Alright folks, it’s time. My show has returned, and I am throwing myself back on this ride with wild abandon.

I’m adopting my Discussapalooza style from here on out. Which is to say that this recap is going to be very long. If there are any sections that you’d like me to pull out and post seperately, let me know. Otherwise, you have been warned - I like to go in depth.

We ready? LET’S GO.

Octavia feels right from the get go

First we need to talk about how stupid the Polis tower is, from a practical standpoint. It’s one of those choices where this show went for BIG BIG BIG without thinking of anything else. It is DUMB that they all got down without incident with the elevator out. And like…next episode they are back up there again??? AGSAJSABHFSAF.

Anyway, the little wobble that Octavia has as we see her climbing down the last chunk is hilarious to me because I feel it’s the only acknowledgment the writers make to the ridiculously death defying feat they all just accomplished? ANYWAY.

ANYWAY. We then get all the emotions when Octavia runs to Indra, and this relationship means the actual world to me if I’m honest. When you look back at how they started, and the genuine affection and respect between them now - particularly from Indra’s side - it’s actually incredible. Plus I am just STRAIGHT UP EUPHORIC that Indra is still around.

Their interaction regarding Pike is really subtle, and I love it. As much as I am sad to have lost Mike Beach (though he continues to be the absolute best), I also really do not have an issue with Octavia killing him. He executed Lincoln, and this world is messed up. I enjoy Octavia’s ‘I waited until it was over line’ even though it’s only just true (she almost screwed everybody over beforehand when she couldn’t control her urges), but I think the delivery is spot on. It was a struggle for Octavia to hold back. In the end, she needed it to be over. And Indra’s nod? Mostly, I see understanding there. But I’ll keep an eye on where these two go this season, because maybe there was also a little bit of sadness? We’ll see.

Bellarke instantly blow my mind

HONESTLY. I’m not exaggerating when I flail over them standing next to each other. It’s actually iconic at this point. STAND TOGETHER ALL THE TIME PLEASE.

Polis is a mess. Would be super great if it would just…get blasted out of existence sometime soon? *innocent emoji*

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THEIR OCTAVIA INTERACTION. I’M GONNA LIST WITHIN MY LIST.

1. I love that Clarke is looking to make him feel better, despite everything else on their plates. That’s the first thing we get from Clarke in Season 4 - her reassuring Bellamy.

2. I also love that Bellamy isn’t racing after Octavia to check in, to follow up, or even just to keep an eye on her. We see this throughout the episode, and I’ll talk about it more, but I really feel like the Blake relationship is going to step up in a big way, and in a way that it needs to. Bellamy is going to step back from Octavia, not from lack of love, but from the perspective that she can take care of herself. And maybe, for the first time in Bellamy’s life, he can lift a little of the burden of responsibility off his shoulders (I mean, that’s a joke obviously…because the world is ending, but you know).

3. AND when Clarke mentions that people will believe Pike had it coming, Bellamy responds with ‘maybe we all do.’ His head almost snaps around when Clarke says it, and it’s clear that he’s thinking if Pike deserved it, then so do I .

. Okay, so moving on. We’ve known for a long time that Clarke was going to tell Bellamy before everyone else. I want to point it out again though. Because.

It’s Bellamy that suggests they hold back on sharing the end of the world news until they have more facts, and Clarke points out that he’s afraid of how people will react. Meg and I have just shared our podcast recap of 1x04, so the episode is vivid in my mind and I LOVE how this moment calls back to that episode. Back then Bellamy told Clarke ‘be smart about this’. She didn’t listen, and things went a bit tits up. It was the end of that episode that Bellamy and Clarke became partners with ‘from now on, we make the rules.’ And we see their evolution presented here. Clarke listens to Bellamy.

THEY ARE STANDING VERY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER JUST SO YOU KNOW.

Bellamy loves to drop in shit jokes in terribad situations. I love it. It’s like he’s constantly trying to lighten the weight on Clarke’s shoulders. Like he cares for her happiness or some shit.

