The question of why is Franklin on the 100 touches on one of the most compelling elements of the post-apocalyptic drama. The series, which ran for seven seasons on The CW, presented a world where the remnants of humanity lived on a generation ship named the Ark, a fragile bubble of civilization orbiting a dead Earth. Within this rigid, controlled society, the character of Franklin, played by actor Zach McGowan, became a symbol of the raw, untamed wilderness that existed just beyond the ship’s protective walls, a stark contrast to the sanitized order of the Ark.
Franklin's Role as a Grounding Force
Franklin is introduced as a grounder, a survivor from the Earth's surface who has formed his own clan in the wilds of what was once the United States. His presence on the show is not merely as a random antagonist; he serves as a crucial bridge between the two central worlds of the narrative. The Ark represents humanity's attempt to preserve the past, clinging to old governments and outdated morals, while Franklin embodies the messy, brutal reality of evolution and adaptation. His character forces the privileged residents of the Ark to confront the consequences of their ancestors' failures and the true cost of survival.
The Symbolism of the Name and Legacy
The choice of the name Franklin is deeply intentional, carrying historical weight that elevates the character beyond a simple villain. Benjamin Franklin was a founding father, a pragmatic diplomat, and a symbol of new beginnings for a fledgling nation. By naming this complex, often brutal leader Franklin, the writers suggest a parallel between his struggle to build a society in the ashes and the original colonists' quest for a new world. He is a dark reflection of the Ark's leaders, showing what happens when the drive for order devolves into tyranny and when survival justifies any means.
Driving the Central Conflict
Why is Franklin on the 100 is a question that gets to the heart of the show's central conflict: the clash between idealism and realism. Characters like Clarke Griffin often strive for diplomacy and coexistence, believing that humanity can rebuild without repeating the sins of the past. Franklin, however, represents the harsh truth that in a world stripped of law and infrastructure, power is the only true currency. His actions, often violent and ruthless, are a constant catalyst for change, pushing the main characters to abandon their naivety and make difficult, sometimes brutal, decisions to protect their people.
He provides a constant external threat that unites the fractured groups aboard the Ark.
His brutal tactics challenge the moral high ground held by the ship's governing council.
Franklin's eventual alliance with other grounders highlights the complex politics of the new world.
His presence ensures that the show never loses its gritty, survivalist edge.
A Commentary on Society and Evolution
On a thematic level, Franklin's character is a vehicle for social commentary. The 100 explores how societies rebuild after collapse, and Franklin is a prime example of a micro-society forming through strength and fear. He rules through dominance, a stark contrast to the democratic ideals the Ark initially tried to maintain. This dichotomy serves to ask difficult questions: Is civilization worth preserving if it requires weakness? Can a society built on compassion survive against one built on fear? Franklin is the living embodiment of the fear that allows a broken world to function, for better or worse.
The Actor's Interpretation
Zach McGowan's portrayal of Franklin brought a specific charisma and menace to the role that solidified the character's importance. He didn't play a one-dimensional monster; instead, he crafted a leader who was fiercely loyal to his people, intelligent, and tragically shaped by his environment. This humanization of a villain is key to answering why is Franklin on the 100 in a meaningful way. He forced viewers to see the humanity in the "other," complicating the narrative and making the world of the 100 feel dangerously real and unpredictable.
