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Welcome back to TV Source Magazine’s The 100 coverage. As always our reviews are broken down in to three main sections: Things I Loved, The Meh Things, and Things I Didn’t Like. We’ve also recently added in two extra sections: Honorable Mentions and Theories. Let the record show that one of my theories has panned out — they did in fact use a chip to make Clarke into Josephine who I shall henceforth refer to as JoseClarke-and it felt good to have that vindication. Look, mah. I can predict a TV show. Shall I use my powers for good or for evil?
It’s no secret that I found season five of The 100 to be less than desirable. The characters felt unfamiliar to me, storylines felt stagnant and redundant, relationships felt stilted or forced. Bottom line, it wasn’t my cup of tea. This season however has shown a vast improvement, thus far. I, of course, reserve the right to change my mind-like I’ve said previously, The 100 has a habit of starting off really strong, then stalling, then going insane in the last two episodes of the season-but so far, I’m enjoying it. At the end of each episode I have new theories and a list of things I want to see and I’m actually anticipating the next episode to get proved right-or wrong- instead of dreading it. It’s a nice change of pace for me. But enough about that, let’s get started on the episode review of ‘The Face Behind The Glass.’
[This review contains spoilers for the “Face Behind The Glass” episode of The 100.]
The 100 Review: “The Face Behind The Glass”
Season 6, Episode 4 | Airdate: May 21, 2019
Directed by: Tim Scanlan | Written by: Charmaine DeGrate
Things I Loved
Clarke: Number one, with a bullet, no questions asked. Clarke Griffin was the highlight of this episode. She got to flirt, she got to come down another stair-case like the princess she is, she finally got to have sex! It’s been a very long 137 years and my girl more than deserved to get some action. Sure, the after-glow was ruined by the fact that the guy paralyzed her with a dart and tried to kidnap her and bring her to the Children of Gabriel, but for a brief moment, Clarke was happy and it was a beautiful sight to behold.
Beyond that though, Clarke becoming Josephine? Eliza Taylor gave a wonderful performance, not only as a paralyzed Clarke who realized she was ‘dying’ (let’s be real. Clarke isn’t dying until the last second of the last episode. We all know this to be fact.) so that she could become a host for Russell and Simone’s daughter, but her transition herself in to Josephine was amazing. She stood differently, she twirled her hair, she made her voice slightly higher pitched and mildly breathier. Josephine checking herself out in the mirror and saying, “Now this I can work with.” Amazing. Kudos to you, Eliza. I am actually really looking forward to seeing how she plays Josephine trying to be Clarke. I foresee some laughs in our future.
A few side notes in regards to the sex:
One) It’s good to see The 100 showing that, in this world, love is love and Clarke Griffin doesn’t care if you’re a man or a woman. If she likes you and is attracted to you, you have a chance. It’s nice to see that bisexual representation.
Two) Words cannot express the utter relief I had that the sex that was had was actually Clarke and not JoseClarke. In this day and age something like that with the lack of consent from Clarke would have been devastating and horrible to watch. I’m sorry I doubted you show. But after the lack of gracious handling of Murphy’s rape from Ontari, can you blame me? Consent is sexy. Let’s always use this going forward.
Bellamy & Clarke: We got our annual Bellarke hug out of the way early this season, it would seem. EOnlines Sexiest Moment 2019 is on deck. I jest-mostly. It will probably totally happen. One of the things I love most about all of the Bellamy and Clarke hugs is Clarke’s face. Every single one since the very first one, she melts in to Bellamy and she closes her eyes, and there’s this peaceful look on her face that just screams, “Home.” This time was no different. Besides that, we got some pretty decent dialogue. Granted, it was part retcon from last year when Bellamy telling Clarke she wasn’t his family and then Clarke proving him right by leaving him to die in Polis, but it was a needed retcon. More important was the obvious foreshadowing.
“I know what it’s like to risk everything for one person. I know Madi’s your family.”
“You are my family, too. I lost sight of that. But I promise I will never forget it again. You’re too important to me.”
When Clarke is under the effects of the paralytic dart she can hear Russell and Simone talking about putting Josephine in to her brain via the chip. We also hear Russell say, “The mind of the host is erased but the brain is unharmed.” So, we know that Josephine does not have Clarke’s memories, which means that yes, she does forget. Seems to me that this will come in to play later and I can only pray that it will be given the angsty and beautiful justice that is deserves.
Jordan and Delilah: Yes, they’re on the ‘love’ list again. As previously mentioned, I’m not a fan of insta-romance, however, taking in to consideration that this is the first human contact outside of his parents or his parent’s friends that Jordan has ever had, I’ll accept it. He obviously cares deeply about Delilah already and Shannon Kook got to rock some acting skills when he explained to her growing up on the ship and deciding to go in to cryo way before his parents demise. Jordan showed a sad vulnerability that would melt even the coldest of hearts. Luckily, our hearts are already soft for him since he’s the child of two of the original delinquents and we love him for that alone. However, Jordan is quickly proving to be a character that we can love all on his own merits and not just because of his parentage. Also, how cute was he covering Madi’s ears when Raven started talking about sex?
More-so, Delilah is quickly becoming a beloved character in her own right as well. She showed obvious fear and reservations at her Naming Day ceremony even stopping for a moment to run back to Jordan for a final kiss and what sounds suspiciously like a plea.
“Don’t let me be the face behind the glass.”
We know from earlier in the episode that Jordan viewed Clarke, Bellamy, and the rest of their gang as the faces behind the glass while they were in cryo: frozen, untouchable, there but not there. Delilah seems to be hinting to Jordan to find her, to help her, to not let her disappear even though this is what she has been raised to believe is her destiny. Clearly, Russell and the rest of the Primes believe that once the chip with the consciousness of their loved ones enters a host, the mind of the original inhabitant dies and the Prime fully takes over. However, since it seems none of these people have taken out the chips prior to their deaths, it stands to reason that they’re in there, just suppressed.
Another huge shout-out goes to show newcomer Ashleigh LaThrop who made the transition from nervous Delilah in to “royal and she knows it” Priya flawlessly. The way she moved, the way she stood, the blank look she gave Jordan as he called out for Delilah? It was wonferful. We also see her embrace the young man that Raven has been getting to know, Ryker, and call him, “My beautiful baby boy.” But more on that under theories.
Diyoza and Octavia: I should have known the only thing that would get Octavia off of my “Meh” list is to stick her with my favorite who won’t take any of her bullshit. Also, adding a kid in to the mix helps as well, I can’t lie. Diyoza is offered to allow Baby Hope in to Sanctum in exchange from Rose’s guard to help return her safely. Along the way the group runs in to Octavia, Rose, and the other Children of Gabriel. Needless to say, things don’t go according to plan and Rose is killed before she is able to be returned to Sanctum. Diyoza and Octavia decide to go after the Children of Gabriel in hopes of themselves being proven worthy of being allowed entry to where their friends and family are.
Also, shout out to the show for calling back to season one’s “I’m not afraid/Slay Your Demons” with Octavia and Rose. It was appreciated.
“But Heather, you hate when the show falls back on to repeated storylines.”
That I do. I appreciate call-backs to significant moments that ties the show together in a meaningful way. I do not appreciate watching the same storyline three seasons in a row. I also do not appreciate when call-backs are used as a means to pacify the audience while not moving the story forward. Which, luckily wasn’t the case this time.
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