Motherland: Fort Salem (2020–2022) User Reviews

From A Male Reviewer - GREAT SHOW!

[Maytr · 8/10 · 26 March 2020]

It's rare that a show exceeds expectations, but MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM does just that.

• The world is intriguing and original.
• The story setup is strong (like a HUNGER GAMES meets THE CRAFT).
• The tone is much more grounded and serious than CW fare (like LEGACIES), which gives the show greater depth and gravitas.
• The VFX and cinematography are breathtaking.
• The characters are compelling and have room to grow and evolve both individually and as a team.

In a nutshell, it's an incredibly well executed concept that could easily have been ruined by campiness and absurdity.

It truly saddens me to see other men dismiss this show out of hand because there are no key male parts. Who cares?! Just enjoy the show on its own merits. An absence of male lead roles should not be construed with a hatred of males. And besides, one of the witches has a kind and supportive father which disproves that nonsense.

Pay no attention to the low IMDb rating. If you enjoy watching strong women, intriguing, fantastical and smartly written stories and don't have any bigotry towards the presence of a lesbian character, I HIGHLY recommend this show.

I actually enjoyed this, and don't understand the scathing reviews.

[cfe05208 · 7/10 · 21 March 2020]

I'm unclear why the scathing reviews. I rather enjoyed it (only the first episode) I don't mind a bit of sci-fi, and likes the different take on witches.

I will continue to watch it, if it remains to this level.

And it's simple, if you don't like sci-fi, don't waste your time.

The Main Premise Allows Total Flexibility.

[davidfurlotte · 7/10 · 20 March 2020]

First, it's an alternate reality and secondly, it involves witchcraft and magic which means there are no bounds to what can happen. In a way, it's brilliant because plot holes don't exist in this scenario.

I watched it and then came here to read the reviews and some of them I agree with but the ones saying that it's anti-men indicate to me that some people didn't watch it or only partially watched it. The show doesn't portray men as evil or bad. It doesn't portray men at all and speaking as a male, it doesn't insult me.

There are two types of witches at war. Our heroes who are conscripted into the American military and the "Spree" who seem to be some kind of radical terrorists.

The only reason it lost points with me is the unabashed nationalistic jingoism. I just about fell off my chair when I saw the painting of Washington crossing the Delaware but it was now a boatload of witches. I'm still laughing as I'm writing this.

Edit: I do have to add I would have loved to hear the pitch. I can see myself saying, "Let me get this straight, there's a fort where they train teenage females to yell and scream as their primary weapon? Thought they used to call that high school?"

Overall, it's entertaining and fun escapism. Give it a watch.

Totally original

[shh-bouche-cousue · 9/10 · 17 April 2020]

MFS is unlike any show I've seen and I consider myself pretty well versed in the area of television shows. This is a totally new spin on witches and I really didn't think Freeform was going to be able to pull it off seeing as they cater to a younger crowd (I'm 36) but they've definitely surprised me in a good way! I find myself very excited for the next episode and wishing it was available to binge. I think the cast was carefully and perfectly chosen! The diversity in this show is seriously awesome! There are women of all races, ages and sizes... that's diversity done right! The plot is something I've never seen done and had I just read the plot prior to actually seeing it I don't think I would have had much hope but somehow it just works! I'm very excited for more episodes to come and hopeful for future seasons.

Damn I Actually Really Like the Show

[huntyrgrant · 9/10 · 25 April 2020]

I had saw a few clips of it and thought nothing of it until I decided to sit down and watch it and I'm really impressed. There were some moments where I was like damn that's super cool. It's interesting take on witches and I like the characters and their development so far. I really hope it gets renewed cause there so many scenes that are breathtaking and the plot is actually really intriguing. I'm not quite sure why it has so much hate though. I heard about how some people don't like how there's little representation of men; however I feel as though I haven't really missed it. Like it's basically a fantasy dystopian show; and like many others there's going to be something different in their world than ours. Gives us something interesting. But that's just my opinion. Hope you have a good day!

love it

[evabramer · 9/10 · 17 April 2020]

I don't know why people are so negative about this show. I'm absolutely in love with the plot and the characters. also the fact that it's an entirely new take on witches which I haven't seen before. other than the writing being good and the characters being very interesting, it is also awesome to see a show run by females and have good representation. overal it's definitely a show i'd recommand to everyone who enjoys some supernatural.

