#the100thoughts

When creating a character one of the main necessities is the characters arc and how it can be used to push a story forward. The great thing about The 100 is that so many of the characters go through transition and have story arcs pertaining to their growth. 

One of the big story arcs of this back-half of Season 2 has involved Lexa.

Lexa is an important character. Lexa pushes Clarke's story forward. Without Lexa it would be almost impossible for Clarke to be as close as she now is to defeating the mountain. Lexa is also integral to Clarke's character growth and decision making skills. Lexa has helped make Clarke become a stronger more confident individual. Her influence is a main reason as to how Clarke comes to a conclusion in regards to what kind of leader she wants to be.

As stated in my last post - one of the main themes since introducing Lexa's character has been trust. Whilst Love has been the outward theme Trust has been the underlying theme. Without love you cannot trust and without trust you cannot love. 

Personally I believe the newest episode (2x15) is a continuation of this theme.

Let's have a look at the episode:

In the first scene Lexa allows Clarke to take the lead whilst Lexa supports her.

"Bellamy's a warrior. He'll be fine."

"As Clarke said we spare the innocent."

Clarke is adamant about saving everyone who isn't directly involved in the war. Lexa knows this. Lexa supports this.

In their second brief scene when the bomb is implanted in the door the main focus on Lexa is her showing concern for Clarke. Clarke's mindset is important to Lexa. Lexa doesn't want to see Clarke worried. Not only does Lexa not enjoy seeing Clarke fret she is also aware just how dangerous any kind of negative emotion in this situation can be.

The third scene they are waiting. Lexa is being her patient self and Clarke is doing that panicky thing she does when she worries. Lexa knows that Clarke starts to panic and over-analyze when she's worried (please refer to their first scene together in 2x14). 

So what does Lexa do? She attempts to help by distracting her.

"What will you do when it's over?"

"You should come with me to the Capitol. Polis will change the way you think about us."

*takes a moment to flail over the fact Lexa wants to take her maybe someday girlfriend to the Capitol*

What is super important in this scene is how Clarke responds to the questions Lexa puts forward.

She has no idea what she's going to do when the war is over.

All she wants is her people back. Getting her people out of the mountain and back into safety is her one and only priority.

When Lexa tells her that Polis will change the way Clarke views her people Clarke's response is, 'You already have.'

Lexa hears and takes into account everything Clarke says. 

The fourth scene is when they prepare to detonate the bomb. 

"To those we have lost."

"And those we'll soon find."

The 100 is all about parallels. If we take a trip down memory lane we will all remember these words have been said before. In 2x09 these words were spoken just before Lexa was deceived into believing Clarke and the Sky People had betrayed her. At the end of that episode Clarke proves their innocence to Lexa. Parallels are extremely important and usually have a deeper meaning in regards to the bigger picture.

But then things start to go wrong. Oh so very wrong. There are Mountain Men shooting at them and the door wont open. Lexa watches her men being gunned down and instantly killed. A whole lot of bad happens.

"We'll find another way in."

"There is no other way in. You know that."

Lexa's response to the door not opening is to reassure Clarke. Lexa knows plans don't always last in war. Sometimes you have to make new plans. Unfortunately at this point in time Clarke can't look past the present moment. For Clarke this plan is the only plan.

Then Lincoln saves Clarke getting her out of harms way as they are sprayed with bullets. Lexa witnesses this. Lexa knows she can trust Lincoln with Clarke. Her reaction when Lincoln goes to join taking down the shooters on the ridge.

"No! You stay with Clarke!"

*takes a moment to breath because of Lexa's panicked no*

Then Lexa is gone and we don't see her until she comes back with a suspicious sounding treaty and the saddest please don't hate me Clarke face.

What is important to note is we have always seen Lexa from the point of view of the Sky People. The only time we have ever seen Lexa's point of view without any outside influence is those few seconds in 2x14 when Clarke storms away after calling Lexa out on her feelings.

