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fire-of-the-sun · 5 years

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Shedding Light on The Dark Year

Here’s my reasoning behind the confusing and controversial plotline of the Dark Year and it's aftermath. Hopefully I can help make sense of the mindsets and motivations for Octavia, Kane, Abby and Indra so we can shed some light on this dark time. Please read to the end with an open mind.

Let’s start with a simple reminder: everything that happened in the bunker was terrible. There were no easy options. Every person suffered and had their own way of dealing with it. No one was completely right or wrong. And there is no one specifically to blame for any of it.

Everyone’s original stance on the news of the food shortage is completely in-character. Abby, as a doctor, knows exactly what to expect. Kane is automatically opposed to something so immoral and Octavia is rightfully off-put but aware they have to come up with something.

Abby’s logic is sound. She knows better than anyone what to expect from the lack of food and, as horrible as it is, knows it’s the only option. She gives Octavia this advice, as is her duty, but, as their leader, it's for Octavia to decide what to do with this information.

As terrible as the position Abby is in, none of this should be mistaken for ill-intent as she reminds Octavia that it's to help all of their people. She's even willing to force Kane to do it, as it will save his life and the lives of others. Sadly, it's the only way to survive.

As their leader, this burden naturally and, unfortunately, falls on Octavia. Abby counseled her to understand it's the only option, but it's now up to her to come up with a way to make this work. Though she obviously feels immense pressure, no one is telling her what to do.

In her desperation, Octavia chooses to take lethal force - a method no one anticipated. Abby is as shocked to see the horrific sight unfold as anyone. She did not foresee this and no doubt feels an immense wave of guilt at the part she played in it, regardless of how direct/indirect.

I’d just like to note that this episode largely focuses on just Octavia and Abby and their perspective of the events. Kane, Indra and others are largely left out of the spotlight for examination and this leaves some gaps in the storytelling...

As an aside, I believe that if there was no food problem there wouldn’t be any problems between these characters. Life in the bunker would still have been hard, but they would not have faced the same traumas and changed so much because of them. This event was life-changing.

Afterwards, we assume Abby does nothing. Though there's honestly nothing she really can do. Announcing it publicly doesn't change anything - everyone already knows she supports cannibalism. The only thing she could do that may help Octavia, I imagine, is to try and console her privately.

There are multiple reasons I don't believe this happened however that I'll get to later. For now, it's clear that they dealt with their pain in different ways. Abby probably began taking more pills to cope with the shame and Octavia began to create the persona of Blodreina.

At the end of the season we finally find out that Kane has known about Abby’s role in the Dark Year. It wouldn't be hard to figure out - he already knows her stance on the food dilemma of course, they discuss it multiple times to which he always publicly voices his disapproval.

In his final moments of the season Kane reveals as much, absolving Abby of her role in his trauma. So if Kane has come to accept and forgive the cannibalism part of this then the problem is clearly not the idea itself but how it happened. His problem lies with the shooting.

It should be more than clear by now that keeping people safe has been the foundation of Kane's character since the beginning of his arc in S1. After the first Culling he's heartbroken over his actions and dedicates himself to making sure no one else dies on his watch ever again.

He’d never sanction the death of others and this desire was probably even further cemented after being forced to perform yet another Culling in the bunker. These are the last of his people and, to do whatever he can to save them, he'll continue to sacrifice more of his soul.

Even if he was initially shocked and upset by Abby's role, like him, he knows she'd never permit people to die. They’ve always had the desire to protect others in common. Octavia killed those people and he/we know killing is clearly not out of her repertoire. It's a practice of hers that he has shown disapproval of many times before.

"I'd rather you didn't kill" - Kane

"A warrior knows when not to kill." - Kane

He's chastised her before on killing a diplomat, beheading an innocent boy, murdering Pike and later, trying to kill Ilian without a trial. She's struggling and the 'darkness' he senses in her is not unfounded.

Let's jump ahead a bit. There's one scene in particular that perfectly displays the deeper aspects to this entire situation - a visual and emotional parallel that sheds light on two different events and reveals all we need to know of these characters...

In 4x06, Octavia (and the rest of the camp) want to mercilessly kill Ilian for his crime and Kane won't allow him to be murdered in cold blood.

"If we let them descend into darkness, there's no coming back." - Kane

"It's the end of the world, Kane, darkness is all we have left." - Octavia

As Kane battles to save the very souls of his people from something they'll regret - to hold onto light and lead them out of the dark - Octavia has fully embraced that darkness. They are in complete ideological opposition (and they will be again).

Kane pleads for her not to kill Ilian, stating that by doing this act, she'd be no better than Pike himself - someone she hates. This is a huge moment of realization for her. The first impactful moment that has made her reflect on her actions and examine the darkness inside her.

This scene bears a strong resemblance to 5x11. Octavia is once again threatening to kill and Kane is trying to stop her but he is unable to this time. The situation is different. This isn't vengeance and it's no doubt the hardest thing Octavia has ever felt like she had to do.