Fake reviews are boring

[Chrispearce2 · 6/10 · 25 August 2020]

There seems to be lots of reviews with very similar headlines. Amazing, unique etc.

I've watched 4 episodes and it's not bad but not great. The underlying story seems good but it hasn't progressed that much. Too much teenage angst thrown into the story.

Maybe I've forgotten what's it's like to have teenage angst to worry anout.

So far they've worried too much about getting laid and prom night.

What a hidden gem

[aarongnr · 9/10 · 2 July 2020]

This show is MASSIVLEY underrated.

This was a huge surprise. When I saw the trailer I though, yeah looks cool, then ratings came in and they were ok. So now I went to check again and the show is at 7 but the episodes at high 8s low 9s, so I gave it a try.

And DAMN. This show is very original, has a compelling storyline and surprisingly very decent acting. I haven't seen most of the actors before, but they're doing SUCH a good job. It's easy to overact in a show like this, considering the fantasy premise, but nope!

Also the budget must be damn high, cause the special effects look pretty good!

Just another teenage flick

[the_real_smile · 6/10 · 3 April 2021]

Despite the enormous (!!) amount of 10 star votes and reviewers with "only 1 review", this series is quite disappointing. The pace is very slow, nearly no action, it only revolves about the teenage emotions. Sure, it does bring in something original by doing magic with sound and the effects are decent, but the slow pace and amount of plot holes brings this series down.

The acting and the script

[daniel-s-ogalde · 5/10 · 31 December 2022]

As an almost 40-year old guy I'm totally aware that I'm not the shows main target audience. I can also say that I appreciate its "shallowness" as it makes it possible to have going in the background while I work and not lose the plot. It can be entertaining and the creativity is impressive.

With that being said my biggest problem with the show is it's lost potential. This could have been so much more. The main problem is the storyline that goes from epic to really petty trying to create tension where none is needed. The same interpersonal bickering is not interesting nor credible the fifteenth time it's brought up.

The acting seems to be a reflection of the script, very immature and unnatural. I dare say that basically every actor is quite mediocre. They act, they don't actually feel or believe what they're doing. It makes it fake and unbelievable. Notice how many of them have the same gestures, expressions and movements as each other. It's like mass manufactured acting.

Lastly the effects. Motherland is a show that has proven to use some cool effects. Unfortunately this is combined with some really bad ones which takes you out of the experience. With all the gestures and motions that magic requires it's already a bit over the top. The show could benefit from "less is more". You don't have to show the general talking to her daughter via a mirror, we understand and their acting skills are not good enough to hold up that kind of scene.

Interesting Spin on Witches

[fraziertyreek · 8/10 · 19 March 2020]

Most of the witch shows you see witches with their covens running around doing whatever they want for their own cause. This show put an interesting spin on it. The witches fight for the USA as a part of the military. The graphics are pretty good, and i'm honestly quite impressed. Excited to see where this show will go in the coming episodes. Really not sure as to why it is rated a 5.2 on here. Deserves atleast a 7-7.5

Decent Show, Seriously Flawed (Long Review)

[jamaisj-838-93732 · 7/10 · 3 April 2020]

It's not a bad show, but one that comes with a lot of caveats. If this were a YA novel, it would be great, but for a ten-episode TV show there's a lot of issues.

I love the sheer amount of world-building, but there's too many details that just aren't built up (such as why the biddies are apparently linked to the fort's grounds and why they are required to age; I get the symbolism but still...). Nonetheless, this is a dense show.

This needs to decide if it's a show for teenagers or young women. The "lesson of the week" thing doesn't work well with an older crowd but the subject matter isn't suitable for a younger crowd. It feels like it's trying to straddle the two worlds, but not quite working for that.

