The Heart-Wrenching Saga: Unveiling the Most Heartbreaking Deaths in The 100 History

The CW's post-apocalyptic sci-fi series, The 100, featured numerous heart-wrenching deaths throughout its 100 episodes. Set in a time when Earth is no longer habitable, survival was constantly at stake for the characters, resulting in a persistent sense of danger. The show fearlessly delivered emotional moments, frequently killing off significant characters from as early as the third episode. These deaths often had a profound impact on the overall narrative of the show.

Despite their complex and morally ambiguous actions, viewers developed a deep affection for characters like Clarke, Bellamy, Jasper, and Monty. As a result, the deaths of these beloved individuals were devastating, even when they marked the culmination of their storylines. The loss was heartbreaking, whether due to the identity of the deceased, the ripple effect on other characters, or the tragic circumstances of their demise. For new viewers streaming the series on platforms like Netflix, the constant escalation of stakes serves as a reminder that no character is safe, leaving them frequently asking, "who dies in The 100?"

Finn Collins - Mercy Killed By Clarke

Finn Collins' departure from The 100 feels like a distant memory now. He met his demise in season 2, and at that point, the loss of his character wasn't particularly heart-wrenching. This is due to the fact that in his quest to locate Clarke, he ruthlessly massacred a significant number of defenseless Grounders. Among the various deaths that deeply impacted the audience, Finn's demise was the least heartrending for the individual who perished. Rather, it was a devastating situation for the character tasked with ending his life.

In the context of The 100's narrative, Finn's death was reasonable. Clarke intervened and compassionately terminated Finn's life, sparing him from the potential torment inflicted by the Grounders. This wasn't the first time Clarke had to demonstrate mercy by killing one of The 100 members, but it marked the first instance of her having to end the life of an ally who was not yet injured. This event seemed to strip away her innocence and set her on the path to becoming Wanheda.

Miles Shaw - Radiation Barrier

Miles Shaw initially lacks a significant impact as the pilot of the cryosleep-bound prison ship in the face of yet another world-ending catastrophe. However, the audience's deepening fondness for him stems from Raven's unwavering care for him. As Raven emerges as the moral compass of the show, her emotional investment in Shaw elicits undeniable sympathy for his character.

Despite surviving the apocalypse, Shaw meets an unfortunate demise while aiding humanity's remnants in entering cryosleep and embarking on a journey to a new planet across the galaxy. Tragically, he succumbs to a fatal error involving a radiation-powered barrier just before its deactivation. After seemingly discovering someone worthy of her affection, Raven is cruelly deprived of that happiness, making Shaw's death one of the most heartbreaking losses in The 100.

Luna kom Flokru - Killed In Conclave

Introduced late in The 100, Luna is a Nightblood who becomes an unexpected contender for Heda after the murder of all the others. Despite being a highly skilled fighter and leader, she despises the violent aspects of Grounder culture. However, her perspective changes when her entire clan succumbs to radiation poisoning, leaving her as the sole survivor.

Motivated by the need to secure the bunker and save the remaining humanity, Luna takes it upon herself to participate in the Conclave. The unique aspect is that she doesn't believe anyone deserves to survive, causing her to fight fiercely against the other contenders. Throughout the Conclave, Luna triumphs over numerous adversaries, but tragically meets her own demise. Her death is particularly poignant within The 100 due to the drastic transformation of her character from a peaceful nature to a relentless warrior.

Marcus Kane - Floated By Indra

The story of Marcus Kane is indeed a rather melancholic one. Initially, he portrays a fervent belief in the concept of the "greater good," being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the larger population. Along the way, he becomes a character that the audience grows to trust and adore, which makes his demise all the more agonizing.

When on his deathbed, Abby employs the Mind Drive to bring him back to life, placing his consciousness within the body of a younger individual named Gavin. However, it becomes evident that Kane never desired such a fate, choosing instead to embrace death rather than exist in that manner. Consequently, he decides to be executed by being floated, and Abby's reaction to this decision intensifies the emotional difficulties faced by his loved ones. Despite Abby's determined efforts and tireless research in attempting to find a solution that would save him, the one she eventually discovers is not in alignment with Kane's wishes.