So Clarke listens to Bellamy as he reassures her. It’s step by step Clarke, one thing at a time. We get down, we go home, we figure it out (hey, remember the 3x16 script revealing to us that Clarke thought of Bellamy as she pulled the lever? And remember how she said ‘we’ll figure something out, we always do.’ It’s a little bit like this sort of moment was EXACTLY what she imagined) and we survive. We get a long shot of Clarke’s face when Bellamy finished talking, and it is all about her looking at him and just being so grateful for him. She needs him, more than anyone (yes, I believe more than she needs Abby and yes I believe more than she needed Lexa - sue me).

grateful for him. She needs him, more than anyone (yes, I believe more than she needs Abby and yes I believe more than she needed Lexa - sue me). ‘Thank you, for keeping me alive.’ SO AFTER THE FLAILING IS DONE, there is a ton to unpack here. Most obviously, Bob is a master of his face. Like, he does the whole I AM TAKEN ABACK thing so goddamn well. There’s also a sadness to Clarke that Eliza carries in this episode. She’s tired, and she’s mourning, and she’s scared. It’s beautiful to me that she took this moment, looking up at this stalwart beside her, and said those words. We see her thank Raven later too, and I wonder if this is perhaps the legacy of Clarke’s S3 arc. Love is weakness is truly gone. Will we see her be more open in general now, knowing that they might all be dead in six months anyway?

I talked about this already, but I’ll go again because lbr this recap won’t have anywhere near enough words in it if I don’t (L O L). I think we can take this thank you in its most literal sense, which is probably how Bellamy takes it. By that I mean that Clarke is thanking him for his solid work in 3x15 and 3x16, and then for all the other times that he has stepped in to save her. But I also think it throws back to her pulling the lever in 3x16 again, especially when you consider the script. In that scene, Clarke essentially chose life or death for everyone. It was thinking of Bellamy that gave her the strength to survive. He doesn’t know that, and he probably never will, but without him ALWAYS doing what he is doing in this very scene Clarke might have chosen differently.

Clarke might have chosen differently. No wonder they stick to each other like glue.

‘You don’t make it easy.’ *giggles*

I like the confirmation that the people Lexa killed in the CoL are dead IRL. I wonder if this is just put in there to tie up a loose end, or if it’s going to be relevant later?

I also like the spinning shot of Bellarke because I am who I am, and I am not ashamed.

CREDITS! I always thought it was spelled Zach tbh. Surely they wouldn’t put a typo in the credits for an actor’s name though? Right? RIGHT?

Arkadia kru!

THIS SCENE WAS SO CUTE. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I’m like, give or take about Marper, but their shuffle dancing was adorable.

Jasper skidding in and pleading the chip was also adorable, but I’LL GET TO JASPER LATER.

RAVEN. HI RAVEN. HOW ARE YOU RAVEN. I LOVE YOU RAVEN.

Anybody else notice that Raven is almost a little bit S1 Clark in this moment? The others are taking a moment to chill, and savour their success. Raven is all business. We’ve all heard that Raven is going to have more of a leadership role this season, and I am already getting those vibes.

The moment between Jasper and Raven is wonderful and heartbreaking. Their scenes together last season were so lovely, and I really buy her checking in on him as she does here. I also think everything about Jasper in this moment is hella complex. I think he is happy that Raven is okay, but I also suspect he is incredibly jealous. He looks at her and her injury, knowing that she has ‘been through more than anyone’, and he sees how capable she is, how helpful she is, AND ALIE upgraded her brain on top of that? It must make him feel even worse about himself, even more useless. He’s beating himself up for not being as good as she is. But it’s not a competition, Jasper. It’s different people that deal with things in different ways. Oh my god I’m talking to him like he can hear me. YOU’LL BE OKAY JASPER.

complex. I think he is happy that Raven is okay, but I also suspect he is incredibly jealous. He looks at her and her injury, knowing that she has ‘been through more than anyone’, and he sees how capable she is, how helpful she is, AND ALIE upgraded her brain on top of that? It must make him feel even worse about himself, even more useless. He’s beating himself up for not being as good as she is. But it’s not a competition, Jasper. It’s different people that deal with things in different ways. Oh my god I’m talking to him like he can hear me. YOU’LL BE OKAY JASPER. ‘There’s nothing like a little pain to remind you that you’re alive.’ LET ME WEEP. Also, NEVER say this to a person suffering from chronic pain. HOWEVER, as somebody that does suffer from it…I adore this line. I know that might sound like a contradiction, but this is the sort of shit that is inspiring when coming from the right source. And Raven is that source. She made it out, she survived. She can put things in perspective. Her pain is her choice, her life is her choice. AH.

