The 100 Season 6 Episode 4 Preview: You’re In A Cult, Call Your Dad
Yana Grebenyuk
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We left off The 100 Season 6 Episode 3 with (most) of the group granted the chance to stay in Sanctum. Clarke's assistance with saving Delilah before her ceremony to become a Prime convinced Russell that she was worth the investment.
Or maybe it was the fact that he saw her nightblood and decided to save her as a potential host.
Both options mean that Clarke and those around her are unsafe, in whatever version safe makes sense on Sanctum.
Meanwhile, Octavia gets left behind by Bellamy and Diyoza gets kicked out by Russell when they recognize her. That leaves both of them outside the barriers of Sanctum, where we now know the Children of Gabriel hang out.
They tried to stop the ceremony from happening by taking Rose, and their leader Xavier ended up with Octavia as a hostage too after she tried to pick a fight.
At the same time, Murphy is still struggling to come to terms with the hell that he saw while Madi is battling the Commanders inside her head.
So, all in all, it feels like a solid day of work and worries.
Now The 100 Season 6 Episode 4 is using the title "The Face Behind the Glass" and if your mind doesn't go right away to the scene in The 100 Season 6 trailer breakdown, where Clarke sees herself back in Mount Weather in front of the shattered glass, then you are lying.
There is a question of timing because it could pick up right where things left off or it could skip into the future. Even a few days or weeks allows the narrative to not drag, instead of picking back up when there is possible stability because of that can't last for long.
Getting right back into the action of things is great because it doesn't waste time, but if the ceremony was for the next day then there might not be an opportunity to delay the timeline.
It all depends on what the motivations are for Russell after all of that, is he looking to lure Clarke into a false sense of happiness or is he going to strike while he still can?
The synopsis for the episode is, "Clarke embraces the traditions of Sanctum and tries to make amends for her past actions."
This preview might contain some light teases about the fourth episode with a specific focus on characters and scenes that have been discussed before or have been included in promotional videos or photos.
Proceed with caution if you don't want speculation or a variety of theories, but really, who doesn't like that?
The 100 Season 6 Episode 3 Review: The Children of Gabriel
Clarke, You're In A Cult
It is time for fandom to start to feel uneasy.
Jumping right into the obvious, the trailer for the episode might have been very short, but it gave enough of a look to have us all worried. The fact that there aren't any promotional photos out yet, and with how short the actual synopsis is, it is probably safe to say we're in for a big one.
It could be a game changer, or it could offer enough twists along the way that everything is a spoiler. Regardless, as someone who doesn't like the phrase, it still feels fitting to say that no one is truly ready.
Which brings us back to that moment in the trailer with Clarke.
Everyone looks to be on the same page now about the way that Clarke might be set up to take on the role of a host. The signs are all there, from her blood to the way that Russell's daughter isn't around and Clarke is desperate to prove herself to the new society.
With the narrative pushing Clarke to an emotional state where she was at her most vulnerable it felt like a sign that she would take on the role herself.
Even the memory of Monty inspired her to do better, and all of that looped around to Clarke maybe even volunteering herself.
But what if the exact opposite were to happen?
The brief glimpse into Clarke's situation looks far from consensual or promising; it is hard to imagine that she would look so out of it if she chose to do it.
In that scene, she looks more scared about what is coming, and maybe it is because she doesn't know how she got there.
It is also possible that Clarke signed up for it without getting all of the facts. The signs are all there for a The Host- or Get Out-inspired plot arcs.
A person takes on the role of a host and loses any control that they had in their body, and else to takes over.
But how much of that is clear to Clarke and the others? They don't know that Russell VII is a version of what we have seen in flashbacks, and they don't know the whole story about the Children of Gabriel and why they are against the process.
It could mean that Clarke gets told the bare minimum, using her attempt to prove that she is better and manipulating that to get her to take part in it.
They are out one nightblood with Rose taken by Xavier and the others, and if the ceremony still gets planned for the next morning, then what if they are out of options?
Not knowing what she is even offering, Clarke could step up, and from there become a hostage in the most unlikely situation.
And if you don't like that version, consider simulations.
TV Source Magazine offered theories on the subject with the connection to simulations touching on Clarke's vulnerable state and a way for Russell to get into her mind. Her theories start to unfold on the second page of her review of The 100 Season 6 Episode 2.
Clarke might not be hosting Josephine just yet. Instead, they might make her go into her mind to reflect on her actions. All of it comes from Clarke in a Mount Weather situation, but how is that even possible?
Physically going back into Mount Weather isn't possible, but emotionally and psychologically could be loopholes to make it real enough for our lead.
Now more than ever is the time to do things differently since Clarke wonders the same the more she is pressed about her past actions.
Would Clarke do anything differently? What if she were given a chance?
The technology that Sanctum has is still under wraps enough that technically anything is possible. Luring Clarke in with the promise of retracing her choices could also be a way into her mind.
But then Clarke battles her demons alone in a simulation of a situation that weighs on her to this day. That is the source of everything leading up to where she is now, along with that big Mount Weather to Sanctum parallel.
Russell sees himself in Mount Weather, so Clarke could get put under those conditions again, but now there is nowhere to run. If she gets stuck with the villains, she'll be playing by their rules because the access to the outsiders got twisted to make it seem that is where the danger lies.
We are at an impasse, not knowing where the story could head from here.
Don't forget we might be seeing Clarke at the party wearing the blue dress. Most of the trailer was of past episodes, but Clarke is wearing that dress in a scene where she is watching without moving.
Thinking about Clarke in that dress and of whose blood is all over her puts that up for theory grabs.
Anything to distract us from the scary possibilities that come with Clarke drinking cult juice and willingly signing up for something from which she might not be able to return.
