Lexa: More Than Just a Commander – The Enduring Legacy of “The 100”
The Making of a Commander
Commander Lexa. The title alone conjures photographs of a fierce warrior, a superb 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 selections. By means of all of it, Lexa stood out as a beacon of hope and an emblem of progressive illustration in a style usually 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 influence of storytelling on fandom. This text explores the evolution of Lexa, her vital influence 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 power 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 realistic and infrequently ruthless chief, prioritizing the survival of her individuals above all else. Her power and intelligence had been simple, and he or she rapidly grew to become a key participant within the energy dynamics between the Grounders and the Sky Individuals, the descendants of those that had sought shelter in area.
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 very 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 advanced 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 important commander. Not like the Skaikru, she had the power of the numerous tribes, in contrast to Jaha, she was not beholden to spiritual fanaticism, she simply cared concerning the survival of her individuals.
One in all Lexa’s defining management rules was “blood should not have blood.” This philosophy, born out of a need 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 usually 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 Particular person
The connection between Lexa and Clarke Griffin, the chief of the Sky Individuals, shaped the emotional core of “The One Hundred” and had a profound influence on each characters. Initially cast out of necessity, as the 2 teams sought to kind an alliance towards a standard enemy, their bond regularly 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, reminiscent of their shared experiences in Mount Climate and their troublesome choices throughout wartime, solidified their connection. Their shared trauma cast a bond between the 2 that was troublesome for the opposite characters to know. They each needed to perform troublesome selections to make sure that probably the most would survive. Lexa’s willingness to belief Clarke, regardless of the historic animosity between their individuals, demonstrated her open-mindedness and her perception in the potential for peace. Clarke, in flip, got here to respect Lexa’s power, knowledge, and unwavering dedication to her individuals. However it was greater than respect, it was love.
Their relationship confronted quite a few challenges, together with cultural variations, political tensions, and the fixed risk 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 vital well-liked {couples} on tv. Lexa did not care if Clarke was a Sky Particular person, all she cared about was love. All Clarke cared about was preserving Lexa by her facet.
Vulnerability Behind the Armor
Beneath the stoic exterior of the Commander, lay a deeply susceptible particular person. Lexa grappled with inside conflicts, torn between her responsibility to her individuals 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 beneath 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 slightly a testomony to her humanity. She grappled with the burden of her obligations, the burden of creating troublesome selections 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 threat the lives of Clarke’s individuals. Lexa knew that she would endure in the long run, however her individuals 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 dying 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 individuals challenged conventional gender norms and offered a constructive function mannequin for viewers who recognized along with her.
Nevertheless, Lexa’s story was not with out its controversy. Her premature dying, 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 dying 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 dying bolstered dangerous stereotypes and undermined the progress that had been made by way of illustration. The dying 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 primary character, slightly than a relationship that would stand alone.
Within the wake of the backlash, the showrunner of “The One Hundred” issued an apology, acknowledging the ache that Lexa’s dying had brought about and expressing a dedication to do higher sooner or later. Whereas the apology was appreciated by some, it did little to undo the injury that had been finished. The controversy surrounding Lexa’s dying 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 dying additionally uncovered a darker facet to the fandom, with followers partaking in harassment, doxing, and different poisonous behaviors that focused the writing workers and actors.
The Legacy of the Commander
Regardless of the controversy, Lexa’s influence on “The One Hundred” and the broader media panorama stays vital. 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 rejoice 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 influence she had on viewers. Her picture is all over the place, from tumblr to twitter, a continuing reminder that illustration issues.
Her dying 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 an extended solution to go, Lexa’s legacy serves as a reminder of the significance of telling numerous tales and creating characters that resonate with audiences from all backgrounds. Now we have 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 advanced, a mixture of admiration and disappointment. She represents each a step ahead and a cautionary story. Whereas her character will perpetually be related to the controversy surrounding her dying, she additionally stands as an emblem of power, management, and the ability 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 dying proceed to resonate with followers and can proceed to form the panorama of tv for years to come back. The dialog that was began when she died has turn out to be a motion. Lexa could also be gone, however her influence won’t ever be forgotten.
