Spoiler Warning for this week’s episode of “The 100”

Alycia Debnam-Carey as Lexa and Eliza Taylor as Clarke — Credit: Cate Cameron/The CW

To say that this season of “The 100” is off to an explosive start would be an understatement. Only three episodes in and the major conflicts have already come to a head as the dead count rises. With a stellar cast and plenty of action, this season is clearly set up to be legendary.

Following last week’s dramatic reunion between Clarke and Lexa, the episode opens up with a peace offering to end the violence and fear that exists between the Grounders and the Sky People. Lexa shares with Clarke that the best course of action in regards to the tension surrounding the Ice Nation is for the Skaikru to become the 13 Clan of Grounders. Lexa claims this would allow for the Skaikru to be protected against any threats, but Clarke refuses to buy into the proposition. Clarke is still weary to trust Lexa after her betrayal at Mount Weather last season. Lexa, however, asserts if their positions were switched, Clarke would surely do the same to protect her people. There is clearly a high level of animosity between Clarke and Lexa that is perfectly presented through the acting talents of Eliza Taylor and Alycia Debnam-Carey who have superb on-screen chemistry.

Meanwhile, Octavia, Raven, Bellamy and his girlfriend, Gina (Leah Gibson), head to Mount Weather to open the hospital. Instead, they discover the residents from the Farm Station have moved in under the command of Pike. Octavia is disgusted by this and storms off to be alone. However, Bellamy joins her and the two have a brief sibling chat. Octavia and Bellamy find themselves disagreeing on the issue of Mount Weather and Octavia shares that she and Lincoln plan on leaving. Suddenly, two guards stumble out of the forest with a Grounder as a prisoner. This prisoner turns out to be Echo (Tasya Teles), a Grounder that helped Bellamy when they were trapped in Mount Weather. Echo shares that the summit in Polis is a trap and that the Sky People are in grave danger. A trigger-happy Pike suggests that Mount Weather’s missiles should be used in retaliation to whatever happens in Polis. Raven, Gina and Sinclair (Alessandro Juliani) get to work searching for the launch codes.

The summit in Polis is meant to allow for negotiations to the treaty between the Skaikru and the Grounders. Kane and Abby are leading a team to meet with the various delegations of the clans, as well as, Commander Lexa. The capital city is finally revealed to the viewers and demonstrates the fact that the Grounders are much more civilized than everyone initially thought. Polis is an alluring city that has an ancient feel to it, with its marketplaces and aged-buildings. Kane appears to be enchanted by the city as he interacts with a woman selling a local delicacy. Abby points out she can see the vision that Kane has for future relations between the Sky People and Grounders. She offers him the position of Chancellor to which he refuses and offers an election as an alternative. A very upbeat Indra greets Kane and Abby by inviting them into the tower. Indra represents the sheer amount of character development on this show; going from a closed off warrior to a more compassionate friend of the Sky People. Inside the tower, Abby is finally reunited with Clarke after several months of being separated. Clarke quickly alerts Kane and Abby about Lexa’s plan and shares she now believes it to be the right call herself to which Kane agrees.

In an attempt to rescue their people, Bellamy, Echo, Octavia and Pike make their way to the outskirts of Polis. Echo shows them a series of underground tunnels that will lead them to the tower. The team breaks the no-weapon rule that exists in Polis and finds the tower’s elevator shaft. Two guards are stationed at the shaft, but Bellamy and Pike quickly kill them which deeply angers Octavia. They begin climbing as the summit commences with a performance of the Grounder Anthem (Take a Life with Me). Delegates from each of the 12 clans are present and Lexa announces that the Skaikru will become the 13. Kane is branded with the symbol of the Grounders establishing him as leader of the Skaikru clan. As the Summit is coming to a close, Bellamy’s team bursts in with their guns drawn warning of the trap. Lexa demands answers to which Bellamy calls out for Echo, who is mysteriously missing. The major revelation of the episode is dropped as the Polis summit is not the trap, instead Mount Weather.

Gina, who is searching for the launch codes in the President’s office, is brutally attacked and stabbed by a Grounder assassin who then initiates Mount Weather’s self-destruct sequence. Gina is able to warn Raven and Sinclair over the radio before she bleeds to death. Sinclair chases the assassin, who has the override code, outside of the complex as Raven limps behind him. The attacker jumps Sinclair and the two fight before Raven arrives and shoots the assassin, saving Sinclair’s life. Raven and Sinclair are unable to shut down the self-destruct sequence in time. The Mount Weather complex explodes in a massive ball of fire, killing the many Farm Station residents inside. Fortunately, Raven and Sinclair were outside and were unharmed. Raven cries out over walkie talkie alerting everyone to what has happened. Lexa hears and immediately arrests the Ice Nation ambassador after he takes responsibility for the attack. She also sends the Sky People back to Arkadia and declares that the attack will be avenged in unity, but notes that Clarke must stay behind in Polis as a representative. Lexa and Clarke have a brief moment of reconciliation as Lexa promises to care for the Sky People. Just before the episode ends, Echo arrives in the Ice Nation and meets with the Queen (Brenda Strong) to deliver a chilling message, “you got your war.”

Now that war is imminent, where will each character place their loyalties? Lexa has shown herself to be far from trustworthy, but will she finally treat the Skaikru like the rest of her people? This episode is certainly the best of the season so far and manages to develop the world of “The 100” even further. By bringing in the politics-centered city of Polis, viewers are given more insight into the ways of the Grounders. I am very much interested to see how things change now that Lexa is technically leader of the Sky People. What will the element of war bring? Be sure to tune in to “The 100” next Thursday at 9 p.m. on The CW.