Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-30117691-20161001175041/@comment-101.175.153.193-20161003153808

I have found the 100 to be a fantastic show over the years it has been on and eagerly look forward to the upcoming Season 4 and hopefully another few years after that.

I thought I would be interesting to consider some of the challenges that have faced me with the show. Firstly, as an Australian, tracking the show down is but the first of challenges overcome (Netflix and months after the US screening has ended). Another challenge I had was that it has been marketed, or at least understood, as a YA show and I think that this tag does a diservice to both the show and the potential breadth of its appeal. I have had a number of friends flat out refuse to watch the show because of the YA tag. Clearly their loss but frustrating to me personally, especially as the adults have such strong story lines and character arcs.

The greatest thing about the 100 for me is that this is the first show in a long time that has made me dive into meta issues. Not wishing to show my age, but after the end of Buffy and the release of Deathly Hallows, my love of meta -  analysis, review, critique, postulations - came to a bit of an end. But this show ...... I am now listening to podcasts (non-existant in the days of Buffy and the Bronze posting board), reading fantastic analyses (Mythconception anyone) and generally enjoying myself immensely.

Another great thing about the show, and one that has resonance with Buffy as a matter of fact, is the social commentary around issues such as representation (sexuality, POC) and morality (redemption, love, forgiveness) that has been the focus of parts of the fandom and at times has entered the mainstream media. As an experienced fandom person I choose the areas I view and engage with carefully - tailored to my interests and shipping inclinations - so some of the furore takes me by surprise. Hey, I watched the flame wars of Bangel and Spuffy first hand (which continue, albeit in a reduced way, to this day courtesy of the comics) and I have no need to feed someone elses fire in order to justify my own interests or feelings. But I acknowledge the validity of multiple readings and how the lens of one's own experience informs that reading. To criticise or belittle anothers understanding of a character arc, motivations or romantic leanings benefits neither party. But clearly passions run hot and I love that the fandom is one that is engaged, even if the manner of engagement is at times frustrating.