Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 2 Review: The Price of Work
Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 2, “The Price of Work,” sees the Unit take back their sense of power.
The series continues to keep its pacing from the premiere while simultaneously improving upon the plot. Plus, seeing the Unit showcase their power is always riveting.
After being forced to find new salvation, the Unit begins the episode by making their way into the Cession and seeking new camping grounds. The morale of the group is down as a whole.
JESSICA SUTTON, AMALIA HOLM, ARLEN AGUAYO STEWART
Tally is beating herself up for causing their unfortunate situation, Abigail and Scylla’s relationship is backtracking a bit, and Nicte genuinely worries about Tally’s wellbeing. It’s a hard time for them right now.
However, the situation takes an even more drastic turn when the Mycelium kidnaps Raelle! Hearst’s poisoning of the Mycelium forces it to work overtime to stay afloat, and with Raelle being one with the Mycelium, she’s also affected.
A good portion of the episode is dedicated to the Unit finding new shelter, but they’re also saying enough is enough. They’ve been on the run for over a month, and with each passing day, it continues to get harder and harder.
Raelle’s situation with the Mycelium is the turning point in their complacency with following orders. The Unit is fed up with being unable to fight back, and this time, there’s nobody to stop them when Hearst makes an appearance.
AMALIA HOLM, JESSICA SUTTON
Motherland: Fort Salem is feeding the fans well with “The Price of Work” because not only are we getting superb action scenes and plot development. We’re also getting a chance to see our favorite characters take back a sense of control and power, even amid unsettling territory.
It’s a risky move having the Unit expose themselves the way they do. Hearst’s escape is bound to cause issues for them later on as he reveals their whereabouts, but it does bring a significant amount of pleasure for them to get a form of payback.
All of them have been subjected to the powers that be at Hearst’s say-so, but Abigail, Raelle, and Scylla have had it worse. That’s why it’s exhilarating when Abigail and Scylla both get the opportunity to give Hearst an excellent punch to the face.
AMALIA HOLM
It’s only a fraction of what Hearst deserves, but at least he now has a taste of what’s coming for him later.
Another aspect this episode excels at is switching from storyline to storyline with ease. While we’re getting the Unit’s explosive work, Izadora is figuring out the witch plague and Penelope’s situation, and Petra, Anacostia, and M are doing their best to figure out who they can trust.
With Wade’s chief of staff and Silver both being Camarilla, it’s safe to assume that she is as well. However, Wade’s allegiance is solidified thanks to a meeting with Minerva, and so is the target on her back.
ASHLEY NICOLE WILLIAMS
Wade’s statement that she disagrees with and will veto Silver’s bill is excellent news for all witches but bad news for her. If Silver is willing to sacrifice his own daughter to get what he wants, he won’t be afraid to kill the president.
It’ll be interesting to see where the series goes from this point and how we’ll see the return of Raelle. I’m staying hopeful that she’ll only be away from the group for no more than two episodes.
After all, it is the last season. We can’t have Scylla and Raelle away from one another for long periods again!
Stray Thoughts:
- Scylla sending Raelle messages via their unique hand sign – my heart!!
- It’s adorable how worried Nicte is for Tally and her newfound abilities. It’s clear that there’s some connection between the two, and I hope we see them act upon or acknowledge it this season.
- I have a strong feeling that Tally and her abilities will be just the resource that comes in clutch to win the war.
- Our first look at the union of earth and sky is invigorating! If Adil and Abigail can harness that power between them and perfect their razor-like tornadoes, they have a good chance of winning the war.
- We needed another Alder moment this episode. With the Mycelium poisoned, there’s no doubt it’s affecting her as well.
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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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.