‘Wish I could get an upgrade’ OH JASPER. I have complicated feelings about Jasper in this episode. I’ll get to it later.

RAVEN CHECKING THAT THE OTHERS HAVE LEFT AND THEN LETTING HERSELF REACT TO HER PAIN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. THANK YOU SHOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I refuse to speculate about Raven’s face fading into the skull, simply because a world in which Raven dies is not a world that I believe will ever exist. So I ain’t worried.

Bravenlarke Rises

Fucking Jaha.

Kane, you’re very kind. But ‘what have we done’? I don’t know if you can really take any of the blame for the CoL.

Kabby! Standing! People stand so well on this show.

Abby’s mum senses tingle, and we get some more classic Bellarke/Kabby because this show knows what it’s about and it’s FINE VESSELS.

And then BRAVENLARKE RISES. Bellamy and Clarke step away from the adults to chat to their BFF and there is SO MUCH HERE. MY GOD THIS RECAP IS GOING TO BE SO LONG I AM SO SORRY. I CAN’T BELIEVE ANY OF YOU WILL READ THE WHOLE THING. YIKES.

Also worth noting: Kabby observing Bellarke as they walk away.

FIRST AND FOREMOST - Raven wants to know if everyone is okay, AND ASKS AFTER CLARKE. And then CLARKE THANKS HER. You guys, we have been so goddamn deprived of Clarke and Raven. GIVE ME ALL OF IT PLEASE.

Clarke thanking Raven is also nice from the perspective that the show is acknowledging that Clarke wouldn’t have pulled any lever without Raven’s smarts.

ALSO, CLARKE PUTS BOTH HANDS OVER BELLAMY’S. NOTE THIS SHIT DOWN. I LIVE.

Bellarke split up here for no other reason than to set up the following scene with Echo, which honestly makes me laugh a lot.

ROAN IS ALIVE. I mean, this isn’t news but let’s YAY over it anyway.

Okay, so Echo grabs Clarke and Abby is all GASP and then from a million miles away Bellamy storms over, and the FURY in his face honestly gives me shivers. The point, the being held back by Kane, the ‘Bellamy, don’t’. Everybody in this bar knows in their own way that threatening Clarke is liable to set Bellamy the f off. And when you add the Echo/Gina to it all, it becomes ever more intense.

Bellamy storms over, and the FURY in his face honestly gives me shivers. The point, the being held back by Kane, the ‘Bellamy, don’t’. Everybody in this bar knows in their own way that threatening Clarke is liable to set Bellamy the f off. And when you add the Echo/Gina to it all, it becomes ever more intense. Much catching of Clarke. Much standing close.

Setting up the politics

Okay, so Echo is not about Skaikru and Azgeda have the numbers to back up their ire. Kane makes a lovely attempt at defending Clarke, but it doesn’t seem to faze Echo at all. We then meet random ambassador with spectacular eyes, and we then lose random ambassador when Echo slits her throat. I have a bit of an issue with this scene if I’m honest, because it feels a bit contrived. Echo JUST had a sword to Clarke’s throat, and no argument actually won her over. Yet she happily murders random ambassador? I’d argue that Echo spares Clarke because Bellamy is there and she feels residual guilt for what happened at Mt Weather…but then, she seems more than happy to see Clarke murdered later so that doesn’t add up. Essentially, I see the writer’s hands at work here.

‘Looks like saving the world will have to wait.’ *giggles* Also, HOW CLOSE ARE YOUR FACES HONESTLY.

Fucking Jaha.

Oh, hey Murphy! Nice to see you and your sass. And also nice to see you agree with me on the fucking Jaha front.

