Foundation Season-Premiere Recap: A Villain for the End of the World

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Greetings once more as we dive into a fresh chapter of “Foundation“! The second installment found its stride with an equal blend of intricate narrative and plot development, coupled with grandiose science-fiction action. In season three, the drama escalates by introducing a chilling prospect – the imminent downfall of human civilization itself. Last season concluded with significant setbacks for both the Empire and the Foundation, reshaping their ongoing struggle. Following our usual pattern, this premiere episode reacquaints us with the transformations that have occurred since the finale of the last season. It’s now been 152 years since the battle above Terminus, and the power dynamics within the “Foundation” universe have shifted dramatically.

The Foundation, whose original planet of Terminus was destroyed centuries ago, has established a new base called New Terminus. They’ve evolved beyond their religious-cult phase and now focus on expansion and trade, expanding rapidly across the outer reaches to pose a significant challenge to the Empire’s galactic control. However, the Foundation is not immune to internal struggles, particularly classism and power struggles between a predominantly conservative bureaucracy and the trading guilds, who are inspired by their founding hero, Hober Mallow, and place such importance on independence that they’re prepared to wage war to secede. This sets the stage for the impending Third Crisis, as predicted by Professor Ebling Mis (Alexander Siddig), a self-taught historian with a profound faith in Hari Seldon, having authored extensively about him.

In contrast, the Empire is now experiencing a significant downturn, far removed from the once-formidable Genetic Dynasty that ruled with absolute authority. The Cleons, who were known for confronting adversaries while flaunting their immense power and wealth, now find themselves sharing power with a Galactic Council that consistently opposes their decisions. To secure approval for an alliance with the Merchant Princes faction amidst the Foundation’s internal strife, Dawn resorts to a cunning plot involving an assassination attempt, and even employs traditional Cleon intimidation tactics. This new Dawn is markedly different from his past self, exhibiting a level of assertiveness and dominance reminiscent of Day. The Cleons are grappling with their own existential crises due to centuries of genetic impurities in the cloning process and the fear that they might be the last Cleons, as foretold by Seldon’s predictions. Even Demerzel, who is typically unflappable in any situation, is experiencing her own personal crisis, which speaks volumes about the current state of affairs.

This first episode is packed with a great deal of information, but the script ensures it doesn’t feel overwhelming or disrupt the rhythm due to excessive exposition. Following the Foundation series pattern, the script maintains this balance by intermingling intense world-building with humor and grandeur. The humor element is provided by Lee Pace’s character, Brother Day, who scarcely appears throughout the show but leaves a significant impact when he does. Despite being ejected into space in the season-two finale over a century and a half ago, Brother Day isn’t completely out of the picture yet.

As an ardent movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the character we know as Empire has stepped away from his duties, opting instead for a leisurely day of enjoying exotic spice blends and ambling through his expansive garden mansion. Instead of the usual high-stakes naked brawl with assassins, this season offers a glimpse into Day’s more laidback persona – reminiscent of The Big Lebowski, complete with long hair, a beard, and an unexpected pet camel clone. To add to the intrigue, Day is also revealed as a poet in this new chapter! Whether this carefree lifestyle lasts remains to be seen, but for now, it’s refreshing to witness Day genuinely seeming content – a rare yet enchanting sight on our screens.

In addition to this, we encounter an exhilarating sequence where a speeder bike chase unfolds, showcasing the substantial budget dedicated to this series on Apple TV+. We join Han Pritcher (Brandon P. Bell), the intelligence chief of Foundation, as he probes whether the Prince Merchants are colluding with the Empire. However, instead of the usual intrigue, he finds himself in a heart-pounding high-speed pursuit against none other than the scorching sun itself! This scene is visually stunning, showcasing captivating effects and an innovative concept: The sun not only lethally burns but also instantly incinerates individuals upon exposure to its direct rays.

Despite each character in the series being deeply engrossed in what they believe are their individual crises, none of it holds significance compared to the greater danger lurking at their doorstep. The Mule (Pilou Asbæk), a formidable presence upon his introduction, captures an entire planet without resorting to violence. Asbæk infuses the Mule with a hint of his Euron Greyjoy character traits, making him an enigmatic, disorderly figure. However, there are signs that suggest a deeper complexity to this character. The army of Kalgan (imagine space Vegas) is manipulated by him, causing them to turn against one another. Those who survive all pledge their loyalty to him voluntarily.

Unbeknownst to the leaders of both the Foundation and the Empire, the Mule poses the greatest danger to both factions. This becomes clear when Demerzel discovers that the prophecies of the Prime Radiant will cease four months from now. The world as the people in Foundation know it is about to change drastically, and only Gaal Dornick seems to have a plan to respond effectively.

The Prime Radiant

I’ve grown quite fond of the habit in each season opener of Foundation, where Day delivers an extraordinary scene featuring Lee Pace’s chiseled physique to grab our attention.

In this episode, Demerzel remains the show’s captivating character, delving into a personal predicament of hers. We witness her seeking counsel from a nun regarding confessions, exploring the annals of the Robot Wars, and uncovering their origins – stemming from disagreements among robots about whether to intervene and halt human conflict. Actress Laura Birn skillfully portrays Demerzel’s most fragile side, as she grapples with a programming dilemma and ponders the conundrum of her freedom should the Empire fall, yet being uncertain about her identity without it.

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2025-07-12 00:54