“Sic Semper Tyrannis” is episode nine of season five of The 100.
In the previous episode, “How We Get to Peace”, Clark, Bellamy and the others had successfully infected Cooper with the sand worms. Which killed her and gave Indra an excuse to kill all of the worms. Unfortunately, Octavia was using the eggs, not the worms, so knew something was up, and hauled Clarke away to be executed. So Bellamy poisoned Octavia, using an algae culture of Monty’s that had some nasty side effects.
Abby had successfully come up with a cure for the illness affecting the former prisoners, and a treatment with Raven’s help, curing Vinson, a generally pleasant person – and a serial killer with occasionally unstoppable urges. Abby had also turned on Raven – because Abby really needs her drugs. Despite what Abby is saying, she is most definitely addicted, and is burning many bridges as a result.
Murphy, and Emori, had tried using McCreary as a bargaining chip with Diyoza, but she was quite happy for Murphy to kill McCreary. So Murphy came up with a deal with McCreary, and he and Emori were taken back to the camp, as supposed captives – Emori can remove the collars, so they and the others can escape.. Diyoza, on seeing McCreary had returned, is keeping the cure a secret. It also looks like Raven has agreed with Echo that they need to kill Shaw, as the only pilot.
Abby is treating another of the former prisoners when McCreary approaches with some of his people. Diyoza has the machine hidden and, after a confrontation with McCreary, tells Abby that she only wants to treat people she can trust. Once they are done, she will move on to the others. A power struggle appears to be developing.
Murphy and Emori are talking to Raven and Echo. Raven now says that they can’t kill Shaw; according to him, McCreary used to be in charge – the other prisoners only turned to Diyoza to survive. So there is a potential civil war brewing. Murphy goes and incites a bit of trouble, then comes back and agrees with Raven
Clarke is still a prisoner when Bellamy and Indra arrive. Bellamy admits that he poisoned Octavia, and that the plan is for Indra to take over and stop the war. Then Clarke can be freed. Bellamy hasn’t told Monty or the others what he did – and he is still uncertain over it – and Octavia seems to be dying. Her condition is deteriorating and may not be treatable.
Indra goes before Wonkru to raise the matter if succession. She plans to take over, but in the absence of a Commander, some say they should assemble the clan delegates to choose a new leader. The situation seems to be deteriorating, then Wonkru are incited into following Octavia’s last orders. Even if she dies. So Indra has failed.
Indra says that perhaps a real Commander could save the situation. Bellamy talks to Clarke about Madi becoming Commander, but Clarke is not happy about the idea. Chained up, she can’t do anything though. Indra talks to Gaia, telling her that Madi is a true Nightbleeder – which Gaia already knew. Gaia won’t force the Flame on Madi; it has to be her choice. Indra also tells Gaia that she and Gaia are both responsible for what Octavia has become.
Murphy is aiming to stir up trouble and set McCreary and Diyoza against each other. Causing trouble is something that Murphy is very good at. He, and the others, don’t know that, in “Acceptable Losses”, Clarke and Bellamy had spoken to Diyoza to agree to peace terms. If Diyoza is killed, that idea will be out the window.
The Dark Year is mentioned again, but it still isn’t gone into.