Motherland: Fort Salem (2020) s01e03 Episode Script

1
[WOMAN] Previously on Motherland:
Any child born of a witch
shall be held a witch
and shall deliver herself
bodily to Fort Salem
for training in the military arts.
The Sprees are ruthless and savage.
We will need all of you
to meet what's coming.
We had training all day.
None of this is elective.
Your absence was noted.
Call the commander-in-chief.
Awfully nice to meet
your girlfriend, Raelle.
Is she saying girlfriend?
[EXHALES]
[BELL TOLLING]
I love this day.
Best day of the year.
Second best.
I suddenly look weird.
And not in a good way.
Stop fidgeting. You look fine.
- General Alder.
- [ALDER] Witchfather.
- Welcome back to Fort Salem.
- It's good to be home.
Men! Front and center!
[CHEERING]
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Whoo! Whoo! Yeah!
[CHEERING CONTINUES]
On me.
They do like to peacock and strut.
Close your mouth.
- Hey, Bells.
- All right, Buttonwood.
Good to see you.
- [LAUGHTER]
- Gerit Buttonwood.
We grew up together.
Rough room. Ten minutes.
You need some you time
in the suite, Tally?
Very funny.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYS]
- Red!
- [ANACOSTIA] Correct.
Good start.
When you identify one, shout it out.
You're competing as units.
- It's blue.
- [ANACOSTIA] No. Next!
That taste in your mouth? It's failure.
Mother's milk to a Swythe, I'm told.
Reminder! You are using Seed
37, the Seed of Revealing.
Moffett, if I can hear you,
you're doing it wrong.
37 is below the range of human hearing.
The Seed and your breath
will activate your Scry.
After that, it is in
your brains, ladies.
Hold the image of the
target in your mind.
I'm trying to see what's
behind the barrel,
but all I'm getting is the ground.
Concentrate, Moffett.
This is amazing!
I'm pretty sure my Scry is broken.
I'm 100 percent certain that it is not.
Tally, what's the next one?
Do we want to give
someone else a chance?
- No.
- No.
[TALLY] Black. Yellow. Green.
- Orange.
- How are you doing that?
I don't know. I just am.
Can anyone tell me why Craven
is excelling right now?
Because she saw the men
and got all charged up.
- [LAUGHTER]
- That
That is correct, Swythe.
There is going to be a lot of
energy around here for
the next few days.
All the way through Beltane.
Take the energy, channel
it into the work.
It will make you better, stronger.
Nice work, Craven.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Nice and high.
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
[INDISTINCT WHISPERING]
Whoa! There's something
wrong with this one.
[GRUNTS]
- [GROANING]
- [ICE CRACKLING]
[SHOUTING]
Oh, my God! Get out of the pool!
[SCREAMING]
We are the Spree.
[HISSES]
Total ice, like Antarctica ice.
Some were stuck under the
water when it froze.
Do a person's lungs explode?
[HISSES]
Concentrate!
[HISSES]
Simms! Buck up!
- [SIMMS SOBS]
- You're in the United States Army!
Will you cry every
time the Spree attack?
You are here to crush them.
We have to be just as strong
and focused as our enemies. Hm?
Fall out!
Playing field, ten minutes!
You sure you don't want
to stick around for this?
- Yeah, I got training in five.
- Okay.
- But I'll come find you after.
- Okay, sounds good.
Where's Alder?
The Council called an emergency session.
She's on her way to The Hague.
Good afternoon, ladies.
I'm Lieutenant Sergeant
and Junior Matrimonialist
Berryessa Tansey.
This is the kickoff to Beltane,
a chance to unwind and connect,
a chance to rediscover
our shared history.
I know you're all shaken by
news of these latest attacks.
These are trying times,
but I am here to tell you
that the way to get past it,
the way we steel ourselves
for the fight to come,
is through the rituals
and workings of Beltane.
[CHEERING]
[LAUGHS]
The official start of the festivities
is "Mead and Greet" at Memorial Hall,
where you're encouraged to mingle
with your male counterparts,
getting to know as many
of them as possible.
You should know that the strength
of Beltane lies in participation,
in whatever way you see fit.
How's this for participation?
[LAUGHS] You in, Raelle?
