The 100 season 4, episode 4, “A Lie Guarded,” feels like the true beginning of the season. Read our spoiler-light preview!

Continued struggles with leadership and trust in Arkadia and Polis take violent turns while Abby leads a team to a distant location hoping to find answers. Article Continues Below

If I were to describe “A Lie Guarded” in three words, it would be stressful, tense and nerve-racking — and yes, those are literally three ways of saying the same thing.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been referring to the first episodes of The 100 season 4 as the ‘soft launch’ of the season, but not until watching “A Lie Guarded” did I realize how true that was.

This is not to say that the last three episodes weren’t eventful and amazing, because they were. But going by the basic structure of a television season, this is the first of three acts, with episode 4 marking the end of the beginning.

Related: The 100 season 4, episode 3 review: She’s making a list, he’s checking it twice

Based on the promo and stills that have been released so far, it’s evident that many things dramatically change over the course of this episode. Character groups and alliances reshuffle, the most obvious change-up being Abby leading a mission to “a faraway location,” a plan that actually makes sense and might seem like the best bet to actually save them all. (But what am I saying? The first rule of The 100: Place no bets!)

As the promo pictures reveal, Abbykru includes Raven, Murphy, Emori, Jackson, Nyko, Luna and Miller. This is a constellation we haven’t seen before, and the decision to choose these particular characters for this mission (aside from making logical sense) is inspired. This episode certainly opens up for lots of unexpected dynamics and team-ups moving forward.

‘You’re not God, Clarke, you don’t get to decide who lives and dies.’ — Jasper

In Arkadia, the already isolated Clarke finds herself feeling more alone than ever — as Lord Elrond would say, her list of allies grows thin. (Wait, am I old? Does everyone still get it when I randomly make The Lord of the Rings references? I sure hope so, ’cause I’ve got a lot of LotR comparisons to make in my next recap.)

“Who is Clarke Griffin?” is a question that might be worth pondering as we wait for this episode to air; the show has made no secret of the fact that Clarke’s latest dilemma is propelling her toward a new extreme, the act of writing down the names of the 100 Arkadians she believes is most worthy of survival being something she would never have considered doing on the Ark.

Watching her struggle to justify this need for secrecy and absolute control when others are questioning her decisions is going to be a testing experience for even the most dedicated Clarke fan.

But it is all in the service of a compelling, character-driven story, which puts Monty and Jasper at the forefront of the action, shedding new light on their friendship and respective relationships with Clarke.

Oh, and because I know you’re wondering: Yes, Riley is there too, and he’s not about to let you forget it.

‘Skaikru asked for time to save us from the radiation. Our alliance is broken.’ — Roan

Finally, in Polis, the Ice Nation is growing restless, and Roan is running out of patience with Skaikru — telling Kane in the extended promo for the episode that “our alliance is broken” as a gagged Bellamy looks on.

In my recent interview with composer Tree Adams, he described Echo’s musical theme as Darth Vader-ish, and that theme is on full display this week, one entrance march in particular bringing to mind a billowing black cape.

But her story, like most of the other characters’, is ultimately rooted in what she feels, not what she does. For me, the biggest joy of watching The 100 comes from trying to puzzle out what is going on inside these characters’ heads, and “A Lie Guarded” will leave us with a lot to think about!

“A Lie Guarded,” written by the masterful Kim Shumway, is a wild ride. It manages to pack layers and layers of meaning into moments that are already so visceral; the episode demands that viewers pay attention even when everything that happens on screen is immediate and overwhelming, and, personally, this is exactly what I want from an episode of The 100.

The episode reminds us that at the end of the day, the fate of the human race can come down to something as simple as two people standing on a beach, small acts of desperation, kindness, trust and sacrifice making all the difference in the world.

8 teasing tidbits from ‘The 100’ season 4, episode 4

How does one get floated on the ground? This episode answers that question. For all its pain and drama, this episode contains what might be some of the series’ funniest moments. The fourth episode of season 3, “Watch the Thrones,” featured an epic sword fight. “A Lie Guarded” continues that tradition. Emori crosses a line and Murphy makes a choice. Bellamy struggles to hold onto his hope. A small piece of Harper’s elusive backstory is revealed. Just as with “Heavy Lies the Crown,” this episode’s title has more than one meaning. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” — Albus Dumbledore.

‘The 100‘ season 4, episode 4, ‘A Lie Guarded,’ airs Wednesday at 9/8c on The CW