Mother of All, Mother of None

**Mother of All, Mother of None** is the ninth episode in Season 2 of the Freeform series, *Motherland: Fort Salem*. It aired on August 17, 2021.

## Synopsis

Distrust in Alder grows as Tally and Abigail pressure those in power for changes. Raelle gains a deeper understanding of the Mycelium and its purpose for her.

## Plot

The Vice President, Blanton Silver, arrives at Fort Salem. General Alder tells him it wasn't necessary for him to come all the way there. He tells her it wasn't his call and a car door opens revealing President Kelly Wade. "General Bellweather didn't tell me that you'd be attending the interrogation," comments Alder. "I know," agrees Wade, asking where Nicte is. They head for the interrogation room and Nicte comments that Alder hasn't aged a day. Alder replies that she could say the same about her. Nicte shoots back that at least witches didn't have to die for her to look young. Petra tells Wade that they're hopeful that rendition will reveal the names of the remaining Spree leaders and cells, leaving the Camarilla as the only threat. When they try it, however, the interrogator ends up being buffeted back and then bursting into flames and incinerated. "Was it something I thought?" asked Nicte. She tells them that she's happy to tell them what they want to know, but from now on it has to be Tally Craven asking the questions. "Then we don't have any time to waste," agrees Petra.

The Unit, along with Anacostia, discuss the current situation. Anacostia tells them that all that matters now is that they brought in the founder of the Spree. Raelle tells her that whatever she and Scylla were up to brought Scylla back to her and she's thankful for that. They have a toast, but then Petra enters, telling them that she needs to borrow Tally to speak to Nicte. The others say they're coming too and Petra tells them that Nicte made it clear she would speak only to Tally. "I'll be alright," Tally tells the others. Elsewhere, Adil meets with Khalida. They discuss the fact that he killed someone and he tells her that the Camarilla had witches in cages, ripping out their vocal cords. She tells him it's all the more reason to stay silent, but he replies that they won't survive in silence. "Then we won't... and peace will die with us," she tells him.

Raelle chats with Scylla on the phone, Scylla telling her that her father is really good with Tiffany. Raelle asks if she's met Quinn yet and she agrees that she did and she likes her, that she's finding a new home for Tiffany. She asks if her dad knows about them and Raelle asks if there is an "us" for them to know about. They joke about how she stepped into that one. Petra arrives at Nicte's cell with Tally, informing Alder that she's briefed and ready. Alder tells her she doesn't have to, but Tally replies that she wants to. She goes before Nicte, who tells her that she could hardly blame her for stealing her race with the dimples. Tally asks her how many Spree cells are still in operation. "Wipe out one, wipe out a hundred," Nicte tells her, saying that you can't stop an idea. They continue to go at this for a bit, until Nicte addresses Alder, saying that she's wasting Tally's talent, fighting for civilians who would just as soon watch her burn. She insinuates that the Spree kills one civilian for every witch that dies in combat.

Tired of the games, Tally points out that Nicte said she would answer questions. Nicte, however, says that this isn't why she had her summoned, but rather because she wanted someone questioning her who was interested in the truth. Alder says it's getting them nowhere and tries to dismiss Tally. Tally, however, asks her just how many civilians died in the first Spree attack. "That's easy," replies Nicte. "One for every one of Esterbrook's rebels in Liberia." Tally says that the rebels killed themselves, and Nicte tells her it's because Alder forced them using her Work, against innocent people, without so much as telling her. Tally asks if this is why she tried to erase her existence. Nicte agrees that this is so, but also because she then used the Work to start the Spree. Everyone else in the room then turns to stare at Alder. "General... let's have a chat about the future," Wade tells her.

Wade asks Petra Bellweather to accompany. They head off to another room to meet. Wade tells Alder that it's been three hundred years and she's done a lot of good. Alder agrees that America deserves no less, but Wade tells her it's time they talked about the lines she crossed to make that happen. Alder argues that war is not a pretty thing, but Wade says that her own crimes don't include deploying untested Basic cadets against the Spree. She brings up the times that Alder puppeted and pushed her. Alder asks how she proposes they move forward. Wade replies that based upon the current strained relations, it's best that nobody knows about her connection to the Spree. She tells her that the capture of Nicte Batan will be reported as a major victory and she will step down with distinction.