Yeah, what the hell.
[CHEERING]
[VOCALIZING]
[GRUNTS]
[LAUGHS] Sorry.
Oh! [LAUGHS]
- Tally, you okay?
- I think I just got flirted with.
- My little girl's grown up.
- [MAN] Hey, heads up!
Where'd you learn to play?
Chippewa Cession. You?
Nowhere you've ever heard of.
You're a lot better at this than
you are at picking girlfriends.
[GRUNTS]
- You okay?
- Yeah.
- What was that about?
- I have no idea.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
My flight hit a little rough weather.
Do I have one of you to thank for that?
[LAUGHTER]
[SPEAKING MOTHERTONGUE]
Hello, Scylla. Long time.
Porter. What are you doing here?
I got tired of running.
So when the call came, I said the words.
Seemed like the right thing to do.
Good for you.
The real question is
what are you doing here?
- Same. It felt like my duty to
- Come on.
You may have the Army fooled,
but I know who you are, remember?
After my parents were
killed, things changed.
So no, you don't actually know who I am.
I never got a chance to tell you
how sorry I was about that.
They were good people.
But that's what happens when
your girlfriend just disappears.
You don't get to tell her all
the things you wanted to say.
Right. Well, people change, Porter.
I hope that's true.
- [LAUGHTER]
- Ms. Bellweather.
Slake your thirst with some mead?
How did you know?
Thank you. What's your name?
- Clive Garland.
- And what's his name?
That's my friend, Agustín Alcala.
Clive, do you think you
could rescue your friend
from that sea hag and
bring him over here?
I'm at your service. I'll be right back.
Good attitude. I can work with that.
- Just go talk to him already.
- And say what?
"Hi, I'm Tally,
complete virgin and hot for any
part of you that's available?"
- [LAUGHS]
- How about just "hi."
Look, it doesn't matter what you say.
Let him do all the heavy lifting.
[WITCHFATHER] She's right.
Ladies. Are you enjoying yourselves?
Very much so. Thank you, Witchfather.
Good.
Do you have time to have a
drink with us, Witchfather?
[LAUGHS] Oh, Ms. Bellweather.
You remind me of your mother. Shameless.
Oh, I take that as a compliment, sir.
Shame is for civilians.
You're asking us to commit troops
on the promise of finding one cell?
Our embassy was taken
out by a plague bomb
that no one's used in 50 years.
Two hundred thirty-three
dead, 91 injured.
The numbers fail to express
the horror of what happened.
They died in the most painful
ways you can imagine.
[SPEAKING MOTHERTONGUE]
The Spree are escalating.
But now is not the time for any rash
or indiscriminate action.
When we have verifiable Intel,
America will spearhead an operation
and cut the head off the snake.
Like you spearheaded the raid in Kiev?
General Sharma, you object? Again.
What I object to is your
presumption of leadership
and authority in matters that
concern all of us equally.
[SPEAKING MOTHERTONGUE]
What's gonna happen? Just say hi.
Abigail Bellweather, Agustín Alcala.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
- Mm.
- Mm.
Come on.
Only Abigail.
- Tal, I'll be back.
- What's going on?
Give me a second.
What was that shit at the game about?
Sorry. That was about me lashing
out at the wrong person.
I'm Porter, by the way.
Who was the right person?
Scylla Ramshorn.
We have a history.
I saw you two together and
I reacted like a jerk.
It won't happen again.
Well, what kind of history?
Did you guys go to school
together or something?
She hasn't told you anything, has she?
Nothing about her
childhood or her parents?
Look, do yourself a favor.
Don't get too attached.
General Alder, there is another
matter that needs our attention.
[EERIE VOCAL MUSIC PLAYING]
[SPEAKING MOTHERTONGUE]
What is it, Sarah?
I know this sound.
It's in my blood.
Enough.
[MUSIC STOPS]
A small, nomadic sect of witches
was recently discovered in a desert
region near our border with China.
As you could hear, they possess
profoundly rare Seeds.
Several nations have offered them
asylum in exchange for the sounds,
but they have no interest
in becoming militarized.
Why not respect their wishes?
Russia would be happy to
let them live in peace,
but China has made two
hostile attempts to
Unfortunate that China is not
here to speak for themselves.