This Memori scene is super cute. I love the reminder that Emori was essentially banished by the grounders because of her deformity. I love Murphy calling his people his people, and thinking things are different now. I love how earnest and honest her is with her. And her acceptance. BUT THEN I GET SAD, BUT I’LL GET TO THAT LATER.

Family Gathering

So Abby sees Kane look at his crucifixion wounds, and we all remember that he was crucified because he wouldn’t let them hurt Abby. Paige nails Abby’s guilt, and the whole exchange is wonderfully tender. The best part of this scene is Clarke watching it happen. I love her little smile. She wants her mum to be happy, especially if the world is ending in six months. I also think there’s a little sadness in her expression. We can’t forget that Clarke was reunited with Lexa literally…what..an hour or so before this? I’m sure she’s thinking of Lexa here too.

KINDRA. The hug was everything.

Bellamy returns to Clarke’s side.

Octavia is SO SASSY IN THIS EPISODE MY GOD.

There’s a shot where Bellamy looks across at Clarke when she says ‘we have to save Roan’ that I really enjoy. Just thought I’d point it out.

Abby’s motherly intuition tells her that Clarke knows more than she does, but before Clarke informs the group she looks to Bellamy. He nods. THEY ARE A TEAM. And the truth is out there. They can’t afford a fight, nor do they have time for it. They need to save Roan and form some sort of truce with Azgeda if they have any hope of saving the world.

FUN FACT I actually did not at any point twig that it was Octavia in the bag, and that Jaha was in on the team effort. I truly thought he was just off doing some weird shit by himself. So I guess…I was pleasantly surprised? Good…good for you, Jaha?

Can’t say I was too emotionally impacted to see him get beat up though *shrug*. I mean, it wasn’t pleasant but whatever.

Bellamy, the Leader

Personally, I do not believe that Becho will happen. What I do see is the writer’s using Echo, and their history, as a means to bring Bellamy back to the forefront as a leader. Others have already mentioned the parallel to Clarke and Lexa here, and I totally see it. Because Echo will only deal with Bellamy, the show is allowed to pull back from just Clarke as representative of Skaikru. It’s actually pretty clever, and gives Bellamy a ton of agency outside of his partnership with Clarke. So, kudos.

GUYS I WAS JUST SO PLEASED WITH OCTAVIA THIS EPISODE. All the pre season stuff made it sound like she was going to be off on her own, and doing her own murderous thing. But her murderous thing is totally for her people! I love it! And yes, it is completely implausible that Octavia is suddenly a highly skilled ninja. I absolutely agree. But also, whatever. I accepted her sudden level up back in S2. I’m over it.

ABBY’S REACTION TO OCTAVIA’S MURDERS WAS HONESTLY AMAZING. I LAUGHED VERY HARD. More Abby/the Blakes please and thank you. Make the family complete.

Okay, so Murphamy lives. I love how Emori says she doesn’t like this, and Murphy’s reaction is IT’S OKAY, BELLAMY IS RIGHT THERE. And then as he approaches, Indra has to TELL BELLAMY TO PAY ATTENTION. Ahaha. Amazing.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT INDRA AND BELLAMY FOR A SECOND? LIKE. The last time they were alone together, Bellamy was chained to a wall and she hated his guts. And I mean, she probably still sort of hates his guts. But wow, progress. And progress on Bellamy’s part too. I actually think it says a lot for his self worth that he can stand there with her on such a level. It probably helps that his dad, and her BFF, is there too but still. IMPORTANT.

‘I know how you feel about her, but you can’t lose control’ was clearly put in to remind people that are less obsessed than us that Bellamy has a pretty solid reason to hate Echo. Much like we understand Octavia’s quest for vengeance re. Pike, we could understand Bellamy feeling the same here. But Bellamy has come out of S3 in a much better place than he started it, that’s for sure.

‘That’s probably because you’re not an idiot.’ Oh, Murphy.