Monty Green & Harper McIntyre - Died Of Old Age

Although Monty and Harper are distinct individuals who met their demise separately, their deaths are considered as a single event. Monty Green was arguably the only morally upright character in The 100, always striving to do what was righteous and to improve. Fans adored his romantic relationship with Harper McIntyre. Towards the end of season five, everyone entered cryosleep, while Monty and Harper stayed awake for a bit longer so that Monty could determine the next course of action. However, things did not go exactly as planned.

By the time Clarke and Bellamy wake up more than a century later, they are informed through a video that Monty and Harper had never entered cryosleep. Instead, they lived out their lives together until old age, having a child, and ultimately devising a plan to save everyone. It was a beautiful yet melancholic conclusion for two of the show's finest characters. Their decision was noble but heart-wrenching, as it meant the continuation of the show without their presence.

Charmaine Diyoza - Crystallized by Gen-9

When Charmaine Diyoza made her first appearance on The 100, no one could have imagined feeling sadness over her eventual death. Initially portrayed as a terrorist and antagonist throughout season 6, Diyoza's transformation begins when she forms a bond with Octavia Blake.

It is in The 100 season 7 that Diyoza becomes much more endearing, especially when she reunites with her grown-up daughter, Hope. Therefore, it was incredibly painful to witness Diyoza's selfless sacrifice to save Hope and her friends, resulting in her being crystallized by Gen-9. Hope, filled with utter sadness, could do nothing to prevent this tragic loss.

Jasper Jordan - Poisons Himself

Jasper, a beloved member of the original 100, serves as the comic relief in the first two seasons of The 100. However, his death in season 4 is truly devastating. As the main characters learn of the impending end of the world once again, Jasper's demise is a poignant moment. In season 2, he struggles with the loss of Maya and his involvement in the deaths at Mount Weather.

Upon discovering the impending apocalypse, Jasper loses hope in fighting against another catastrophic event. Furthermore, he learns that his abilities are not deemed valuable enough to be included in the select few who will be saved. As a result, Jasper decides to spend his final days partying with friends before ultimately choosing to end his life with poison. While he is not the only member of the original 100 to make this decision, his choice stands out and marks a heartbreaking conclusion to his character's journey.

Maya Vie - Killed By Radiation

At first, Maya wasn't well-liked by the fans. They believed she was pretending to have genuine feelings for Jasper and often sided with the people at Mount Weather. However, it becomes clear that this is not true when she does her best to assist the captured members of the 100 at Mount Weather.

Maya's death in The 100 is a significant turning point for the show. She is killed alongside the rest of Mount Weather when Clarke and Bellamy release radiation throughout the facility, aided by Monty. It is truly heartbreaking to witness her demise, and it has a devastating impact on Jasper. He becomes severely depressed, struggling to comprehend the violence committed by his friends, leading him down a path of self-destruction.

Madi Griffin - Chooses To Transcend

Madi's death may not be considered tragic due to the choice she is presented with in the series finale of The 100. Rather than being the only child remaining on Earth, Madi chooses to transcend, leaving behind her difficult circumstances. However, the events leading up to her demise are immensely distressing for the viewers, which is why her ending is considered particularly sad compared to other deaths in the show. As a young child, Madi endures torture in order to protect Clarke and her family from harm. Despite her noble intentions, the depths of the information locked within her mind cause severe damage, rendering her unable to communicate or move by the time Clarke locates her. Ultimately, it is revealed that Madi's decision to transcend is motivated by her understanding that Clarke would not want her to live a lonely life without peers. In the final moments of her human existence, Madi selflessly prioritizes Clarke's emotional well-being.

Bellamy Blake - Shot By Clarke

The death of Bellamy Blake in the final season is both heartbreaking and frustrating for fans. Despite his long-standing bond with his friends, he turns his back on them due to newfound beliefs.

In his final moments, Bellamy's actions endanger Madi, the daughter Clarke has adopted when they were the only survivors on Earth. Clarke, unwilling to risk Madi's safety, passionately implores Bellamy to reconsider his actions. When he remains obstinate, she is left with no choice but to shoot him. This turn of events leaves fans in disbelief as they witness Clarke, forced to take the life of her closest companion in order to protect her daughter.

