
What are the most troublesome issues we are now facing in the global village? In fact, a plethora of problems have threatened human existence for the past few years.
One of the most compelling crises we are confronting at this moment is the environmental and ecological crisis, such as global climate change, wars and nuclear threats that could devastate the Earth eventually. Equally important things are the extreme polarity in human society, hate and antagonism between political factions and territorial disputes among countries. Other critical issues include ideological warfare, ultra-nationalism and religious extremism that might ignite World War III.
The 2014-2020 American television drama series, “The 100,” superbly illustrates the above-mentioned problems. Episode by episode, this riveting drama illuminates various crises and ordeals that have threatened to annihilate human civilization. It also enlightens us which path we should take, especially when moral issues are at stake.
“The 100” depicts the world after a nuclear apocalypse that devastated the Earth in the future. More than 2,000 survivors are now living in a space station called the Ark orbiting the Earth, believing themselves to be the last humans alive.
Unfortunately, the systems supporting life on the Ark have begun to fail, and its residents are doomed to die due to a lack of oxygen. Thus, they send 100 juvenile detainees to Earth to find out whether it is habitable or not.
On Earth, the “100” find that there are other hostile tribes that have survived the nuclear disaster, such as the Grounders, the Reapers, the Mountain People and the Ice Nation. They call the “100” Sky People. All of them are immediately engaged in territorial and ideological disputes that set off a war.
While fighting against those primitive groups on Earth, the Sky People gradually resemble those whom they detest and despise. For example, Sky People, too, ruthlessly massacre other tribes under the excuse of surviving. However, the series teaches us that human lives should be about more than mere survival because morality, decency and nobility distinguish humans from animals.
The drama stresses the importance of choosing the right allies. To win the war with the Mountain People, the Sky People forge an alliance with the Grounders. However, the Grounders betray the Sky People by making a secret deal with the Mountain People. This episode warns us that if we chose the wrong ally, we would be doomed inevitably. Indeed, we should choose our allies wisely and carefully.
“The 100,” also illustrates how difficult it is to be a leader who must make difficult decisions that might cost his people’s lives. It also shows us how important it is to elect a right-minded leader. If the ignorant mass chooses the wrong leader, he will drag his people into the quagmire of the past and revenge, which will destroy all of them eventually.
Unfortunately, however, the Sky People elected Charles Pike, who is a radical former teacher, as their new chancellor. Pike defies the peace treaty and drags his people into a war. Obsessed with the past, Pike does not know that times have changed and thus makes his people turn against one another. Thus, former Chancellor Marcus Kane advises Pike, “See the world as it is. Not as it was, or as you want it to be.”
As the Sky People suffer various psychic wounds, they seek healing. AI seems to provide them with a worry-free paradise called “A City of Light.” However, it turns out to be merely an illusion. In fact, it is the creation of an AI that wants to control and manipulate humans.
In Season 6, survivors from the Sky People leave the barren Earth and settle in another world in the universe called Alpha, also known as Sanctum. There, they meet a ruling family called the Prime who pretend that they are divine entities. They deceive and kill innocent people to use their bodies as avatars for their dead family members. Although the Sky People expose the deception of the Prime, the people of Sanctum refuse to believe it. I believe these episodes tell us that brainwashed people’s blind faith can be even stronger than the truth.
In Season 7, the Sky People travel to another planet called Bardo and meet a pseudo-religious leader, Bill Cadogan, who calls himself the “Shepherd.” He guides his people in the wrong direction.
In each episode, “The 100” poignantly parodies political leaders who use populism, fake news and demagogy to remain in power. It also criticizes politicians who do not hesitate to sacrifice their people for what they believe to be “a grand cause.” At the same time, the drama laments ignorant masses who naively believe in such charlatans.
Watching “The 100,” I have come to realize that we urgently need to restore humanity and discernment, which I believe we have long lost. I also think that we should be free from the chain of dogmatic ideologies, tribalism and self-righteousness, and seek peaceful coexistence instead. Only then can we build a truly peaceful, habitable society for our future generations.
Kim Seong-kon
Kim Seong-kon is a professor emeritus of English at Seoul National University and a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. -- Ed.