Who Are The Grounders?
When the 100 arrive on Earth, it takes less than one episode for them to realize that they aren’t alone – even though they instantly fancy themselves in charge. Without having much information, the newcomers name the locals the Grounders, a title that contrasts their own upbringing in space. The Grounders make it clear early on that they are not going to roll out the welcome home banner and exchange pleasantries with the 100. In fact, the group’s first encounter with the locals consists of a spear through Jasper’s (Devon Bostick) chest, which alerts them to their presence.
For most of the season it’s an ‘us versus them’ situation. Fortunately for viewers, not all of the Grounders share the same sense of ethnocentrism. In the fifth episode, “Twilight’s Last Gleaming,” fans meet Lincoln (Rickey Whittle), an attractive Grounder healer,who has a soft spot for one of the 100, Octavia (Maria Avgeropoulos) – more on that later. Although not all of the 100 are quite as responsive to the addition of this unlikely ally, eventually the more strategic ones realize that they need all the help they can get.
In “Unity Day,” Lincoln arranges a meeting between Clarke and the leader of the Grounders, Anya (Dichen Lachman). Unfortunately, Clarke and Bellamy don’t see eye to eye on this matter, and all potential negotiations go horribly wrong. From that point on, the tension between the two groups builds until it reaches an explosive ending in the season finale. This is also the episode where the 100 find out that the Grounders are the least of their worries.
The season one cliffhanger lefts fans with a new mystery to ponder over: who are the mountain men? For now, all you need to know is that they are pegged as the season two antagonists, having locked up most of the remaining members of the 100 in a sterile, medical-like facility within the mysterious Mount Weather.
