The 100 Review: From the Ashes (Season 7 Episode 1)
It’s the beginning of the end on The 100 Season 7 Episode 1, “From the Ashes.” Not unlike previous seasons the premiere starts in the aftermath of the previous season’s finale.
The 100 Season 6 Episode 13, “The Blood of Sanctum,” left our heroes with a torn planet and a lot to fix.
However, before they untangle this gordian knot, they have something else to address: grief.
“From the Ashes” wastes no time trying to show us the ideal outcome: Madi and Clarke living on Simone’s farmhouse with the rest of their friends.
There is something simple in the farmhouse scenes that kick off this episode. It feels like the cast can finally hit the pause button and actually enjoy a moment of their lives for once. They’ve more than earned it after the last six years, but this is the season premiere, not the series finale and so they can’t rest on their laurels just yet.
Bringing Abby’s memory into the narrative is a stark reminder that something irreplacable was lost when we last saw our characters.
“From the Ashes” feels like it’s in part an incomplete grief episode. With Abby Griffin’s death came the end of the era. It’s hard not to see it coming since the last two seasons decimated the “parent” generation. The characters on The 100 deserve the time to mourn her, but it’s hard to since there is no body to bury, and too much to do.
Even Madi can see that Clarke isn’t handling her grief well. Whenever Abby is mentioned the person who brings her up apologizes, but the one person who isn’t talking about Abby is Clarke.
This all comes to a head when she finally meets Russell Prime in the tavern. Giving Clarke the clothes Simone left behind provides a tangible connection to her mother, and Eliza Taylor plays the moment perfectly.
The physical reminder of her mother, something that was Abby’s and not Simone Prime’s is what it takes to ignites her grief.
It’s not entirely surprising that after this meeting Clarke declare that Russell Prime will die, but it’s foolhearty to think that his death is going to solve everything.
So far, The 100‘s final bow seems to be putting this together as the idea that Russell Prime’s death will somehow fix everything, and if done tactfully, they can abate more discord.
Let’s be real: that’s not gonna happen.
Especially with Sheidheda now in play. Sheidheda was a looming threat with a lot of potential to cause trouble, but was too well-regulated while in Madi. Having him transfer to Russell, who is arguably going to be less watched, and have more opportunity, brings the potential for a can of worms.
While Clarke and the rest of the first group is dealing with Sanctum, Echo, Gabriel, and Hope are dealing with a missing Bellamy and the anomaly.
The anomaly is a plot point that does not make much sense to me, and likely won’t for a few more episodes. As much as it fulfills the action quota of this series and presents an interesting mystery, my only concern right now is what the heck is going on with Bellamy.
Overall this is a pleasant start to the final season and there’s a lot of emotional resonance to be explored.
Stray Thoughts:
- Emori as Kaylee Prime is the MVP. She’s thinking clearly and level-headed when those around her aren’t.
- Raven is also being tactful. Of all the characters this season she is the one I am most hoping gets a happy ending.
- Gaia needs a new start, but since there’s never been an ex-Commander I can only imagine that she’s going to have her hands full figuring out how this is going to affect Madi.
- I won’t lie, I’m worried about Indra. As the only parent left, I feel like there’s a big target on her back.
- The callback to Echo’s past is excited to watch, and ties in perfectly with her anecdote from last season.
What did you think of this episode of The 100? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The 100 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.