The 100 Review: Echoes (Season 4 Episode 1)

The wait is finally over, The 100 is back for Season 4 and true to form it hasn’t slowed down at all. “Echoes” continues to move the show forward at a nearly breakneck speed; audiences are in for one hell of a ride.

In the wake of the end of the City of Light, the people of The 100 are struggling to pick up the pieces and on the brink of war, again. With both Lexa and Ontari gone, the coalition has no leader. In the power vaccuum Ice Nation and Skaikru both step in to take control.

Roan: I want what’s best for my people, same as you.

Though King Roan comes through by the end of the episode, I doubt that we’ve seen the last of the power struggle between these two peoples. Echo’s history as a spy for Ice Nation, and her history with Bellamy in Mount Weather mix together and make it almost impossible to predict her next move.

She doesn’t trust Skaikru, but she seems submissive to the hierarchy of her clan. Echo absolutely knows her own worth though and she knows how to play her cards in a way that makes her indispensable. Echo is going to be a crucial player this season, that’s for certain.

Echo: You think we’ll ever be able to trust each other again?

Bellamy: I doubt it.  

“Echoes” is an excellent start to Season 4, as it’s already improving upon the weaknesses of Season 3. This episode is well paced and consistent, characters and moments are allowed to breathe (if only for a few moments at a time), actions have lasting consequences, and we’re being shown the ramifications of Season 3’s story, not just being told how things happened retroactively.

Among the many things that these characters are working through, Clarke is still processing Lexa’s death, having just had to say goodbye to her love for a second time. Finally this relationship is being witnessed by someone other than Titus, who was hellbent on tearing it apart.

While imprisoned by Ice Nation, Abby notices a look in Clarke’s eye and in a moment of beautiful vulnerability, Clarke tells her mother how she felt about Lexa.

Abby: I know that look.

Clarke: I loved her, mom.

Abby: I know.

It’s a brief quiet moment, but it speaks volumes for representation. Abby’s gentle understanding and love as her daughter mourns the girl she loved gives the relationship Clarke had with Lexa context and gravitas.

It also allows a great deal of healing and connection between Clarke and Abby. Abby loves her daughter no matter what, and Clarke needs her mother now more than ever.

In a parallel scene, Clarke witnesses an intimate moment between Kane and Abby, while she holds the flame (her last connection to Lexa).

Clarke smiles as Kane comforts her mother, many things going unsaid between them as he caresses her cheek. Understanding the importance of making the most of your time with the people you care about, Clarke seems to have given her blessing to Abby’s relationship with Kane.

While the power structure of Ice Nation seems to be on shaky ground, the foundation between the leaders of Skaikru appears to be stronger than ever. I know it’s only been one episode, but The 100 works infinitely better with Kane, Abby, Clarke, and Bellamy all working cohesively toward a common goal.

Each of these characters has a different skill set that compliments each of the others in a variety of ways. Bellamy and Abby have practical skills and the drive and desire to save everyone. Clarke and Kane have political and logic skills to see the long term and make calculated decisions with their people in mind.

Kane: Before you know it we’ll deserve to survive.

Indra and Octavia are working together again. Indra believes Octavia did the right thing in killing Pike after the battle for the City of Light ended.

Speaking of Octavia, her journey to becoming Skairipa is well underway, and at least one person doesn’t look happy about it. Abby’s philosophy has always been to keep people alive, Octavia’s bloodlust goes against everything she stands for; perhaps Abby and Kane will try to guide Octavia away from vengence.

The Blake’s still care about each other deeply. Octavia has tears in her eyes when Echo throws him to the ground. She also stops thrashing against the Ice Nation guards the minute one of them walks in with a sword to Bellamy’s throat.

It’s going to be interesting to see how their relationship plays out after being put through the ringer in Season 3.

Back at Arkadia things are progressing exactly as they left off. Monty and Harper celebrating in the bedroom, while Raven uses her super brain to fact check ALIE’s radiation claims and Jasper falls deeper into his depression.

Jasper’s suicidal thoughts are extremely realistic and just as worrisome. When Raven figures out that the world is indeed ending again in 6 months, Jasper puts down the gun, thank goodness. This is perhaps the plot line I’m most worried about and I truly hope the writers have handled it with care.

The news that they’re out of time seems to be Jasper’s breaking point, but instead of going through with his death, he’s going to use what remaining time he has left to finally enjoy life.

Jasper: I’m going to watch the sunrise.

It may not be the healthiest or the smartest reaction, but you really cannot blame Jasper for wanting to make the most of the time he has left. Everyone on The 100 has been through so much, they deserve to have a little fun even in the face of ever increasing dangers.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Abby excels as a doctor and is revered and respected by her people for her medical skills and I am so here for it.
• Clarke’s relationship with Lexa is also witnessed by Kane and Bellamy, and later by Roan when giving him the flame brings tears to her eyes.
• Murphy and Emori briefly entertain the idea of sticking with Skaikru, but quickly decide they’d rather go it alone. When do you think they’ll meet back up with the gang? When and how will they learn about the approaching nuclear meltdown?
• Kenza, a religious grounder we’ve only seen in teasers until now, protests Roan’s possession of the flame as he is a king not a priest. I can’t wait to see what role she plays in the grounder power structure.
• What was that nifty trinket Echo gave to Bellamy at the end of the episode? How exactly will it keep them safe? Is that the grounder equivalent of those bumper stickers that keep cops from pulling you over? Does it hold the secrets of an ancient society?
• The 100 gives it’s characters only 6 months to live and we’re going to see a spectrum of reactions. How do you think you’d handle the news?

What did you think of this episode of The 100? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to check out the weekly round table we’re participating in all season over at TV Fanatic!

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The 100 airs Wednesday at 9/8c on The CW.

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