The Making of a Commander
Commander Lexa. The identify alone conjures pictures of a fierce warrior, an excellent strategist, and a fancy chief who captivated audiences of the post-apocalyptic drama, “The One Hundred.” Greater than a decade after a nuclear apocalypse decimated the Earth, and after surviving a failed try to settle the brand new planet Sanctum, humanity continued to make dangerous decisions. Via all of it, Lexa stood out as a beacon of hope and an emblem of progressive illustration in a style typically missing it. Her character arc, whereas tragically short-lived and in the end controversial, left an indelible mark on the science fiction panorama, sparking passionate debates about management, illustration, and the affect of storytelling on fandom. This text explores the evolution of Lexa, her important affect on “The One Hundred,” and the lasting legacy she holds within the hearts of followers and the broader media panorama.
Lexa’s introduction within the second season of “The One Hundred” instantly established her as a drive to be reckoned with. Because the Commander of the Grounders, a coalition of twelve clans struggling for survival on the ravaged Earth, she commanded respect and wielded immense energy. Her preliminary appearances portrayed her as a practical and sometimes ruthless chief, prioritizing the survival of her folks above all else. Her power and intelligence have been plain, and he or she rapidly grew to become a key participant within the energy dynamics between the Grounders and the Sky Folks, the descendants of those that had sought shelter in house.
Lexa’s ascent to the place of Commander was not merely a matter of birthright. Because the “spirit of the Commander” she needed to climb to the best level of the tower and drink the sacred blood, after surviving the ascension, all the earlier commanders enter the thoughts. This course of, shrouded in custom and non secular significance, mirrored the complicated cultural tapestry of the Grounders. Because the chief of the grounders, Lexa needed to be calculating, prepared to make sacrifices, but additionally needed to be prepared to listen to opinions. It was that willingness, that power, that made her an ideal commander. Not like the Skaikru, she had the power of the numerous tribes, not like Jaha, she was not beholden to spiritual fanaticism, she simply cared concerning the survival of her folks.
Certainly one of Lexa’s defining management ideas was “blood should not have blood.” This philosophy, born out of a want to finish the cycle of violence that plagued the Grounders, represented a major shift of their conventional lifestyle. It was a testomony to Lexa’s imaginative and prescient for a extra peaceable future, one the place vengeance didn’t dictate their actions. This precept, whereas typically difficult to uphold within the face of fixed threats and betrayals, grew to become a cornerstone of her management and an emblem of her dedication to breaking the chains of the previous. Lexa knew she could not change the previous, however she may decide the long run.
The Commander and the Sky Individual
The connection between Lexa and Clarke Griffin, the chief of the Sky Folks, fashioned the emotional core of “The One Hundred” and had a profound affect on each characters. Initially solid out of necessity, as the 2 teams sought to type an alliance in opposition to a typical enemy, their bond step by step deepened into a fancy and passionate romance. This evolution, from strategic partnership to real affection, was a compelling exploration of affection and loyalty in a world the place survival was the final word precedence.
Key moments, akin to their shared experiences in Mount Climate and their tough choices throughout wartime, solidified their connection. Their shared trauma solid a bond between the 2 that was tough for the opposite characters to know. They each needed to perform tough decisions to make sure that probably the most would survive. Lexa’s willingness to belief Clarke, regardless of the historic animosity between their folks, demonstrated her open-mindedness and her perception in the potential of peace. Clarke, in flip, got here to respect Lexa’s power, knowledge, and unwavering dedication to her folks. But it surely was greater than respect, it was love.
Their relationship confronted quite a few challenges, together with cultural variations, political tensions, and the fixed menace of violence. Nevertheless, their capability to beat these obstacles and stay true to their emotions for one another resonated with viewers and solidified their standing as one of the crucial well-liked {couples} on tv. Lexa did not care if Clarke was a Sky Individual, all she cared about was love. All Clarke cared about was maintaining Lexa by her facet.
Vulnerability Behind the Armor
Beneath the stoic exterior of the Commander, lay a deeply weak particular person. Lexa grappled with inside conflicts, torn between her responsibility to her folks and her private wishes. Her relationship with Clarke introduced out a softer facet, revealing her capability for love and compassion. The viewers had the possibility to see the girl underneath the commander. It allowed them to attach with the character extra, to see her as an individual and never a machine.
