Summary

• The 100 struggles to maintain quality in later seasons, with uneven character arcs and a lackluster series finale.
• Season 6 takes a risky leap with new settings and character developments, revitalizing the show but facing some narrative pitfalls.
• Season 2 shines as a standout moment, blending character dynamics, escalating stakes, and engaging storytelling.

While the post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama The 100 has delivered seven exciting seasons, not all of them are considered the best the series has to offer. The show follows a group of juvenile delinquents sent to Earth from a space station colony holding the last of humanity to determine if it is habitable after a nuclear apocalypse destroyed civilization 97 years earlier. Over the course of the series, these young survivors face conflicts among themselves as well as with other groups they encounter, testing their ability to retain their humanity.

While each season of The 100 offers compelling storylines and memorable episodes, certain seasons excel in aspects like character development, pacing, narrative coherence, and thought-provoking themes. Over the course of the series, changes in creative direction have led to varying levels of quality and reception among viewers. Despite the show's cancellation after seven seasons, it's undeniable that The 100 has left a significant impact on its audience, captivating them with its unique and gripping narrative.

7 The 100 Season 7

Failed To Produce An Emotionally Resonant Finale

As the final season, The 100's seventh outing had the tall task of providing a satisfying conclusion to the post-apocalyptic series. However, the last season fails to deliver a compelling narrative worthy of the show's climactic close. Despite The 100 cast having strong moments like the introduction of the intriguing disciples subplot, The 100 season 7 suffers from dull pacing, a lack of narrative focus, and an absence of the high stakes that defined prior seasons.

Season seven moved most of the action to the planets that the disciples lived on and could travel to, really opening up the world of The 100 in one way, but also pulling focus in strange ways for the final stretch of storylines. The sudden shift and the numerous different locations without the time to explore them thoroughly left a lot of fans perplexed, as did the sudden influence of so many new characters when the show already had a large ensemble main cast.

By focusing too much on minor new characters at the expense of proven leads, the final season provides an unfortunate ending.

6 The 100 Season 3

Uneven Characterization Prevents It From Standing Out

The 100 season 3, while containing some compelling episodes exploring the AI plotline reminiscent of the show's early days, falls short of the series' best. On the plus side, the audience gets to understand a lot more about Grounder culture and how the different tribes of Grounders vary in their styles. How exactly the leader of the Grounder tribes, the Heda, is chosen is also fully explained. Those aspects help to build the show's lore very well, but around that main storyline, the character motivations are uneven and spotty.

The narrative feels unfocused, with questionable character choices that detract from the overall impact. Bellamy's sudden alignment with Pike against the Grounders feels forced and out of character. It doesn't help that the series kills off his new romantic interest without allowing the audience to get to know her only to push Bellamy to despise the Grounders, seemingly playing right into the "fridging" of female characters that action movies and comic books have been known for in the past.

Additionally, the decision to kill off Lexa forcing the showrunner to apologize to fans for perpetuating the "bury your gays" trope took away from the season. The season's fragmented storyline lacks the tight plotting and high personal stakes seen in other seasons.

5 The 100 Season 1

The Narrative Was Still Finding Its Footing

As the debut entry that sets the stage for the engrossing sci-fi series, The 100 season one arguably produces the most nostalgia. It would, however, be unusual for the first season of a show to be the best because initial episodes of a series are always used to set up the main plot of the show, the show's hero, and establish the rules of the universe.

Upon revisiting season 1, it lacks the narrative sophistication seen later on once the show hits its stride. Introducing a group of juvenile delinquents forced to establish a new society on post-apocalyptic Earth, the inaugural season effectively lays the necessary groundwork with its compelling premise and core leads. While the enjoyable teenage antics offer a simplicity not seen as conflicts later intensify, the characters and world feel less fully realized at this early phase.

From exploring the struggles of leadership to sowing seeds of war, The 100 season 1 succeeds at foreshadowing weightier season-long arcs to come. While constrained by acting inexperience from its young ensemble, a lower budget, and still finding its unique voice, The 100 starts as a promising show in its first season, but it's only a glimpse of the riveting journey it becomes as the writers and cast find their footing. The subsequent seasons, with their visionary storytelling, sur the nostalgic charm of the first season.