AND THEN I GET REALLY SAD YOU GUYS. Bellamy gives Murphy his gun, in a throwback to S2 and like…I just….I GET it. It’s totally in character for Murphy to look at this situation brewing, to think of Emori, and to say screw it. IT TOTALLY IS. But I was really, really looking forward to Murphy being back with the group. And EVEN MORE THAN THAT I was looking forward to Emori meeting the group! Clarke and Emori scenes. Raven and Emori scenes. Bellamy and Emori scenes. GIVE IT TO ME. So I can’t help but be disappointed with Murphy here. And I really hope Memori aren’t off on their own for long. Maybe Murphy will have a change of heart? Maybe Memori have started back towards Arkadia? Maybe they will bump into Bellarke on the way? DOUBLE DATE?

‘I GOT THIS’ means everything, as does Bellamy’s power strut. HE’S BACK IN THE GAME. I’m sure he’s still full of self loathing, but it’s not crippling him like it was. He is finding his self worth again.

I actually don’t find it at all surprising that Echo seems to genuinely care for Bellamy’s opinion. She saw his courage and his strength and his compassion in Mt Weather. He saved her and all of the others that were trapped there. He is a good, in her eyes. But as Bellamy says, it’s not that easy. At the end of the day, Gina died because Echo betrayed Bellamy. You don’t just apologise for something like that. And while I don’t personally care for Gina (so so so scandalous - note: I care that the writers created the character just to kill her, but it was so obviously going down that way that I never formed an attachment. Sue me) her memory won’t just disappear.

Bob nails this scene by the way. He told the others that he had this, and he does. He IS control. But you can still see his anger in the stiff way he holds himself, the furrow of his brow, the occasional gulp, and the deliberate way that he talks.

OH LOOK. OCTAVIA LOVES HER BROTHER AND DOESN’T WANT HIM TO DIE.

Bellamy’s reaction to the Trikru massacre is ALSO on point, and I like that Echo had no idea he was there. She almost looks a little bit excited by it. Murder clearly turns her on.

‘The alternative is war. Is that what you want?’ makes me think of the Bellarke fight in 3x05 and I had to mention it because if I am feeling these emotions, you should be too.

Oh, btw, during all of this Clarke and Abby are trying to save Roan. I bring it up because I LOVE THE MOTHER/DAUGHTER BONDING IN THIS EP. GRIFFIN LADIES FTW.

And then we see the sliiiiightest break in Bellamy’s composure. Echo turns to leave, and he grabs her arm saying ‘I wasn’t done talking’’ and the delivery does things to me. But then, oops. Bellamy is on the floor with a knife at his throat. And the ANGER. The ANGER in his eyes. OOF.

OH LOOK. OCTAVIA LOVES HER BROTHER AND DOESN’T WANT HIM TO DIE PT II

‘Abby will come through.’ Kane’s faith in her is beautiful

OH LOOK. OCTAVIA LOVES HER BROTHER AND DOESN’T WANT HIM TO DIE PT III

I hate writerly contrivance, so I hate that Roan wakes up just as Echo is about to chop Clarke’s head off. It’s dumb. Don’t be dumb, writers.

ABS.

CLARKE give the guy a second before you pounce.

Also, thank you so very much for hiring Mr McGowan. You did me a solid.

I’m Niytavia for lyf but noting Octavia’s take no BS ‘we just saved your damn life’ juuuuust in case.

Sex and giggles and SADNESS

The Marper scene is cute. Like…I don’t know, it came out of nowhere so I’m not emotionally invested. But I want both characters to be happy, so yay.

Raven interrupting them eternally is my fave. Her delivery of ‘we’re all gonna die’ is also my fave.

Okay, let’s tackle Jasper being about to kill himself. It’s clear that the writers were going to kill Jasper off in S3, but decided against it. Cool. I’m glad. So why go for an attempt of suicide here after the lovely Jonty scene in the S3 finale? Because it’s not just that they postponed the storyline, because Jasper DOESN’T kill himself. It’s NEW story. I’ll jump ahead now to Raven revealing the radiation truth to them (kinda loving that ALL the delinquents know btw) and Jasper’s reaction. I personally kinda like it? I mean, I’m withholding judgement until I’ve seen more. But in this episode alone? I like that he has a different reaction to the others, and that - weirdly - knowing that he’s doing to die makes him want to live? The thing that stops me getting really excited is being fairly convinced that Jasper WILL die this season, but if they handle the death right (I still have faith) then I might actually like this arc? I JUST DON’T KNOW BASICALLY. (Jasper’s soundtrack theme is so haunting and wonderful).

