Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3 Tiffany, A Review-The Imperative And The Mycelium Rule

Too many problems plague the girls in Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3 where the dangers lurk everywhere, even where they least expect it.

If our past defines our future, then Tally, Abigail, and Raelle are in big trouble. Each young woman has something they are running from. As each girl struggles to come to terms with their new place in the world, those they should be able to trust are pushing them to do things they aren’t ready for and shouldn’t be asked to do. Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3 is the end of innocence for our girls who are learning they didn’t understand half of what was really going on.

Raelle is still trying to get out of the shadow of her mother’s choices. She loves her father and doesn’t know what her mother has become. As far as Raelle knows, her mother was a war hero and devoted spouse. She only knows half of the story, however. Her link to the Mycelium makes her as valuable as her mixed bloodline makes her tainted in the witch’s eyes. Once thought of as the most genuine and most powerful of cadets because of her heritage, Abigail has found herself on shaky ground. She is no longer an obedient drone, nor does she have special powers like her friends. That places her in a no woman’s land. By the end of the episode, she is taking steps to change that with mixed results. Her command of the weather is impressive, but it comes at a significant cost.

Tally’s connection to General Alder gives her glimpses inside the powerful war hero that she probably wishes she didn’t have. She sees Alder betray Nicta. She doesn’t have all the answers yet, but those are coming fast. What happens when she pieces together the whole mystery? Will she confront General Alder? What will Alder do to keep her secrets?

Fascism is running wild in Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3. The Camarilla want to root out and eradicate all witches using the same types of testing that the military wants to use. Curiously, both groups want to force everyone to be tested for the protection of others. They are dual sides of the same coin. The Camarilla wants to protect non-witches from the magical, while the military seeks to save closeted witches from being killed or exploited. Ironically, neither side sees the similarity.

The military compels the President to sign a law allowing all women of the Conscription age to be tested whether they are from a known magical bloodline or not. The Vice President and the President are against it initially, but General Alder isn’t above using her skills to change the President’s mind. It is a slippery slope from a simple compulsion to ruling the country in tyranny. Fascism always looks altruistic to the ones being fascist.

If that isn’t bad enough, Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3 introduces the Imperative. The Imperatrix is the head of the organization whose responsibilities include maintaining bloodlines. She has come to town for the Paragon Reception. The time for “handfasting” has been accelerated. She is an immensely powerful witch who is even more critical than General Alder. Her views are antiquated and exceedingly Draconian. The bloodlines are essential. If you are of the blood, you are useful. Mating partners are chosen based on bloodline characteristics. They are designed to strengthen the powers of the offspring it produces. There is no room for love, sexuality, or free will. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want children, are queer, or already in love. The rules are expected to be strictly adhered to. The Imperative is the final word, with no exceptions.

At this point, Abigail’s greatest value is her blood and the possible witches she could produce. This is a tough pill to swallow for the proud girl who has been dealt several harsh blows lately. Raelle isn’t fairing much better. The Imperative thinks her mixed bloodline makes her less than, but her connection to the Mycelium makes her exploitable. When she tries to communicate with the fungus, it doesn’t work at first, but later, when she sings the seed, Scylla taught her the link is so strong she is practically suffocated. That event leads to the biggest breakthrough yet. The Mycelium has colonized her vocal cords and given her abilities and knowledge she didn’t have before. For now, her new powers to destroy and change inorganic matter give her some shelter from the Imperative. I wonder how long before the military and the political components of the witch’s world collide?

Tally has a different sort of trouble to deal with. Her meld with Alder hasn’t dissipated, and she is dangerously close to discovering a secret the General wanted to keep buried. The always empathetic Tally helps Penelope master her skills and her emotions. For Tally, who is a true believer, the things she is learning about Alder are concerning. Alder’s memories are literally bleeding into Tally’s present. She is a loyal soldier now, but when she learns who Nicta really is, will she be so compliant? Will Nicta be the creator of the technology the Camarilla are currently using? Is Nicta not as dead as everyone thinks?

Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3 continues to develop the relationship between Anacostia and Scylla. The two women from opposing sides are easily the most intriguing pair on the show. The partnership allows the two actresses to shine. Amalia Holm plays Scylla with a barely controlled brashness that made her a fan favorite, while Demetria McKinney(Anacostia) showcases maturity and patience. The two are fire and ice together and a fierce duo as Jack, the potential Camarilla leader, finds out.

However, However, World-building continues to be excellent in Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 Episode 3. The rich history and laws that govern their lives, the melding of civilian concerns, and the not so thinly veiled tyranny that guides the world now are all exciting concepts to uncover. The more that is revealed about General Alder, the Mycelium, and the Camarilla, the more branches are possible for exploration. Like Loki’s branching timelines, Motherland: Fort Salem is setting up future storylines by the truckload. With no sign of slowing down, this series is just getting started. Find all our Motherland: Fort Salem coverage here.