The 100: 1×03 “Earth Kills” (EPISODE REVIEW)

Surprising everyone, this show continues to get better and better. Although not emotionally attached to the characters and storyline yet, the episode does an extremely well job to engage even distracted viewers. While I was watching ‘Earth Kills’ my family was passing in and out of the room (annoying, yes), but occasionally they’d have to stop and watch because it just held a certain amount of gravitas that didn’t exist in previous episodes. I was planing on dropping the show after this episode if it didn’t pick up. If this episode is any indication, the 100 might actually be a decent series, guys.

The pilot was riddled with average primetime television writing, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth. The second episode was only slightly better, removing most of the terrible one-liners while introducing us to the typical young adult dystopian terminology you can expect from the genre. But this episode is a departure from the camp lines and your atypical teen dystopia, at least in my opinion. Perhaps in my determination to give a new series a chance I’m being too lax on judgement, but I honestly think this episode held some serious improvement, and I found myself surprised more than a few times.

We already knew that this future earth was a dangerous venue, but this episode takes it to a new level. A storm of sorts, which appeared to be a mix of hurricane, tornado, sandstorm, ravaged through the forest exhibiting signs of sulfur mustard (mustard gas) on its victims. It was a very scary thing, especially when you got to see the repercussions to one character later. Man. I’ll refrain from spoiling this episode, but I will say that it takes a stronger man than I not to quiver at the thought of what happens.

Apparently in space they didn’t have alcohol. Or at least it was a strictly forced luxury nobody had access to. In hiding from the storm we learn quite a bit about the past relations of Clarke and Wells and why she now hates him. She believed it was Wells who ratted out his father’s plan, getting him “floated” (ejected) from the ark. Where as in past episodes the flashbacks hindered the episodes structure, to episode needed them. Very LOST-like, at least in how well the flashbacks were executed, if not in sheer likeness.

The episode held a strong overtone of death, asking everyone the moral question “if you needed to someone out of misery, would you?” Could you? More than one character faced this dilemma, a strange thing being that it’s so early in the show. But not everyone makes it out alive by the end of the episode. A shock ending also ensues, and boy is it heavy handed and unexpected (unless you’re familiar with a certain unfortunate stereotype). This show isn’t scared to get its hands dirty, and often. It’s gritty, it’s frightening, and it’s got a surprising amount of heart, if you can get past the occasional lines that you roll your eyes at. Should you be watching The 100? After this episode, I’d say yes. If you want to give this show a chance, watch up to at least episode 3, Earth Kills.

3 thoughts on “The 100: 1×03 “Earth Kills” (EPISODE REVIEW)

  1. This episode was also my tipping point. The first episode is pretty awful. The only reason I kept watching was because people had warned me about it. But you’re right, there’s something about this episode that just kind of sucks you in. That being said, I haven’t actually watched anymore episodes yet – but I plan to…

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  2. Reblogged this on Hannah's Scribbles: and commented:
    My initial skepticism for “The 100” was entirely to do with the premise (If nuclear warfare devastated the planet, it would not be hospitable in just three generations). Nevertheless, I watched and was surprised. Unlike “Star-Crossed,” which began with an interesting premise and is threatening to become a romance-driven story, “The 100” really a better job of keeping your attention on its gritty story line. The friendships forged in this bleak future seem more complex and more challenging than your average CW show. With main characters who are interesting in and of themselves, I foresee future romantic plots acting as a respite from the harsher realities of life on Earth. If the show’s quality continues building, consider me in for the long haul.

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