"My Mother Dearest, Part II" (Flock'⁴⁴/ıı)

## Plot

The episode begins on a dark and eerie night, with the cramped kitchen of Ilsabellen's airship serving as the setting for her return to bed. As Ilsabellen settles in, a wave of exhaustion washes over her, prompting her to contemplate Anto's impending return to gather more supplies. However, just as she tries to relax, the voice of Iyza forcefully interjects, spewing sexist remarks about Anto, labeling him a foolish man and dismissing him as nothing more than a boy consumed by toxic masculine traits. Iyza goes even further, proclaiming that all men on this planet are sickening parasites who deserve only death. Unwilling to accept this blanket statement, Ilsabellen vehemently rejects Iyza's claims, highlighting Anto's status as a Soviet defector and his genuine kindness towards her and Edith. Yet, Iyza remains obstinate, insisting that she is only trying to protect Ilsabellen from the wickedness of the world. Frustrated, Ilsabellen silently yearns for Iyza to vanish, even contemplating using drugs to induce sleep and silence Iyza's presence. In response, Iyza simply laughs, seemingly unaffected by the threat. As the conversation continues, Iyza shifts her focus to Rolf, Ilsabellen's beloved son. She expresses hopes that Rolf will somehow manage to escape the predetermined fate of boys, whom she deems dirty and inherently flawed humans. Ilsabellen, however, refuses to entertain this notion, finding irony in her deep love for Rolf and her conviction that he will never grow into a disturbing man. She recalls Jan Weber, a kind and supportive man who has played a crucial role as both Rolf and Edith's father and Rolf's biological father. Jan himself has endured a life marred by abuse from his own father, subjected to degrading actions and treated like rubbish. This painful past resonates with Ilsabellen, as she too has experienced similar mistreatment in her own life. Despite her resilience, Iyza consistently dismisses her as crazy, exacerbating the torment by seizing control of Ilsabellen's body, compelling her to violently strike the metal walls, subjecting herself to further abuse. As Iyza finally departs, she leaves Ilsabellen with a chilling warning, urging her to remain vigilant in the face of impending danger.

In a poignant flashback, we witness the journey of a young Ilsabellen at the tender age of 12, as she embarks on a search for a German man for a breeding program. Along her quest, she encounters Achim Zberg, a 13-year-old who repeatedly rejects her advances. Unbeknownst to Achim, Ilsabellen is mentally ill, but he remains oblivious to her condition. In the midst of this rejection, Elva, a caring figure in Ilsabellen's life, decides to confront her about the situation. However, despite Elva's intervention, Ilsabellen remains determined and continues her pursuit. Eventually, she meets Erhard Teuber, a 16-year-old soldier. In an attempt to appear older, Ilsabellen lies about her age, claiming to be 16 due to her height. It is during a moment of intimacy, as she tries to kiss Erhard, that Ilsabellen experiences her first menstruation. Overwhelmed by panic and confusion, she screams, attracting the attention of the maids who promptly whisk her away. This traumatic event triggers a shift in Ilsabellen's personality, causing her to adopt the persona of Iyza. In a state of distress, Iyza flees down the hallway, emitting sounds resembling those of a frightened cat. Seeking solace and safety, she hides in a box, but her hiding spot is soon discovered by Elva. This interaction reveals another facet of Ilsabellen's complex personality of Ilse, as Elva confronts her about menstruation and the significance of being a woman. However, Ilse misunderstands the explanation, mistakenly believing that her menstruation means she constantly confetti herself throughout the day, leading to discomfort and cramping. Recognizing the need for rest and recovery, Elva persuades Ilse to take a break. Agreeing, Ilse requests to be breastfed, a request that leaves Elva feeling slightly embarrassed but ultimately laughing it off. Instead, Elva provides Ilse with water and ensures she is comfortable enough to fall asleep.

Cut back to the bed where Edith awakens and realizes that Ilsabellen is missing. As she gets up to quench her thirst, she feels a presence behind her and turns around to see Ilsabellen wearing a frightening expression. But to her surprise, Ilsabellen soon reveals that she has transformed into her playful alter ego, Iyza, and simply wants to play with Edith. Iyza excitedly scours the room, searching for something to play with. Her eyes light up when she spots a ball and she eagerly approaches Edith with a hopeful smile. Wanting to engage her daughter in a fun activity, Iyza requests to play ball. Edith's anticipation grows as she agrees, filling the room with excitement. As Iyza tosses the ball towards Edith, they both chase after it throughout the hallway and eventually arrive at the control room. However, in a moment of unexpected strength, Iyza accidentally throws the ball too hard. It crashes through a nearby window, shattering the glass. The sound of breaking glass fills the air, causing Ilsabellen to freeze in shock. She turns to Edith, worried about her reaction. To Ilsabellen's surprise, Edith bursts into laughter, finding humor in the unexpected turn of events. She reassures Iyza that accidents happen and that it was just a window. However, Iyza starts to cry, afraid of getting in trouble. Edith's understanding and forgiving nature quickly melt Iyza's worries away, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. Together, Iyza and Edith approach the broken window, their hands brushing against each other as they survey the damage. Ilsabellen promises to take responsibility for the broken window and find a way to fix it. Still giggling, Edith offers her assistance, suggesting that they could find a creative way to repair the window together.

In the depths of Ilsabellen's traumatic past, there is a poignant and emotional memory that stands out. It is a flashback to a time when she first laid eyes on her precious daughter, Edith, who was then three years old. This tender moment occurred during Ilsabellen's time in the Lebensblood program, an experience that was marked by pain and suffering. However, the sight of her beloved child brought forth a flood of emotions that stirred within Ilsabellen's heart. As Ilsabellen stepped into the room, her eyes fell upon a small figure playing with toys on the floor. It was Edith, her little girl, completely unaware of the circumstances that had brought them together in this place. The room was filled with other children, each one a product of the Lebensblood program, yet Edith stood out to Ilsabellen, as if a ray of light amidst the darkness. Overwhelmed with love and longing, Ilsabellen's eyes welled up with tears as she watched Edith play. In that moment, the weight of their separation and the knowledge that Edith did not see her as her true mother became almost unbearable. Yet, Ilsabellen pushed aside her own pain and chose to focus on the happiness and innocence radiating from Edith. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Edith, to hold her close and whisper words of love and reassurance. But the constraints of the program and the watchful eyes of the staff prevented her from doing so. Instead, Ilsabellen stood at a distance, cherishing every glimpse of her daughter, etching the image of her into her heart. The sight of Edith's smile, her laughter, and the way she interacted with the other children filled Ilsabellen with a mixture of joy and sadness. She yearned to protect Edith, to shield her from the harsh realities of their world. But in that moment, all Ilsabellen could do was silently promise herself that she would do whatever it took to ensure her daughter's happiness and safety.

In a flashback, we find Isabellen three days after the traumatic incident, seemingly back to her normal self with no recollection of what transpired. Elva, who had been caring for her during this time, decides to inform Isabellen about everything that had occurred. As Elva recounts the events, Isabellen expresses a desire to return to the Lebensblood program. However, Isabellen's hopes for reconciliation with Erhard are shattered when he rejects her and cruelly refers to her as "Verrückt," meaning lunatic in German. It becomes apparent that Achim had informed Erhard about Isabellen's situation, threatening to report her to Himmler for her troubling behavior. This revelation causes Isabellen to snap back into the persona of Ilza, who harbors intense anger and resentment towards German men, viewing them as sick animals and criminals, considering all men to be fools. Under the cover of darkness, Ilza stealthily makes her way towards where Erhard is on a date with another girl on a balcony. With the intention of pushing him, Ilse (Isabellen's alternate personality) intervenes, preventing Ilza from carrying out her plan. In the midst of the chaos, Ilza flees, running away while Erhard watches her retreat. Ilza eventually finds solace in the arms of Elva, seeking comfort from the turmoil she has experienced. Determined not to give up until she finds a suitable breeder, Isabellen's persistent pursuit makes Elva increasingly uncomfortable.

Exhausted from the arduous trek across the vast desert, Ilsabellen trudged along, determined to keep up with Ali and Edith. But her weariness began to take its toll, causing her to stumble and collapse onto the scorching sand. Ali, concerned for her well-being, rushed over and implored her to stand up and keep going. Meanwhile, Edith, stubborn and resentful, stood at a distance, refusing to lend a helping hand. The strain of their journey had strained their relationship, as Edith resented being taken away from her family for weeks on end, leaving her feeling isolated in the middle of the unforgiving desert. Feeling defeated and ignored by Edith, Ilsabellen relinquished any hope of receiving assistance from her. Instead, she allowed herself a moment of rest, feeling the searing heat of the sun leaving its mark on her skin in the form of small burns. As she caught her breath, her gaze wandered, and she spotted an old man laboring under the weight of numerous bags, accompanied by a majestic Kentrosaurus. Intrigued, she called out to Ali and Edith, desperate for some sense of connection amidst their challenging journey. Together, Ilsabellen, Ali, and Edith approached the old man with the Kentrosaurus, their curiosity piqued. The old man, weathered by the desert's harsh conditions, looked up at them with tired eyes, his face lined with the wisdom of a life spent traversing these unforgiving lands. The Kentrosaurus, a gentle giant of prehistoric proportions, stood nearby, its massive presence adding an air of mystery and wonder to the scene. Intrigued by the sight before them, Ilsabellen, Ali, and Edith cautiously approached the old man, curious about the purpose of his bags and the relationship he shared with the magnificent Kentrosaurus. As they drew nearer, Ilsabellen couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and awe for the old man and his dinosaur companion. The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared to engage in conversation and discover the secrets the old man held within his possession.

