‘Motherland: Fort Salem’ Recap – ‘Bellweather Season’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

​For some time now, we’ve talked a lot about character development and world-building when it comes to the new Freeform series, Motherland: Fort Salem. And our discussions about this show have revolved around that so much, simply because this series has done a phenomenal job of handling both of those elements. For focusing on all of that, has allowed for us to properly get to know our trio of witches and what makes them tick and we also have a solid understanding of the unique and magical world that they inhabit. But those elements can only carry a series for so long, because eventually the plot has to move forward. Or the show runs the risk of boring the audience, and it just so happens that last night’s episode of this unique and delightful series, finally found a way to move everything forward in fascinating fashion.
 
For ‘Bellweather Season’ finally saw the Spree make a grandiose move against the Witch Army, the kind that will escalate their battle like never before. Plus, we finally saw Scylla make a decision as to where her loyalty lies and what made this episode so fascinating, is the sheer fact that it felt like a standard episode early on. For Raelle, Abigail and Tally were off to a Bellweather wedding in this particular tale, meaning that the early segments of this episode were dedicated to more world-building, since we came to learn a great deal about love related ceremonies for witches. All while Abigail worried a plenty about impressing the dean of War College in the hopes of securing herself a spot in that prestigious place. Which meant, it looked the like only trouble we were going to see in this tale, was a brewing conflict between Abigail and Raelle.
 
Because Scylla showed up to the wedding despite not being invited, and Raelle was quick to defend her, without having a clue that her darling girlfriend arrived under orders from the Spree. For they decided today was the day, and that Scylla needed to do whatever was necessary to bring Raelle to them, by no later than six p.m., or trouble would occur and that led to quite the internal conflict for Scylla. Because Raelle made it painfully obvious, in a good way, that she was madly in love with Scylla, and that she would do anything and everything to defend her honor and seeing that, left Scylla wondering if she was doing the right thing after all. Which means she was faced with quite the choice; follow orders or follow her heart and thankfully, she made the right call. Because the Spree never got their hands on Raelle. But that sure didn’t stop them from executing a daring plan.
 
One that was designed to cripple the Witch Army by bringing down as many high-ranking officials as possible, and such a feat was made possible by the sheer fact that the Spree had agents within the wedding compound and well, that discovery put Abigail in grave danger. Because some of the Spree in the compound, brutally murdered her cousin and cut out her larynx and she unfortunately discovered their handiwork, forcing her to fight for her life. And it had it not been for her mother she might not have escaped that battle and to complicate matters further, the Spree dispatched a bundle of balloons toward the property. Prompting every witch available to band together in order to blast them away and well, while the Witch Army did indeed win the day, the aftermath of this nightmare is an ugly one for certain.
 
For the Spree were successful in doing something that will rattle the Army since a Bellweather died on her wedding day and they wounded another one, proving that they can strike at the top with minimal effort. But it’s not as though the Spree didn’t take their lumps either. After all, three of their own are dead. For their agents died before properly completing their mission and Scylla died in the storm, making this quite the stalemate for certain. If anything, this all made for one incredible episode. One that kept you on the edge of your seat, and that definitely makes this one, the finest episode that this young series has offered up to date and truly, it should be interesting to see how our trio of witches handles the aftermath of what transpired here. Because there’s no possible way they’ll be in a good place mentally, after getting a genuine taste of the brutal nature of war. Until next time.  

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