Abby Griffin - Turned Into A Host For Simone

Abigail Griffin, the protagonist of the Ark section in season 1 of the show, not only serves as Clarke's mother but also takes on a maternal role for Raven Reyes and assumes leadership in various situations. Throughout the series, she consistently portrays a caring figure.

Despite not being Madi's biological grandmother, Abigail treats her as if she were and even goes as far as becoming a Nightblood in season 6 to protect her. As a consequence, Russell Lightbourne exploits her body to house his wife Simone. Abby's death occurs before Clarke discovers Russell's actions, adding to the emotional strain. What makes this even more heart-wrenching is that Clarke is the one who has to release her mother's body into space.

Emori - Dies Of Injuries (But Is Resurrected)

Just like Diyoza, Emori was a character that fans initially didn't expect to love. When she first meets John Murphy, it seems like their relationship might just be a passing flirtation. However, as the show progresses, Emori becomes a significant presence, particularly from season four onwards. She plays a vital role in humanizing Murphy, and their bond becomes one of the strongest relationships on the show. Together, they always manage to survive and protect each other.

Therefore, when Emori tragically dies in the series finale of The 100, it is truly disheartening, especially witnessing Murphy's reaction. In a desperate attempt to bring her back, he offers himself as a host, resurrecting her. With the opportunity to transcend, which would bring them to a higher state of being, they ultimately choose not to do so. Instead, they decide to live out their lives on Earth together, thanks to an unexpected act of mercy from the beings responsible for transcendence. Although Emori gets a happy ending, her temporary death remains one of the most heart-wrenching moments in The 100.

Lexa kom Trikru - Accidentally Shot

Lexa, the Commander of the Grounders in The 100, holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Known for her fearless demeanor, she forms a deep connection with Clarke that evolves into a romantic bond. The devastating manner of her demise deeply saddened many viewers and drew harsh criticism towards the show's writers. Lexa's untimely death, occurring shortly after an intimate moment with Clarke, inadvertently perpetuated the controversial "bury your gays" stereotype in modern media. While her passing allowed for storylines exploring the selection process of Hedas and the scarcity of Nightbloods, it came at a significant and heavy price.

Lincoln kom Trikru - Executed By Pike

Octavia Blake is widely regarded as the most intricate and evolved character in the series, with her growth being particularly noteworthy. A significant factor in this development is her relationship with Lincoln, a Trikru Grounder who played a pivotal role in shaping her into the person she ultimately becomes. Their bond is so powerful that it aids Lincoln in overcoming the harrowing experience of being a Reaper.

However, when Charles Pike seizes control of Arkadia, he harbors a deep-seated animosity towards all Grounders. In a desperate bid to safeguard his fellow captive Grounders, Lincoln chooses to remain in confinement, ultimately meeting a brutal demise at Pike's hands. This tragic event unfolds before Octavia, leaving her feeling utterly helpless. Every aspect of this scene is deliberately crafted to evoke profound sorrow, as Lincoln selflessly sacrifices himself for the sake of his people.

The Culling Volunteers

From early on, The 100's writers established that death would play a significant role in the show, even before the characters faced numerous tragedies in the final season. This was largely due to the culling that took place on the Ark during the first season. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the number of deaths on The 100 will only increase.

As the Ark's inadequate oxygen system becomes apparent, the governing body considers the option of sealing off a section of the space station and sacrificing individuals for the greater good. However, Abby Griffin finds this idea barbaric and instead proposes the concept of informing the people about the reality. She advocates for asking for volunteers to sacrifice themselves, so that the rest of the population can survive.

Initially, the others in power reject her idea, yet she persists in presenting her plea to the residents of the Ark. Miraculously, her idea proves successful, buying them precious time. However, the narrative focuses on a specific man who makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure his sick daughter's survival. As he faces his final moments, he clings to one of her hair clips, symbolizing the relentless battle for survival and the accompanying heartbreak. The culling on the Ark vividly captures the depths of humanity's capacity for both greatness and despair, making it undeniably the most poignant death in The 100.