The 100: The Dying of the Light (7.15) Things of Note

Whew! Episode 99 was an intense one! Let’s jump in!

In The Second Dawn Bunker

Stuck. Murphy frantically called out for Emori who was buried under a pile of rubble. Raven and Jackson came out of the rec room. Jackson tried to assess Murphy for a concussion but Murphy was too worried about Emori to care. Emori coughed and Murphy raced to unbury her from the rubble. She was impaled in the gut by a rod. It’s just a scratch, she said. In the rotunda, Miller pried open the door to the room into which he chucked the bomb. Rubble blocked their path. It wasn’t completely hopeless because Clarke had the two nano-tracking pills Sheidheda left. Octavia earmarked the second one because Levitt is her inside man. Plus she understands what Clarke is going through. They took the pills but nothing happened. Someone has to pull them through. Clarke attempted to dig through the rubble but it was a lost cause. Echo and Niylah were not seen at all this episode. I guess we can assume they’re ok at this point.

Jordan steps into himself. Indra suggested killing Cadogan but Gaia shut that down. Faith doesn’t die easily. There would just be a new Shepherd. It’s not like Cadogan was a very involved leader anyway. Miller questioned how this would end and Octavia mentioned The Last War and becoming the light. Jordan told them that transcendence was a beautiful idea but war isn’t the means of getting it. I think “War is the failure of everything” is my new favorite Jordan quote! Anyway, Jordan reiterated that the last war is actually a test. Hope questioned whether Jordan knew better than the Disciples, who had been studying the text for millennia. I loved Jordan’s confidence when he said yes. It’s a quiet confidence, one without arrogance. Monty presented his ideas this way as well. Jordan told the group about what he saw while under the influence of the Blood of Sanctum. Reading the Bardoan text helped him understand it a bit more. The next step in human evolution. He believes in his heart that there is a purpose to everything and going to war isn’t how they find it. Jordan’s words resonated with everyone. Everyone but Clarke, that is. She doesn’t believe in any of it and blamed Bellamy’s death on his belief in transcendence. She didn’t want to hear any more about it and stormed off. I keep saying this but Clarke doesn’t believe in anything remotely spiritual. She said as much on Nakara.

Gaia is everyone’s Seda. Clarke was upset that Madi went to Bardo without talking to her. As if she would have listened. Gaia pointed out the similarities between Madi and Clarke. Both put themselves in danger to save others. It dawned on Clarke that Abby had been in her position many times over. She felt guilty. She never meant to hurt Abby. Gaia pointed out that Madi doesn’t mean to hurt Clarke either. She was proud of Madi for making the move to save everyone. The floodgates really opened for Clarke on that. She has lost almost everyone she loved and losing Madi would completely shatter her. Gaia offered to help her clear her mind. It’s what she’s trained to do as a Flamekeeper. Clarke was skeptical and fighting the process. The voice in her head isn’t a very kind one at the moment. Gaia was getting frustrated with Clarke’s lack of effort. She reminded Clarke that she loves Madi too. She even raised her voice. Gaia is usually a calm person so to hear her raise her voice was jarring for everyone. Clarke apologized and pulled her into a hug. Clarke began to disappear in Gaia’s arms, signaling that the geotags were being activated. Before Octavia disappeared, she told Hope that risks have to be taken sometimes. Gaia wondered what next and Indra told her to have faith. A little role reversal there. Gaia is usually the one telling people to have faith. Her love for Madi goes beyond teacher-student. I’m not sure of the right word for their relationship. Sister might be the closest one to the kind of relationship Gaia has with Madi. She advises Madi but also provides emotional support.