So what are the similarities/differences between how these scenes play out? In 4x06, Kane sympathizes with her pain and immediately tries to console her, telling her it's okay, trying to hold her comfortingly, but she pushes him away and runs off, unwilling to accept any solace.

In the face of her trauma, she isolates herself. We've seen her distance herself from people and push them away to deal with heartbreak before. So I believe it’s completely in character for her to do the same after the cafeteria, especially given that it's even more traumatic.

She is not one to easily share her feelings. She hides her emotions behind a façade of strength and at times even aggression. We see her do this many times. Only when she's alone do we see how she truly feels. Only when she's alone does she dare let the tears fall.

As she's one to hide her pain, she's naturally not one to ask for help - even if she's screaming for it on the inside. Even if she doesn't want to admit that she needs it. So why would she outwardly seek solace from anyone? And why would it in be Kane or Abby?

Up until the Bunker, she’s had no distinguishable relationship with Abby - due mostly to lack of proximity and connection between the characters - and only just allowed Kane to hug her in S4 after pushing him away all season. They are not close enough to be the ideal candidates to truly reach her.

She also already knows what to expect from them and probably avoided them for this reason as well. She knows Kane will most likely give her a "philosophy lecture" and is probably uninterested in hearing him/taking comfort from him (just as she wasn't before). And I doubt she'd want to talk to Abby after their last conversation...

So why are they blamed for not being able to help her when A. Octavia would never ask for/want their help and B. They're probably not close enough to give her what she really needs? Facing them also means facing the trauma once more and she never wants to talk about it again.

In the beginning - as an unpracticed leader - Octavia had a council to help her and willingly listened to their advice. I strongly believe after the events of the Dark Year this was disbanded as she took on the role of queen, separating herself from their opinions and ruling alone.

I don't believe for a second that the other diplomats stayed to help her while Kane and Abby and others chose to walk away. Why wouldn't they want to help her in some way? The only way to help their people is by getting through to Octavia - the person who dictates their life.

What makes the most sense is that she cut off connection to her council and begins to surround herself with loyal followers as her image grows. Anyone who speaks against her is an "enemy" and punished. Speaking up to her would get them killed, so Kane, Abby and others are left to try and endure the world she built in silence.

They know Octavia, not Blodreina, and as one began to be taken over by the other, she no doubt began to become unrecognizable to them. They are not equipped to handle this drastic change - they struggled to connect with her before! What hope do they have to help her when reaching her is difficult even for people far closer to her like Bellamy or even Lincoln?

In this situation, I believe the person best suited to trying to reach her is Indra. Octavia is far closer to her than she is to Kane or Abby as they've had more time and proximity to form a closer bond. They trust each other and have always been able to talk about anything.

We see that Indra remains by her side throughout the years of the Bunker. That doesn't mean she agrees with everything she does, but she remains obedient and supportive anyway. She always shows unwavering loyalty to whoever she follows.

We know Indra secretly goes against her at times as she's also loyal to her friend, Kane. She's caught in between them. She wants to show support for Octavia, the girl she sees as a daughter, but is also willing to break her rules to help her friends.

A telling moment for me is in 5x09 when Octavia finally admits to Indra in her vulnerable state that she "just stood back and watched”. This is her first admission we've seen that she wanted help and possibly assumed Indra (and others) would come to her 'rescue' somehow.

Indra admits she should have helped her "shoulder that burden" and won't make the same mistake again. Though she didn't do much, she didn't do nothing. She was one of the first to eat and publicly stood up and came up with the sacrificial words they'd come to adopt.

Let's go backward to a scene early in S5 I feel is incredibly important to remember. In 5x04, Octavia comes to see Kane after his first fight and this is where the two character's mindsets and deepest emotions are clearly revealed to the audience.

Note that Kane is not angry or judgmental but rather honest, sad, weary and desperate. He acknowledges her strength and ability to unify them during the Dark Year. This doesn't mean he fundamentally approves with what happened, but he understands the tough position she was in.

It's also worth noting that Octavia is more than willing to listen to him and even let him go if he tells the truth. She doesn't see him as guilty and won't kill him for nothing. She does not come into the room cold, frustrated or angry. She's willing to talk and get a real answer.

"We're all guilty." - Kane

He's referring to himself as much as anyone. He too feels guilt, for the Bunker and everything that has ever come before. This can also be a way of letting her know she's not alone in whatever guilt she may feel. They all did things they didn't want to do.

The mention of the Dark Year visibly affects Octavia and she begins to grow angry. Though she came into the room perhaps more as Octavia, Blodreina is beginning to appear more and more as she's being reminded of past trauma.

"You've lost your way, we all have." - Kane

What he says is true, she's lost herself and the society that remains is far from what humanity should be. He laments being silent about this and reminds her justice is not found in the arena. Nor was it found in the floating he partook in.