Devon is really knocking it out of the park btw.

I’m intrigued by what will come of Echo and Roan. I’d pin Echo as the season’s villain, but from Tasya’s interviews it doesn’t seem to be what’s coming.

Will Roan cauterise his own wounds with blades once per season? Excellent.

Stupid crown.

Down to learn more about Roan’s family though. Siblings? Grandpa Theo?

Hell in a cell (not really an apt subheading, I just wanted to use it)

All right, let’s do this.

The conversation between Abby and Clarke is important on so many levels. Firstly, these two haven’t had such a moment in so long. It’s just plain nice to see. It’s also INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to see Clarke talk about her love for Lexa, in a room full of people, and to have her mother just smile and understand. It ain’t no thing, and that’s quality representation for so many people.

I’ve also already mentioned that while we’ve had months to get over 3x16, the events we witnessed have JUST HAPPENED in the shows timeline. Seeing Lexa and then losing her again is fresh in Clarke’s mind. I mean, she hasn’t even had one night to sleep on it. Of course, she’s upset.

AND I talked about this in Season 3 but I will never understand why so many people give Clarke shit for being attached to the chip. I know we’re all different, but it’s really quite normal to attach emotional significance to objects. In this case, I’d say it’s particularly justified.

The camera then hops to Kane watching Bellamy, and then closes in on Bellamy’s face. I’ve seen all the different interpretations, so here’s my take.

Overall, I think Bellamy is feeling compassion and empathy for somebody that he loves. He doesn’t want Clarke to be sad or hurting! It hurts him to see her that way, and to not be able to help. I do think that there is a layer of something else there though, but I’m loathe to call it jealousy. Jealousy sounds so…so negative. I am very much in the camp that Bellamy is aware, on some level, that he is in love with Clarke. But I also believe that he isn’t remotely thinking about it ever actually happening between them, and he’s okay with that. So not jealousy as such…but a twinge, let’s say. A slight twisting of the stomach and a twinge of the heart.

I’ve also seen the suggestion that he’s looking towards Octavia, and eh. I mean, perhaps. But for me the most important thing about this scene is that the writers chose to include it, and chose to showcase it in the way that they did. I think if they wanted us to know that Bellamy was thinking about Octavia, we would have seen a shot of her after Bellamy. We didn’t. Which tells me that the intention of the scene was for us to connect Clarke to Kane watching Bellamy to Bellamy reacting to Clarke.

In which case - SQUEE.

And then we get my absolute fave moment, because it was one of the few Bellarke scenes that wasn’t spoiled in one way or another - and that is Bellamy’s freak out when Echo takes Clarke. There’s honestly not much to say at this point. Obviously, he’d react that way. Obviously, Bob would nail it. But I’d like to draw attention to the writer’s intention once more here. We get a brief shot of Abby’s reaction, but the majority of the scene focuses on Bellamy’s reaction. Important.

Clarke, Crown, Chip

‘It’s always something with you, isn’t it.’ ‘This will be good.’ LOL FOREVER.

I can’t wait for Clarke and Roan to be BFFs.

‘Science is our only hope’ HEY IT’S LIKE THE REAL WORLD.

Clarke giving up the chip is a lovely scene. She does it for the sake of all, and ultimately I doubt it was that much of a struggle for her. Mostly, I think it makes her sad. Poor Clarke.

I also do think this a symbolic closing of the door re. Lexa. Which isn’t to say I don’t think she will be mentioned or referenced again this season, but it will be sporadic and only in relation to pushing forward other relationships or story arcs.

THE COALITION IS FORMED.

Until another Nightblood ascends? Where you at Luna.

Once again, we get a shot of Bellamy taking in Clarke’s reaction to the flame. The two of them are so in tune, it’s ridiculous.

We also get a shot of the woman who shouts out during Roan’s speech, and then Indra looking around. So…Indra’s daughter, yes? If not her daughter, then somebody significant. VERY excited to meet her next episode. And I’m intrigued as to how she might interact with Octavia.

The youth inherit the earth!!!!!!!