Freeform is definitely earning rep as Lifetime Light; this series is unflinchingly pro-feminist, and it's sort of cool to see a series where the women are in charge but everything is pretty dark and pro-military. However, I always find it amusing that objectification and marginalization of women is bad but it's fine when it's done to men, and that sex is bad unless young women are on top.

Also, I'm pretty tired of seeing everyone on a girls' show divided into cliques and the conflicts are primarily between the factions. I'd really like to see the Big Bad be more prominent and the girls acting more like real-world platoons rather than the usual high-school soap opera.

I'm sort of split on the Big Bad: The Screed is definitely fun to watch and they are definitely a terror. I love the whole horror movie feel they project. But...they aren't used as much as they should be and they are just so much filler.

Throw in some pacing issues (they should be further along in the story by now, but they're still introducing characters and situations), and you have a show that's great if you like dense stories, but everyone else is probably going to be bored.

Brilliant idea poorly executed

[Asulgard · 5/10 · 26 August 2020]

This title was so promising, the atmosphere, good cinematography, decent acting, great concept all ruined by the lazy writing and filler teen drama.

This show could have been an epic fantasy show but sadly its so focused on the side plots and the main scenario never picks up. Instead we are left with a boring, never-progressing story.

Maybe season 2 will be better if they get good writers, we'll see but i am not holding my breath.

Just started it

[brandonbray-35698 · 8/10 · 19 March 2020]

And I'm loving it so far. Real male reviewer before anyone tries to say I'm a fake reviewer cuz apparently that's all there ever is when someone likes something that someone else doesn't like. I love anything with witches. And that beginning was nuts and chilling. Can't wait to see more. Just give it a full episode or 2 chance before you knock on it. 2nd review.

Renew for season 2

[nawalfarooq · 10/10 · 17 April 2020]

Its and awsome show so sad has only 10 episides renew it. Kindly make it available on netflix so people outside usa and canada more like in south east asia can also watch it.

Better than I expected

[randyunseen · 8/10 · 24 March 2020]

I kept seeing this on Netflix. The picture of the show didn't work for me. Being self quarantined, I was bored at 6:00 am. I gave a try. To my delight I was hooked. Great concept for women. But still has enough fighting and great special effects to make it interesting. Great casting job. The chemistry works very well and the girls are easy to look at. The only problem I have is... I like to binge watch shows on Netflix. I don't have the patience to wait for each episode.

Cool concept

[exceladeogun · 6/10 · 7 November 2021]

Motherland fort Salem season 1

If progressively got better was a show!

The gradual way the leads fell into an actual closely knitted friendship was beautiful.

Original and Different

[shaniceennis · 8/10 · 17 April 2020]

I've never been really interest in anything army related, but this show has really peaked my interest in terms of its style and approach to serving your country.

At first it started off slow for me, but I gathered that was because they were trying to establish the world, but saying that every episode has gotten better and I've honestly never seen anything like this on TV. I really think the story is original and fresh, and a has really interesting spin on the idea of Salem and Witches. Each character comes across a certain way but as the show progresses they are not what the seem and a layer of who they are is pulled back, which is always good to see with characters.

I really hope this show gets a second season as it has a lot to offer in terms of the world and the rules of it.

I have seen that a lot of men have been giving it bad reviews which is not surprising. Men always seem to have more negative things to say when a story is centred on women for a change.

Watch and review for yourself.

[rebeccacastledine · 7/10 · 21 March 2020]

Alway amazing me the bad reviews on things. I've started to avoid them readings them. I liked this show and look for ads to the next ep. It's easy to watch and has some nice new characters.

5-stars is for the novelty -- everything else is weak.

[KADC · 5/10 · 24 August 2022]

The show is passably entertaining if you care more about novel ideas than having things make sense, but this is common problem with supernatural, fantasy, and science fiction TV shows. Fans know how dumbed-down scripts can be for these genres, particularly when created for network TV, and this series does nothing to raise the bar in that regard.

It doesn't help that the dialogue is particularly weak, or perhaps it's just the bad acting, which is little more than filler to pad out episodes while you wait for something to happen. This too is unfortunately typical of this kind of TV show. Honestly, I doubt you'd miss much if you fast-forwarded though the talking and just watched the action scenes.

