The Polis-tics of dancing.
By Eric Goldman
The best episode so far for Season 3, “Ye Who Enter” offered a lot of insight into Lexa’s shaky position of power, while offering a lot of new trouble thanks to the Ice Nation – who freaking blew up Mount Weather!
Yes, there is plenty of underlying tension, sexual and otherwise, between Clarke and Lexa, but it’s also good to see that Clarke is in no way simply letting bygones be bygones and holds an understandable grudge. Their first big scene together was great, as Lexa poised some interesting questions, asking Clarke if she might have taken the deal Lexa was given in order to save her people. Even as Lexa pointed out that ultimately Clarke did betray friends and allies in Mount Weather when she killed all who lived inside, Clarke’s retorts were all true as well, regarding how it was Lexa who left her in such a terrible, no win situation to begin with. All of which is to say, they both stated their perspectives well.
I wish they hadn’t quite telegraphed so much that Lexa was going to push that Ice Nation a-hole out the window – the way it was staged and how he stepped in front of her kind of made it obvious in the moment – but it was still a great way to show that Lexa is personally ruthless and willing to get her hands duty. Amazingly, considering the show she’s on, I believe this is the first time we’ve seen her kill someone in a hands on manner.
From offering to make the Sky People the official 13th Clan (itself a cool turn of events), to her final act of the episode, bowing before Clarke (as Clarke had done for her), Lexa’s actions were definitely intriguing – and yes, all nicely layered with both the respect and, ahem, other feelings she has for Clarke. Considering how reserved and stoic Lexa is, it’s a testament to Alycia Debnam-Carey that she manages to convey all of these intense feelings, without getting too verbal or openly emotional.
The twist with Echo tricking Bellamy was a good one, with it turning out the Ice Nation assassin was actually inside Mount Weather, not at Polis. And it’s especially harsh, given Bellamy had trusted Echo so much, given what they went through last season. (Though I’m trying to get my mind around why Echo made up the ruse in the first place? I’m trying to remember if anything Bellamy’s group did made it easier in Mount Weather for her assassin…)
It’s a double whammy for Bellamy too, since his girlfriend Gina was killed thanks to the Ice Nation – albeit before we knew her well enough to care about her at all. Though, regardless, it was an evocative moment when we saw Raven trying to give Gina the code to turn off the self-destruct, and she was already dead from her wounds, holding the walkie talkie.
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
Advertisement
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
Advertisement
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
The 100: “Ye Who Enter Here” Photos
In the midst of this, there were some really strong moments for Raven and Sinclair. Their big scene were she broke down in front of him was very impactful and really beautifully played by Lindsey Morgan. In fact, it was such a nice moment for Sinclair (as he switched from using her last name to her first name – awww!), I was sure he was about to die moments later, when he ran after the assassin – and thus was very happy when Raven saved him.
The final reveal, with Echo going to the much talked-about Ice Queen (Brenda Strong), and the reveal that the way they had all this info on Mount Weather was from Emerson was perfect – a really deft way to explain the Ice Nation’s intel and bring back a big dangling thread from Season 2. Though I expect Emerson better watch out, since there’s no way the Ice Nation has any fondness for him, given he was one of the Mountain Men who took them too.
Let’s wrap up with some bullet points!
-Some nice material for Kane here, showing his ease as a negotiator. But he’s right, there’s been enough pin training between him and Abby, so good to hear an actual election will happen.
-Weird beat where Bellamy said “Yeah, I did,” when he was told he didn’t have to kill the guards. What’s going on inside that head of yours, Bellamy? You going Finn on us?
-Interesting when Roan told Clarke that Lexa had failed to deliver on her promise to lift his banishment. A: I want to know more about how his banishment works, if it’s within Lexa’s power, not the Ice Nation, to lift it. B: If what he says is true about Lexa not fulfilling her side of the deal, it certainly doesn’t help looking at Lexa’s history of trustworthiness to those who are not one of her people.
-I liked hearing more about Clarke making Lexa look weak to the Grounders after what happened at Mount Weather – which makes sense, in the cutthroat sense that Lexa turned and left, while Clarke wiped out all of the hated Mountain Men.
-Very amusing how Lexa’s vows to Clarke were not so subtly reminiscent of a marriage ceremony, as she made her vows to her. It was also funny how Echo reported that Clarke was “by the Commander’s side, as predicted.” Even Emerson and the Ice Nation can see the chemistry and vibes going on here!
-Good to see Indra and Octavia’s little moment near the end. Hopefully this opens the door for Octavia to resume her Padawan status? Oh, and speaking of Indra, how likable are Indra and Kane: BFFs?
From the politics of Polis to the oh-so complicated dynamic between Clarke and Lexa (Will they or won’t they… kill each other or hook up?) to Raven’s pain and Mount Weather’s end, there was a ton of compelling and exciting material in this episode. By the end, The Ice Nation managed to take out most of the Farm Station survivors (presumably not Monty’s mom though?), but now have Lexa’s people and the Sky People united against them. But I’m guessing, on this show, it won’t be so simple as a big team-up and onto victory in war…
