Homo Cantus

**Homo Cantus** is the first episode in Season 3 of the Freeform series, *Motherland: Fort Salem*. It premiered on June 21, 2022.

## Synopsis

After being blamed for the death of the vice president’s daughter, the witches leave the army behind and become fugitives — but staying out of trouble is never easy. While Raelle and Scylla enjoy their reunion, Nicte tempts Tally with a new power.

## Plot

136,455 years ago, a group of six witches gathers together in a circle. They vocalize in harmony, stirring a storm of lightning above them. They look to the sky, satisfied, then hug each other in pairs. They form the circle again, chanting in Méníshè "Let us begin." They turn away from each other, each walking in a different direction.

The girls of Sekhmet: Abigail Bellweather, Raelle Collar and Tally Craven, along with Scylla Ramshorn and Nicte Batan, are all in hiding following Sekhmet's having killed the vice president's daughter, Penelope Silver, in order to stop the witchplague attacking Fort Salem at its source. The group has taken refuge at a "paper factory" that is used as a refuge for draft-dodgers and members of the Spree, reminded daily of keeping up the front of being factory workers in order to stay safe and hidden. Abigail, however, draws the line at using Spree work to change their appearance, feeling that there are some lines that shouldn't be crossed. Meanwhile, Ralle and Scylla take the opportunity to resume their relationship, but get called out for slacking on the work and thus endangering the front that protects the group.

Vice President Blanton Silver is interviewed by the member of the press. He calls the attack on his daughter, Penelope, saying that he didn't deserve it. He then tightens the screws, stating that there are estimated to be 16,000 unregistered witches and that he's gathering funding for a genealogical research project to identify and "protect" them. Secretly, however, the witches of Fort Salem monitor his actions and discover that he is meeting with Alban Hearst. They identify him as one of the leaders of the attack on Fort Salem, but do not yet know his status as the leader of the Camarilla, the secretive group dedicated to wiping out all witches.

Tally Craven trains with Nicte Batan, hoping to channel her power to see into the future. Nicte proves receptive to training her, but at the same time needles her over the group's unwillingness to change their appearance, while also daring her to delve into forbidden workings. Meanwhile, Abigail sneaks away with Adil in the hope of placing a call to her mother, Petra, but the call is cut short when the two discover a police officer out probing people using a flashlight capable of revealing work.

Things come to a head when a man out walking witnesses Tally and Nicte sparring on the roof. A police raid is called in. Though the group puts on a good front, the same police officer from before shows up with his flashlight and uses it to reveal hidden working within the hiding place. Despite this, the inspection team leaves without taking any action. The leader of the dodgers then declares Sekhmet to be persona non grata, saying that he can't shelter them anymore. He then calls a burn on the entire operation, forcing everyone to flee. In the aftermath, Tally blames herself, saying that with everything she's done, she may as well be working for the Camarilla. Abigail, however, stops her, pointing out that she violated the rules as well by going out for her phone call, she just didn't get caught.

Scylla then offers Abigail a chance to speak with her mother using Spree working. This time, Abigail accepts. She confesses to her mother how badly she's struggling. Petra offers her comfort and tells her to trust in her unit. The two discuss something that Petra overheard - that the Camarilla want to prevent Abigail and Adil's union: the "Union of Earth and Sky." Meanwhile, in a pastoral land known as Basque Country, sheep bleat in an idyllic field, tended by a shepherd who vocalizes to them. Suddenly, the clouds swirl and something rises from the Earth as he sings. Behind him appears General Sarah Alder, looking very young. "Please don't stop singing on my account (Mesedez, ez utzi kantatzen niregatik)," she tells him in Euskara (Basque language, probably the oldest alive language in Europe).

## Cast

### Main

* Taylor Hickson as Raelle Collar
* Amalia Holm as Scylla Ramshorn
* Demetria McKinney as Anacostia Quartermain
* Jessica Sutton as Tally Craven
* Ashley Nicole Williams as Abigail Bellweather

with

* Lyne Renee as General Sarah Alder

### Recurring

* Catherine Lough Haggquist as Petra Bellweather
* Victor Webster as Blanton Silver
* Tony Giroux as Adil
* Kandyse McClure as Nicte Batan
* Kylee Brown as Khalida
* Ess Hödlmoser as M
* Emilie Leclerc as Izadora
* Bob Frazer as Alban Hearst
* Mellany Barros as Penelope Silver
* Arlen Aguayo as Nicte Batan (as Arlen Aguayo-Stewart)

### Guest

* Luc Roderique as Sterling Woodlot
* Emilie Ullerup as Kara Brandt

**Co-starring**:

* Ava Marchfelder as Tiffany
* Melanie Rose Wilson as Vira
* Tanis Dolman as Interviewer
* John Stewart as Mac
* Georgia Beaty as Factory Supervisor
* Shaun Omaid as Detective
* Robbie Segulam as Dodger Night Watchman
* Arianna Bent as Copy Room Dodger
* Kareem Malcolm as Cop #2
* Eaemya Thyngi as Dodger Receptionist
* Kia Vance as Cop #1
* Tate Chernen as Basque Shepherd
* Sophie Chikara as Prehistoric Witch #1
* Shelise Lindo as Prehistoric Witch #2
* Donia Kash as Prehistoric Witch #3
* Nina Solberg as Prehistoric Witch #4
* Joanna Areti as Prehistoric Witch #5
* Amazyles Silva as Prehistoric Witch #6
* Theodore Robinson as Pedestrian

## Quotes

"*Did you know there are thought to be as many as 16,000 unregistered witches living in the U.S.? Many apparently hiding in the Cession? We need to know who they are and where they are, which is why I've gathered funding for a new genealogical research project to identify those with unknown witch ancestry so that we can protect them.*"
- Vice President Blanton Silver

"*This isn't what I look like anymore. This is what I looked like when I met Alder way back when. Seemed appropriate to wear it when we met again.*"

"*Does it give you any peace... that she's gone?*"

"*Do I seem peaceful?* I don't even know that is anymore. You guys are nuts not to change your looks.*"*
"*I know. Let's just say there's some resistance there.*"

- Nicte Batan and Tally Craven

"*Well, how far ahead can you see*?"

"*Far enough. For example, I can see... that a bird's gonna shit on your head in about 48 seconds. You in?*"

"*Yes.*"

- Tally Craven and Nicte Batan

"*Cops were checking people's faces with this weird flashlight. Checking for Work. They're getting closer.*"

- Abigail Bellweather

"*Tal, it's okay.*"

"*Oh, if you ever need anyone to ruin everything, I am available.*"

"*Tal...*"

"*No, seriously. Alder, Penelope, now this? I may just be the Camarilla's greatest weapon.*"
"*Whoa, Tal. I broke the rules too. Okay? I just didn't get caught.*"

- Raelle Collar, Tally Craven and Abigail Bellweather, after Tally's mistake forces the group to flee from their hiding place

"*I'm so tired. Mom.*"

"*I know. But rely on your unit. They have your back.*"

- Abigail and Petra Bellweather

## Gallery

### Videos

Motherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - Sneak Peek- A Good Dream - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - Sneak Peek- Nicte and Tally Spar - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - Sneak Peek- Abigail Struggles to Adjust - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem - After The Storm- Season 3, Episode 1 - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - The Bellweather Unit Meet Vira - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - Anacostia Speaks with Petra - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 3, Episode 1 - Tally Trains With Nicte - Freeform