to leave Clarke to face the wonders of war alone. This piece was incredibly emotional and yet fracturing, with Clarke’s face seeming mental, insane, scared – and with all of these, strangely determined, and although things may seem worse than ever, Clarke, more than anyone, knows blood must have blood, and as a intense and brutal scene concludes this epic of an episode, I’m sure it will…
Verdict: 9.5/10
‘Blood Must Have Blood Part 1’ staggered both the audience and the plot completely, fracturing any previous ideas we had about this conclusive segment of what can only be described as a brutally marvellous Season 2. ‘The 100’ continues to throw honest gore supplemented with realistic emotion to become a show that ignites it’s episodes with flames every week, and I’m sure it will continue to do so.