The 100 – The Complete Second Season grips the audience in the opening moments of the first episode and doesn’t let go until the cliffhanger teasing Season Three. The season pushes all of the characters to the breaking point and many don’t survive to the final episode.
The second season arrives on DVD featuring a wealth of special features that take you into the production of the series with a look at the secrets of the Mountain; a look at how the massive action sequences are shot; deleted scenes for various episodes; a look at the 2014 Comic-Con Panel; and a fun gag reel.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I watched the first season of The 100, but was quickly hooked by the show’s action, post-apocalyptic setting, and large ensemble cast. For season two, the writers and show-runners took everything that worked in the first season and cranked it up. The 16-episode season is packed with action, tension, regret, betrayal and even a little love.
While trying to stay as spoiler free as possible, Season Two finds the Sky-People continuing their war against the Grounders, but also dealing with the new threat of the people in Mount Weather – a massive military base and underground bunker where senior U.S. officials, military personnel and other high ranking members of the government were sheltered from the nuclear destruction. The mountain has become home to their descendants – who need the Grounders and Skypeople for their ability to withstand the surface’s radiation.
The season kicks off with Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and several of her friends settling into a new life with the people who live in the Mountain. Life is good, but Clarke suspects there is something more to this facility. It doesn’t take long for her to discover the truth, and she soon escapes to meet up with Bellamy (Bob Morley), her mother (Paige Turco) and others from The Ark. Once reunited, Clarke must figure a way to help rescue the other kids still held captive in Mount Weather – even if it means making a difficult peace with the savage Grounders.
The rest of the season finds Clarke trying to grow into a leader as she teams with the Grounder Wood Clan’s leader Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) – who teaches Clarke leaders must be cold and willing to sacrifice in war. All of the tension builds to a season finale that calls into question just how good a leader Clarke has become and if she really is one of the good guys.
Along with Clarke’s journey, the season finds Octavia Blake (Marie Avgeropoulos) transforming from scared girl to a warrior able to hold her own against the Grounders. Her journey feels a tad rushed, but the talented actress is excellent in the role and becomes a true rival to Clarke as a leader of their people. Bellamy also becomes more of a leader and hero to the series. He puts his life on the line for his friends and even has time for a bit of romance. Chancellor Thelonious Jaha (Isaiah Washington) seems to go a little crazy in his belief that they have been chosen for a reason, and this belief promises a big bang for season three.
Although The 100 does have some problems, the series is extremely addictive and perfect for binge-watching. The show is a great blend of action and suspense with just enough romance thrown in to keep you interested in the character development. The writers make sure the story is epic enough to include the huge ensemble cast and make every single moment matter.