Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 10 Review: Revolution Part 2

Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 10, “Revolution Part 2,” works to tie up all loose ends and provide a meaningful goodbye to the series.

Pacing has been a damning issue all season long; unfortunately, that aspect is disturbingly present in the finale. Alder’s search for the missing pieces of the first song has so much backstory and depth to it that one or two episodes should have been dedicated solely to the exploration.

The same can goes for Jem’s steward revelation. We’ve heard countless times throughout the series that Jem Bellweather is one of the most powerful witches anyone has seen. Alder’s search was the perfect opportunity for us to spend time researching Jem’s roots and painting a grander picture of the Bellweather line.

However, the episode still provides a few key moments worth talking about. The series’ ending scene with Alder and the Unit is one of the best moments and one that’s sure to be discussed for a long time.

Not only is it the first time we’ve witnessed The Mother speak to the Unit, but it’s the moment they’re officially deemed Goddesses. The fans have known there was something uniquely special about them for quite some time, but seeing it play out on screen and proclaimed is enthralling and pleasing. 

They deserve all of the glory and accolades they can get.

Penelope’s revenge on Silver and Hearst is one of the other definite highlights. The two ruined Penelope’s entire life, so it’s only fitting their demise come at her hand.

I only wish we had got to see Penelope’s condition utilized differently. Rather than being locked up all season with minute cameos, she could have been used as the primary weapon against the Camarilla.

A ten-episode season was just not enough episodes for the amount of lore and backstory crammed into the season. Even an extra three episodes would have done wonders for the pacing and allowed time spent not focused solely on the plot.

Adil and Scylla’s incapacitation halfway through is a disappointing moment. We only get tiny glimpses of them after being healed by Raelle, not allowing for a proper goodbye.

However, forcing the lens on the core three also feels like the right move. Neither Scylla nor Adil is genuinely part of the Unit or the connection they share. So it makes sense not to have them be in the focus while the Unit connects with The Mother.

It would have been nice to have real goodbyes for Scylla and Adil, not them just standing idly by the Unit before they got in the chopper.

Without question, the worst moment from the series finale is Anacostia’s death and the improper time allocated for her sacrifice.

Anacostia’s death is entirely too rushed and clearly used as pure shock value rather than adding anything significant to the plot. Even with the subtle foreshadowing beforehand with her saying goodbye, her sacrifice adds no real significance to the story other than sorrow.

Anacostia Quartermain: Wait, I just want to say how proud I am to know all three of you. From the moment we met, I knew there was something else, this odd, beautiful, precisely perfect combination of your talents. Everybody saw it. Everybody knew. Never doubt that. Never doubt what you built. And look out for that one.

Anacostia Quartermain deserved to make it through the season alive and deserved better than she was given. 

Also, forcing a relationship on Tally with someone she’s had limited interactions with is pathetic. It’s a wasted opportunity to let her end the series on a high note, alone and prospering as the shero that she is.

As I mentioned in my review of Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 9, “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress,” I have no ill feelings toward Praneet Akilla or his character. The issue is with the showrunners for using him to undermine the growth we’ve seen in Tally.

Tally doesn’t need a last-minute significant other to end the series. But, since that has to be the case, it makes way more sense to pair her with Alder, not someone who’s had no mention whatsoever all season long until the penultimate episode.

Overall, the Motherland: Fort Salem series finale feels like a letdown, even with the few moments that warrant positive reactions. It’s pitiful that the series didn’t have an adequate number of episodes to tell a well-rounded and explored story for the final season.

All we can do now is continue pushing for another network to renew the series for a much-needed Season 4! There’s so much more to be told with this beautiful story by Eliot Laurence.

Stray Thoughts:

• I’ll forever be pleased with Nicte and Alder making amends. I only wish we could’ve seen it happen sooner.
• It’s immensely pleasing to know that my prediction about what Tally saw in her vision of Raelle came true.
• Despite the horrible pacing issues, the entire cast put forth everything they have to give us a great season. Words can never accurately describe how lucky we were to have these actors portraying these characters. Truly some of the best people!

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

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