4 The 100 Season 5

A Season Best Appreciated For Its Ambitions Rather Than Its Impact

While season 5 offers one of the most psychologically intense character studies in the series through Octavia's transformation into the ruthless Blodreina, its heavy tone and bleak themes drag down the entertainment value that defines The 100's best seasons.

Season 5 is when everything the show has worked toward is seemingly pulled out from under the main characters. Octavia, who longed for a place in the world, is feared by most of her people because of the heavy-handed decisions she had to make when they rode out radiation in a bunker underground. The unification of the Grounders and Skaikru initially gave hope that humanity could find a way to work together, only for another group of humans to cause conflict over ownership of the one fertile valley left on the planet.

Though Blodreina's arc fascinates in isolation and the new Shallow Valley conflict brings narrative relevance, the season struggles to captivate as the characters descend to their darkest lows. Between showcasing fan favorites at their most unlikable and replacing high-stakes action with oppressive gloom, The 100 season 5’s compelling ideas fail to translate into an engaging viewing experience overall.

3 The 100 Season 6

An Imperfect But Laudable Departure From The Expected

Displaying one of the show’s most creative settings in the intriguing alien world of Sanctum, season 6 marks a refreshing change of pace for The 100 that elevates it above the pack. While certain storylines like the convict subplot fall flat, the season soars on the strength of new concepts, expanded roles for standout characters like Octavia and Diyoza, and the introduction of antagonists in the Primes and Josephine.

It's actually a shame that it took six seasons for the show to get to this point because Josephine makes for one of the most compelling antagonists in the series. Josephine's mind drive ending up in Clarke's head also gives Eliza Taylor a fantastic chance to prove her acting abilities to anyone in the audience who might have doubted her earlier work. The episode "Nevermind" is the best of The 100 season 6 and a true departure for the show. Season 6 is absolutely Taylor's best work on the series.

Aside from Taylor's work, there's also more exploration of Murphy, Emori, and Raven's characters, who are all fan favorites. The set design is also fantastic, making the new planet stand out from what the audience has seen of Earth and space stations in the past. From eccentrically ominous aesthetics to thought-provoking identity questions heightened through Clarke’s takes on Josephine, The 100 season 6 sustains fascination even if the risky swing for originality causes some narrative pitfalls.

2 The 100 Season 2

A Perfect Display Of Compelling Characters And Intriguing Arcs

The 100's second season stands out as a pivotal moment for the show, solidifying its gritty tone after a setup-heavy debut. This sophomore installment builds on the foundation laid in the series premiere, diving deeper into character dynamics while subjecting them to harrowing challenges, notably the conflict with Mount Weather and the shocking betrayal by Lexa. What sets this season apart is its adept handling of character development amidst escalating stakes, with the Delinquents' chemistry shining alongside the tension with the Mountain Men and the intricate politics of the Grounders.

These elements converge to create a narrative that is both engaging and propulsive, propelling the series into new territory while retaining its youthful energy. By striking a balance between light-hearted moments and darker themes, The 100 season 2 manages to capture the essence of the show while pushing its storytelling to new heights. This dynamic blend of teen spirit and mature storytelling has solidified the season's enduring appeal, serving as a testament to the appeal of The 100 and its ability to evolve and captivate with its compelling characters and gripping narrative arcs.

1 The 100 Season 4

A definitive season of complexity

As the series’ peak, The 100’s fourth season triumphs by combining high personal stakes, an unrelenting sense of doom via the impending Praimfaya, and exploration of the show’s most resonant theme in what it means to retain humanity. With the diverse factions converging in a single location and the clock ticking down to apocalyptic disaster, new internal and ideological rifts form against the backdrop of a tangible external threat. Jasper’s emotional arc provides a window into resigned despair and Luna, serving as a beacon of principled conscience, lends weighty moral dimensions.

Meanwhile, the conclave as a point of contention tests tribal loyalties versus utilitarian ethics in a profound way despite narrative issues in its setup. Through it all, the narrative stays urgent and focused while elucidating the rich moral quandaries around survival that define the show at its thoughtful best. For balancing plot momentum, ideological complexity, and high drama as death nears, The 100 season 4 remains unmatched and the definitive season for what the series can achieve.