And under no circumstances should anyone wonder if the others will even know. What if Clarke winds up in that mess and no one is there to witness it?
Then Clarke truly will be alone without the others knowing that she is in any danger or that she needs help.
It is all fun and games until everything gets out of hand.
The 100 Season 6 Episode 2 Review: Red Sun Rising
The New Found Children of Gabriel
All we know right now is that Octavia got taken by Xavier and his group of other cult supporters.
Is he the bad guy, though? Or are the Moon Reapers trying to prevent what worries us when it comes to Clarke and all the Flame-like plot devices?
Those answers might come sooner rather than later, specifically through Octavia if she serves as our eyes and ears now.
Every story has three sides, those of the Sanctum and the Children of Gabriel and then the truth.
Allowing the audience to peek at the other side will help put things into perspective if not reveal the truth.
Because for a group of people that pride themselves on their greatness and making no mistakes, there is a lot of shady and creepy stuff happening on both sides of that barrier.
Octavia reaching her low point when her connections with Sanctum got burned opens up the opportunity for her to immerse herself in all things Children of Gabriel.
That wouldn't be a nice concept for her. It would closely connect to the way that she found a place for herself with the Grounders. If Xavier and his people are the moon's version of that, then Octavia is right on schedule with the group she is meant to be with.
She is distant enough that it might not even take much to get her to join them, especially if she gets told what is going on in there.
It is important not to forget Diyoza though, another person cast away by Sanctum and on the outside of the barrier.
Jason Rothenberg mentioned in an exclusive interview with TV Fanatic that one of his favorite pair up's this season is Octavia and Diyoza.
There is no way those two got exiled together and they don't cross paths right away from there. The synopsis for The 100 Season 6 Episode 5 spoils that Octavia and Diyoza discover the threats of the new planet firsthand.
If they team up with Xavier, then that could be the moment we get an explanation even about what nature does when it takes the bodies back into itself.
Is anyone else seriously worried about that, too? The possibilities are endless, which only means it will get sinister before it gets promising.
"Death is life" has never felt more chilling, especially for a group of people who live by those words every single day.
The people in Sanctum may think they are on the right side of that situation, meaning they very likely are not.
The 100 Season 6 Episode 1 Review: Sanctum
Skeleton's in Sanctum's Creepy Closet
Never trust people who have literal skeletons in their creepy dungeon closet.
Russell and Simone were already off, but it is so much worse than we could have imagined. Although it can't be that far off if you remember the way Russell talked about the dog that killed his sister.
The fact that he even has another dog is disturbing, and unless his sister somehow got implanted in there through his lovely host process, I am not about him having a pet right now.
Let us also get this out there: any couple who makes out in a room filled with skeletons is a couple that you shouldn't hang out with.
The new season is giving us the freedom to kink-shame, starting with Bellamy and ending with Sanctum's power couple and thier dark kissing sessions with the dead (and maybe even Clarke) watching.
Get a room, literally any other room.
But if you can set aside how weird it would be if it happens and suppose it isn't Clarke's imaginatin it while she is under the influence of whatever is keeping her stuck in her seat in the trailer, focus on the details.
There are quite a few skeletons, and what if they are the ghosts of past versions of themselves?
Russell and Simone are the seventh of their kind, and with the moon's obsession with bodies, who is shocked that they kept their previous versions?
Could all of those skeletons be past Russells and Simones and even Josephine's? Maybe it stretches beyond that with Kaylee focused on the bodies of her loved ones because they keep and harvest all of them.
It could be a cult-like ritual, or it could be necessary for genetically recreating a person in another person's body.
Regardless of the details, it is hilarious that the duo has actual skeletons in their Sanctum closet.
One thing is for sure though, none of it is good news. For anyone.
The 100 Season 6: Jason Rothenberg Previews the New Planet's Inspiration, Potential, and Future
Stray Thoughts
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For those fans that are upset that Bellamy didn't get to see Clarke in a dress, all hope can't get lost. Don't forget that Clarke still has a dress or two that she will get to pull out of someone's, maybe Delilah's, closet.
And with the separation between Bellamy and Clarke this season being less than a day, there is a chance that it will happen. Tasya Teles mentioned in an interview that several other cast members were on the set for the dance in Sanctum, which means Clarke will have to be seen by others.
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Xavier might be a new addition, but in the spirit of getting ready to get hurt again, I am officially all in support of him. He's got a good club of friends going and he's resourceful, we couldn't ask for anything more.
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Here is another formal request that Raven Reyes gets a real purpose. Snarky comments and judgment got old a while ago. She can do that, but she can also do anything else in addition to that.
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Give us the talk together between Bellamy and Clarke.
There was a promised conversation that was meant to happen after the hallucinations, and it needs to happen on screen because those two have the most to talk considering how they hurt each other. All of those emotions and heart to heart conversations? Give them to me now.
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Fresh off the heels of an episode that dropped a lot of information, both right at us and some in hint form, it might be time for another flashback.
Call me spoiled, but the one with Josephine and Russell was so well executed that there has to be more to it. Specifically, with the way The 100 Season 6 Episode 3 was about the Children of Gabriel, it seems significant to loop in his story from the past.
The audience might know more about the new characters but not by very much, a purposeful choice. Maybe we are meant to get led down the wrong path, or maybe there will be bombshells dropped when we least expect them.
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Delilah and Jordan are adorable, but the clock is running out of time for them. She is meant to become Priya, and even though it feels like his next episode arc that focuses on looking into Sanctum might be inspired by his time with her, it doesn't feel like a good thing.
But don't forget that there is a warning about sexual content. Maybe they still find time to get closer before it all goes away for Delilah.
The 100 airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
Yana Grebenyuk was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in April 2021.
