For quite some time the CW was a hit or miss type network, they had become known for producing widely popular teen drama series and as much as I hate to admit it… I am no longer a teen. OK, sure I occasionally watch The Vampire Diaries and am a huge fan of Reign, but the networks track record for giving a show the chance it needs to grow isn’t so stellar. I can still remember the day I found out my beloved Secret Circle got cancelled and feeling utterly and gruesomely betrayed. It took me a while to get back on the CW boat– shows like Jane the Virgin acting as the glue in a shattered relationship with one of my main sources for entertainment. OK, McKenzie… where are you going with this? The fact of the matter is, the CW finally got something right! The 100 is a phenomenal show, set in a not too distant dystopian future. I applaud its creator Jason Rothenberg for developing such a captivating, engaging and originally spun series.

The 100, which take places 97 years after a nuclear Armageddon wipes out the majority of humanity and the only known survivors are sent back to Earth from their failing space station to see if its inhabitable. The journey to the ground sets in motion a battle for survival and is one of the only shows on television that has me enthusiastically at the edge of my seat each week. The 100 has been compared to phenomenons such as The Hunger Games or Lost, but I can attest that this show surpasses many of its predecessors. There are so very few shows out there that showcase strong female leads, let alone a strong– SPOILER ALERT– bisexual female lead. Well McKenzie that’s all well and good but why should we be running to watch this series? Here’s a list why I think you should be watching The 100!

Strong Female Characters

The ladies of The 100 are bad-asses. Clarke (Eliza Taylor), Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos), Raven (Lindsey Morgan), Abby (Paige Turco) and Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) are pretty damn amazing in their own right. They not only crush stereotypes of what women should be but they have exhibited a strength that young girls can undoubtedly look up to. Females that are more than just eye-candy or a love interest for Boy No. 32 is so refreshing to see on TV these days.

Set Design, Costumes & Makeup

Holy smokes, this show has no shortage of visually stimulating scenes or characters. From the rugged-wear of the Grounders to the battle bruises on almost all of the leads every other week, I just love the look of The 100. Of course there’s some Computer Generated Imagery, but damn– those visual effects technicians know exactly what they’re doing. Needless to say, my eyeballs are very happy with every new episode.

Eliza Taylor, “Clarke Griffin” on The 100

She’s simply magnetic. Don’t get me wrong, the entire The 100 cast (especially the ladies) are beyond amazing. I don’t think I can preface enough how talented they are, but this Australian actress captivated my attention from the very start and hasn’t lost it throughout this entire journey. The acting chops on this girl– man, it can only be understood by watching the show (hint, hint). There’s a softness yet strength to her performance as Clarke that you need to see with your own eyes. Her character transforms from Day 1 to now and it’s mind blowing! At any given point you either wanna be Clarke, be her best friend, date her, or destroy her. She’s that good.

Fan Interaction

The creator, the writers, and the cast are definitely on their A-Game. They see the value of interacting with fans and no matter what the opinion is they try and answer their viewers as frequently as possible. Jason Rothenberg (Creator) and Kim Shumway (Writer) should get medals for all the live-tweeting, question fielding they do on Twitter (and Tumblr). Even when the fans are rabid demanding blood for this twist or that turn they gracefully engage in an often calm debate with those oh so passionate about the show. It’s great to see, and skyrockets the likability of the show by eons.

It’s All About That Plot

Man do these writers know how to draw in a crowd. There’s definitely no shortage of ups and downs when it comes to what’s happening on The 100, and in my honest opinion you will not find another show like this currently out there. It’s fast-paced, shocking, heartbreaking and breathtaking. It’s just one of those programs that you can sit back (if you’re not clinging to your couch for dear life) and enjoy because the writing is pretty near extraordinary. What I’m basically trying to say is that the writers have their sh*t together. They listen to the audience but don’t deviate from the original plan, and what a plan they have. They continue to surprise me with their season long story arcs and continuity.

The Challenge

I dare you to put on the first episode (Netflix is perfect for binge-watching Season 1 of this show) and then you come back to me after you’ve spent 16 hours in bed with your eyes glued to your computer screen because this show is so damn good and try to tell me how much you don’t love The 100. The orders have been given…