I watched the premiere episode twice. The opening terrorist scene was horrifying yet stunning. The idea of using a supernatural force to serve in the military is not unique. In one of the greatest graphic novels ever written, Watchmen's Dr. Manhattan is used as a military weapon. However, using witchcraft as a military force is unique. I love the idea of witches being drafted and the tradition and honor in serving to keep our nation safe from domestic and foreign terrorism. The female cast is strong and likable with interesting backstories. There's no agenda pushing, just good storytelling, cinematography and action. It would have been a 10 without the cliche betrayal-love story ending. Still, I cannot wait for Ep 2!
9 Reviews
I wasn't sold. Yet.
majexpendable18 February 2022
As fun as some of this episode is, it's not really representative of the rest of the show. The characters are still being felt out, and the story is too fast paced because they're trying to hook you. The opening was epic, and the promise of the music and cinematography drew me in. I'm very glad I kept watching, in my opinion the show gets much much better.
Spread the Good News
hackerlocker24 April 2020
Solid World and Character Building from the Outset
pvxpearls17 May 2020
From the beginning, this show immerses you in a world built around a witch military faction. The worldbuilding is so tight and the pilot so informative, it's easy to go into the remainder of the season feeling equipped with the knowledge to continue to understand the plot very well. Instantly, the characters establish who they are with a surprising bit of nuance to their characters. No one character is only a single thing, a caricature of what they could be. Every woman has complex motivations and thoughts that are at the forefront of how this story is told.
Very Gripping
daucettedj13 April 2020
It's a fresh take on magic in a television show. What is fantastic, without saying much, is how unapologetic it is about its LGBT presence. The actors and actresses do a fantastic job in their portrayals and characterizations, and are consistent into the next episode.
Highly recommended!
sarah-213987 September 2022
What an opening! I did not have great expectations but Motherland: Fort Salem got me hooked from the very first episode.
The story is set in an alternate version of the USA.
In the pilot -Say the Words- we get to know the main characters and learn that there's an army of witches who are protecting the country from a terror organization.
It's dark, it's thrilling, it's supernatural, it's surprising, it's special!
The story, the actors and the cinematography are amazing!
And I love the representation of queerness and people of color and that there are strong female characters.
Highly recommended!
The story is set in an alternate version of the USA.
In the pilot -Say the Words- we get to know the main characters and learn that there's an army of witches who are protecting the country from a terror organization.
It's dark, it's thrilling, it's supernatural, it's surprising, it's special!
The story, the actors and the cinematography are amazing!
And I love the representation of queerness and people of color and that there are strong female characters.
Highly recommended!
Say the Words
Prismark1013 August 2020
Despite the Young Adult trappings that range from Divergent to Harry Potter. I came away from the first episode that this is basically an allegory on the war on terror.
Set in an alternate history where the Salem witches did a deal to be accepted, even treated with reverence by the establishment in exchange to fight its wars.
The opening starts with people falling to their deaths. An alternative to suicide bombers. These attacks are blamed on the Spree.
Fort Salem, a military academy are welcoming its new recruits hoping the graduates will go to War College. The witches are ever alert to new threats.
Abigail Bellweather is descended from a slave woman who enlisted. Tally Craven has joined in opposition to her mother's wises. Raelle Collar is the rebellious one. The outsider.
Despite Fort Salem being a matriarchy, a hotbed of lesbianism. Only future episodes will tell if the underlying politics is more in line with Robert A Heinlein's Starship Troopers.
Set in an alternate history where the Salem witches did a deal to be accepted, even treated with reverence by the establishment in exchange to fight its wars.
The opening starts with people falling to their deaths. An alternative to suicide bombers. These attacks are blamed on the Spree.
Fort Salem, a military academy are welcoming its new recruits hoping the graduates will go to War College. The witches are ever alert to new threats.
Abigail Bellweather is descended from a slave woman who enlisted. Tally Craven has joined in opposition to her mother's wises. Raelle Collar is the rebellious one. The outsider.
Despite Fort Salem being a matriarchy, a hotbed of lesbianism. Only future episodes will tell if the underlying politics is more in line with Robert A Heinlein's Starship Troopers.
My favorite pilot episode of a tv series ever
analynnmiller-7796726 June 2022
Pilot episodes are hard, especially one for a incredibly rich sci-fi/fantasy series. I am amazed how well Motherland: Fort Salem was able to build the story, introduce the characters, and expand the world in such a short time without it feeling overwhelming. It hooks you from the start, that cliffhanger makes you hover over the "next episode" button even if you promised you'd only watch one episode.
#SaveMotherlandFortSalem #MotherlandFortSalem
depridgeon17 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a nice introduction to the series. The balloons creep me out! #MotherlandFortSalem #SaveMotherlandFortSalem. Alder's speech to the new witches was everything and more to me ! I love how each girl bring something different to the unit. Can't wait to see more of this lovely, new & original lore about witches ! #SaveMotherlandFortSalem #MotherlandFortSalem.
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