Motherland: Fort Salem Review: Revolution, Part 1 (Season 2 Episode 10)

Ideologies collide on Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 10, “Revolution, Part 1,” as Nicte and the military fight against the Camarilla together.

Motherland: Fort Salem delivers a gruesome finale that entrances viewers and keeps them on the edge of their seats. Loved ones are lost, couples are reconnected, and new acquaintances are made as the lives of witches everywhere are changed forever.

Finales are always chock-full of action, raw emotion, vulnerability, compelling twists to storylines, and a sense of cohesiveness to it; Motherland: Fort Salem checks all the boxes off the list and more as it sets up the premise for Season 3 with a daring twist at the end.

There is an enormous amount of information to unpack from the finale as the showrunners do their best to tie up any loose ends before the incoming hiatus.

A collective sob can be heard throughout the world as Alder says her final goodbyes before the Mycelium claims her body. It’s an incredibly moving scene as Anacostia and the unit are given adequate time to give Alder a proper goodbye. However, it’s Anacostia’s palpable grief that adds the extra layer of emotion to the scene.

Anacostia’s skepticism throughout the season and her actions towards Alder is now catching up to her as she watches Alder take her last few breaths. The pain that fills Anacostia is like one she’s never felt before. Not only is she losing the only mother she’s ever known, but she will also have to overcome the grief of their distance before Alder’s death.

Anacostia made the right choice standing up to Alder and calling her out on how she’s been acting, but never in her life did she imagine that Alder would die anytime soon after. So, I won’t be surprised if, in Season 3, we see Anacostia deal with her inner demons about the situation.

While some may be opposed to Anacostia showing more emotion than she did in Season 1, I love it. Anacostia is still the cold-hearted badass you would never want to get into a fight with. Her embracing her feelings instead of pushing them to the side showcases her character growth, not character destruction.

The best part about “Revolution, Part 1” is almost every character is given decent progression. Alder’s evolution, Tally’s sudden ability to see the pitch in the air, Khalida’s change of heart, and Nicte’s inner turmoil are all story moving moments.

Alder’s survival will be a significant focal point in Season 3, and the joy that fills me up is immense. It’s now known that the Mycelium is the resting home for dead witches, but there has to be more to it.

With the vast amount of knowledge to be learned about the Mycelium, there could be an entire spin-off centered around it and its creation. Viewers have only been given a taste of what Raelle can do via her symbiosis with the Mycelium, and I foresee Alder being the one to demonstrate its full potential from within.

I’m already looking forward to the moment in Season 3 when Raelle realizes that Alder didn’t completely die and is now connected with her. Raelle and Alder have never seen eye-to-eye, so the thought of her having to work with Alder on a different level is enthralling.

The weakest plot point on “Revolution, Part 1” is, without a doubt, Silver’s reveal as head Camarilla. Vice President Silver has given off bad vibes since he appears on screen in the Season 2 premiere. The light in his eyes fades away as he watches his daughter become who she’s meant to be in the church, and his actions from that point on are what make it so noticeable.

Vice President Silver has made derogatory remarks to the leaders at Fort Salem, treats his daughter differently, and overall seems disgusted anytime he’s in the presence of a witch. As soon as Penelope is pricked in the penultimate episode, it’s apparent that she won’t be making it through the season.

Overall, Penelope deserves better than what she’s given. Her introduction to the show is a riveting one that sets the tone of the season from the beginning, so why is she not given the opportunity to grow?

From what we see in the premiere, Penelope is hinted at having unique abilities herself, but it’s never explored before her untimely death. Her matriline is never explored, and her special abilities are never given the proper stage to shine or be conversated about.

Penelope’s death being used as a strategic move to start the next world war is abysmal and downright evil. Even if it doesn’t happen until the last second of Season 3, I need Silver to be taken care of once and for all, preferably by Raelle and the unit, but I’ll also accept Alder being the one to enact revenge.

Scylla and Raelle’s reunion scene brings upon a set of feelings that are unparalleled to anything I’ve felt for two characters before. It’s been two seasons of pining, missing time, and heartbreak as the two are kept apart by the forces in power, so their love finally being showcased is a miraculous moment.

The kiss that Raelle and Scylla share is such a significant moment because it’s the first time the two have said “I love you,” in full, with responses and all. The thought of them being on the road together throughout Season 3 is exhilarating, and I can’t wait to see the unit become dodgers.

Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 is not without its flaws, like any other show on the air, but it excels at creating a sense of authenticity and leaves the viewers always wanting more. Season 3 is going to be one like no other, and I’m ready for the chaos.
The revolution is here.

Other Thoughts:

• Khalida turning that soldier into a pile of lava with a mere glance is a level of badassery that only she can bring. Exploring her and Adil’s powers even more in Season 3 is going to be a treat.
• I think the unification of earth & air that Hurst is talking about is possible foreshadowing to Adil and Abigail’s future child.
• Scylla and Anacostia’s reunion is glorious and makes me gleeful to watch them interact again. Their bond formation is one of the best things to come from Season 2, and it better not go away so quickly in Season 3. I need the two of them kicking ass and taking names together again.
• President Wade has the right to have her issues with Alder, but her actions towards Petra and the unit are abysmal. If she doesn’t get what’s coming to her via witch, she’ll definitely get it from Silver.
• I feel like the death of the biddy’s should have been bigger. The hint at their demise is made in the penultimate episode when their department is revealed to be canceled after Alder, but I wasn’t expecting them to be gone in a total of 2 seconds.
• Anacostia is the one who notices that someone forged Sterling’s name to let camera crews in, so I hope that she’s also the one to realize that Silver is the rat.

Favorite Quotes:

• “It took bravery, clear thinking in the face of oblivion, sense of duty, and honor. I am proud to serve in this army alongside you.” – M
• “My fight isn’t with the army anymore.” – Nicte
• “We fight, till our very last breath.” – Alder
• “I don’t want to run anymore, I want to stay and fight.” – Khalida
• “I don’t want to be apart from you anymore.” – Raelle
• “Back to the belly of the beast. I worry for the beast.” – Scylla
• “Yes, ma’am.” – Scylla
• “Thanks for saving my ass, Red. Couple times.” – Nicte
• “I spent my whole life looking up to you. You showed me what it means to be a leader, to follow ones will for better and for worse. And don’t worry, we’re gonna be just as hard on my mom.” – Abigail
• “You told me to follow the truth, no matter where it lead, but I don’t think either of us could imagine it would lead us here. I may never understand some of the choices you’ve made, but I’m beginning to understand the burden that those choices places on you and I don’t know how you carried it for all these years. But, I want you to know that you can set it down now, we will carry it from here.” – Tally

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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