Lexa’s vulnerability was not a weak spot, however moderately a testomony to her humanity. She grappled with the burden of her tasks, the burden of constructing tough decisions that had life-or-death penalties. Her love for Clarke, whereas a supply of power and happiness, additionally uncovered her to emotional ache and the worry of loss. This was made much more obvious when she needed to flip her again on the Skaikru, and danger the lives of Clarke’s folks. Lexa knew that she would endure in the long run, however her folks would survive.
By humanizing Lexa, the writers of “The One Hundred” created a personality that viewers may join with on a deeper degree. They made her a multidimensional particular person. Her struggles, her fears, and her wishes made her relatable and resonated with followers who noticed themselves mirrored in her journey. It additionally made her demise a lot extra painful.
A Image of Illustration and A Spark for Controversy
Lexa’s portrayal as a strong and complicated queer character was a major step ahead for illustration in science fiction. Her relationship with Clarke was a groundbreaking second for LGBTQ+ visibility, showcasing a same-sex romance in a mainstream tv present. Her power, management, and unwavering dedication to her folks challenged conventional gender norms and supplied a constructive position mannequin for viewers who recognized together with her.
Nevertheless, Lexa’s story was not with out its controversy. Her premature demise, simply moments after she and Clarke consummated their relationship, ignited a firestorm of criticism and sparked a heated debate concerning the “bury your gays” trope, a dangerous sample in media the place LGBTQ+ characters are disproportionately killed off.
The outrage that adopted Lexa’s demise was fueled by the notion that her character had been sacrificed for shock worth, perpetuating a long-standing sample of marginalizing and erasing LGBTQ+ tales. Followers felt betrayed and heartbroken, arguing that her demise strengthened dangerous stereotypes and undermined the progress that had been made when it comes to illustration. The demise additionally felt low-cost and preventable, with the bullet clearly not meant for her. It grew to become clear that the writers and showrunners considered her relationship with Clarke as a easy plot level to raise the principle character, moderately than a relationship that might stand alone.
Within the wake of the backlash, the showrunner of “The One Hundred” issued an apology, acknowledging the ache that Lexa’s demise had brought on and expressing a dedication to do higher sooner or later. Whereas the apology was appreciated by some, it did little to undo the harm that had been performed. The controversy surrounding Lexa’s demise served as a wake-up name to the leisure trade, highlighting the significance of accountable illustration and the necessity to keep away from perpetuating dangerous tropes. The demise additionally uncovered a darker facet to the fandom, with followers partaking in harassment, doxing, and different poisonous behaviors that focused the writing employees and actors.
The Legacy of the Commander
Regardless of the controversy, Lexa’s affect on “The One Hundred” and the broader media panorama stays important. Her character challenged conventions, broke obstacles, and sparked necessary conversations about illustration and storytelling. She was a lot greater than a commander. She was greater than a love curiosity. She was an emblem.
Lexa continues to be a beloved determine amongst followers, who have a good time her power, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to her beliefs. Fan artwork, fan fiction, and on-line discussions proceed to maintain her reminiscence alive, demonstrating the enduring affect she had on viewers. Her picture is all over the place, from tumblr to twitter, a relentless reminder that illustration issues.
Her demise served as a catalyst for change, prompting the leisure trade to re-evaluate its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and to try for extra genuine and nuanced illustration. Whereas the trade nonetheless has a protracted option to go, Lexa’s legacy serves as a reminder of the significance of telling various tales and creating characters that resonate with audiences from all backgrounds. We have now seen extra queer illustration in mainstream media, and whereas the burying the gays trope nonetheless exists, creators are extra cautious and thoughtful of their viewers.
Lexa’s legacy is complicated, a mixture of admiration and disappointment. She represents each a step ahead and a cautionary story. Whereas her character will endlessly be related to the controversy surrounding her demise, she additionally stands as an emblem of power, management, and the facility of illustration.
She was greater than only a commander. Lexa was an emblem of hope, a beacon of progress, and a reminder that even within the darkest of occasions, love and loyalty can endure. The teachings of her life and the tragedy of her demise proceed to resonate with followers and can proceed to form the panorama of tv for years to return. The dialog that was began when she died has develop into a motion. Lexa could also be gone, however her affect won’t ever be forgotten.