Sanctum or bust. Jackson cut the rod to free Emori only to discover that her leg was bleeding out. Thankfully, it didn’t appear that the femoral artery was severed. He needed to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding. Murphy distracted her by reminding her of their time as Primes as Jackson cauterized the wound. Emori’s scream gutted Murphy. He hated seeing her in so much pain. Raven was able to get to the infirmary but only found a stretcher and some gauze. The concern Jackson expressed to Miller about taking inventory took on new meaning. They needed to get to Sanctum so Jackson could do surgery with proper equipment. Jackson, Murphy, and Raven turned the rec room upside down to find the stone. Underneath the piano was the Azgeda symbol which Raven surmised marked the location of the stone. Time to get out the sledgehammers! Emori’s wound began to bleed out. As Murphy and Raven hammered away at the concrete, Emori was starting to doubt her survival. Raven was also getting tired so Jackson had her talk to Emori. They talked about their time on the Ring. Raven hated it but Emori loved it because Spacekru was together and safe. She told Raven that she loved her indicating that she believed she wasn’t going to make it. Murphy and Jackson had nearly unearthed the stone but Emori wanted them to go to Bardo to stop Cadogan. She thought Raven would be capable of making the choice to save everyone because she did in the reactor. Raven admitted that she made the wrong choice. She treated Hatch, X, Y, and Z as expendable. She wouldn’t do it again. She’s stubborn so she’ll save Emori and everyone else. At that point, Murphy and Jackson struck the stone. Emori stopped breathing so Jackson began pumping her heart to keep her blood circulating. Raven and Murphy continued to hammer and dig until they uncovered the symbols in the code for Sanctum. Lucky break for the correct symbols to be at the top of the stone! They were off to Sanctum with Emori’s life hanging in the balance. I really hope she survives!

The importance of Emori. We got some insight into how Emori sees herself. She loved being a Prime because it was the first time she felt like she mattered. Wow, that hurts. I think it goes back to her childhood. Her parents cast her aside due to her deformity. Society shunned her. There was a sense that Clarke saw her as expendable in season 4. No wonder she didn’t think she mattered! I think that’s part of why she insisted that Raven and Murphy worry about the others instead of her. She is not used to being the one that people are working to save. Both Murphy and Raven reminded her of how important she was to them. No one has ever cared about her as deeply as Murphy does. She is his entire world and his driving force. Emori became Raven’s right hand during their time on the Ring. This is why I wish Spacekru had gotten a focus episode in season 5. Although the love between Emori and Raven was implied here, it would have been nice to see how it evolved. Emori and Raven are family and Raven was determined not to lose another loved one. On the other hand, Emori has evolved into someone who would worry about others before herself. She was all about her own survival when we first met her. Other than her brother, she really didn’t have connections. Murphy changed that and then her circle expanded to include Raven, Echo, Bellamy, Harper, and Monty. This season saw her, along with Murphy, take responsibility for the safety of the Faithful. She means something to people which is something she has wanted for a long time. They accept her. If she doesn’t make it, at least she’ll leave knowing that she was loved and important.

On Bardo

Madi in M-Cap. Levitt was waiting for Cadogan and Madi in M-Cap. She was scared and intimidated but Levitt did his best to make Madi feel comfortable. He gave her the desert scenario (you’re in an endless desert with a vast purple sky, a hand reaches for yours, who’s is it?) and of course, Clarke came to mind. Like with Octavia, Levitt started on low power. As Cadogan droned on about transcendence, Madi told him about Jordan’s corrected translation of the Bardoan text. The look on Levitt’s face said, “wait, what?” At first, Cadogan brushed it off. Jordan can’t possibly know anything about anything. Then, he tried to spin it by equating war to a test of will and might. Then he said he would welcome the chance to take the test to prevent his “children” from dying. He doesn’t actually give a crap about his people. Really, he wants to take the test so that he can say he alone saved the human race. What arrogance and narcissism! I think Levitt saw it too. Anyway, Levitt showed Madi her drawing of Callie. No memories were triggered even after he turned up the power to the max. He had reservations about going deeper into Madi’s brain due to his inexperience and the danger. Cadogan doesn’t give a toss as long as he gets that code. For all mankind. Levitt didn’t even bother to say it back. Another sign that his “faith” in The Shepherd was unraveling. Also, the Conductor came in and told Cadogan that two locator tags had been activated.