It is unfortunate. Because
of China's actions,
this tribe's very existence
is being threatened.
Already there are reports
of children and elderly
dying from hunger and disease.
Hello, Tally Craven.
You know my name?
After the game, I asked
around about you.
Plotting your revenge?
Pretty sure we were
even there by the end.
- [LAUGHS]
- So I hear you're from Norcal.
Is that where you learned how
to throw a shoulder like that?
Oh, yeah. It's pretty
tough on those compounds.
Lots of jostling for space at
the pottery wheel. [LAUGHS]
[BOTH LAUGH]
Do you remember your first Beltane?
[LAUGHS] What was his name? Grofton.
- Grafton. Channing Grafton.
- Grafton.
You'd think I would remember that.
I was a hungry little thing,
crawling all over the guy.
I think you ripped his
pants off from the back,
- like just tore them in half.
- Shit. I did do that.
Surely I'm not alone in
thinking these sounds
might be a powerful weapon
in our war with the Spree?
General Alder, please tell me that
we will be mounting an operation
to retrieve these people from
Absolutely not.
Any incursion into the region will spark
a conflict between Russia and China.
I am asking all of you, stand down.
I would agree with the general,
if I thought that she intended
to stand down herself.
- General Sharma
- [GRUNTS]
Goddess protect.
Something is wrong with Alder.
[GERIT] I didn't know that the
Biddies ever fought in combat.
Formidable, right? Complete heroines.
They never leave Alder's side.
[GERIT] Can you imagine their sacrifice?
It's humbling.
I think about it a lot.
I don't think I could be that strong.
Sure you could.
Everyone knows women
are stronger than men.
You're not wrong,
thought you may be laying
it on a little thick.
I don't get why you're so impressed.
The whole Biddy thing is creepy.
You're wrong.
It's an incredible honor to be called,
to be chosen out of thousands
to stand with General Alder in that way?
They should be revered.
Yeah, well, I've never really
been big on revering things.
[INDISTINCT WHISPERING]
Sergeant Quartermain
has found a candidate.
She awaits our return.
I wonder where Abigail is.
Uh-uh. Hands behind your head, soldier.
[BOTH LAUGH]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[RAELLE] How did you know to do that?
I read about it in Reveille.
The Army magazine? You read that?
That was May Craven,
my mother's namesake,
who fought with Alder at Appomattox.
[GERIT] Only you now?
Yeah.
That's why my mom didn't
want me to enlist.
[GERIT] My cousin had a dispensation.
But when her eighteenth came, she
said the words, just like you.
She's the bravest person
that I've ever known.
You remind me a lot of her.
Did she fall in combat?
Still throwing shoulders
and kicking ass.
[LAUGHS]
You did the right thing when
you answered the call, Tally.
Never doubt it.
Raelle, you coming?
I'll catch up.
- Miss me?
- Yeah. Always.
- Is your family on this thing?
- No.
My family history is complicated.
You know, there's more to the
place than this family bullshit.
Come on.
[LIBBA] It was here, at
the Battle of Juarez,
during the Second Mexican War,
that the Swythe family
really came into our own.
This was the day that Madeline Swythe
led a brave company of witches
in singing up a storm
that changed the course of the war.
The battle had raged for days.
But after a disastrous, and
poorly led infantry charge
threw the American forces into chaos,
Madeline led her sisters
to the top of a hill
and called down the fury of
the heavens on the enemy,
scattering them and
securing the victory.
- [ABIGAIL] Lies.
- Here we go.
The same lies that the Swythes have
been telling about this battle
for the past two centuries.
That stops now.
It is true that Madeline Swythe
helped to sing a storm that day.
But she is not the heroine of Juarez.
What is it about these two?
I love it when they get going.
It's like watching opera.
Try growing up around them.
The appeal doesn't last.
Far from being
What is it you called it, Libba?
Disastrous and poorly led?
The infantry charge was a brilliantly
planned and executed maneuver
designed to provide a cover for
Madeline and her blasters.
And that charge was led by none
other than Jem Bellweather.
- [THUNDER CRASHES]
- [CROWD MURMURS]
[STOMPING]
She and her company held the line,
hopelessly outnumbered
while the storm gathered.
