TV Show Review

TV Review: THE 100: Season 4, Episode 12: The Chosen [The CW]

The New Arkadians The 100 The Chosen

The 100: The Chosen Review

The CW‘s The 100, Season 4, Episode 12, ‘The Chosen,’ took some very familiar routes, to a potentially off-the-wall conclusion. We all know the familiar bits – Clarke (Eliza Taylor) makes life-or-death decision for thousands, sanctimonious debate, revolt, triage, lather, rinse, repeat. There was also the well-worn bumpy ride against the clock; but, almost as if in recognition of that fact, we were then presented with the promise of combo-breaker.

It was an intriguingly reckless, haphazard idea; but we still had to get through at least one more round of regular series themes, first.

Considering that they were just spared from certain genocide (Clarke being in that business, if you’ll recall), I’d say the Grounders were pretty heavy handed with the Skaikru already in place, for the bunker move-in. On the other hand, they didn’t know about the double cross, and likely opted to light a fire under some lazy Arkadians, getting too comfy before final selection.

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There was some truth to this, of course. Thanks to the Greater Good Gang, the Arkadians took a collective sigh of relief, making them the last to get on board with the hard choice the Grounder clans had already made. Being ‘unhappy’ with a newfound sense of false security, however, was bound to come with the redress.

Raven (Lindsey Morgan) making contact kept the episode from being all about cabin fever, fortunately enough. As essential personnel (and not crazy, anymore), she was worth Bellamy (Bob Morley) & Clarke going on one last quest, and Murphy (Richard Harmon) insisting on bringing himself & Emori (Luisa D’Oliveira) along, for the same reason Murphy does anything.

We can always count on Murphy to speak truth to power (when it suits him, anyway); so I’m glad Bellamy’s latest sanctimonious impulse hadn’t been delegated to water under the bridge (at least beyond Jaha’s sanctimonious objections, anyway). Of course, the room their exchange took place in had an Echo (Tasya Teles) to it; so if anyone was wondering how she was going to get some last licks in: this.

The Raven retrieval was an opportunity for Bellamy & Clarke to renegotiate their convoluted relationship history. As good a reason as any for not arming themselves, I guess; but that Echo involvement had to have an in somewhere.

It also provided that inevitable flash-point, concerning Memori (since everyone couldn’t be bothered to check the condition of their HAZMAT suits), prompting yet another impulse sacrifice play from Clarke.

Not to sound like a broken record, but Monty (Christopher Larkin) was still the most reliable person in a clutch. What’s that, Monty? Why, yes – Jasper’s suit would have been wasted on Jasper. Better to let Clarke have it – she earned it by by being selfless. That’s not what you meant? Well, it’s what I heard. I’m sticking with that.

Heavy lies the crown has already been said & done, but Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos) has, in the span of a few episodes, carried the scales  better than Clarke has for pretty much the duration of the series. Just because I know some of you may have noticed, I won’t get into any similarities that her new role bears to Lexa’s look. The declaring of Bellamy being dead to her might seem like a distant memory to some (it really wasn’t that long ago), but her setting the record straight with Jaha seemed like a long time coming.

I’m not sure how many Mulligans Jaha is due (not as many as Bellamy, still a lot), but he just keeps getting on the wrong side of every issue. I’d be willing to grant him some stark perspective leeway, but the hypocrisy that often comes with it just gets in the way. His egging on of Hardy (Cole Vigue) flew in the face of his entire tenure as Chancellor (to say nothing of his turns as sacrificing monk).

At least Abby (Paige Turco) still had some guilt over her recent rash actions, and was set on atonement. Kane (Henry Ian Cusick), for his part, already had a loss guaranteed; but I’m glad he was consistent in his awareness (or at least mindful of Jaha).

The twist to the boiling kettle resolution was telegraphed, however, thanks to the decision to have Skaikru’s chant echo down the halls. The solution was a bold stroke, at the hands of both Kane & Jaha; but it somehow still came down to a decision Clarke had made.

The gal gets responsibility for mass extermination even in absentia – some people just can’t catch a break.

Yeah, well, the various Krus won’t be having Wanheda to kick around anymore, it seems. While they work on redefining who the 100 are, Clarke & Co. seem set on resetting the show’s settings. Resetting to something vaguely resembling the series default.

A crazy, left-field kind of idea, to be sure; but between the mental might of having Monty & Raven in the same room, and Bellamy having three unattached females to choose from, I’d say the odds warrant the attempt. The plot armor will just be the fat of the goose.

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There was a lot to this episode that came across as resolution. If that was the intent, then, logically, all that should remain is for something – maybe everything – to go wrong. There is also a chance everything could go right, and the season closes on a glimpse of where this all takes us. It’s not like the next 5 seasons will be split between fallout shelter locations, right?

Or, to put it another way, it better not be.

Either way, I find myself much more curious about this season’s finale, than any previous. Season 4 could leave on a somewhat game-changing note – after a spotty start – or just add up to one big shrug of an effort; but for now, it has managed to hold my interest, going out.

Leave your thoughts on this The 100 The Chosen review, and this episode of The 100, in the comments section, below. Readers seeking more The 100 coverage can visit our The 100 page. Readers seeking more TV show reviews can go to our TV Show Review Page, our TV Show Review Twitter Page,  our TV Show Review Facebook Page, and our TV Show Review Google+ Page. Want up-to-the-minute notification? FilmBook staff members publish  articles by Email, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and Facebook.

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Sam Joseph

Sam is an Avid consumer/observer of Geek culture, and collector of Fanboy media from earliest memory. Armchair sociologist and futurist. Honest critic with satirical if not absurdist­­ wit with some experience in comics/ animation production.
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