Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 5: Top Moments from ‘Cession in Session’

The Council of the Great River declares their official sentencing on Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 5, “Cession in Session.”

Going into this episode, we’re already on alert because The Unit’s safety rests solely within the hands of the council – thanks to President Wade and the Marshal fleeing.

And, thanks to the preview, we already knew they weren’t going to rule in their favor, so there’s a reason for caution.

We spend most of the episode with the Unit as the council works to decide their final vote, but we also get a chance to focus on Anacostia and Woodlot. Plus, Alder makes an extraordinary save, and Tally comes to a difficult realization.

Here are our top moments from Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 5, “Cession in Session.”

Alder’s Heroic Save

Being one with the mycelium, even with it poisoned, is giving Alder remarkable power!

With the Unit outnumbered, outgunned, and Edwin’s life at stake, Alder’s surprise appearance comes at the perfect time.

One by one, the soldiers are overtaken with vines and eradicated, replaced with a copy of Alder shortly after. The special effects are not the greatest, but it does the job of showcasing the power she holds. Her save at the end of the episode is why the Unit is free to see another day.

I’m speculating that Alder’s work can’t affect Hearst because his experiments play a part in the first song coming together somehow. Or he’s inadvertently injected himself with a piece of the song, and the mycelium senses it.

However, it could also be the simple case of Alder being depleted thanks to Hearst’s constant poisoning. There are too many factors at play to determine the exact issue, but Hearst’s day is coming soon.

Anacostia and Sterling’s Escape

I never thought we’d see the day Anacostia uses spree work without being around Scylla, but I’m not mad. I’m thrilled! They’re in the middle of a war, and at this point, work is work if it saves your life.

Spree’s work is designed to cause damage, and that’s the power all witches need at this time. The government and Camarilla are working hand-in-hand to secure their extinction, so niceties and the stigma towards certain types of work need to go out the window.

Anacostia’s ability to get valuable intel on the Camarilla’s current projects, goals, and total army size is a blessing. Now, Fort Salem can be notified, and they can have an idea of what the final battle will entail.

The Camarilla have been preparing for their time to shine for years and the size of their army shows!

Thelma’s Change of Heart

Thelma plays a significant factor in the sentencing of the Unit. At every turn, she’s against them and advocates for shipping them back to the states because of her ignorance.

It’s sad to admit, but Hearst showing up is somewhat a blessing in disguise. Without his interruption and clarification to Thelma that there are Camarilla alive and active, the Unit would have been forced out of the Cession. Well, forced is used loosely.

The council agrees to help them find solitaire somewhere outside the Cession, but in return, they’re not allowed to return – ever. Hearst’s attack is what opens Thelma’s eyes and ultimately gives Raelle back her freedom to return home. You know, after the mycelium decides to stop holding her hostage.

Hearst’s attacks are pretty comical in comparison to the strength that Thelma and the Unit have. Thelma barely moves out of position to evade Hearst’s weak attempt at an attack and quickly returns the gesture tenfold. It’s quite amusing!

As the alliances continue to grow between witches across the country, the build-up to the final battle only grows more intense. I hope we get a chance to see the entire council put their work to good use.

Tally’s Attempt to Change the Future

Tally is spiraling after her vision of Raelle in last week’s episode and is desperately trying to make sense of it. So, naturally, she turns to Abigail for help in finding those answers.

Abigail’s advice is solid – if Tally is going to try to change the future, she needs first to determine if it’s possible. Nicte shows Tally firsthand the risk of improperly using her gift earlier in the season, so we know the consequences are severe.

However, we also know that Tally doesn’t care what she must risk if it means saving everyone else. We know this to be accurate based on her countless self-less actions throughout the series.

I can’t help but feel like we see a foreshadowing of Tally potentially risking her life to save Raelle and the world in the end.

Stray Thoughts:

• The interaction between Scylla and Edwin in this episode is heartbreaking.
• Even though the situation is not ideal, I am grateful that we get a bonding moment between Alder and Khalida. The two have endured extreme amounts of pain and relate with one another deeper than just on the surface level.
• Thelma does an excellent job of convincing the audience that she could be part Camarilla in the first half of the episode. However, now I believe it could be the leader of the council. Someone tipped off Hearst about their location, and it has to be a council member.

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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