This is the first episode of Motherland: Fort Salem that left me with shivers down my spine and goosebumps on my skin. And even after the screen went black on “Bellweather Season” I felt like I had watched an extraordinary hour of TV that I soon won’t forget.
Finally, I got the feels for Raelle and Scylla that made me see them as more than just a tragic couple where one half is a murderer. (I’ll explain more below.) Abigail showed how independent and strong she is. And Tally, well she got her heart broken but stood tall amongst the chaos surrounding them all.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into Motherland: Fort Salem‘s “Bellweather Season”!
Raelle and Scylla, I Get It
I’ll be the first one to say that I haven’t liked Raelle and Scylla. I haven’t felt any sympathy for Scylla and wanted to mace her so she could get away from Raelle. #ISaidWhatISaid based on what was given to me in the span of 5 episodes. Now….well, now I can admit that I see why Raelle and Scylla click and how this isn’t a game where Scylla is trying to trick Raelle.
Is Scylla still a murderer? Absolutely. But how many times have we seen bad guys reform even after doing a bunch of dastardly things, including murder? Plenty of guys. And I can’t believe that I’m saying this. Please Lord, forgive me. But if I can see reform in the shape of all these dudes, why can’t I do it for one young woman who totally fell in love with her target.
Frankly, that’s some fanfic shit right there. And I love fanfiction! This all feels like some enemies to lovers tropey goodness where the bad person gets pulled to the side of light because of ball of good and leaves behind their past and all their indiscretions. And honestly, I’m here for it.
This is me tentatively approving of Raelle and Scylla because Scylla is the one that had those flashbacks of them together. She was the one that showed regret, pain, and finally courage by NOT taking Raelle to the meet up spot where they were going to take her girlfriend and the person that she genuinely loves. Yes, she was initally manipulating Raelle but her actions speak loudly and proudly of the love she holds for Raelle.
That matters and has set Scylla on a path I did not expect or want in the first place.
Here’s hoping that where ever we go now, Motherland: Fort Salem continues to build on Scylla and shows me more of her struggle to stay in the light when the darkness is so tempting, especially if it means Raelle is there to ground her in the midst of the madness coming to this show now that the Spree killed a Bellweather.
Abigail Bellweather is More Than a Name
It’s taken me a while to come to the point in my Motherland: Fort Salem journey where I connected with Abigail. From day one I pegged her as the bully, the try hard, or the one who always follows the rules. And she is some of these things, not going to lie about it. But she’s so much more.
“Bellweather Season” showed me how much Abigail wants to stand on her own. She loves her family, there’s no doubt about that, but she wants to be judged by her own merits and not just because she’s a Bellweather. And her thinking this has given me a whole new respect for Abigail.
It’s also made her more relatable. Who doesn’t want to live up to their family name or to their families expectations? I know I do and I don’t even get along with my family. And at the end of the day, I want to help, protect, and guide Abigail to whatever she chooses next in her life. Because her choices shouldn’t be dictated by the fact that she’s a Bellweather.
On a final note, Abigail was so damn badass during that fight with the Spree. She was holding her own at every turn and despite what I feel for her mother, that team up was epic and out of this world! Really would love to see some behind the scenes clips for that!
My Sweet Summer Child Tally
Tally was all over the place in “Bellweather Season.” And I don’t mean that as a bad thing. She was all over the place because her mind was being pulled back and forth between happiness, confusion, pain, and fear. Who wouldn’t be a mess after that? I know, I sure would be.
First off, the happiness. After connecting so deeply with Tally it was a welcome surprise to see him at the Bellweather wedding. The kisses they shared in a little hideaway spot made everything sweeter. This is the first time Tally has connected with someone in this manner and she was over the moon.
Then came the confusion and pain. Gerit is engaged to another person and that simply broke her heart. I would’ve run away too if things went for me the way they went for Tally. And like her, I would’ve found a place to sit down, reassess, and cry it all out.
Finally, the fear of it all. Tally had to put everything she was feeling on the back burner because she had just witnessed something horrifying. Personally, I’m glad they didn’t wait til the finale to expose Scylla. And Tally did the right thing by telling her squadron leader.
It was the right thing to do and I respect Tally for it.
Motherland: Fort Salem airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Freeform.