In a flashback, we see 13-year-old Ilsabellen eagerly approaching her 14th birthday, which is just five days away. At the breeding farm, Kurt Ächenberg arrives in his car to assess the women for breeding purposes, aiming to create new Aryans. Ilsabellen is deeply affected by the sight of these women being chosen based solely on their ability to bear and raise children. The weight of this situation fills her with feelings of depression and immense stress. In an attempt to find solace, she sings about her emptiness and yearning for motherhood. While outside, Ilsabellen accidentally comes across Albert Jürgen, a chauffeur who is secretly Jewish and had to hide his family from the Nazis. Despite Albert being in his 40s and already married with children, Ilsabellen's young mind ponders whether his Aryan appearance aligns with Himmler's plans. She contemplates the idea of obtaining seminal fluid from him without any intimate involvement, solely to fulfill the breeding requirements. However, Albert rejects her advances, fully aware of the dangers involved in such a proposition with a young girl like her. He sympathizes with her situation, understanding the disturbing nature of the program she finds herself in. Ilsabellen is at the breeding farm because she does not have a biological family and was born as a result of being a child from an orphanage. Her desire for a family stems from her own personal longing, not to please Himmler. Albert, concerned for the safety of his own family during this perilous time, requests that Ilsabellen stay away and focus on her own life and well-being. He advises her not to get her hopes up. While Ilsabellen understands his concerns, she rejects his suggestion, desperately wanting a child so that she can experience the happiness of having a family. The fear of remaining childless and being alone consumes her. Ilsabellen merely wants seminal fluid from Albert, without any intimate involvement. This request disturbs Albert greatly. As he gets into the car with Kurt and drives away, leaving Ilsabellen upset, she is left to grapple with her conflicting desires and the unsettling consequences they may bring.

The scene cuts back to the present, where Ilsabellen, Edith, and Ali find themselves riding on the back of a Kentrosaurus, guided by an old man. The trio arrives at another settlement, a sand castle adorned with tents housing a mix of Arabs and North Africans. Ilsabellen and Edith are in awe as they take in the sights of the vibrant settlement. As the Kentrosaurus comes to a stop, Ilsabellen and Edith disembark, immediately noticing a group of children happily engaged in building sand castles. Curiosity gets the better of Ilsabellen, and she turns to Ali, seeking information about the residents of this settlement. Satisfied with his response, Ilsabellen rejoins Edith, eager to explore further. Just as they start to explore, the festivities of a Muslim holiday begin. The lively atmosphere fills the air, and everyone around them starts to dance. Unable to resist the infectious energy, Ilsabellen and Edith join in the dancing, their spirits lifted by the joyous celebration. Amidst the dancing crowd, Ilsabellen finds herself being pulled into the midst of a group of Arab dancers, while Edith decides to watch from a vantage point on a nearby bridge. As the festival continues, children playfully throw colorful dust at the revelers, adding another layer of excitement to the festivities. Ilsabellen can't help but smile, thoroughly enjoying the vibrant atmosphere surrounding her. However, overwhelmed by the crowd, Ilsabellen's personality suddenly shifts, and she transforms into Iyza, a persona she adopts when overwhelmed, causing her to flee from the bustling surroundings. In her haste, Ilsabellen runs towards a secluded cave in the distance, seeking solace and refuge. Edith, concerned for her mother's well-being, follows closely behind, determined to offer support and reassurance. The episode comes to a close, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting the next chapter of their journey.

In a nostalgic flashback at Lesenblood nursery, Ilsabellen can be seen humming contently on her bed before getting up, revealing her six-month pregnancy with Edith. She walks around her room and comes across Sister Julia, a nun who inquires about Ilsabellen's health, hoping that both mother and child are healthy and well. Ilsabellen assures Sister Julia that she diligently follows the rules, consuming only healthier foods and avoiding alcohol and smoking. Curiosity prompts Ilsabellen to ask Sister Julia about the beauty and charm of newborn babies. She ponders whether her happiness will be complete if she marries a man and lives happily ever after or if she will be condemned to hell if she remains unmarried when her child is born. However, she pushes these thoughts aside, yearning for a fairy tale-like happiness for herself and her child. Sister Julia responds, explaining her belief that women should marry men and have children in their lives. Ilsabellen understands this traditional viewpoint, but she also wants to explore the vitality that comes with being a woman, irrespective of her age. She desires to protect herself and her future children from enemy forces, especially in scenarios where the men might be absent or trapped in war. However, Sister Julia's traditional views, influenced by her opposition to communism, lead her to accuse Ilsabellen of being a communist, as communism goes against these traditional perspectives. As someone who is against communism, Ilsabellen decides to seek answers from Himmler. She approaches Himmler, who reveals his plan to strengthen the German army and implement new laws for the Third Reich. Himmler observes that the Red Army and USSR have female soldiers who are perceived as weak. In light of this, Himmler wants Ilsabellen to become the first female soldier for the German Army, bestowing upon her the title of "Big Sister of the Third Reich." Despite her young age, Himmler views her as a goddess and believes she possesses the vitality and strength necessary to lead the Aryan race against the perceived threat of the "dirty" Red Army. With her child soon to be born, Ilsabellen accepts Himmler's request and decides to join the League of German Girls (BDM) and undergo rigorous training in the German army. Her goal is to prove her vitality and contribute to Himmler's ambitious project. As she walks towards her bathroom, deep in thought, Sister Julia is taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. While in the bathroom, Ilsabellen catches a glimpse of Jan Weber, a participant in the Lesenblood program searching for a suitable breeding partner. She finds him incredibly attractive and cute, further adding to the complexities of her situation.