Motherland: Fort Salem Review: Mother of All, Mother of None (Season 2 Episode 9)

The Mycelium’s origin is revealed and the military interrogates Nicte for her crimes on Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 9, “Mother of All, Mother of None.”

“Mother of All, Mother of None” is the shining example of what a penultimate episode should be. There is raw emotion, compelling storylines integrated, every character is touched upon, and the story is brought up to speed in time for the conclusion of the season.

The storytelling and character arcs portrayed are well thought out and told.

Nicte’s capture is the pinnacle moment of the season. From the beginning of Season 1, the elimination of the Spree has been the goal, and with Nicte’s capture, they’ve achieved it, or so they think.

Not much is known about Nicte from the past due to Alder removing her from history, but what’s seen in flashbacks isn’t evil. Nicte did not believe in the murder of fellow witches, especially one’s actively surrendering to the military.

Alder’s decision to use Nicte’s work is the first step in Nicte’s evil journey and is ultimately the sole reason for the Spree’s creation.

Nicte should be punished for her crimes against the public, but death is too far considering the part that the general of the military plays.

The twist about the Spree’s motives is an excellent play. Throughout the series, viewers are made to believe that the Spree is evil, causing pain and mass murder simply because of conscription. However, in reality, the justification for their actions goes deeper than that.

It doesn’t excuse the mass manslaughter, but it is an interesting touch to make the body count of civilians the same as the body count for witches in the military.

The majority of the population would not care that the Spree is fighting the military because regular people are sacrificed, not other witches. However, if the public knew the exact reasoning behind the movement, I think the public would rebel even more against the military.

As long as the military continues to send witches to their deathbeds, the Spree will continue to slaughter civilians in response. Executing Nicte would do nothing other than bring petty satisfaction to Alder.

I have made my viewpoints about Alder clear as day, but my heart has a bit of a change when reality hits. You can see in her eyes that she never dreamed she was the cause of so much destruction.

Alder thinks at the moment that she’s simply preventing another tragedy by killing Esterbrook and the others but is unaware that she would cause the next war by doing so.

Alder’s removal from office is a decision that has been long coming, and while I may have sympathy for her, I don’t feel genuine sorrow for her. Yes, she’s fought in eighty-one wars and won them all, but being an exceptional leader does not absolve her from her own actions.

The change in power is no sudden decision; Alder has skillfully evaded it for as long as she can, doing whatever it takes, but the time has come.

President Wade putting her foot down on Alder is a fantastic moment, purely because of how long it’s taken to occur. The wait for her to call Alder out began when she puppetted her the first time in Season 1, so it’s satisfying to witness her realize she’s no longer getting away with her crimes.

If I were President Wade, I would be calling Alder out on puppeteering on more than one occasion, not just about the testing centers. But, that begs the question: does President Wade remember the first time? Or was she informed of Alder’s wrongdoings by Petra this time around?

The top moment of the episode, hands down, is Tally invoking the Right of Proxy and giving her life for Nicte’s. Tally has always been the pure-hearted character that would risk her own life to save others, so her decision isn’t out of the blue.

Even after being captured by Tally, Nicte encourages her to continue to be herself, even trying to recruit her. She can see the potential in Tally to do more than she’s allowed in the military and can see the value she holds.

To everyone else, Nicte is a villain who enjoys killing people, but Tally knows the truth. Nicte’s actions are horrendous, but in her eyes, she’s avenging all of her witch brothers and sisters who have perished thanks to the military.

There are multiple layers to Nicte Batan and we have gotten nowhere near the core of who she is.

Alder’s decision to kill Tally instead of admitting her wrongdoings cements my feelings towards her once and for all. Granted, Tally hits her first, but Alder is over three hundred years old, she can’t be the bigger person? She could’ve backed her decision to not fight and admit her failures instead of being forced. 

The Mycelium’s origin story is interesting. In some capacity, a connection between the Mycelium and the dead is known, but I never guessed that it was the resting home for all witches.

I hope that if Motherland: Fort Salem gets a Season 3, the Mycelium is heavily explored because so much could come from it. Essentially, Raelle is now one of the most powerful witches on earth, which could come in handy during the finale. 

The finale will be all about the witch plague ravaging the base and all I want is for Raelle to do nothing but kick ass and take names.

I’m placing all of my bets on Vice President Silver being the culprit who lets the plague loose. His performative act with Penelope before leaving the base is sus, just like he has been all season long. 

Other Thoughts:

• It’s a long shot, but Nicte helping defeat the Camarilla on base would be such a twist, and now I lowkey hope that it happens.
• Raelle, Abigail, Gregorio, and M stepping in to save Tally’s life is beyond heart-warming, and I love to see that family dynamic in play.
• Scylla teaching the dodgers how to use spree work is EXHILARATING. I long for the day that she has a consistent family in her life, and with Raelle’s father and Quinn, she might have found one.
• Abigail removing herself from War College to pursue the Camarilla is a noble act on her part and showcases how much she’s grown. War College has always been the goal for her, until now, and she realizes that there are far more important things going on in the world.
• I hate that Anacostia gets interrupted just when she’s finally getting to have a little fun herself.
• Khalida’s inability to understand where Adil is coming from is frustrating and sickening. It says a lot about Khalida that if she came upon the same situation as him, she would simply walk away and allow it to happen. Her taking her blood back is going to ruin Adil.

Favorite Quotes:

• “To Anacostia Quartermaine.” – Raelle.
• “Is there an us to know about?” – Scylla.
• “Hey red, new shampoo?” – Nicte.
• “Don’t let this end you, Tally. I know how much it hurts to believe in someone and find out that person isn’t who you thought they were. Live your life, find something to love. This is not your story.” – Nicte.
• “I’m human; somewhere along the way, I think you forgot you are too. Welcome back.” – Petra.
• “If you’re a part of my little girls’ life, then you’re a part of mine too.” – Edwin.

What did you think of this episode of Motherland: Fort Salem? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Motherland: Fort Salem airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Freeform.

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