Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Happy Yule!

Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 4, “Happy Yule,” focuses on the Unit’s love for Raelle and their determination to get her back.

It’s only been two full episodes without Raelle, but that’s two episodes too long!

In a semi-recent interview with EW, series creator Eliot Laurence said it’s lovely to see Raelle and Scylla’s relationship blossom throughout the season. But, if Raelle is going to be gone for half the season with Scylla chasing after her, it’s hard imagining that quote being accurate.

It should be safe to say that we’ll see Raelle return early enough for her and Scylla to get that time, but it’s doubtful. It’s more plausible that Laurence’s answer is simply a misdirect to hype the fanbase rather than being accurate. We can’t see their relationship blossom if they aren’t with one another.

Scylla and Raelle share a special moment during this episode, with a bit of help from everyone, but it’s not enough. We are starving for Raylla to lead a semi-normal life as a couple, even if it is while fighting witch extinction.

It would be a dire mistake for Raelle not to be with Scylla or the Unit for an extended period, even if it means getting more of an inside look at the mycelium. Hopefully, she’ll return to the land of the living by episode seven.

With that being said, Amalia Holm deserves all her flowers for the talent that invariably exudes from her. Holm is devouring everyone in the acting department with her ability to move the audience with nothing more than a stare or facial twitch alone.

Holm’s acting prowess is superb and only sharpening as she progresses in her acting career. Motherland: Fort Salem lucked out scoring the eximious actress.

Back to the review – the unit’s situation becomes more harrowing as we progress through the season. Silver is wasting no time doing a victory lap as the new President after Wade’s death – he even speaks ill of her at her funeral. He is genuinely the worst type of person, but we already knew that.

The silver lining – you see what I did there? – to the situation is that President Wade is, in fact, alive! The Camarilla think they know everything, but the witches have a trick or two up their sleeve.

Before the Camarilla could make their move on Wade in the White House, M strategically worked to replace her with a golem. Izadora truly saves the day as the President Wade golem takes the brunt of the blast, giving Team Witch a lead. With Silver and Hearst unaware of Wade’s status, they have time to plan an attack.

“Happy Yule” also provides further backstory to characters who don’t always get a turn in the spotlight.

Tally and M’s insightful conversation about feeling at an impasse when forced to choose between two options is refreshing. It allows us to get a more profound sense of connection with M, which is very much warranted. M has been a constant protector in the Unit’s lives since the beginning of Season 2; they deserve screen time that isn’t solely focused on fighting or saving the day.

We also saw that advancement a tiny bit with Anacostia and Woodlot at the beginning of Season 3. You know, before they were kidnapped by Hearst and Silver to be paraded around like show ponies.

As I mentioned earlier, Silver takes full advantage of his newfound limitless power. That equivocates to him stealing multiple pairs of witches and forcing them to fight to the death for his evil-hearted constituents.

While I do not enjoy Anacostia’s imprisonment one bit, it is riveting to see her flex the strength she possesses. We don’t see her strut her abilities as often as I would like.

I mean, c’mon! Anacostia almost completely rips Vira’s face off in one smooth, long-winded breath. That’s the power we need to see her get a chance to use on the Camarilla!

It’s frustrating, though, that we get the moment at the expense of Vira’s life.

It might be a minute moment compared to the rest of the episode, but the tender moment between Nicte and Scylla is appreciated. It’s a first step in finally peeling back the layers on Nicte’s character further. We’ve gotten glimpses of Nicte and the person she is outside the spree, but nowhere near this deep.

Nicte talking freely with Scylla about her mother is probably not a scene we’ll get again, so I’m savoring it for as long as possible.

On next week’s episode, we need to see Raelle’s journey within the mycelium. It’s time we get answers on what her current status is.

Stray Thoughts:

• It’s lovely that Petra and Abigail are able to reunite, even if it isn’t for long. 
• What if the six shadowy figures Tally sees in her vision are the stewards of the first song? It seems plausible with Alder’s response to Tally’s question about Raelle.
• I was not expecting the Marshal and President Wade to hook up, but I’m here for it. The two would make a cute couple.
• This episode features quite a few reveals. Such as Hearst and Brandt being siblings (which makes sense now), Wade’s status, and the Marshal teaching Alder the biddy work. I love when we get episodes heavy on the plot.
• I am not looking forward to what Hearst will be able to do once he perfects his voice. I hope we see the unit rip his throat out for stealing the witches’ voices.

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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