Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 9 Review: But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…
Motherland: Fort Salem Season 3 Episode 9, “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…,” works meticulously to touch upon as much content as possible in preparation for the finale.
Penultimate episodes always have a lot happening, but Motherland: Fort Salem takes it to the next level. We see the Unit go through their trial, a vacation period at the lighthouse, the double wedding, Alder’s return, and Fort Salem’s demise. As I said, a lot is going on.
The episode provides plenty of splendid moments that’ll keep fans coming back to re-watch time and time again for the foreseeable future. Everything about the wedding scenes is mesmerizing and radiant. Every member of the Unit looked to die for!
AMALIA HOLM, TAYLOR HICKSON
However, there’s a disservice with how the scenes get completely rushed through. Understandably, a plethora of time cannot be spent on the wedding due to other pressing plot points. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have been given an extra minute or two so we could hear their vows.
Raylla’s wedding has been one of the most anticipated scenes of the entire series, so why would we not get to hear them speak their vows? It’s a minor detail, but it diminishes the experience in many people’s eyes, and rightfully so.
The wedding is shot as a montage with more time spent on the reception than the actual wedding, leaving the execution lacking substance. It’s a glorious moment that’s glossed over entirely too quickly.
AMALIA HOLM, TAYLOR HICKSON
The episode as a whole is too rushed. Instead of getting time to see the Unit fight in the trial, it’s passed over within minutes, leaving no room for enjoyment. Even though Hearst breaks Silver free at the end of the episode, we should be given more time to relish that he’s put in prison.
I wanted to see him taken by force, the nationwide response to Wade’s return, and Silver’s Camarilla connection. It’s small factors, but those details make the moments worthwhile.
Another disservice: Tally and Gregorio. I am thrilled that Praneet Akilla was able to re-join the cast one last time before the end of the advertised final season, but their relationship is not needed. In fact, at this point, it’s safe to say that the whole situation can be classified as a classic case of queerbaiting.
TONY GIROUX, KYLEE BROWN, JESSICA SUTTON
There has been zero mention of Gregorio in Season 3, period, and their last on-screen interaction was brief and cold. It consisted of him placing his hand on Tally’s knee as she stared into the distance, and now she’s cuddled up next to him like they’ve been with one another the whole time. It’s weird and problematic.
Tally does not need some rushed romantic relationship to end the series. It’s almost as if the series has something against a strong, independent woman being alone and not having some form of partner.
At least if Alder and Tally ended up together, there would be some connection and lingering backstory between the two. There has been a buildup between the two since the season one finale when Tally willingly gave her life up to save Alder. There are rich, complex moments between the two, as well as subtle flirting and obvious foreshadowing that can be looked back upon.
ASHLEY NICOLE WILLIAMS, TONY GIROUX, KYLEE BROWN, JESSICA SUTTON
It’s also an incredibly unfavorable situation for Akilla. He has no say in what his character does on screen, but in a toxic fandom, that equates to nothing, and the backlash he’ll undoubtedly face because of this is unfortunate.
As much as I’ve talked down upon the pacing and execution of the episode, it still provides one of the top three moments of the season.
I hope to see some rectification on the Talder situation in the season finale.
Stray Thoughts:
- I’m in shock that we got to see Raelle and Scylla visit the lighthouse after so long of it being mentioned! Raelle serenading Scylla is also one of the top five Raylla scenes ever.
- We got Scylla back in uniform!!
- Izadora’s death is so rushed, and it’s so upsetting. She deserved better.
- Nicte owning up to her mistakes and wanting to offer her expertise in the fight is the character growth I needed from her.
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.