With the cast having finished filming the season finale of season three of The 100, we talk with the cast and showrunner Jason Rothenberg about what’s going on on the show and what we have to look forward to, as well as how they have dealt with the plot twists so far.
Devon Bostick’s Jasper has been getting some mixed reviews this year from the fans and viewers, and when asked about this Bostick understood that it was part of the portrayal of Jasper as a kid with PTSD. “I’m really blessed to have this character that I can portray. […] I’m hoping I can be a good symbol for [the PTSD] community and push forward through these tough times to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
He also hopes that for those people who find Jasper annoying to understand that Jasper is still just a kid suffering an illness, and that he lost someone — a piece of him.”He’s not being annoying, this is a kid who needs help.” And although the AI presents the prospect of him relieving himself of the pain, he also recognizes the flip side of the coin; “He’d love to forget all the pain he’s been feeling, but he still wants to have those good memories.”
Bostick talks a bit about Jasper’s transition since season one, and about where the character is now. “A lot of people are pushing forward past his emotions, whereas Jasper has them all still up here in his head.” He suggests that the story arc with ALIE will present Jasper with something to keep himself busy and to keep his mind off of grieving.
When asked about his thoughts of the finale, he exclaims that it’s like nothing they’ve ever done before, and that they’re going to “go to new places.”
Bob Morley’s Bellamy has made a few questionable decisions since the season returned, and Morley comments on this fact and how the fans have reacted to it. “It’s been an interesting ride for the fans of Bellamy, at least, for him to have to be the ‘bad guy’ again.”
With social media being the most accessible way fans reach him and show their reactions to Bellamy and The 100 in general, Morley jokes that “it’s kind of enjoyable in a sadistic kind of way, to see them [the viewers] change the way they feel.”
Since season two, Bellamy has gone through a few changes, and while it may not have panned out for his character, Morley says that it’s been exciting playing someone who is “morally ambiguous”, and that to see his character change back to his old ways after season two isn’t surprising to him.
Going forward he’s excited to see how the AI story pans out and comments on the grand scale of the finale and the fact that it’s when Bellamy’s part of the story will really mesh with the rest of story.
Richard Harmon’s John Murphy has quickly become a staple on the show, and a great foil against Isaiah Washington’s Jaha. However in being stuck at Polis with Clarke, Harmon comments that it’s going to be interesting especially with two characters who can be very similar. “Clarke and Murphy are both no-nonsense characters, they both go after what they want.”
In the past three seasons, audiences have seen his character change from deplorable villain into a character with real dimension. Harmon says that Murphy has become one of his favorite characters to play, and that after gaining more time within the show, he was given a chance to develop the character more.”You’re stuck with this character for so long, you just can’t be one thing anymore. […] He’s gotta be more, he’s gotta be a real human being.”
Harmon also talked about working with Luisa D’Oliveira, who played Emori, and praised D’Oliveira’s acting. Also adding that Emori’s character is “the first character [the audience gets] to see Murphy create a team with and have feelings for someone else.”
Finally, talks of the season three finale reiterates what we’ve heard all day from the cast, that it turns The 100 into a different show than anything we’ve seen before.
Christopher Larkin’s Monty has been struggling with his mom, since her arrival in season three, and Larkin notes that Monty’s mother and Jasper are the two most important relationships in his life. With the recent devastating death of Lexa, Larkin seems only confident in assuring that “no one’s safe.”
Larkin’s favorite aspect of Monty is as “the moral compass of the show” and he comments that he’s glad that Monty has developed his own sense of agency and urgency, and he’s learned to not be so selfless. As Jasper and Raven go to work on the AI, Larkin is surprised that Monty hasn’t had more to do with it, given the character’s background.
Though moving forward, he is keen on having some sort of romance for Monty. If only for the thrill and development of having Monty’s heart wooed and then having it smashed, noting the significance of a heartbreak for the development of a character and achieving depth.
When asked about the finale, Larkin mentioned that he had been tipped off about the finale beforehand, but before going to dinner he received calls about it and “felt sick to my stomach and couldn’t eat dinner.” Describing it as “devastating” may bode ill for Monty fans, but just because you worry about your character dying doesn’t mean it will actually happen, so I guess we’ll all have to hold on for the ride until then.
Going into season 3, we see Eliza Taylor’s Clarke in a completely new setting with the moniker of Wanheda. Taylor remarks that she was excited for the development, but that the downside is that Clarke had to abandon her people; “It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s so unlike her.”
Moving forward towards the finale, Taylor has nothing but good things to say about it, excited for the fans to watch it, and saying it’s her favorite this season.
In changing from season one to season three’s Wanheda, Taylor says that “it’s really hard playing a character who’s seen so much strife all the time”, and praises the character for her strength. She talks about the emotional aspect of the show and how taxing it can be sometimes, and that it can often be hard not to take home with her at the end of the day. At the question of what she does to destress, she answers with a laugh, “Wine. That’s pretty much it. A nice bubble bath.”
Since Lindsey Morgan’s Raven has become involved with the city of light, it is clear that this is going to be the main driving force for her as she moves forward in the season. Morgan talks about Raven taking the chip and her character not knowing the damage that she’s inflicting on herself, as well as the permanent injuries she’s getting. “She doesn’t know all the damage she’s done to [her body].”
Moving to the finale, Morgan describes the episode as great and sad, and suggests that the show maybe changing. She teases the coming of a game changing character, who a lot of people haven’t talked about this season.
At the mention of her fans, Morgan gushes about them, saying that it’s beautiful and touching talking to her fans and seeing them talk to her everyday through social media. The outpour of fan support is humbling and honoring for her. She mentions attending a fan convention, which she sees as a time “when I can meet the fans and see their happiness, it makes me feel like I have purpose in this world. And that’s touching to me.”
We also had the opportunity to speak to showrunner and creator, Jason Rothenberg. He spoke to us a little bit about how each season is a different story, and that is how they format the show. Mentions of the finale only speak to confirm that it is a game changer. Rothenberg talks about the difficulty in trying to beat or match the other finales they’ve had.
The ending of season three will “spin things on its head” in terms of moving forward to season four. Though nothing has been set in stone yet, it seems that he has some ideas in the works.
English