Ep 2. Red Queen

In the second episode of season five of The 100, titled Red Queen, the focus is primarily on the aftermath of the destruction of the bunker that held the majority of the show's main characters for six years following Praimfaya. Clarke, played by Eliza Taylor, finds herself in a position of power and must make difficult decisions in order to keep her people alive.

The episode begins with a flashback to six years ago, when the bunker first closes. We see Clarke and Bellamy (Bob Morley) struggling to find a solution as time runs out and the radiation approaches. The scene is emotional and tense, with the characters coming to terms with the fact that so many people will have to die in order for others to survive. It's a powerful reminder of the stakes of the show and the lengths its characters have gone to stay alive.

Back in the present, we see Clarke grappling with her newfound leadership role. She is the only one who knows the full truth about what happened outside the bunker, and she must decide how much to reveal to her people. The group is split into factions, with some wanting to know everything and others insisting that they need to focus on the present and future rather than the past.

Meanwhile, Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos), who is now the leader of the group trapped in the bunker, is struggling to maintain order. With limited resources and no clear path to survival, tensions are high and paranoia is setting in. Octavia's leadership style is harsh and authoritarian, with a clear emphasis on survival at any cost. As the episode progresses, we see how her decisions have affected those around her, both positively and negatively.

One of the standout storylines in this episode is the relationship between Octavia and her brother Bellamy. The two have always had a complicated dynamic, with Octavia pushing against the constraints of their society and Bellamy often feeling responsible for her safety. In Red Queen, we see the two siblings at odds once again as they struggle to reconcile their differing views on leadership. It's an emotionally charged storyline that adds depth to both characters and sets the stage for future conflict.

Another interesting aspect of this episode is the introduction of a new character, McCreary (William Miller). He is a member of a group called the Eligius Corporation, who are revealed to have survived the first Praimfaya and are now looking for a new home. At first, McCreary seems like a typical villain - he's ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. However, as the episode goes on, we learn more about his backstory and motivations, and he becomes a more complex character.

Overall, Red Queen is a strong episode that sets up several intriguing storylines for the rest of the season. The tension between Clarke and Octavia, the introduction of the Eligius Corporation, and the complicated dynamic between Bellamy and Octavia all promise to be compelling plot threads. As always, the show is at its best when exploring the difficult choices its characters must make in order to survive.