Jake Griffin

Jake Griffin was a character featured in the first season of The 100. He was portrayed by cast member Chris Browning and debuted in Earth Kills.

Jake was Abby's husband and Clarke's father who died before the start of the series. He was floated for attempting to release critical information regarding the Ark's swiftly deteriorating life-support systems.

Clarke originally believed that Wells Jaha turned Jake in to his father, the Chancellor. She later discovered it was her mother and Jake's wife, Abigail, who informed Jaha of Jake's plans to defy the Council.

History
Born on the Ark, Jake rose to become senior environmental engineer and deputy resource officer. He married Abigail Griffin and they had a daughter, Clarke. He was friends with Chancellor Jaha.

Jake was shown watching an old soccer game with Clarke, Chancellor Thelonious Jaha, and Thelonious’ son Wells. Jake’s wife, Abigail Griffin appeared in their home and talked with Jake. After, Jake decided to head back to work to try and fix the Ark's latest problem. When Jaha asked if everything was alright, Jake told him "You know this old boat. It's always something".

Later that night, Jake was seen arguing with his wife about whether or not they should let the people on The Ark know that there was a limited supply of oxygen left. Jake thought they should tell them the truth. However, Abigail and the Council disagreed because they feared it would only cause riots and mass panic.

Jake was later seen making a video revealing the limited supply of oxygen. Jake admitted he was making the video because they needed to make a future for their own children and the choice was up to the people on how to make that future. A few minutes later Clarke walked in and demanded to know her father's plan. Clarke wished to help him but Jake refused, not wanting to involve his only daughter. Jake told Clarke she got her stubbornness from her mother and that was what he loved about both of them.

Moments later, the Guard barged into their home and arrested him. Jake was charged with treason and taken away. Jake tried to convince Clarke not to tell the people about The Ark dying as he was dragged away. Later that night, Jake was shown walking toward his death. He reunited with his wife and daughter, whom he had a sorrowful final reunion with. Jake gave Clarke his watch and then hugged his family one last time.

Jake stepped into the airlock and was floated moments later.

Throughout the Series

 * -|Season One =

In Earth Kills, Jake was shown in flashbacks of the day of his death.

In Twilight's Last Gleaming, Abigail Griffin reveals the video Jake made to the people of the Ark. Because of this, they learn The Ark is dying and band together. This video prompts 320 people to volunteer themselves for the culling. Chancellor Jaha states he feels guilty for killing his old friend because Jake was right about the people.

In Day Trip, Jake appears to his daughter, Clarke Griffin, in a hallucination brought on by the Jobi Nuts she ingested early in the episode. The hallucination of Jake tries to get Clarke to forgive her mother for Abigail's part in his death. However, Clarke states she can not forgive her mother.

Personality
Jake stood up for what he believed in, even though others around him opposed his ideas. He was ferociously protective of his daughter and wife. He was an honest man.

Jake believed in a fair chance for everyone on the Ark. When he learned of The Ark's failure, Jake believed the people of The Ark had a right to make their own choices about what to do. This prompted him to break the rules and laws of the Ark. Even his wife could not convince Jake to break his morals.

Jake was shown to be an idealist and thought the best of his family, friends and the people of the Ark. He was not surprised when he realized Abigail Griffin was the one who turned him in. He was shown to be forgiving and loving to his wife, even after her betrayal when he hugged her before his death. Jake was shown to be understanding of why Abigail did what she did as he flashed her a forgiving smile when he was in the airlock chamber.

Physical Appearance
Jake had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. He had a welcoming appearance and was usually accompanied by a smile. Much like the rest of the Ark, Jake wore torn and hand me down clothing.

Relationships

 * -|Abby Griffin=

Abigail Griffin
Abigail was Jake's wife. The two appeared to be very close. However, when Jake discovered the flaw in the Ark's system, he wanted to tell the people of The Ark the truth. Abigail disagreed, afraid the people would riot and cause mass panic.

Abigail confided in her old friend Thelonious Jaha hoping to convince him to talk Jake down. However, Jake was charged with treason, arrested and later floated. Abigail shows regret for getting her husband killed. She remains deeply hurt despite doing what she believes to be right.


 * -|Clarke Griffin=

Clarke Griffin
Clarke was Jake's daughter. They were very close. Clarke offered to help with her father's plan but he refused because he didn't want to involve her. When Jake was arrested and later floated Clarke blamed herself for his death. She believed that she caused his death by telling Wells Jaha of Jake's plans.

Before Jake died, he gave her his watch. Clarke wore his watch while she was in lockup to keep her memories of him dear to her. Jake's death left her devastated and emotionally scarred. Clarke refuses to forgive her mother for the part she played in Jake's death.

Notes and Trivia

 * Jake was the only person to believe the people of the Ark would make the right choices for their own future.
 * He turned out to be right.
 * Jake appeared to Clarke in a hallucination, caused by the Jobi Nuts she ingested, in Day Trip.
 * In the book series, Abby and Jake are called Mary and David.
 * In the first book of The 100, Clarke was told that her parents were both floated.
 * It was later discovered in Day 21 that, instead of being executed, Clarke's parents were sent to Earth, on a mission similar to that of the 100's, meaning that they could be alive.
 * In Homecoming, Clarke makes contact with them in the middle of the book via the radio in Mount Weather. Mary and David then travel back there, arriving in the book's last chapter and reuniting with Clarke.