The 100 type TV Show network The CW genre Sci-fi

Octavia Blake (Marie Avgeropoulos) has been known by many names over the past five seasons of The 100: First, there was “the Girl Under the Floor,” then “Skairipa,” then “Osleya,” and finally, “Blodreina,” a.k.a. “The Red Queen.”

Of all of them, “Blodreina” is the most recent and the most ruthless of her identities. Over the six years while the Bunker’s survivors waited out the effects of Praimfaya, she killed anyone against her united “Wonkru” and created the fighting pits — violent showdowns between those who have wronged Wonkru — in place of a bloodless justice system. But now that the Bunker’s been opened, Octavia’s grip over her unofficial kingdom may be in danger.

In the last episode, Octavia not only got infected by killer sand worms, but also had to watch Bellamy (Bob Morley) embrace Echo (Tasya Teles), the woman who once tossed her off a cliff. It’s a relationship she won’t take lightly, Avgeropoulos teases. “I’m pretty sure that Echo is the last person on Earth that Octavia would want to be her sister-in-law,” she says. “It also doesn’t help that this reveal comes on the heels of what she views as Bellamy positioning himself opposite of her game plan to get to the last survivable place on Earth, and therefore [he’s] a potential enemy of Wonkru.”

Image zoom Michael Courtney/The CW

In the exclusive clip above from Tuesday’s episode, “Exit Wounds,” at least Octavia has a solution to one of her problems. Clarke (Eliza Taylor) helps patch up her wounds, noting that the infection’s nearly healed. Even better: Blodreina has a fan in young Madi (Lola Flanery), who’s heard all the stories about the once Girl Under the Floor and now gets to watch as the Red Queen demonstrates her power. “I’m done licking my wounds,” Octavia says, rejecting Clarke’s recommendation for more rest. “Let’s go remind the others what we promised them.”

That would be the last strip of survivable land, which means a potentially deadly clash with Diyoza (Ivana Milicevic) and her people. But then again, Octavia’s Wonkru has grown used to death: They survived a year nicknamed “The Dark Year” inside the Bunker, which created this new Octavia and which Avgeropoulos promises fans will see soon through a series of flashbacks. “You’ll gain more insight into how she lost her innocence and a part of herself in those six years,” the actress tells EW. “You get to see how Octavia became Blodreina.”

And to those worried that Octavia may turn out to be the villain of the story this season, Avgeropoulos says to remember that Octavia is neither villain nor hero, but a human being trying to survive. “She’s a wild card, and that’s one of the things I love about her so much,” she explains. “I think a lot of people can relate to her because they’ve struggled in life as well, and it’s okay to be broken.”

Besides, she points out, many characters over the years have committed worse crimes, and she was excited for Octavia to get the chance to lead. “What’s interesting about playing Blodreina is it allows me to play this unwavering, laser-focused, merciless leader, and that’s not something you get to do often [as a woman],” she says. “Regal leaders are often exclusively portrayed by men… It’s an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for.”

Watch the clip from this week’s episode above. The 100 airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW.