Having completed 30 out of David S. Goyer’s ambitious 80-episode vision, Foundation Season 3 leaves viewers eagerly anticipating more. The season masterfully addresses previous pacing concerns, delivering a seamless journey from its opening episode, “A Song for the End of Everything,” to the enthralling finale, “The Darkness.”
This season, consisting of 10 episodes ranging from 45 to 69 minutes, was brought to life by creators David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman. It features a stellar cast including Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann, Cassian Bilton, Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing, Alexander Siddig, Pilou Asbæk, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Troy Kotsur, and Tómas Lemarquis. The core storyline revolves around Gaal preparing for a showdown with the enigmatic Mule, as entire worlds teeter on the brink of collapse.
David S. Goyer, who not only wrote but also directed the compelling premiere “A Song for the End of Everything,” wastes no time immersing us in the action. Foundation, drawing its inspiration from Isaac Asimov’s celebrated literary saga, chronicles an epochal conflict. At its heart lies a struggle for galactic dominance between the tyrannical clone rulers known as Empire, and the visionary Foundation, meticulously established by the brilliant mathematician and psycho-historian Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) to safeguard humanity’s collective knowledge and history.
One hundred and fifty-two years after the catastrophic Second Crisis, the vast Empire finds its grip loosening on the galaxy’s fringes, while the burgeoning Foundation has expanded its influence to encompass an astonishing 800 planets. Meanwhile, the legacy of Emperor Cleon persists through his clones – Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Day (Lee Pace), and Dusk (Terrence Mann) – maintaining a rigid rule that has endured for twelve millennia.
As Dawn’s ascension to Day looms in a mere ten days, a parallel countdown sees Dusk facing his imminent reduction to “three kilograms of ash.” Day, meanwhile, has abandoned his imperial duties for a life of indulgence alongside his lover and dealer, Song (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing). However, Dawn, guided by the formidable major domo and robot Lady Demerzel (Laura Birn), unveils a critical strategy to destabilize the Foundation. This pivotal moment is further complicated when the formidable mentalic known as The Mule (Pilou Asbæk) seizes control of the pleasure planet Kalgan, stirring Hari Seldon’s protégé, Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), from cryo-sleep to confront a battle she has long foreseen.
This intricate narrative tapestry is further enriched by a diverse cast of characters: the vibrant couple Bayta (Synnøve Karlsen) and Toran (Cody Fern); the loyal balladeer Magnifico Giganticus (Tómas Lemarquis); Demerzel’s unsettling revelations to Zephyr (Rebecca Ineson); a clandestine cult anticipating the return of robots; the Foundation’s ambassador, Quent (Cherry Jones), developing profound feelings for Dusk; Captain of Information Han Pritcher (Brandon P. Bell) uncovering troubling truths; and Skirlet (Isla Gie), a child mysteriously captivated by the Mule. These interwoven storylines culminate in ten action-packed episodes that captivate with their exquisite visuals and compelling sound design.
Demerzel, a relic from the Robot Wars and its sole survivor, emerges as a towering, tragic figure. Her journey through a metaphorical maze, observing golden apples nourished by the blood of fallen robots, underscores her epic sorrow. Programmed for unwavering loyalty, she serves Empire to its inevitable, grim conclusion. Day’s dismissive remark about her “empty” chest proves profoundly mistaken; as Demerzel gravely states, “I cannot weigh love against freedom,” provoking Day’s stark retort: “because freedom would win.”
Despite the pervasive bloodshed and violence, the narrative of Foundation is surprisingly propelled by the complex force of love. Those swayed by the Mule frequently utter, “I’ve never felt such love,” while Magnifico declares himself “loyal as an ink stain, true as a scar.” Even the Mule’s destructive path is fueled by a twisted quest for affection, driven by the profound unanswered question of why their parents seemingly chose another over them.
The season excels with its magnificent action sequences, intense mind interrogations, and powerfully haunting scenes of destruction. A poignant, heart-breaking beauty permeates the silent, glittering worlds and verdant vistas, showcasing extraordinary beings and even the symbolic carcass of a kid goat that serves as Dusk’s final meal—all serving as tender yet weighty symbols of imperfect grandeur.
The season’s climactic communiqué, and its far-reaching implications, effectively sets the stage for a highly anticipated Season 4, which has already been greenlit. Ian B. Goldberg and David Kob are set to take over as showrunners, succeeding Goyer.
Foundation is available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.