Abigail and Raelle stand before the Mycelium. Abigail wonders if she could touch it and Raelle tells her she'll let her know if she can't. Abigail starts to poke forward a finger, but just then, Izadora walks in, telling Raelle that the project is confidential. Raelle tells her that she felt Abigail deserves to see where the witchbomb comes from. Izadora asks if she needs to remind them that she's in charge. She continues that her authority only extends so far, handing a letter to Raelle. "Being taken off active duty?" wonders Raelle, shocked. Izadora tells her that her unique talents are apparently needed elsewhere. "So you're going to be a show pony?" asks Tally. It turns out that the mission for Raelle's "unique talents" is to go around the United States on a tour, trying to convince people that the witch testing centers are a good thing. Raelle asks Tally if she's had any fallout from questioning Nicte. She replies that she hasn't yet, but the truth is out. Just then, they spy M with a group of people. They ask them what's going on, and they explain that Alder is stepping down. "Did they announce why?" Tally asks, and they realize that the truth is going to be covered up.

Tally again goes to meet with Nicte. "Hey, Red. New shampoo?" quips Nicte. Tally tells her that Alder is stepping down. "After my execution," comments Nicte, asking Tally if she really believed that everything was going to be better with a pretty little bow and that the truth was going to come out. She tells Tally to find someone to love, that this is not her story, but Tally says she has to do something, that they have to all stop fighting each other. Nicte wishes her luck, saying that her death will inspire a new Spree and Alder won't be calling the shots anymore, so she calls that a win. Back in her office, Alder tells Petra that she needs to make a statement. Petra tells her that one will be provided by the White House and after she steps down, power will transfer. "What of the Biddies?" asks Alder and Petra tells her the program is being retired with her. The Biddies hiss in anger. Petra asks her if she had any idea what she was doing when she swept Alder around the rug. She admits that she didn't at first and underestimated things. Alder asks Petra if she really thinks she would have done a better job, telling her she can't even imagine what she's seen. She tells her she's ambitious and foolish, but Petra replies that she's human and that somewhere along the line, Alder forgot she was too. "Welcome back," she tells her and leaves the room. Alder sobs.

Tally meets with Penelope Silver's Unit. She says they're very excited to start Basic. Tally agrees that it's an important moment. Penelope tells her Unit she'll catch up with them, then talks about the execution with Tally, saying that it's crazy, given that there hasn't been one in 200 years. She asks if Tally is going and she agrees that she doesn't have much of a choice. Tally flips through pages of a book and finds something that catches her eye: the Rite of Proxy. As a bell tolls on the grounds of Fort Salem, Petra meets with Abigail. Abigail congratulates her on the promotion. Petra thanks her and tells her to get to class. Abigail tells her she's not going to class and Petra asks just where she is going. Abigail tells her she's going to the front lines to fight the Camarilla. Petra counters that there isn't even a front, but Abigail says she's wrong, that she was there and has been every day since the wedding. She hands Petra a small box, saying it's what they took from Charvel at the wedding. Petra tells her she's done her family proud, but that she can't just jump her daughter over the rest of War College, that it would look bad. Abigail, however, says they can't wait any longer to get started. "Tell me what you need to get started," says Petra.

Raelle goes to find Izadora, saying that they need to talk about the publicity tour. Izadora says they can talk after class. Raelle agrees that she'll wait and then heads to the Mycelium. A hand forms from the Mycelium and Raelle takes it. A human hand appears in its place, then the face of her mother, Willa, emerges from the Mycelium. Raelle asks how this can be happening, if she isn't dead. She tells her that she is dead, but that a part of her lives on, the strongest part, her love for her. She tells her that she's sorry she had to leave her, but it was the only way. Raelle tells her she was supposed to stay, but Willa says that only one of them was walking out of the room. She tells her they need her to see how everything began, the day they were born. She explains that Alder had helped to push the British militia back to sea, but that the Camarilla took everything from her, again and again. She says that Alder's song of grief is how the Mycelium came to be, then she built Fort Salem on this spot. She explains that the Mycelium is dead witches and this is how she's talking to her. "We live on through the Mother... and our power lives on through you. So that our Ancient Enemy can finally be defeated, and the Great War can be won." Back in the Mycelium room, Raelle tells Izadora that she can still smell the dead witches burning. She says that her mother gave her this gift and nobody will tell her how to use it, that she's not going on any tour. Izadora tells her it's above their pay grades. "No, it isn't," she replies.

As preparations are made for the execution, Anacostia meets with Petra. "Nice bars, General," she tells her. "Yours aren't bad either, *Captain* Quartermain," agrees Petra. They discuss how Anacostia has been promoted to Intelligence and then Sterling Woodlot arrives. He explains that he's now on Silver's detail. They talk about the Nicte situation, Anacostia saying that it's worse than he knows but since she's in Intelligence she'd have to kill him if she told him. Scylla and Edwin talk about Tiffany, then Scylla introduces Tiffany to her new family with the Dodgers. The two hug. Scylla then demonstrates a power of hers called "Morrigan's Whisper."

