Five ways The 100 is breaking TV boundaries
Fluid sexuality, war games and female characters offer a strong social commentary
In an industry where ratings seem to be decreasingly relevant and the value placed on social media engagement is high among network bigwigs, few series have taken Instagram and Twitter by storm like Vancouver-shot series The 100.
Based originally on the trilogy penned by Kass Morgan, the apocalyptic series follows 100 delinquent minors from a space colony low on resources who travel to a nuclearriddled Earth to see if it is habitable. A Lord of the Flies- inspired social experiment ensues as the teens learn to navigate the land and fend off attacks from those who made a home there after the thermonuclear cataclysm.
Since its 2014 premiere, The100 has strayed far from the original source material, creating a world in which LGBTQ and female role models shine through unlike few other shows on television. In turn, The 100 has managed to attract a rabid fan base starved for such material, quietly changing expectations in a dynamic series with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Here’s a look at how the CW series, also available on Netflix Canada, is poised to continue breaking boundaries and offering up strong social commentary in its just debuted third season. The LGBTQ characters In an early scene from the Season 3 premiere, main character Clarke (Eliza Taylor) is intimate with another female.
According to showrunner Jason Rothenberg, that scene was intentionally designed to solidify Clarke as a bisexual character without needing a debate or dialogue about her sexuality as part of the storyline.
That silence speaks volumes about accepting gender fluidity and sexuality without explanation, yet it’s something rarely done on television. The female leaders Having a character the media can describe as a “strong, powerful woman” isn’t a new thing; in fact it could be overrated. But having several complex female role models who are respected in their communities, able to interact with each other, battle with the best of the dudes and define their own sexuality certainly is.
While there is an equal mix of gender on The 100, it’s been Clarke, Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Octavia (Thunder Bay, Ont.’s Marie Avgeropoulos), Raven (Lindsey Morgan) and Abigail (Paige Turco) who have saved the day on numerous occasions, standing up for their beliefs and being treated like true equals among their various camps. War games Throughout two seasons, war has been a large part of the show, as the “Sky People” (those who came from the colony) have battled various “Grounders” (those who inhabited the Earth after the nuclear event). Each season has focused on one particular war with a common enemy, showcasing the strategies and sacrifices involved.
Certainly, TV series have taken greater risks with character deaths since Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, but this is a show that isn’t afraid to showcase what true sacrifice looks like in the name of the greater good.
It also showcases the effects of those decisions; if a character is hurt — physically or emotionally — they aren’t miraculously cured the following week. Social commentary If at their core humans are self-destructive, The 100 doesn’t shy away from that belief. History is often repeated on the series and the pros and cons of ideologies explored, from communism and dictatorships to influential leaders with the power to expel entire populations.
In keeping with the current American political climate, the third season features a Donald Trump-type character with some scary ideas about how to best serve his people, even if it means spreading hate and prejudice for his own greater good. Social media love Although the show has garnered online attention from fans, part of that success is due to the off-screen antics of the cast and producers.
The stars are quite active on social media, following along with fans during live broadcasts.
Meanwhile, the show’s writers’ room also has official Twitter and Tumblr accounts in which the scribes interact with fans, sharing plenty of insider tidbits and photos to enhance the viewing experience.
If the passionate, growing fan base is any indication, it’s a move more networks should endorse in the near future as they look to different audience metrics to measure success.