This article contains spoilers for season two of Motherland: Fort Salem. Season 2, Episode 5 "Brianna's Favorite Pencil" aired July 20, 2021.
Members of Fort Salem spend their last few days before break talking to the dead. The veil between this world and the next is thinnest during Samhain. (Or, Halloween, to civilians.) Alder denied her participation in the Liberian conflict, but can't escape Tally's wrath. Their connection lingers; that detail that surprises Alder, but she promises it will be dealt with immediately. Nicte Batan was a personal failure- just like Tally's belief that she could barge into her office with such nefarious accusations. All our main girls have spirits they'd like to speak with. Needing to satiate her curiosity, Tally vows to contact one of Alder's enemies. Abigail seeks guidance from Charvel. Raelle just wants to speak with her mother.
She's grappling with new powers and dealing with the fallout of what she saw at the rally. She tries to get some answers out of Anacostia, who can't assure her of anything beyond Scylla not being in federal prison. Regretfully, it seems. As Adil and Khalida survey other nations, their transport is sabotaged by the Camarilla. The two narrowly escape as members of the Hague are poisoned. News travels to the base and everyone believes them dead. The Indian military places explicit blame on the Camarilla, completely upending Alder's attempts to keep their return quiet.
The disastrous opening of the first witch testing center prompted Vice President Silver to suspend further rollout. People don't want to be attacked by the "Spree" on their way in. President Wade remains under the weather and unaccounted for; it seems the vice president is calling the shots at the moment.
But, no matter. Samhain is underway. Fires are lit around the base. Covens must successfully defend their hearths from the ghosts of battles past until midnight to earn the opportunity to speak with one deceased person. It's a battle of stamina and defense as Sekhmet uses scourges and seeds to deflect arrows. They succeed.
The Bellweather unit attempts to meet with their desired patrons. Charvel gives Abigail the kick in the ass she needs to get back into the fight. Tally learns that the "enemy" who Alder claimed martyred themselves was actively surrendering before a device thrown through a window caused her entire group to commit suicide. Nicte Batan was horrified at Alder.
Raelle's mother never comes. The audience knows why, but Raelle feels abandoned. With Abigail in better spirits after her conversation with Charvel and Adil's unexpected return, Tally decides to accompany Raelle as she heads back to her home in the Cession next episode.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Quatermaine and Scylla dress up to attend a Camarilla masquerade party with Bonnie's husband. The witch hunters have high-profile people in their pockets; law enforcement, judges, investment fund managers, real estate. The only reason the three of them were invited was because their escort brought a gift.
And so, the fate of his young daughter's witch friend- Tiffany- is revealed. She's offered and primed to be stoned at this twisted celebration. Scylla runs out of time as Anacostia attempts to shut off the witch dampeners placed throughout the venue. If she wants to save the girl, she needs to do something, and quick. A diversion it is.
She drops her mask, announcing her witch-hood to a room of people who hate her very being. Not only that; she is the Spree. Despite assuring Anacostia she's still a bad person, Scylla weaponizes her position to save the young girl by keeping their eyes on her. It works.
The sergeant cuts the power as soon as Scylla finishes, and all bets are off. Attendees flee as she unleashes her power. She isn't finished. Scylla disguises herself to get into their escort's home and murders him. She runs into his wife outside.
And though he deserved it, Scylla stops her before she goes inside and reminds her to find something to live for. Something beautiful and real. Like her daughter.
Implicitly, like Raelle.
Check out the trailer for episode 6 below:
Watch new episodes of Motherland: Fort Salem on Freeform Tuesdays at 10PM. Stills accessed from dgepress.com. All rights reserved to Motherland: Fort Salem and Freeform.
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