So Lexa comes back covered in blood with a treaty to save her people.

"What did you do?"

"What you would have done. Save my people."

"I'm sorry Clarke. They weren't part of the deal."

"I do care Clarke. But I made this choice with my head and not my heart. The duty to protect my people comes first."

"I am sorry Clarke."

"May we meet again."

This entire scene is from Clarke's perspective. We are meant to feel what Clarke feels. We are meant to be shocked and hurt.

Lexa is an extremely smart leader. She knows the risks of war. Sure it was most likely a safe bet they were going to win this war. The question to be asked is at what loss? 

As Lexa states at the beginning of the episode, "The enemy thinks it's safe behind it's doors but it's not. When it realizes that it will fight back. Hard."

No matter what happens a lot of people are going to die (including Clarke's people - and as stated above all Clarke wants is to be able to save her people). 

Also Mt. Weather isn't the only threat to Lexa and her people. In the unseen moment on the ridge Lexa is given the opportunity to reduce fatalities. Fatalities that could possibly leave her people vulnerable. The treaty doesn't only save her warriors. It saves her people. She has the chance to save the majority by risking a few (which is totally understandable in relation to Lexa's character and knowing her past decisions about loss of life). So she accepts the treaty.

In this moment Lexa has to use her head. She can't follow her heart. She can't let Clarke make her doubt this decision. Even though it's obvious that hurting Clarke devastates her. Did you guys see her face as she turned to leave. </3

The problem is even if Lexa has formulated a new plan she had no way of informing Clarke. The Mountain Men were watching them in person and on camera the entire conversation leading up to Lexa's retreat. Lexa has no option but to stay strong and keep up appearances. And then Clarke never leaves. *crying*

Now I am going to backtrack to the beginning of the episode. In which the audience is informed of the plan to take down Mt. Weather. It's a great plan. It would probably work too. The problem is just as the audience knows the entirety of this plan so does Mt. Weather. The people inside of Mt. Weather are going to do anything to survive. Lexa has been doing this Commander/Warrior thing for a while now she knows the deal.

The most successful plans involve the element of surprise. Do you know what would be the best time to attack? When the enemy thinks they are safe. When the enemy lets their guard down. 

By accepting the treaty not only has Lexa saved a majority of the prisoners inside the mountain. She has created a false sense of security.

I think I also need to take a moment to state that since 2x10 Lexa has made it a point to never leave Clarke alone or in a position of risk. In tonight's episode she made sure Lincoln was protecting Clarke. In previous episodes if Lexa was not by Clarke's side she made sure Clarke always had a guard with her (even when she was in the safe confines of Camp Jaha). So based on previous acts even if Lexa and her people are retreating her past behaviour has made it clear just how much she cares for Clarke. It is hard to believe that she would leave Clarke alone (especially so close to the enemy) willingly or without a legitimate reason.

So how do the dots connect in regards to Lexa's story arc and trust?

At this point in time I actually have a dangerous belief that Lexa is going to be back for season 3. Her character is mid-development and mid arc. There is still so much more of her story to tell. She has found someone she trusts and could possibly love. The kiss in 2x14 was evidence that Lexa trusts Clarke. Then in turn everything Clarke has done when it comes to Lexa is proof of just how much faith she has in the Commander.

SIDENOTE: Lexa is one of the few main access points right now in regards to world-building within the show. Without Lexa it will probably be a whole lot harder for the Sky People to explore new locations without extreme risk. 

What is missing is the grand gesture. An act that goes beyond to prove that Lexa is trustworthy when it comes to Clarke. As long as this act doesn't involve Lexa and death it's cool. 

The betrayal has happened and now would usually be the time where the redemption arc comes into play.

The 100 is a fast paced show so there is a real possibility Lexa's trust arc will move forward during the final episode of Season 2 and the grand gesture could at least begin to come into play. If not it opens up the opportunity for Lexa's story arc to continue during Season 3.