In the end, it was only
Jem left standing.
But she never faltered.
She held back the
enemy, single-handedly,
until the storm swept over the valley.
[WIND HOWLING, THUNDER CRASHING]
Jem Bellweather, the Lioness of Juarez,
was torn apart by the same winds
that crushed our enemies.
She sacrificed herself
without a second thought
because that is what a soldier does.
That's what a Bellweather does.
[STOMPING]
Can't they see that it took
both of them to win the battle?
No, they can't.
Since birth, 200 years of poison
and resentment poured down their ears.
[WOMAN SOBBING]
I think I'm going to like this one.
[SCYLLA] I know people have
always hated and feared us,
but to look this kind
of evil in the face
Well, the burning times are over, right?
Are they?
I mean, look at this place.
So many sick ways to kill us and maim us
and grind us into dust.
Does something like that
ever really go away?
Your ex is here.
I didn't realize you had met him.
I did. And he said some
weird things to me.
- What's going on, Scyl?
- You don't need to worry about him.
No, you don't get to duck this one.
You either tell me what's
going on, or I'm leaving.
All right. Well, not here.
- So was Porter a Dodger?
- Yeah, and his parents too.
We were all part of this loose network,
moving from place to place,
staying with different families.
- In hiding?
- Yeah.
So your parents were Dodgers.
I just, I don't get why you feel
like you have to keep that a secret.
It's not like it's shameful or anything.
I mean, no more than
having a civilian father.
- But it is illegal.
- Right.
And when the military tried
to arrest my parents,
the whole thing went south,
and they were both killed.
I don't even know what to say, Scylla.
I'm so sorry.
That was when I decided to enlist.
Try to beat them at their own game,
maybe get some measure of
justice for my parents.
I wanna help you.
But that stuff that Porter said
If I do get the urge to
run, I'll take you with me.
- I am thrilled for you, Devon.
- [SOBBING]
You should be so proud
of what you're doing.
I don't even know what to say.
I've dreamt of this for years.
How soon?
Now.
Now, now?
Is there anything I need to bring?
We have everything you'll need.
- [KNOCKING ON DOOR]
- [PORTER] Scylla?
Porter. What the hell?
I need to talk to you.
And I need you to stop
spooking my girlfriend.
I don't care about her.
- I care about what you're doing here.
- Why? I told you already.
I want the truth.
Because the things you used
to say, the things you did,
that person doesn't end up in the Army.
That's the kind of person who ends
up filling a balloon with hate.
Porter, just because I've
always challenged the system
doesn't mean I'm a terrorist.
That's not who I am.
And it hurts that you would think that.
Hey, hey.
[SOBBING]
[WHISPERING] I am filled
with unbearable sadness.
- [TALLY] Come on. Show me.
- [GERIT] As soon as it's ready.
Patience, Craven.
Okay, watch this.
[HOOTS LIKE AN OWL]
- [WINGS FLUTTERING]
- Did you just summon an owl?
[GERIT] Bird languages are
kind of a hobby of mine.
- Wow.
- He says he likes your hair.
You're an idiot.
For you.
It's beautiful.
Okay, I know that it's part of your
job to be charming and wonderful.
And you're very very good at it.
[LAUGHS]
But am I being an idiot thinking
that there's something more here?
Tally, I'm not meant to be spending
all my time with one person,
- anymore than you are.
- I know.
But I've been with you all day,
and I couldn't be happier about it.
So I'm just supposed to trust you?
Enjoy Beltane for me, sisters.
I hope that you know
that your sacrifice will
never be forgotten.
It's no sacrifice at all.
And it's been my very great privilege
to serve.
Sleep now, my daughter.
[ALL VOCALIZING MELODY]
[VOCALIZING CONTINUES]
[VOCALIZING CONTINUES]
- [VOCALIZING CONTINUES]
- Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
[SCREAMING] Help! Somebody help!
Please! Oh, my God!
Oh, God!
[GROANING]
Stay with me, please.
You're okay.
[DISTORTED] Ask and it
shall be given to you.
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Please
Please, somebody help!
Oh! Ask and it shall be
[PANTING]
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
[GRUNTS]
I'm sorry.
[VOCALIZING CONTINUES]
[THEME MUSIC PLAYS]