Ep 1. Pilot

In the series premiere of The 100, a sci-fi drama set 97 years after a global nuclear apocalypse, Clarke Griffin and the other juvenile delinquents are sent to Earth to determine if the planet is habitable. The pilot episode effectively sets up the overarching conflicts that will drive the series and introduces many of the show's main players.

The episode opens with Clarke (Eliza Taylor) being locked up for a crime she didn't commit. Her mother, Abby (Paige Turco), pleads with the council to spare her daughter's life, but she is ultimately sent to Earth along with 99 other teenage criminals in a desperate attempt to ensure the survival of the human race. Clarke quickly realizes that the ground is full of hidden dangers that could easily kill them all.

From there, the show shifts between different perspectives as the various characters navigate new challenges and betrayals unfold. We meet Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley), a charismatic and ruthless leader who incites chaos on the journey to the ground. He feels a sense of responsibility to his younger sister, Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos), whom he's been protecting from the council. When the authorities discover Octavia is hiding on the dropship, Bellamy forces his way onto the mission to protect her, bringing his own brand of leadership to the colony.

The episode also introduces us to the bright-eyed optimist, Finn Collins (Thomas McDonell), who quickly becomes one of the show's key players. He's the first to notice the grounders, a group of humans who survived the nuclear apocalypse and who have been living on Earth for decades. They view the 100's sudden arrival as a threat and make their presence known in a brutal attack that leaves many injured or dead.

Through it all, Clarke remains a key protagonist, exhibiting intelligence, compassion, and a sense of duty that makes her both a natural leader and an important voice of reason. The audience follows her as she faces challenge after challenge, trying to keep her wits about her as she learns just how much humanity has been stripped from the world.

The visual effects in the episode are commendable, especially given the tight budget of the CW. Filmed on location in Vancouver, the show's creative team used the wilderness to their advantage, creating a post-apocalyptic landscape that's both beautiful and terrifying. The gritty, grungy vibe extends to the costumes, with each character sporting torn and dirty clothes that add to the realism of the world.

What makes The 100 season 1 episode 1 stand out most, however, is its ability to balance character development with the show's complex overarching narrative. The viewer gets to know the characters and their motivations through their words and actions, but without sacrificing the greater story.

As the episode ends, the 100 are left to fend for themselves on the ground, still unsure of what they'll face next. It's a tantalizing setup that leaves viewers hooked, eager to see what the next episode will bring. Overall, the pilot episode of The 100 successfully establishes the show's premise and characters while setting up an intriguing story that will keep viewers coming back for more.