‘Motherland: Fort Salem’ Recap – ‘My Witches’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Perhaps the best part, when it comes to starting a brand-new television series, is the sense of discovery that washes over you once you settle in to start this fresh journey. Because you’re truly in uncharted territory and you simply haven’t a clue where the story is going to take you and there’s something quite thrilling about being along for the ride for a change and this is precisely why Motherland: Fort Salem, is such an alluring show. For it really is offering audiences everywhere something new in regard to the witch mythos and it really is offering up a story that is shrouded in fascinating mystery when it comes to the conflict at hand between the American Witch Army and the mysterious Spree. 

Because we are genuinely clueless as to why The Spree is motivated to sow chaos around the world and challenge such a powerful fighting force. But thankfully, last night’s episode of this budding new series took the time to explore some of those nefarious motivations, and unfortunately what we learned about The Spree was a tad disconcerting and that made ‘My Witches’ quite the fascinating tale. Because not only did us give us a little bit of insight as to what the villains are up to, it also took the time to explore more of this alternate America and this tale also made a point to bring a little bit of peace to the Bellweather unit, since they finally started to work together. Something that was accomplished by way of the team’s training regimen.

Because they were pushed hard in this particular tale and having their backs against the wall and coming to realize that their drill sergeants were not their friends, allowed for them to bond for a change. And that bond is what allowed for wonders to happen since these girls quickly demonstrated their power in epic fashion and really, the show deserves some serious credit for making the training sequences worth our while in this tale. Because this ran the risk of becoming boring quickly, since we saw so much of it last week. But the Full Metal Jacket feel of this segment really did liven it up and it also tied into the bigger plot nicely, since it was pointed out that some of the stuff, they were learning was quite advanced for fresh recruits.

Which brings us to the centerpiece of the night storytelling wise, specifically that grand insight into the fight against The Spree and what exactly these baddies might be up to. And as it turns out, it would seem that the fight with The Spree is going quite badly. Because they’re able to bait and lure witches into horrible traps and even the President of the United States has concerns about how the witches are doing in this war since she’s ready to send in conventional army to end this threat, and that would explain why the girls are being pushed harder than ever before. If anything, it would seem that chaos and destabilization is what The Spree are after and they’re accomplishing those goals. Because they’re rattling the Witch Army and they’re terrifying the people of America, since they are losing faith in their protectors, as evidenced by the scene in the pizza parlor.

But let’s be honest. Sowing discord and putting fear into the hearts of humanity would be too cliché for a series that clearly is working toward something a little deeper. And when considers the work that Scylla is doing to ‘get’ Raelle and that we have a shattered general in the witches top ranks, it would seem The Spree is working to break the Witch Army, and what’s disconcerting is that they will kill as many innocents as they can in order to achieve that goal. Why that is, however, has yet to be seen. But adding a little more mystery to this particular tale, only adds to the joy of the journey. In the end, however, this really was a solid episode for certain. Because you really cannot go wrong with a tale that gives you just enough plot wise, all while taking the time to grow its characters, and it should be interesting to see what twists and turns await us down the line, since it would appear that this series is working toward something big. Until next time.

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