Summary
The later seasons of The 100 didn't represent the show's best, despite its controversial ending, as the early seasons introduced a complex world and tackled significant themes.
Despite its deviation from the original premise and convoluted nature, the set-up of the show's final season received praise from critics. The cancellation of the prequel and potential spinoffs was seen as unfair, given the intriguing subplots and rich history within The 100 that remained unexplored.
The CW's The 100 had a successful run from 2014 to 2020, but its later seasons hindered its potential to become a full franchise. The show is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity sought refuge in space due to the Earth's high radiation levels. A group of delinquent teenagers is sent down to Earth to evaluate its habitability, unraveling surprising discoveries about the existence of native inhabitants called Grounders.
As The 100 progressed, the Grounders gained their own intriguing backstory and lore, sparking plans for a spinoff centered on their group after the seventh season. Unfortunately, the original series declined in quality over time, and its final episodes faced significant controversy. While this controversy itself didn't directly lead to the cancellation of the prequel, the combination of delays and diminishing interest in exploring another story within this universe resulted in the abandonment of the planned spinoff called Second Dawn. This is unfortunate because The 100 had more to offer, despite facing challenges in its conclusion.
The 100's Ending Didn't Reflect The Series At Its Best
The ending of The 100 caused controversy among fans, but its final seasons did not capture the essence of the science-fiction series at its peak. The early seasons presented a complex world inhabited by intricate characters fighting for survival. Its political undertones pushed boundaries, surpassing expectations for a CW show centered around teens.
Although seasons 2 and 3 were the highlights, The 100 continued to deliver engaging narratives even in later seasons. While viewers criticized season 7 on Rotten Tomatoes, critics commended its development. Despite straying from the original premise and presenting a at times convoluted storyline, there were still aspects to appreciate about The 100. It was only in its final few episodes that people began to vocally criticize the show — yet, there was still potential for further exploration.
The 100 Had More To Explore In Its Prequel And Other Spinoffs
Despite questionable decisions regarding character deaths and plot events in The 100 season 7, it would be unjustifiable to cancel the prequel and jeopardize the show's potential for the future. Even though certain storylines in The 100 were heavily criticized, they still contributed positively to the overall franchise, such as the in-depth exploration of the Grounder backstory, which shed light on the events of the final season. The rich Grounder lore, the origins of the apocalypse, and the early years at Mount Weather presented ample opportunities to delve into additional subplots and the history of The 100. It is regrettable that these elements will not have their own spinoffs due to the inability to move forward with Second Dawn.