"We have a chance to do something better here, we're throwing it away." - Kane

Once again, Kane absolves himself of nothing, believing he, like everyone else, always have the opportunity to change and be better. He's offering the possibility of a second chance for her and for them all.

"Octavia, please, strength without mercy is nothing. But you can end it. You can save us." - Kane

The hopeful thought of such change is enough to bring light back into his eyes, if only for a moment. It doesn't matter what Octavia has done, she alone has the power to undo it all.

"It's not too late." - Kane

His face is exceedingly hopeful. She's their salvation. They can all make it out of this - there's still a chance. Octavia is clearly moved by his words. She remains silent. Her façade swaying until...

"Who stole the medicine, Kane?" - Octavia

She hardens once more. Whatever progress he had made to reach the inner Octavia has been sealed away behind the mask of Blodreina once more. His last plea failed and with it, his hope for the future dies. The girl he knew and loved is gone.

For him, this is the point of no return. It cements to him, once and for all, who she's become. Blodreina is all she shows to others and therefore, that's all she lets anyone see - the only thing he sees too. At this point he'd believe that all that's left. Octavia is lost forever.

They are ideologically at odds once more though he didn't intend to actually dispute her publicly. He simply took Abby's place in the arena to keep her alive. But by holding onto his beliefs and choosing not to fight back under such spotlight, he's automatically 'challenging' her.

"Somehow we allowed justice to become vengeance and vengeance to become sport. And I allowed that - that darkness to rise. But my complicity ends." - Kane

In his last moments, he's holding onto who he is. He's about to die, so might as well go down fighting for what you believe in.

"You are Wonkru or you are the enemy of Wonkru. Choose." - Octavia

"I already have." - Kane

Octavia grabs a sword and knocks him down, but still, he doesn't stop trying to appeal to her. Note that her belated kill stroke could be indicative of her truly not wanting to kill him here but having to continue to show her strength as Blodreina and continue to implement the laws she put in place.

"Saving our people is about more than keeping them alive. It's not too late." - Kane

He repeats the same words as before. Even at the end, he's still giving her a second chance. But she's in the eye of her followers here and cannot compromise for him. Blodreina cannot show weakness. It's more than clear Kane disagrees with the society they're living in. Though it may be 'functioning' (and nothing in the Bunker would have ever been ideal) he still doesn't fundamentally agree with a society built on violence and death. This naturally makes him a 'traitor' to them.

Knowing this and the kind of person he is, it makes sense he doesn’t want this lifestyle to perpetuate outside the bunker and poison Eden – their last chance for a better future. For Octavia, for everyone. Neither will bend and are therefore forced into a position against each other, whether they would like to be or not.

He believes he has no choice if it means the greater good for humanity and this is what drives him and their conflict throughout the season. His speech dreaming about their future home in 5x08 further solidifies his passion for a peaceful future and why it's his main objective.

I will not go into detail of further events at this time besides saying they both had their reasons, he hates himself for having to make those choices and overall, I just believe the writing was questionable and didn't need to go down that way...

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, everyone made mistakes and they're all aware and sorry for that. They're only human. This was also no quick ordeal with immediate doling of judgements, it took years for everyone to fall apart the way they did - years of suffering for all of them. I do believe healing will take place, but it is going to take time. Lack of communication and understanding between them led to problems, but I believe getting the time to talk and really say how they feel/felt will help them forgive each other.

I’m sure if Octavia gets the chance to really say her side – all the things she couldn’t say as herself at the time, it will help them all realize that A. Octavia is still in there, B. she can be saved – if she wants to be saved. This could finally be their second chance. They all shared this traumatic experience together. If anyone can help them, it’s each other. I desperately hope things are allowed to get better and these relationships will heal and even become closer than they were before.

PERSONAL NOTES

I’d like to say that, from a writer’s perspective, I’m not a fan of how this storyline was handled. I think it was largely messy, unnecessarily dramatic and ooc for almost everyone involved. I do not believe that Kane and Abby, a couple that live together everyday, never once got the chance to address the very serious food problem. Of course Abby would try to make him see her side and I do believe in time (especially as hunger sets in) he and others would grudgingly give in. Nor do I believe that Kane and Octavia speaking in 5x04 was the first time they’ve been able to address these issues in 6 years! The scene is excellent in portraying their current mindsets, but it doesn’t make much sense that they never talked before this point. Nor do I believe Indra, in their close proximity everyday, never got to have a serious personal talk with Octavia about any of this. We see that plenty of times during the season itself, it definitely happened before!

Overall, I’m very disappointed in all of it but blame the writing choices - not the character’s themselves for doing/saying things that’s not within their character to do.

#the100 #the100meta #the100writing #the dark year #octavia blake #marcus kane #abby griffin #indra kom trikru #the100season5 #Shannon writes about the 100 #shannonwritesaboutthe100

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