The new CW television drama "The 100" presents an apocalyptic story about 100 young space teenagers who are punished by being sent back to Earth.
Ninety-seven years ago, the Earth was poisoned by radiation from a nuclear disaster that destroyed almost everything and everyone. To save humankind, hundreds of people from the international space stations created the "Ark," a space home to generations.
However, the community is running out of resources. The dictatorship, under the rule of the Chancellor, sends these teenagers to Earth. They are left to fend for themselves among the elements and the creatures. If they do not survive, then the Chancellor Pro-Tempore argues that they must eliminate majority of the population to stabilize resources.
The pilot opens in a type of juvenile detention center where the emotional environment escalates as a mother and a daughter are separated. The daughter, Clark, is forcefully sent to Earth along with 99 other teenage delinquents. As they plunge to Earth, a majority of the technology programs that would keep them alive stop fully working except for the wristbands.
The struggles of mastering the art of survival, especially as teenagers who have been locked up in space for a long period, creates for an interesting storyline. While some refuse to abide by the Chancellor's priority of going to Mount Merriweather to survive, others don't and thus within a few minutes, there is division.
The futuristic series' teenagers and Earth's wild environment will remind viewers of the movie "The Hunger Games" and television show "Lost." The set is absolutely beautiful, especially when the glow and the dark forest's night scenes appears, which can be viewed as a televised version of "Avatar." Clark is presented as a strong, smart and charming individual similar to a Katniss Everdeen. It is empowering and refreshing to have a female character who isn't simply following a male lead.
There are the usual relationships and conflicts among the youth. However, the greater political, health and social issues and concepts contribute to an interesting and dynamic story, as well as shocking moments that will keep viewers suspicious and excited.
The pilot starts strong, and "The 100" promises a great series.
Nisha Desai can be reached at nisha.desai@student.shu.edu.
