The 7-Part Dystopian Series Streaming For Free This Month Deserves Its 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score

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One sci-fi show had a rocky beginning, but quickly improved and is now available to stream for free on PlutoTV. Certain shows, like Netflix’s 3 Body Problem and the Twin Peaks revival, are best enjoyed by watching multiple episodes at once – almost like a long movie – rather than waiting for each episode as they traditionally air on TV.

This show appeared towards the end of a wave of young adult, post-apocalyptic science fiction dramas that were popular in the 2010s. By the time it aired on The CW, movies like The Hunger Games had already been huge successes for two years, and several other franchises – including The Maze Runner, The 5th Wave, Ender’s Game, The Giver, and 2013’s The Host – had all explored similar themes of dystopian futures.

I was really captivated by The 100, even with so many other shows out there. The idea behind it was just so unique! It’s based on Kass Morgan’s books and tells the story of what happens when a group of young people are sent back to Earth nearly a century after a nuclear disaster. What I found particularly interesting right away was that they weren’t alone – there were already people living there who had somehow survived the apocalypse. It was a great twist!

The 100 Improves After Season 1 And Comes Into Its Own

In the first season of The 100, the show spends a lot of time introducing its characters and the different groups they meet after landing on Earth. These characters are teenagers who grew up on a spaceship and were sent down to see if the planet is habitable again. They quickly discover they aren’t alone, encountering groups like the Mountain Men—who hid from the disasters that destroyed the world—the dangerous Reapers, and various clans of Grounders. The Mountain Men hunt the Reapers, creating a complex web of conflict.

The Grounders are groups of people who are, relatively speaking, normal humans, but they’re constantly fighting amongst themselves in a long-lasting tribal war. The show begins by dropping its main characters right into the middle of this conflict, which can be a bit confusing at first. The early seasons of The 100 definitely struggle to explain all the details of this world and its history. But as the series progresses, the storytelling improves significantly, eventually making it one of the most captivating science fiction shows of the decade.

The 100 (Mostly) Holds Up Well Today

Critics really liked The 100, and the show consistently got better over time. Season 1 earned a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and season 2 achieved a perfect 100%. While season 3 saw a slight dip to 83%, the show bounced back with a 93% rating in season 4. Seasons 5 through 7 all received perfect scores from critics, right up to the show’s finale in 2020. This demonstrates a clear pattern of improvement in the show’s mix of teen drama, science fiction, and political storylines.

Okay, it’s true that nothing quite reaches the heights of The Expanse for me, but I still really enjoy The 100. It’s a solid sci-fi show, and what I especially love is how the post-apocalyptic story keeps you guessing with some unexpected turns and, honestly, some really shocking moments when characters die. It takes a little while to find its footing – I definitely recommend watching it all at once – but by the end of that first season, you’re completely invested in the characters and the really interesting, original story they’re caught up in.

With 100 episodes, The 100 is a significant time commitment, but it’s well worth it for fans of young adult dystopian stories, especially those who enjoyed similar shows and books from the early 2010s. Despite a somewhat uneven beginning, The 100 is a satisfying and enjoyable series that captures the spirit of that popular trend.

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2026-05-05 23:08