What needs to be remembered is this is only part one of a two part act. 

We have no idea what is going to happen. Maybe I am 100% wrong and things are going to turn out drastically different. This is my interpretation of Lexa's character and her story that has been told so far. I am not a writer. But that doesn't stop me from having hope.

What I do know is I have absolute faith in the writers and creators of this show. They haven't disappointed me yet. We just have to remember that every moment has context. Everything that happens is for a legitimate reason. We just don't know what that reason is yet.

Look at the conversations mentioned above. Watch the scenes. Lexa doesn't waver when it come's to Clarke until the final scene. That's important. 

Season 2 Episode 6 (Fog of War) - The introduction of Lexa is through what is basically a ploy to see if Jaha or Kane are trustworthy. Jaha Fails - I suspect if she hadn't needed him to send a message he would probably be dead right now instead of going off to sea.

Season 2 Episode 7 (Long Into An Abyss) - When Lexa suspected Clarke had lied to her in regards to saving reapers (Lincoln) her first reaction was to angrily tell Clarke, "You Lied!" before ordering their deaths.

Season 2 Episode 9 (Remember Me) - Gustus goes behind her back threatening the alliance. She has no choice other then to kill him but it's obvious at that time he was one of her main confidants.

Season 2 Episode 10 (Survival of the Fittest) - Quint goes against orders. He must have earned Lexa's trust (on some level) because he is part of the small group of people discussing war strategies. As soon as he defies Lexa she orders his death (he also seems slightly shocked in regards to his punishment which makes me suspect he was high enough up in command to think he wouldn't be punished so harshly even if he had killed Clarke).

Season 2 Episode 14 (Bodyguard of Lies) - Octavia knows about the missile. Lexa doesn't know Octavia. I suspect they haven't really interacted apart from formalities. Which leads to Lexa ordering Octavia's death.

Then Clarke tells her, "You can't just kill everybody you don't trust!"

In which Lexa replies, "Yes I can."

When people break Lexa's trust she goes to default (aka murder). That by itself goes to show how important trust is to Lexa. She wants to trust people. She probably breaks a little bit more and evolves into harsher Commander every time that trust is broken. The threat of death is probably the only way she knows how to prevent people from betraying her.

Then there is Clarke who seems to be the only person stepping up. As soon as Clarke proved herself worthy of trust... they had an alliance... which only grew stronger the more they interacted because time and time again Clarke has proven to Lexa that she can be trusted. 

Clarke killed Finn with a knife that could have easily been used against Lexa.

Clarke treats the 'Sending Off Fire Ceremony' of Lexa's people with respect which leads to Lexa revealing her past to Clarke about Costia (which I am sure isn't something she talks about... ever).

Clarke proves that she and her people had nothing to do with the poison in the cup.

Clarke saves Lexa's life (twice) and also makes it clear to Lexa just how important she is and why she needs to keep on living.

Clarke listens to Lexa. Her opinion is important to Clarke. Even though they were at odds about the missile Lexa was the first and only person Clarke sought out once she discovered that information.

Then Clarke calls Lexa out. Lexa's initial response is to become the Commander in an attempt to scare Clarke away -> "GET. OUT." The problem is Clarke isn't one to back down and as soon as it becomes obvious to Lexa that Clarke is not going anywhere... she breaks. The Commander is gone and all we are left with is Lexa. Clarke begs Lexa to trust her and it is clear just how much Lexa wants to believe Clarke... but she can't because look at where trusting people has gotten her in the past.

Then comes the kiss. The ultimate leap of trust for Lexa. That kiss is everything. That kiss and how Clarke reacts to it is everything. It seals the deal. Lexa saying she trusts Clarke with words is one thing but Lexa telling Clarke she trusts her with a kiss is everything. That moment between the two of them not only cements Lexa's trust in Clarke but it also shows Clarke just how much Lexa believes in her. It gives Clarke a foundation to be able to have faith in her trust for Lexa.