“Matryoshka” is episode ten of season six of The 100.
In the previous episode, “What You Take with You”, Josie gave Clarke control to stop the Children of Gabriel from taking her head. Clarke started heading to find Gabriel. This episode opens with Clarke on the bike, but she crashes, damaging the bike and the radio. Bikes can be heard coming and Josie promises Clarke that she will get her body back if they head back to Sanctum. Clarke does not believe her. And says that it might not be the guards; the Children of Gabriel might have taken them. This worries Josie enough that she finds a hatch in the ground.
Inside the place, Josie says it’s a research station. They studied species in their native habitats. Which sometimes got boring; Gabriel helped with that. Gabriel doesn’t want to kill Josie. ‘Death to Primes’ isn’t literal; in 70 years the Children of Gabriel have killed no Primes. Gabriel just wanted to die; Josie didn’t. Clarke hopes that Gabriel won’t destroy Josie’s mind drive when it’s removed. She wants to use it to bargain for her friends. Then Clarke has a fit and Josie panics. She could be stuck inside the mind drive forever.
Raven and Abby arrive at Sanctum with Simone. Simone tells Russell what happened to Kane and the formula. He tells her about Miranda’s death, then orders Abby and Raven be put with the others. Simone tells Abby that Clarke is dead. Russell tells Simone that was cruel. And not exactly accurate. He has teams searching for Clarke/Josie and the rest of the place is on lockdown because two people are still out there. Simone wants to make an example. Burn everyone. Russell disagrees, as that will give them nothing to bargain for Josie, so she comprises at just one.
Ryker is telling some people the truth about the Primes; Gaia and Echo are hiding there. Gai wants to recover Madi and flee; Echo plans to start a revolution. After a knock, Ryker tells the others to leave. He wants to start a peaceful revolution. Echo doubts that will happen. He also says someone will be executed for Miranda’s death. Echo thinks this provides an opportunity for assassination. Gaia thinks Murphy will be picked.
Murphy thinks that as well. Abby wants to know why Madi called him a traitor. Emori explains Murphy made a deal to save them all but, once he discovered Clarke was alive, did the right thing. Eventually.
Clarke wakens in her mind but discovers it’s scattered with books; Josie’s memories. Josie says the barrier between their minds is breaking down. They need to figure something out. Clarke points a gun at her. Josie asks her not to; without the door to her mind, Josie doesn’t know what will happen. She might die. Clarke asks why that’s a bad thing. Josie tells her to go float herself, which gives Clarke an idea. She floats some of Josie’s memories, giving them time. It’s the only way they can regain consciousness. Josie wants to pick the memories, though.
Raven is reassuring Murphy when Gaia arrives. Apparently caught, but it was so she could tell the others Echo’s plan.
Ryker and Priya are having lunch with Russell and Simone, with squabbling, when the guards arrive. The lead guard tells Russell that Gaia has been captured. The man they’ve brought, Tai, who was one of those Ryker told the truth to, said he knows Echo’s location, but was afraid to talk. Tai sits down, and reveals he knows the truth. And tells Simone if there’s any justice, her child will die int he woods like his own. And, as Simone jumps up, smashes a glass and stabs her in the throat. Causing Russell to say he will bring her back. No matter what it takes. Not a great sign.
Clarke’s condition is deteriorating and Madi is becoming increasingly dangerous, under the influence of Sheidheda.