Levitt joins the Army of Cadogan Sucks. Levitt found the moment when Callie and Becca were talking about Cadogan thinking he could walk on water. The memory kept cutting in and out possibly because it’s not actually Madi’s. Cadogan was getting impatient and demanded Levitt fix it. He wanted to see his daughter again. Another “wait what?” look from Levitt. Oh my, The Shepherd is a hypocrite! Then, Madi began to have various flashes of Becca and Lexa’s memories. The one where Becca told Cadogan he wasn’t ready for the Last War code really got Madi’s attention. She was done helping Cadogan and began to resist. Hard! He was ticked about that! According to him, he and Becca just had a little disagreement. He tried to say that he wasn’t ready then but he had changed enough to be ready now. Madi wasn’t buying it and on some level, Levitt wasn’t either. Cadogan called the guards in to hold Madi down. Levitt didn’t like what was happening so he told Cadogan they had to find another way. Cadogan wasn’t having it. He would have that code no matter the cost. He dismissed Levitt because he was “too close to this.” Levitt left the room and the Disciple guards communicated the information to some other unit. I would think some of them would follow him. Clearly, guarding M-Cap was more important. Levitt immediately made his way to the stone room to pull Clarke and Octavia over. The conductor was a bit confused but relented after Levitt threatened to go get The Shepherd. She pulled them over but they didn’t appear. Cadogan had moved the bridge to the oxygen farm for strategic reasons. The stone room is no place to fight a war. Levitt is everything I wanted Ryker to be last season!

Setback. In the oxygen farm, the Disciple army was getting their outpost ready. Hope’s former sparring partner, Kwame, was there. The bridge opened and Clarke and Octavia appeared instead of The Last War. I’m sure they were disappointed. Clarke and Octavia were taken to a cell. Later, Levitt was hacking the control panel for the prison wing door with Sheidheda providing mood music. Guards were coming to bring Sheidheda lunch. They were annoyed by Sheidheda’s singing and surprised to see Level 11 Levitt doing maintenance work. They were not ready for Levitt to bust out his fighting skills though! He made quick work of them before going to find Clarke and Octavia. Sheidheda’s singing was driving them mad too. Clarke seemed to be losing hope but Octavia reassured her. Someone had to have brought them over. Cadogan had a point when he told Clarke that she should have a little more faith. Anyway, Clarke thanked Octavia for coming with her. Well, Octavia is the only one with a connection on the inside. The bigger reason is that Octavia understands what Madi means to Clarke. She has a similar connection with Hope. That connection is how she came to understand pre-Etherea Bellamy. Protecting her was everything to him. She’ll remember that Bellamy and not Disciple Bellamy. Before she could sit with that grief for too long, Levitt showed up.

Sheidheda, The Sheep Slayer. Of course, Levitt had no plan to get to Madi. His track record with big plans is terrible! How did people think he was capable of planning elaborate ruses to play Octavia? He deferred to Octavia and Clarke for that since plans are apparently their “specialty”. Octavia suggested getting the suits and ghosting. Too many helmeted Disciples around for that. Then she suggested going in hot. Clarke thought it would be better to sic Sheidheda on the guards. They went to his cell but since they didn’t shoot, he correctly guessed that they needed him. He claimed he tried to stop Cadogan. I guess Sheidheda also joined The Army of Cadogan Sucks. He might actually be redeemed if you can believe it. Being a distraction is no role for the High King of Sanctum though. Sheidheda was so insulted! He quickly changed his tune when Octavia suggested they leave him there. Taking out other people’s sheep is no problem. Sheidheda charmed, sliced, and dazzled with his wit and fighting skills. The Disciples didn’t know what hit them! He was nowhere to be found when Octavia, Clarke, and Levitt emerged from their hiding spot. I wonder where he went. Levitt was horrified by the carnage. He grew up with these people, after all. It’s one thing to watch a hologram. It’s a whole other beast to live it. There’s a reason Levitt was put on the “scientist path” and not the soldier path.

