Motherland: Fort Salem 3×09 Review: “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…”

Motherland: Fort Salem’s penultimate episode offers a brief respite from the war with a double wedding ceremony in “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…”.

Despite turning themselves in at the end of “Petra’s Favorite Pen,” the Bellweather unit’s issues are resolved rather quickly in “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…” Though the episode begins with the unit on trial, fans ultimately get to see fan-favorite couples Raelle (Taylor Hickson) and Scylla (Amalia Holm), and Abigail (Ashley Nicole Williams) and Adil (Tony Giroux) get married in a double wedding.

Before they are taken into custody, Petra (Catherine Lough Haggquist) praises Abigail for her brave decision. It’s one of two nice moments between them in the episode, but it’s weird that there is a lack of real concern about what lies ahead. Soon after, the trial begins with the unit in a glass containment box. The trial is clearly stacked against them, particularly with a Camarilla judge. Despite this, they try to defend themselves and Raelle makes a moving speech about how witches are just like civilians.

The trial ends abruptly as President Wade (Sheryl Lee Ralph) makes her grand entrance into the courtroom. She identifies Silver (Victor Webster) as Camarilla, leading to his arrest. Wade’s entrance is a triumphant moment of the episode and her address to the nation after the unit is exonerated is inspiring. With their troubles temporarily over, Abigail plans Raelle and Scylla’s wedding while Raelle and Scylla spend some quality time in a lighthouse.

Gregorio (Praneet Akilla) returns after last being seen in season two’s finale. It soon becomes evident that he is now Tally’s (Jessica Sutton) love interest. While it’s unfortunate that the show didn’t capitalize on the popular Tally and Alder (Lyne Renee) chemistry, Tally and Gregorio have potential even if its underdeveloped. Despite that, it’s amazing to see Sutton and Renee be so supportive of the non-canon Talder ship, even taking a photo of themselves kissing for the fans.

Alder, saved from the icy cave by Khalida (Kylee Brown), has a brief conversation with Tally before leaving to search for the final piece of the song. With Khalida’s return and the rest of their friends and family gathered, Raelle convinces Abigail that she and Adil should get married with her and Scylla. Though I was hesitant about the idea of the couples sharing a wedding, the ceremony is still a beautiful moment for both. The interactions between friends and family leading up to and after the vows are heartfelt moments, particularly between Abigail and Petra and Raelle and Edwin (Hrothgar Mathews).

Later, Raelle, Scylla, Abigail, Adil, Tally, Gregorio, Anacostia (Demetria McKinney) and Sterling (Luc Roderique) sit together around a campfire. Abigail hands Raelle her guitar and she serenades Scylla and the rest of the group with a beautiful song. The levity of “But I Don’t Even Have a Dress…” doesn’t last long, as the Camarilla will not go quietly. Alban (Bob Frazer) breaks Silver out of jail and leads an invasion of Fort Salem.

Once inside, Alban sees that Penelope (Mellany Barros) is alive, kills Izadora (Emilie LeClerc), and sets his sights on the Mycelium. It’s sad to see Izadora go, but it was unlikely that the series would end without any casualties. Raelle feels the effects of the Mycellium attack quickly, and likely sets forth the events seen in Tally’s previous vision. With the series finale imminent, it will be exciting to see how Motherland: Fort Salem will conclude its three-season run.

Author: Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff is a graduate of Drexel University with a BS in Film/Video. She has a passion for entertainment and representation in entertainment. She currently resides outside of Washington, DC.

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