[April7739]

Okay, I’ll work on compiling anything I can. They might not be pretty compilation posts, but they’ll get done.

I could also use a good gifset source for season 5 episodes.

[destroyer of worlds]

This is a good site, April.

[April7739]

Thanks, that’s helpful! I’m so out of the loop with Tumblr these days.

[destroyer of worlds]

No problem. Okay, better post my list this weekend if I can.

[April7739]

April's Top 5 Season 5 Episodes

_______________________________________________________________


1. SLEEPING GIANTS (5x03)



An episode that could very well be in my top 5 episodes ever, 5x03 had it all.
The plot was compelling, the character interaction was fantastic, and the fact
that this episode focused on Bellamy a lot didn't hurt. Clarke's stuff was also
great in this episode, and the Bellarke reunion was so perfect, straight out of
the most well-written fan fiction with Madi recognizing Bellamy. "She is" is
an epic line, and the fact that two simple words from Bellamy can evoke the
most passionate response from a very large subset of fans is something that
the writers should take note of. And I believe that's all I'll say about that.


2. DAMOCLES, PART 2 (5x13)



The 100 always does great finales, and this one didn't disappoint. It was far
superior to 3x16, the only finale I was a bit let down by, but it didn't quite
measure up to the perfection that was 4x13 for me. It seems to me that the
finale is very split into two halves. The first half isn't as strong as the second.
The fighting ends too quickly, thanks to a deus ex machine moment from Madi,
who I wish didn't still have the flame. But the second half, where Bellamy and
Clarke take the focus and Monty and Harper have such a beautiful ending and
introduction of their son is brilliant. The last shot is stunning in so many ways.


3. HOW WE GET TO PEACE (5x08)



This was a high-intensity episode from start to finish, if you really look at the
story being told, but one thing I really appreciate about it is that it also took
moments to let the characters breathe, too. We get to see Monty's discomfort
with everything going on, a clear hint of foreshadowing that he will choose his
own path at the end of the season. We see Bellamy and Clarke get a moment
of understanding. And that Blake siblings moment, one of the most incredibly
acted scenes of the entire series, is given time to develop and build before it
hits the ultimate climax of Bellamy poisoning her. And also ... "who you love."


4. PANDORA'S BOX (5x04)



The fact that two of my favorite episodes appear one right after another goes
to show how strong this season started. It's a pity it didn't maintain this level
of consistency, but I did really enjoy this episode for how it brought everyone
back together again. Opening that bunker really was opening up Pandora's Box,
but I was so proud of my boy Bellamy in this episode. Plus, this is the episode
that gave me my favorite Bellarke hug (yes, it even beats the 2x05 hug for me)
because of the sheer intimacy of it. It's the most intimate moment of the entire
season for me, a soft scene tucked away into a pretty dramatic, pivotal episode.


5. THE WARRIORS WILL (5x10)



I really needed this episode after 5x09. Words cannot express how blown away
I was by Bob and Marie in this episode. I love a good Bellamy episode, and this
was one of many this season. Although this is the episode that guaranteed that
Octavia will never again be a favorite character of mine, it was a continuation of
her very compelling character arc this season. (I didn't like it, but it still intrigued
me.) This episode also gave us some more great Bellamy/Indra, such a great
but unexpected duo this season, some genius from Monty, and my new favorite
physical fight scene of the show. However, I do think "The Last" was a cooler title.


_______________________________________________________________


Honorable Mention:

SHIFTING SANDS (5x05)

I wasn't expecting much from this episode, but I loved how it evoked
a lot of different emotions in me. The only thing I didn't love is how
pointless the worms ended up being. Why introduce them at all?


_______________________________________________________________


Ranking the Rest:

EDEN (5x01) - very strong premiere
DAMOCLES, PART 1 (5x12) - not horrible, but characterization is all over the place
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS (5x09) - emotionally gut-wrenching, too fast-paced
THE DARK YEAR (5x11) - didn't need a whole episode devoted to this reveal
ACCEPTABLE LOSSES (5x07) - not very memorable
RED QUEEN (5x02) - the bunker storyline wasn't my favorite
EXIT WOUNDS (5x06) - filing this away in a "hardly ever rewatch again" bin




Gif Credit

[destroyer of worlds]

Great list, April! We have a few in common.

[April7739]

Trying to do my part to resurrect this thread.

[destroyer of worlds]

Me too. Where are the others at? (I also have to do my list, pfttt)

[kiss the wind]

Amelia's Top Five Season 5 Episodes

1. Sleeping Giants (5x03)



This had the Bellarke reunion, discovery of the prisoners in cryo,
Bellamy/Raven/Echo fighting that one prisoner,
and fantastic Diyoza/Clarke stuff. Plus, Raven (and Murphy) staying behind,
Emori getting everyone else down, Bellamy's smile,
and Madi intercepting Spacekru so Bellamy could rescue Clarke!

2. Eden (5x01)



Clarke's my girl, and character-focused episodes are always great.
Eliza was able to shine this entire episode, and it was good to get
an idea of how important the Clarke/Madi dynamic would be throughout the season.
As much as I didn't like some of Clarke's decisions this season,
her urgency in keeping Madi safe made sense because of this episode.
We also saw a brief glimpse of how Spacekru was getting along,
which was enough to have me wanting more flashbacks (which we never got, smh).

3. Damocles, Part 2 (5x13)



I agree that the pacing for the first part was a bit messy,
but I did like the action moments.
I, of course, appreciated the Bellarke moments.
And the ending was beautiful and poignant.

4. How We Get to Peace (5x08)



That ending Bellamy/Octavia scene was EVERYTHING.
There may be no love lost on my part in regards to Octavia at this point,
but Marie and Bob's acting made this scene stand out.
Additionally, Bellarke being on the same page in regards to Cooper
(or at least enough on the same page), and Monty wanting no part of it but helping
anyway. And the Abby/Raven stuff happened, where Lindsey got to shine again.
#stoptorturingRavenReyeschallenge

5. Shifting Sands (5x05)



The action really got going here. Although it felt like a waste of time,
considering Wonkru were forced back to Polis, I really liked that it wasn't easy for them.
This episode also had Zeke/Murven stuff, which I enjoyed quite a bit.
And while the worms were nasty, it was nice seeing Clarke
work her magic to save Octavia. Of course, I loved the Bellarke moments, too.

Originally, 5x04 was my #2, and 5x01 was my #4,
with 5x05 actually being #7 (after 5x10 at #6).
Upon reflection, the really good stuff that stuck out about 5x04
was the Bellarke hug and that bit of Murven that we got.
And while I like 5x10 a lot, Clarke was annoying me that episode, so it dropped down.

gif source

[destroyer of worlds]

Great list, Amelia! We actually have the same list, I think, but in slightly different order.

[April7739]

Yay, Amelia, we have so many in common! My favorite part of your reasoning is “I of course loved the Bellarke,” because it’s been a journey to get there!

[destroyer of worlds]

I feel like this is the season that is the hardest for me to rank somehow. But yep, Amelia’s list is pretty damn close to what mine will be.

[April7739]

This season is the easiest for me since I kept track as I went along.

[a little chaos]

Becks' Season 5 episodes

1. 5x08 - how we get to peace


2. 5x12 - damocles pt. I


3. 5x06 - Exit Wounds



4. 5x03 - Sleeping Giants



5. 5x13 - damocles pt. II





Honourable mentions:

the warriors will
pandora’s box
acceptable losses

[destroyer of worlds]

Love that list, Becks!

Ooh, I haven’t done mine yet. I’ll get around to it, soon. (I hope)