Locked in. Clarke, Octavia, and Levitt rushed to M-Cap and found Madi alone. They undid her restraints and Clarke realized she was breathing but unresponsive. Clarke sobbed, desperate for a response from Madi. Levitt told Octavia that there was evidence of stroke. There was neural activity but Madi is unable to move. She was locked in. Octavia walked back over to Clarke and told her that Madi could hear her. Clarke told Madi that she was there. She asked Levitt if Madi could recover. He told her she couldn’t because the areas that control voluntary movement were destroyed. Clarke broke down and then things got dark. Even for this show. Clarke eyed the pistol on the floor. Octavia knew what she was thinking and volunteered to do it instead. She wasn’t going to let Clarke live with that. Clarke told Madi she loved her and began to hum to her. I thought of season 1 when the acid fog got Atom. Octavia said “Yu gonplei ste odon” then Levitt interrupted. He showed Octavia and Clarke the memory of Becca entering the code. Cadogan got what he wanted and made a run for the stone room. Clarke was fired up now! She told Madi that she would return once she stopped Cadogan. The episode ended with Madi crying a single tear. Gah, this scene was so dark and heavy and heartwrenching! Clarke’s pain and heartache were palpable in her words and in her voice. Eliza Taylor dug deep for this one! The scene further solidified the common ground Octavia found with Clarke as well. The two of them haven’t always seen eye to eye but I guess guardianship brought them together.

TV neurology and ethical issues. I did some very basic research on how the brain stores memories. The memories from the Flame might be what they call “implicit memories” which are not consciously acquired and recalled. Madi didn’t live those memories and she didn’t remember them at will. That would explain why Levitt couldn’t get to them using the usual pathways. Implicit memories are stored in basal ganglia, which controls voluntary movement and emotions, among other areas. I think that Cadogan had Shoana burn through these areas of Madi’s brain to get the code which caused the stroke. I have to acknowledge the ableist discussion I read between The 100 Podcast and other fans on Twitter. I didn’t agree with the ableist assessment of the Atom callback at first. I just thought it was a very dark and heavy moment. However, after reading the discussion, I get it. We’re programmed to think that being disabled, especially cases of severe brain injury, automatically means a life not worth living. Clarke seemed to be coming from that place. It’s a blind spot for a lot of society, myself included. Also, it’s another instance of Clarke deciding for Madi. The scene would have still been very strong without that moment. Madi’s unresponsiveness and Clarke’s sobs were heartwrenching enough!

Other things. The acting was incredible in this one! I am now convinced that Reese started Azgeda. I think he buried the stone, possibly after realizing that he would never get his father’s approval. Cadogan has no business representing the entire human race for anything! He created a society of emotionless drones but he is a heartless jerkass! I’m ready for his comeuppance. What is up with Levitt’s hair? There’s this one piece that comes untucked sometimes. When it’s untucked, it makes him look older. I guess all Disciples got basic combat training whether they were soldiers or scientists. That would explain why Doucette and Levitt could fight fairly well. Why do the Disciples keep insisting on putting Clarke and co together in cells? It would make way more sense to keep them separated! Jordan grabbing Hope’s hand after Octavia disappeared was a nice moment. Fandomize hosted an awesome panel with Sachin Sahel, Shannon Kook, Shelby Flannery, Lola Flanery, Adina Porter, Tasya Teles, and Alaina Huffman. Jessica Harmon popped in for a brief moment as well. Shannon revealed that he filmed a scene in which Jordan kills Trey at the end of season 6.

For the last time (!) on The 100…

The Last War is here! They dropped an extended trailer on Friday. I may have watched it 10 times already. My word, it looks EPIC! It’s going to be action-packed and emotional! I might not sleep afterward. I’m disappointed that the finale isn’t two hours but maybe the commercials will be more limited. Hopefully, they don’t waste five minutes recapping the whole season/series. I don’t have a strong theory on how this will end. My thought is that “the light” will give humanity a second chance and restore Madi. I’m still anti-simulation but maybe they’ll be able to pull it off in a satisfying way.

Bonus: Levtavia lives!

The hug was an obvious crumb but there was maybe an even bigger one at the end of the episode. Octavia asked Levitt if he was sure he wanted to help stop Cadogan. He had been preparing The Last War for his whole life, after all. Levitt answered with, “Before you, I didn’t have a life.” and they exchanged halted smiles. Awww! A sweet moment in an otherwise heartwrenching scene. End game? I hope so. I have no expectations though. The finale trailer makes it look like he’s going to die.

Also….

Clarke during Levitt and Octavia’s reunion:

He barely got out, “Sorry it took me so long” before she interrupted!

Until the next time!