The 100 Review: A Little Sacrifice (Season 7 Episode 10)

Finally, some progress is made on The 100 Season 7 Episode 10, “A Little Sacrifice.” And it just proves that our core ensemble of characters is stronger together. 

So much of my frustration with this season has been around two points. How separated the characters have been between all the different planets, and how the show continues to circle the same plot points as if an answer will magically appear.

Now, with the characters together and putting their strengths to good use, we finally have some plot development; and it was desperately needed.

On this episode, we have an answer to what GEM9 is, another look at the Bardoan text that suggests that the Shepherd has been reading it wrong, and Sheidheda attempts to take the throne.

Let’s start with Sanctum. This plot has really. kicked it up a notch with “A Little Sacrifice.” Sheidheda’s escape and confrontation with Madi has all the tension that the moment deserves.

It’s interesting to reflect on how last season the roles were reversed and Madi was plotting Russell’s death. It reads much differently with JR Bourne towering over Lola Flannery.  

Where this plot really shines is in the solo gonplei scene. The 100 has always had some great fight scenes, but watching Adina Porter and JR Bourne fight was truly a nailbiter.

I thought this would spell the end for Indra, mostly because the show seems to be killing off parents a lot lately. Madi’s arrival is the twist that scene needed to subvert expectations.

This season can’t end with Sheidheda alive, and “A Little Sacrifice” seems to set up the only tag team who deserves the change to take him out. Madi’s fear and torment in her mind space with Sheidheda needs to have a payoff. I am all for Madi getting to be a kid, but she can’t do that if this monster is on the loose.

While others star starting to see the light, she is one of the few who can comprehend how dangerous he is, and she should be the one to end him. 

Fortunately, Madi doesn’t need to do it alone. Indra’s history with Sheidheda makes her the only other person who deserves the chance to take him out. Seeing her agree to kneel is a heartbreaking moment, but I doubt anyone will be able to keep Indra down for long. 

While Sheidheda is on the loose in Sanctum, attempting to win back his people, Echo is seeking revenge for Bellamy.

Watching this arc unfold just confirms that The 100 Season 7 Episode 9, “The Flock,” was nothing but set up. Seeing them train provided little value for what happens on this episode except for explaining that there is a WMD on Bardo powerful enough to take everyone out.

The tensest part of Echo’s attempt at revenge is between Diyoza and Hope. Hope’s bitterness and anger at the people on Bardo is visceral and it builds until that final moment when Clarke, Raven, Octavia, and Diyoza catch up with Echo and stop her.

The way Hope’s rage boils over as she kills Anders is masterful, and the camera work in those final moments until Diyoza starts dying from GEM9 is stunning, producing drama and tension as the bioweapon moves through the scene. 

The moment when it hits Diyoza’s hand is sublime, and at that moment, you realize that Diyoza’s story couldn’t have ended any other way.

It’s easy to forget that Diyoza imagined a better life for Hope in Season 5, but the look on Diyoza’s face as Hope starts to support Echo’s plans for revenge is a punch to the gut. It’s sorrowful and scared all wrapped up into one. 

Diyoza wants to be better. She doesn’t want Hope to go down the same path she did, but that’s where her daughter has ended up.

It’s not surprising that she’d do whatever she could to save her daughter from becoming a murderer. 

DIYOZA: Don’t was this little one. Don’t be like me.

Shelby Flannery’s performance in reaction to Diyoza’s actions is what really sells this moment. The CGI weapon of mass destruction is terrifying, but watching her sob and attempt to rush towards her mother as she’s consumed by gold crystals is heartwrenching. 

The 100 always has a way of giving us death scenes that feel like a kick in the mouth, and this was one of them.

This scene does play interestingly against Cadogan who’s playing on Gabriel’s emotions, while simultaneously denouncing them. 

When Cadogan and Gabriel sit over lunch, he mentions saving someone you love. You can imagine that Gabriel must be thinking of Josephine, who he had a hand in saving the first time. The regret he seemed to feel at developing that technology in Season 6 seemed strong.

The lunch of kombucha and foods from “their time” makes me wonder how Gabriel sees himself, or who he used to be mirrored in Cadogan.

Afterall, cryostasis is not like the mind drives, Cadogan might be from around the same time but hasn’t had the time to grow while being preserved. Gabriel’s longevity is the equivalent of “the long road home” in time travel. He’s had a chance to reflect, study, and grow. Cadogan is sitting on the sidelines. 

While Cadogan might be preaching about “The Last War,” Jordan has cracked a manuscript and found that instead of talking about a battle it’s all about a test.

Somehow I get the impression this isn’t the kind of test you can study for, and if they are intent on unlocking that door let’s just say that it will likely not end happily. Especially if Cadogan takes it, which you know he’s going to try.

Coming away from “A Little Sacrifice” feels anything but good, but for the first time this season, it actually feels like the plot is moving forward and the stakes have been raised.

Let’s keep this momentum up, and kill the last of the enemies so our heroes can live as happily ever after as this show will let them. (Yes, that may be wishful thinking.)

Stray Thoughts:

• All this talk between the Shepherd, Diyoza, and Gabriel makes me think that the world hasn’t really changed all that much. I also think I actually prefer a time period with memes. 
• Still, no one has noticed Gaia is missing?
• Diyoza’s “Time dilation’s a bitch,” line legit the best way to describe what I’ve been feeling this entire season. 
• Hearing Raven call Echo her sister is a great moment, but it also harkens back to The Ring and how we really don’t know the extent of the bonds they formed there. It feels a little late to be treading this now, while yes, the bonds would still be a factor in their relationships, this should have been implemented in Seasons 5 and 6. 
• Anyone else get the feeling that Emori is pregnant? Seems like it would fit, and maybe at least one couple on this show will get a happy ending.
• The more I mull over this episode, the more I keep seeing parallels. Anyone else think John might become a Cadogan-like figure in that reactor? Marshalling is forces to fight Sheidheda? Plus you know, the surviving Faithful are with him. 

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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