After six years and seven seasons, The 100 came to an end. The series spanned multiple wars, planets, and countless characters. In the end, only a handful of the main cast was able to see it through to the conclusion of the series. The final couple of seasons took many ambitious twists and turns, having the characters face the ultimate test in the end from the Judge in terms of whether or not humanity deserves "transcendence."
Ultimately, Clarke failed the test, but Raven was able to appeal to the being and show that humanity does have the ability to grow and learn. As the rest of humanity transcends into a higher, metaphysical realm, Clarke seemingly remains behind, until it's revealed that almost all of her friends have decided to remain with her. In many ways, the finale ties up almost all loose ends throughout the series. However, there are some points worth discussing that left a bit to be desired.
Updated on June 8th, 2021 by Amanda Bruce: The 100 finale will likely be one that goes down in history as one of the most divisive of all time. Like LOST, some fans love it, and others hate it. For every The 100 happy ending, there's also one full of tragedy. For every tied-up loose end, there's another left dangling. As a result, fans will likely continue arguing and wondering about the show for some time. That's especially true as more fans come to the show through streaming platforms like Netflix.
Fitting: The Group Ended Up On Earth
When the series started, the main issue was finding a home for humanity to survive. The 100 were sent to Earth in the first place to make sure the planet was viable after years of radiation soaking the atmosphere. The big conflict of the fifth season was whether or not humanity could share the one fertile piece of land left: Shallow Valley.
For every apocalyptic event that happened, the rest of the human race struggled to adapt and find a new home. Coming back to Earth decades after leaving it behind, even if it's only a handful of friends, made for a fitting ending of The 100.
Wasn't: There Was No Explanation For The Judge
One of the biggest issues fans of the series had, not just with The 100 finale, but with the last season as a whole, was with the sudden inclusion of a whole new race of beings who were powerful enough to judge humanity and turn them into beings of light.
While the seeds for Cadogan and his Disciples were planted early in the show, the seeds for the Judge were not. It was a twist with no build-up. It was also an addition that didn't make sense in the context of the show. All of the sentient beings Clarke and her friends had met up until the Judge were humans who ended up stuck on Earth, stuck in a spaceship, or colonizing a new planet. Where did the Judge and the beings of light come from? Fans will never know.
Fitting: Clarke Got A Happy Ending
Among the main cast, Clarke has arguably been through the worst (save for maybe Octavia). Between losing multiple people that she was in love with, including Finn and Lexa, and consistently having to make some of the most difficult decisions throughout the entire series, she bears some of the most intense emotional burdens.
Though she can be very divisive, the fact is that Clarke was instrumental in leading her people through a lot of turmoil and keeping many of them alive. If Clarke had to remain by herself as the rest of humanity transcended, it would have been a slap in the face given the fact that she so consistently puts others before herself throughout the series. At least she marked one The 100 happy ending for the fans.
Wasn't: Bellamy Is Dead
Though it is now revealed that Bellamy met his demise in season 7 due to actor Bob Morley's conflicting availability that season, it doesn't make his death and absence in the finale feel any less impactful.
Similar to Clarke, Bellamy had spent most of the series trying to save others--especially Echo, and Octavia to an extent as he had finally forgiven her by the final season. His death didn't sit well with a lot of fans who felt his story wasn't over, robbing them of another satisfactory The 100 ending.
Fitting: Murphy And Emori Are Together
The duo's fate seemed very tragic towards the end, as Emori had actually perished during surgery after being impaled in the chest, only to have her mind drive placed in Murphy's body to preserve her consciousness. As two minds can't co-exist in one body without causing the host to die due to brain hemorrhaging, it appeared as though the two weren't going to survive by the end of the finale.
Luckily, Raven was able to convince the Judge of humanity's deservedness to transcend right on time, and the two were saved. Had Emori's mind drive not been placed in Murphy's body, she wouldn't have made it, as only those who were alive were able to transcend. They were able to secure the happy ending that they deserved.
Wasn't: Echo And Raven Are Without Their Significant Others
Unfortunately, the luck that led to Emori and Murphy's romantic ending did not extend to every survivor. Some were extremely heartbroken in that department.
In the end, Bellamy had tragically been killed by Clarke, leaving Echo without her significant other. There was also Raven, whose romantic interests had all perished along the way. Luckily, they at least have each other as family.
Fitting: Hope Found Peace
In an effort to get revenge on the disciples, Hope plans to commit genocide. Tragically, her actions end up killing her own mother, Diyoza. She is shown to be struggling with what she had done, as well as holding resentment towards the Disciples.
In The 100 finale, however, she finds love and solace with Jordan, in addition to being with Octavia and Echo, whom she considers part of her family.
Wasn't: Sheidheda's Fate Remains Unknown
Sure, Sheidheda appears to be blown to bits in the end by Indra near the conclusion of the test, right before he is able to cause the demise of humanity. However, his fate is never actually clarified completely. If nothing else, Sheidheda demonstrates the fact that he is tenacious, reincarnating multiple times throughout the series and taking over the body of Russell Lightbourne.
Because of this, it's interesting to wonder what exactly happened to him. If his mind drive wasn't destroyed, Sheidheda theoretically should have transcended with the rest of humanity, because he technically would not have been dead.
Fitting: Madi Can Live The Life That She Wanted
This may be the most divisive entry on this list. The Judge reveals to Clarke that Madi had not, in fact, remained behind to be with Clarke, instead opting to transcend. It's explained that Madi knew that if she stayed behind with Clarke, she wouldn't have lived a fulfilled life, as there wouldn't be anyone the same age as her, and that she would be happier in transcendence.
It's a bittersweet reveal in The 100 finale, but one that does make sense in the context of the series. Madi had been through so much as is that she deserved some solace, and Clarke seems resolute in knowing that it was the best decision for her interests as well.
Wasn't: The Characters Can't Reproduce
As great as it is that so many characters were able to end the series with their significant others, the Judge reveals that due to transcendence, they will not have the opportunity to reproduce any further. While it does make sense given the nature of the ending, it's sad for a couple of reasons.
First, it eliminates the ability for characters to have their own families, which is a bit tragic for the younger couples like Hope and Jordan, who may have wanted to have children at some point. Further, it means that the surviving group will slowly dwindle until someone is inevitably all alone. If any of the characters contract an illness or dies in a tragic way, chances are that there may come a point in time when only one remains in the world by themselves.
Fitting: Octavia Redeemed Herself
Octavia has the most character development throughout the series. From being a sheltered girl who literally had to keep her existence hidden, to becoming Blodreina, to finally reconnecting with her humanity, her characterization is arguably the most fleshed out compared to any other character.
It's because of this that her redemption is so significant. Octavia goes from being a brutal dictator that made her defectors fight to the death in an arena, to preventing the battle at the end that would have led to humanity failing the Judge's test. Her redemption was full circle for the ending of The 100.
Wasn't: Clarke and Niylah's Relationship Isn't Further Explored
Clarke and Niylah have an interesting relationship throughout the series--they seem romantically involved at times, and completely platonic at others. It is revealed, however, that Niylah did reject transcendence in order to stay with Clarke.
It would have been interesting to gain insight if the two would continue to view each other platonically, or if there was still potential romance between the two of them after the events of The 100 ending.