The 100 is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction drama television series that premiered in March 2014 on The CW. Developed by Jason Rothenberg, The 100 is set in the year 2052, nearly a century after a devasting nuclear apocalypse ravaged almost all life on Earth. The only known survivors are the residents of twelve space stations, known as the Ark, in Earth’s orbit prior to the war. Roughly 2,400 live aboard the massive space station, but when life-support systems begin to fail, a tough decision to reduce the population must be made.

To preserve the Ark’s limited oxygen supply, 100 juvenile detainees are shipped back to Earth to see if the planet is habitable. When they arrive, they discover that even greater horrors than nuclear radiation await. Similarly to the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, the root cause of the apocalypse is not the central plot point, surviving is. Each series chronicles the difficulty of finding peace and establishing order in a dystopian wasteland. Driven by the will to survive their ever-dangerous environments, the characters in The 100, and The Walking Dead, are forced to make choices that challenge their humanity.

The 100 Are Forced to Sink or Swim

97 years after a devastating nuclear apocalypse wiped out most of the human race, the remaining survivors live aboard a giant spacecraft called the Ark, comprised of residents from twelve nations. Once life-support systems began to fail, 100 juvenile detainees were sent down to test if the nuclear radiation lifted enough to make Earth habitable. When the group of teenagers, who lived their entire lives aboard the Ark in outer space, arrive on Earth, they are amazed by the sights and sounds of nature. Everything from the birds chirping to the sun’s gleam dazzles the sheltered juveniles.

Their appreciation of natural life quickly kindled into anger of abandonment. Outraged that they were shuttled off to an unfamiliar planet without a thorough plan to survive, the teenagers quickly soured on the Ark’s government officials. In rebellion, the teens sought to disassociate with the Ark. By the end of their first night on Earth, nearly every teen tossed the wristbands that relayed their vital signs to the Ark into a blaze of fire. Many hoped that by appearing dead to the Ark, the residents of the space station would not follow them down to Earth, allowing them to live free of laws and governmental rule. The thrill of anarchy is met with the horror that they are relatively defenseless on a new planet. Their lack of security is tested almost immediately, too, as they discover that they aren’t alone on Earth, which is filled with dangerous inhabitants.

The Walking Dead’s Protagonists Are Also Isolated in a Post-Apocalypse World

The Walking Dead is a post-apocalyptic horror drama based on a comic book series of the same name. Written by Robert Kirkman, creator of popular Prime Video series Invincible, the series aired on AMC for 11 seasons after its 2010 premiere. Following the story of a global zombie outbreak, each episode of The Walking Dead chronicled humanity’s remaining survivors’ desperate search for stability.

Similarly to The 100, the apocalypse is already in full swing at the genesis of the series. Rick Grimes, the series protagonist, awakes from a coma to a world overrun by “walkers,” better known as zombies. Once reunited with his family, Grimes realizes that a tumultuous lifestyle awaits, as safety and the law he swore to uphold as a police officer were now remnants of the past.

Seemingly, the only thing left to do for Grimes and those uninfected was to stay above ground as long as possible. When walkers weren’t hunting them, something even more sinister was. Bandits, scavengers, and even cannibals are consistent threats in the zombie-filled series. Plus, without the internet, grocery stores or operational hospitals to rely on, humans are forced to improve their survival skills.

Survival of the Fittest Drives Both The 100 and The Walking Dead

Set in post-apocalyptic societies void of law, The Walking Dead and The 100 both do an excellent job of storytelling. In both series, characters are forced to make bold, calculated and sometimes damning decisions. Again, the objective in each show is not to cure the apocalypse, it’s to withstand it. Plus, the battle to maintain their humanity and integrity in a dystopian world presents an internal conflict. Roaming a world without law, each character is driven by their own motives and moral compass in the quest for survival. Without laws or leaders establishing order, each show centers around the survival of the fittest. Threats such as anarchists, cannibals, cults and rival gangs threaten the safety of society.

Forced to live in a world much crueler than its pre-apocalyptic downfall, the characters portrayed in The 100 and The Walking Dead provide a glimpse into what human life is like when stripped of nearly everything but the bare necessities. In each series, kindness is hard to come by and death knocks at virtually every door. Peace is seldom found and when it is, it’s fleeting. Unable to attain the former luxuries of life, survival is the top priority in each series.

Love Conquers All When the World Is at Its End

Even in a gruesome, dystopian society, love is the fuel behind each character’s flame in The 100 and The Walking Dead. The higher the death toll creeps, the more committed they become to protect their loved ones. In a world of immense loss and sorrow, love is the glue that keeps the remaining survivors together. Whether it’s a blood relative or simply someone they’ve bonded with through the chaos of the apocalypse, love is a prominent motivation tool in both series.

In The Walking Dead, the love Grimes has for his children Carl and Judith empowers him to do whatever is necessary to protect them. The zombie-centric series also illustrates how the killing of someone loved by their community can spark a war. The 100 also portrays the influence of love, as the space-traveling teens are forced to make unthinkable decisions as they try to survive on Earth together.

In a twisted way, the apocalypse births love in one of its purest forms. Nobody loves for gain, for there is little to be attained. Instead, the love stems from a genuine adoration and deep concern for each other. Traversing an immeasurably bleak world, occupied by a dangerous, dystopian society, love is all most of the characters have left to cherish. For that reason, each character clings to it as they aim to maintain their humanity.

The 100 and The Walking Dead are both available to stream on Netflix.