The series concludes with a what-the?!? Ending which makes it very hard to recommend when there are so many better shows (some with actual endings) you could watch instead.

It's good

[graceayoub · 9/10 · 10 April 2020]

It's unlike any whitch show I've ever seen. The female empowerment is beautiful and the way the witches use their powers is cool and unique. Give this show a chance, it may surprise you.

An original YA show that needs polish, but stands on its own two feet amongst others of its genre

[enheinl · 7/10 · 26 September 2021]

Executive produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, which might explain how this show made it past a clumsy and scattered (but intriguing) first season. That's the second-strangest thing about the show-besides perhaps the concept of American colonies doing an abrupt about-face on witchcraft after the trials, at the height of Puritanism, because witches helped fend off the British.

The strangest thing about the series, to me, is that it is a book adaptation with no book. (I was very surprised to learn this halfway through the first season.) It has every sign of a well-established franchise leaning on existing fans for its survival. The world-building is very detailed and rich, but has that "too much info to bother explaining" feeling of book adaptations. Most of the time it works, but often it does raise questions the show hasn't answered yet, if it ever will. As an avid reader it frustrates me to know I can't buy the series and start delving into it on my own for that context I'm wondering about.

The first season is interesting enough to make it through what is probably a restrictive budget that shows itself occasionally in casting and random things like hairdressing. It reminds me a bit of The Vampire Diaries in that it tries to cram too much dialogue and too many fast-paced events into a 42min runtime. Watching more than a couple episodes at a time left me exhausted. There is a bit too much nonsensical teen angst for me, considering they're all implied to be 18+ in a military academy, but 'tis the genre, right? I knew what I was getting into.

The second season tightened up most of my complaints, and the writing pays off as some pretty decent character development takes place amongst all the primary cast. For fantasy, the special effects really are not that bad, considering some of the budget issues the rest of the show had. The show handles LGBT characters well, and the cast is very diverse. It tackles showing what a matriarchal society might look like in modern times, good and bad, which is fascinating to see involving the patriarchal institution that is the US military. To see the ultimate boy's club flipped on its head so boldly and matter-of-factly is really something, especially in a teen fantasy show!

All in all, this weird, wild show deserves a watch for those that enjoy this genre. I'll be waiting for a third season to see what else they come up with. And a book or two, for Pete's sake.

Doesn't know what to do with itself

[allnewsuperfake · 4/10 · 4 May 2020]

The premise is certainly pretty ridiculous, but that has never stopped me from enjoying a fiction. While nothing on the technical side is remarkable, the first episodes were pretty entertaining. Unfortunately I couldn't help but feel like the writers were making up the story as they went along and never had a clear idea where it was going.

At least that would explain why I am suddenly expected to route for the woman who killed thousands of innocents in the first five minutes of the first episode. Or why I am supposed to care about a "love story" where 90 % of the dialogue has been "I can't tell you" or "You don't want to know" so far.

Which is part of a bigger problem: They haven't fleshed out the characters or build a world that is nearly complete enough for the kind of narratives they are going for. It's like watching an orchestra consisting of a panflute and three triangles playing Beethoven's "Ode to joy". You can make out what it's supposed to be, but it seems hollow, disconnected, and since you already have to suspend a lot of disbeliev it just falls apart.

Delicious and sweet Absurdity

[robfollower · 8/10 · 19 March 2020]

Oh what delicious and sweet absurdity. Yes, the whole premise of the storyline is a bit ridiculous ; yet very entertaining. This show. It's so much fun. I am all in to see where this entertaining Testament of girl power FreeForm TV serial is heading. Worth a watch . 8/10

this is unique there is no one like this!

[bozheflow-40003 · 10/10 · 20 April 2020]

There is no other show like Motherland out there, with such good plot and twists and compelling LGBT storyline. Please we need you to renew it @FreeformTV

@hulu

#MotherlandFortSalem

credit all goes to @RayllaFr at twitter