So the last scene with Echo bothers me just because I think Echo’s line about trust is stupid after everything she has done, at such an early point. Like…maybe if you had just saved his life (something I feel will inevitably happen at some point this season) and that just makes the scene feel really obvious. I am adamant that there will be no romance here, but I do see a future where the show will take Bellamy towards forgiving her. Please show, handle this well.

On the other hand, if I hadn’t read Tasya’s interview, I might take Bob’s delivery of ‘I doubt it’ as the final nail in the coffin, and confirmation that this is done. It’s cold, collected. Perfect.

Family pow wow!!

Octavia sass and then, ‘this is serious, O’ and again I sense a different Bellamy here in relation to Octavia. Further emphasised by his leaving without insisting on a hug, or even a lingering look. It’s like…he’s there, and he’s observing, and he’s contributing…but the relationship between them is on her now. Or something.

This is emphasised again by the parental goodbyes to Bellarke. Clarke and Abby is lovely as ever, so now let me turn to the scene between Kane and Bellamy.

I was surprised to see there was so much ‘controversy’ over this scene. I definitely did not take it as Kane admonishing Bellamy, or Kane implying that Bellamy did not deserve to live or that everything was Bellamy’s fault. I very much took it as Kane speaking from past experience, and knowing that Bellamy has a tendency to blame himself. It’s advice from the heart, and well meaning.

That being said, it has all the subtlety of being smashed in the face with a frying pan. That’s my issue with it. It reminds me of Bellamy spelling out his arc to Pike in 3x16. I was okay with that one because fandom last season had proven that it needed to be spelled out. I was hoping we could do away with such over explaining this season though.

I would have much preferred Kane placing a hand on Bellamy’s shoulder, the two of them nodding at each other, Kane saying ‘take care of yourself’, and then A GODDAMN HUG.

When Kane says ‘you’ll deserve to survive’ and Abby looks up at him - HEY SEASON 1 THROWBACK I SEE YOU.

Bellamy’s ‘I hope so’ is really important to me. He WANTS to live, to survive, to earn happiness again.

The shot of Clarke witnessing the moment is ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. again, they are just so in tune with each other, with their emotions, with their headspaces. Slay me.

Anyway.

So.

Like.

The shot of Clarke and Bellamy walking away framed by Kabby!!!!!!!!!!!

‘THE YOUTH INHERITED THE EARTH.’

I

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ALMOST THREW MY LAPTOP WHICH WOULD HAVE SUCKED CAUSE I JUST BOUGHT IT

WHAT KIND OF EPIC SHIT

I’ve always said that Bellarke will usher in a new age on earth, but like….YOOOOO I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SO EXPLICITLY STATED ON SHOW. FUCKING YES.

I also LOVE Abby’s ‘they have six months to save it.’ Gone are the days of her trying to step in and be an adult for the children. Kabby are stepping back. They are keeping an eye on the politics of things. Saving the world? That’s for Bellarke and the delinquents.

‘SO WHAT NOW, PRINCESS?’

Look, here’s the deal. I am so okay with Princess coming back in this moment. FIRSTLY, after an episode which really emphasises the S1ness of Bellarke in so many ways, the use of the old nickname really drives that home. But it also drives home how far they have come since then. It’s a light hearted moment, a joke, a tool again for Bellamy to lift Clarke’s burdens.

(Plus, Jason recently confirmed that the whole point of the Princess nickname between Bellarke was Han x Leia inspired so like HOW CAN I NOT LOVE THAT.)

AND IT WORKS. She is so clearly surprised, and delighted by it! She struts, she smirks! Walking out of Polis with Bellamy calling her Princess has her feeling all kinds of badass.

And I also love how lots of you have pointed out the contrast between everyone else, even Kane, calling her Wanheda. I LOVE IT AND I AGREE. Before Polis, before the grounders, Bellamy was there - and he’s still there now.

Fucking Jaha.

Oh hey, radiation. Sweet. Also, Egypt. People. World. Countries. LET’S GO SOMEWHERE.

SO THAT WAS MY RECAP. WHO’S STILL HERE WITH ME? NOBODY? GOOD.

I CAN’T WAIT FOR 4X02.