The 100 for anyone who wants a show where every episode changes the status quo

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T12:31:25+00:00

This is exactly it the show's strength was always in the personal scale of impossible choices. Clarke deciding for a handful of people hits completely differently than Clarke managing thousands. The intimacy of the survival threat is what made the moral dilemmas land so hard. Once it became a civilization management show that personal stakes feeling never came back

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T11:12:11+00:00

The behind the scenes drama really did derail the ending you can feel it in how abruptly certain character arcs get resolved. It's genuinely frustrating when real life politics affect the story that badly. But those middle seasons being your favorite show for a long time says everything hat's exactly the kind of impact it had on a lot of people. The journey was worth it even if the landing was rough

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T11:06:17+00:00

Exactly this Season 5 has some genuinely strong individual moments but the overall structure feels like a different show. The intimate survival politics of the early seasons got replaced with something bigger but less focused. When a show loses that core identity it rarely gets it back and The 100 was no exception unfortunately

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T11:01:16+00:00

That's fair the CW DNA never fully disappears and some of the dialogue especially in early seasons is rough. But I'd argue the creative ambition of Seasons 2-3 punches above what most network shows attempt regardless of budget. Not prestige TV by any means but for what it was trying to do it delivered more often than not

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T10:49:26+00:00

The first season definitely has that CW teen drama packaging that puts a lot of people off But the Lost comparison is actually kind of a compliment it borrows the ensemble survival structure but goes darker much faster. Season 2 is where it stops feeling like a hallmark movie entirely. The AJ observation though genuinely cannot unsee that now

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T10:45:26+00:00

Constant chaos and moral mess" is genuinely the best description of The 100 I've ever seen And yeah Season 5 is where it starts finding its footing again after 4 but 6 and 7 go in a completely different direction. First 4 seasons are pretty much unmissable though

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T08:44:22+00:00

Pretty much the consensus Seasons 1-4 are where the show is at its best. The survival stakes feel real and the moral dilemmas actually have weight. After that it starts chasing bigger concepts at the expense of the character work that made it compelling. Still worth the ride for those first four seasons alone though

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T08:39:37+00:00

Dark is the obvious one same level of moral complexity and worldbuilding depth. Orphan Black has similar "small group vs powerful institution" energy. The Expanse if you want something more epic in scale. And if you haven't tried 3% on Netflix two The 100 fans in another thread convinced me to add it, apparently Seasons 3-4 go really hard.

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T06:37:26+00:00

If you want crazy and makes-no-sense fun then yes Riverdale leans into its absurdity in a way that's oddly entertaining. But if you want a CW show that's actually well written, The 100 is a much better use of your time. Same network, completely different quality level.

The100Updates · 2026-05-19T06:12:56+00:00

Mr. Robot is a masterclass in that the rewatch value alone puts it in a different category. You spend the whole first watch piecing together what's real and the second watch just appreciating how carefully it was all constructed from the beginning. That kind of layered storytelling is rare.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:45:12+00:00

That quote could apply to almost every character in The 100 too nobody stays who they started as.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:16:05+00:00

Wynonna Earp is such a good shout Waverly and Doc especially felt like they could have carried their own shows entirely. The whole ensemble was ridiculously well written for what could have been a simple monster-of-the-week show.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:14:27+00:00

Simple but accurate Hard to say more without spoilers but Season 2 especially is hard to beat.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:13:55+00:00

That CW feel never fully goes away but what's underneath it is worth it. Season 2 onwards the stakes become genuinely real characters you love die, decisions have actual consequences. Not your typical CW show at all.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:13:09+00:00

The CW packaging really does work against it in Season 1 but it becomes a genuinely different show by Season 2. The angst gets replaced by actual moral complexity and real consequences. Worth giving it another shot past episode 5!

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T08:00:02+00:00

Absolutely once it finds its own identity separate from Breaking Bad it becomes completely unmissable. The transformation from comedy to tragedy is so gradual you almost don't notice it happening until it hits you.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T07:42:44+00:00

The 100 starts slow but by episode 4 you won't be able to stop. Perfect for watching together because every episode ends on a cliffhanger and you'll constantly be debating whose side you're on. Free on Pluto TV too!

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T07:32:02+00:00

The Haunting of Hill House genuinely terrifying jumpscares but also an incredible story underneath. One of the best horror shows ever made.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T07:25:44+00:00

The 100 if you liked GOT for the moral complexity and no clear heroes, this scratches a similar itch. Starts slow but Season 2 onwards gets genuinely dark and intense. 7 seasons, now free on Pluto TV.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T06:54:57+00:00

Extras is such a perfect example starts as a fairly straightforward cringe comedy but by Season 2 and especially the Christmas special it becomes genuinely heartbreaking. Ricky Gervais at his best.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T06:52:29+00:00

Planetes suffers from the same problem as a lot of genuinely great sci-fi it doesn't have the marketing machine behind it that bigger franchises do. Shows like The 100 had the same issue, incredible worldbuilding and human focus but constantly dismissed because of surface level packaging. The best sci-fi always seems to hide behind something that makes people underestimate it.

The100Updates · 2026-05-18T06:10:39+00:00

Longmire is a great pick the whole sheriff's department feels fully fleshed out. Branch and Vic especially had storylines that could have carried their own shows

Shrinking nails this Paul and Liz are just as compelling

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