At Fort Salem, the execution is underway. Alder states that she takes no pleasure in ending a witch's life but that Nicte is a no mere witch, she is a murderer whose crimes can't go unanswered. She states that she will not be burned, that even their vilest enemies deserve better, but that with three strikes she will meet the Goddess: one for the heart, one for the head, and one for the soul. Tally, however, shouts for her to stop, then rises. In Méníshè, she declares the Rite of Proxy. Wade tells Petra she doesn't know what this is, but she wants it stopped. Petra, however, says she's never seen a witch invoke it before and it's between the two of them. Alder tells Tally she doesn't want to hurt her, but Tally says she's going to have to unless she wants to tell everyone why they're really there. She slashes her whip and then begin to duel. Alder moves to strike Tally down, but then Raelle, Abigail, Gregorio Shellbark and M all step forward, declaring the Rite of Proxy.

Raelle tells the crowd that Nicte is guilty of everything she's been accused of, but that the world needs to know why. "Tell them," Tally says to Alder, but Alder keeps silent. So Tally lays it out: that Nicte was a soldier and General Alder betrayed her and tried to erase her from history, so she started the Spree, beginning 20 years of witch against witch. They agree that Nicte should pay for her crimes, but not like this. Wade addresses Alder, saying that if she doesn't do this, they will carry it out themselves. Petra comes over and places her hand on Alder's shoulder. "I know," says Alder. Alder addresses the crowd, saying she's sorry she brought them all there, that she allowed the Ancient Enemy to fester on her watch. She says that she was worried she was leaving them unprepared, but they are more than prepared. She urges them not to make her mistakes and never forget that they are human. She removes her insignia and hands them to Petra. "We will meet the Camarilla with storm and fury." "With storm and fury!" agrees the crowd, stomping.

Blanton and his daugther, Penelope, prepare for a press conference. He gives her a hug and tells her that he loves her before heading off. Sekhmet meets and Raelle wonders if they just changed the world. They agree that it's now time to focus on the real enemy. Anacostia and Sterling meet, Anacostia saying that it seems like Blanton Silver has finally come around to having a witch for a daughter. Sterling agrees that Silver is actually a pretty good guy. She asks if he shouldn't be keeping an eye on Silver and he says he already left. They share a drink and then start to share a kiss, but just then a message comes through in Farspeech... "*we've been infiltrated.*" Gregorio rushes into the Unit's room, saying that they need a Fixer. As they witness a witch being consumed by the witchplague, Raelle shouts for everyone to run. They do.

## 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
* Lyne Renee as General Sarah Alder

### Recurring

* Catherine Lough Haggquist as Petra Bellweather
* Victor Webster as Blanton Silver
* Sheryl Lee Ralph as President Kelly Wade
* Diana Pavlovska as Willa Collar
* Tony Giroux as Adil
* Kylee Brown as Khalida
* Emilie Leclerc as Izadora
* Hrothgar Mathews as Edwin Collar
* Arlen Aguayo as Nicte Batan
* Mellany Barros as Penelope Silver
* Ess Hödlmoser as M
* Praneet Akilla as Gregorio Shellbark

### Guest

* Sandra Ferens as Quinn
* Bob Frazer as Alban Hearst
* Luc Roderique as Sterling Woodlot

**Co-starring**:

* Dianne Adams, Dale Hunter, Lanein Harrison, Soheila Vatandoost, Lynn Whyte, Lillian Lim, Althea Kaye as the Biddies
* Ava Marchfelder as Tiffany
* Jennifer Tong as Shireen
* Karen Khunkhun as Reporter (Boston TV)
* Nesta Chapman as Interrogation Witch
* Sarah McInnes as Sekhmet #1
* Valentina Andrade as Crying Cadet
* Mozhdah Jamalzadah as Upset Cadet
* Rachel Park as Incoming Cadet

## Gallery

### Videos

Motherland- Fort Salem - Season 2, Episode 9 Trailer - Who Can You Trust?Motherland- Fort Salem Season 2, Episode 9 - Sneak Peek- Raelle Thanks Anacostia - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 2, Episode 9 - Sneak Peek- Raelle is Reassigned - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem - After The Storm- Season 2, Episode 9 - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 2, Episode 9 - Tally Declares Rite Of Proxy - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 2, Episode 9 - Raelle Learns the Origins of the Mycelium - FreeformMotherland- Fort Salem Season 2, Episode 9 - Abigail Wants to Fight - Freeform