Motherland: Fort Salem is really coming for my feels in “Not Our Daughters.” Not only did we get some Raelle/Scylla (Raylla) content, we also saw Tally doing what no else is willing to, and Abigail fighting through her own insecurities and pain. And honestly, I thought last week’s episode was my favorite. But “Not Your Daughters” really moved things along and made me see that the Camarilla really are a danger that needs to be snuffed out. Until that happens, let’s break down this week’s episode of Motherland: Fort Salem.
Raelle and Scylla Circling Each Other
In an interview with Eliot Laurence that we did, the showrunner called Raelle and Scylla celestial bodies that are orbiting each other while doing their own thing. He also said that the work of the season was bringing these two forces together. This episode, “Not Our Daughters,” is the beginning of that. Story wise, they’re on completely different spectrums or sides. Raelle has found her place in the military and is ready to fight, despite the lies she’s been told because Abigail and Tally are her sisters. And Scylla is struggling with who she is and what she’s left behind.
Them falling into each others arms in episode 4 is simply unrealistic. So, I really loved how “Not Our Daughters” teased how what they have, it’s simply far from over. And now, I think both of them now it. Before, there was doubt. How could they move past the events of season one, especially with the atrocities that the Spree have handed down and that Raelle now knows Scylla is part of? But what they stand for is being stripped away because the Camarilla is a bigger threat and they must take it down. The only way they’re going to do that is by working together.
Also, can we talk about Scylla staring at Raelle’s picture in the car with Anacostia? Like…our girl is in love, rethinking her whole life, and thinking about how she can get back to Raelle. It’s clear as day in her eyes and the way she kept staring at the picture even after being reminded to stay on mission got me in the feels. Because this Scylla is multi-dimensional and dealing with complex emotions grounded in wanting to change for Raelle but also wanting to change for herself; the latter being the most important because you can’t do this (growth) for another.
Then there’s the way that Raelle looked at Scylla in “Not Our Daughters.” All it took was one look and she knew who it was. After all, you don’t forget the eyes of the person you love. From then on, everything came rushing back in. The pain, the hurt, but most importantly the love. Raelle doesn’t know what she’s going to do with this feeling. But show wise, it’s a step forward into something more and them eventually meeting up again as changed women. And personally, I can’t wait for that reunion, the conversations they will have, and the ass they will kick together when it really comes down to it.
Abigail and Her Insecurities Are Real
Abigail’s behavior in Motherland: Fort Salem‘s “Not Our Daughters” felt so real. Is she a little messy because of the things she said to Adil? Absolutely. But I’m not here for plain and boring! I’m here for complex, driven, and still finding out what you’re all about. And that’s what Abigail is doing. Like many people, her insecurities are taking a hold of her and making her doubt herself. Which, totally relatable, especially with the pressure from her family line, the fact that her friends are surpassing her with ease, and the recent trauma she went through at her cousin’s wedding.
Honestly, and even though I’m not a witch in War College, I find Abigail to be the most relatable of the bunch. Who hasn’t felt the need to prove themselves to the ones they love? Who hasn’t felt a crumb of jealousy at those they admire surpassing them? And who hasn’t had pain shape them and the way they think? On some level, anyone and everyone can relate to Abigail. And just like we can relate to her falling when it comes to certain aspects of her life, we can also relate to her standing her ground and rising up, stronger for what she’s gone through.
Then there’s the whole bit with the Camarilla using the voice of her family to lure her out. Personally, I haven’t experienced the pain of loss like Abigail has. So I don’t know what I’d do if I heard the voice of a dead loved one. Maybe I would run towards it instead of the other way. And judging her for it is ignoring the fact that you might do the same thing. Why? Because love and loss changes us and the hope of one more second with those we care about is a tempting offer indeed. But the fact remains that Abigail and her journey are relatable and so well done that I can’t wait for more!
Then There’s Tally Coming for Alder
First of all, we are so gifted to have Jessica Sutton in our lives on Motherland: Fort Salem. Seriously, week after week she absolutely shines and shows how much love she has for her character and the world she lives in through Tally. Secondly, I feel like a proud mama with the way that our Tally Craven has grown since episode one. Like seriously, this episode she was hella ballsy, proactive, and so attentive while understanding that she’s part of a unit. Maybe I even fanned myself when she went after those mannequins, when she was looking for the Camarilla trap, or when she kept searching for answers when it came to Alder.
Which…I need to be a fly on the wall in that room. I guess technically we are because we’re going to be watching the next episode to find out what happens. But just to be in that room, to hear the Bitty’s hissing, and to feel that tension between Tally and Alder? I absolutely need to be in that room and I need to be in it now. And honestly, I think it’s going to go better than expected. There’s a bond between these two that can never be erased. And I think that it will keep Tally safe and allow Alder to open up.
Because Alder is hiding things. She’s hiding things from the government, from the military, and from the rest of witch kind. And when it comes down to it, I think Tally will understand. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made, especially when no one is stepping up to the hard work. Alder is doing the hard work. That and her beautiful jaw line and firey eyes. But I’m getting off track. I’m looking forward to how Tally and Alder circle each other now that the latter knows the former is still connected to her.
Motherland: Fort Salem airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Freeform.
