At last, in Foundation 3.1, up on Apple TV+ today, an episode worthy of the greatest science fiction trilogy ever written -- the one by Isaac Asimov. To be sure, the story on the screen continues to be very different than the one of the page, but this beginning of third season of Foundation on streaming TV has recognizable characters and pieces doing what they're supposed to do, none more so than The Mule.
[Spoilers ahead ... ]
First, it was also very satisfying to hear Demerzel tell us she is a positronic robot, and recite the Three Laws of Robotics, plus the Zeroth Law, so clearly. Given all the current concern about AI being so dangerous for humanity, it's good to hear that first law cited at the outset of this promising season.
It was also good to see another crucial trilogy character up on the screen. Ebling Mis not only has a great name, but has always been one of my favorite characters in the series. He does look a lot younger than Mis in the original trilogy, but that's ok. It was also good to see Pritcher in evidence, given his importance in the ascension of The Mule.
Whose takeover of Kalgan on the screen was done just perfectly, bringing into play all the sadistic sway of The Mule. Indeed, though this Mule looks much better than the mutant described by Asimov, he has all the frightening flash and power of Asimov's pivotal character, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out in the TV series.
And speaking of what characters look like, it was refreshing to see how the latest versions of the Empire's ruling triumvirate look. Unlike the trilogy, which did not have the clonal trio, there now are four players on the screen, vying for control of the galaxy: the First and the Second Foundations, the Mule, and Empire. I'll see you back here next week with my take on how this develops in the next episode.
See also Foundation 2.1: Once Again, A Tale of Two Stories ... 2.2: Major Players ... 2.3: Bel Riose and Hari ... 2.5: The Original Cleon and the Robot ... 2.6: Hari and Evita ... 2.7: Is Demerzel Telling the Truth? ... 2.8: Major Revelations ... 2.9: Exceptional Alterations ... Season 2 Finale: Pros and Cons
And see also Foundation 1.1-2: Mathematician, Man of the People, and Cleon's Clones ... Foundation 1.3: Clonal Science Fiction, Hari Seldon as V. I. Lenin ... Foundation 1.4: Slow Hand, Long Half-Life, Flipped Coin ... Foundation 1.5: What We Learned in that Final Scene ... Foundation 1.6: Folded Variations ... Foundation 1.7: Alternate History/Future ... Foundation 1.8: Divergences and Convergences ... Foundation 1.9: Vindication and Questions ... Foundation Season 1 Finale: Right Up There
2 comments:
Nice review Paul. I'm very pleased with this episode's alignment to the book storyline. There are several important additions to the show's adaptation that impose major constraints. Hari Seldon and Gaal's ongoing involvement, the Cleonic dynasty, and Demerzel's much more integral role. You could add the Luminists, as well as the much more significant Empire strength at this stage. Considering all of that, it's amazing that they've been able to get back on track with the Asimov Plan, so to speak.
Wonderful introduction of the Mule. Seems clear already that his actions will be on-camera for the most part, unlike in the books where all of his actions were being spoken of from a distance until the fall of Terminus, and even then he wasn't directly witnessed, setting up the awesome reveal of his true identity. That's going to make it really tricky to do the reveal in the same way, but I now have a lot more confidence that something close to it is possible.
I love that vault Hari seems to be oblivious to the Mule's importance, and that he is expecting to emerge and get his prediction completely wrong as in the books. That should make for an amazing episode. If this season tracks with the book's telling of The Mule, it would make sense for that to be a mid-season cliffhanger and for the whole season to end with the Mule's true identity being revealed. Will it be at the hands of Bayta Darell, or perhaps Gaal? I suspect we'll meet Toran and Bayta next week and dearly hope they are well cast, especially Bayta. She means so much to the story.
Love Ebling Mis, Pritcher maybe not so much. I really loved his straight arrow cop persona in the books and this guy is more the space rogue like the show's Hober Mallow, though in truth the Pritcher in the books had a bit of that lovable arrogance.. Could be a powerful moment if and when he gets turned by the Mule.
Great stuff awaits - look forward to subsequent reviews!
Great analysis, Joel. And I'm glad you mentioned the significance of Hari not speaking of The Mule. These lack of words from the "living" Hari sets up well one of the most brilliant parts of the original trilogy, the hologram of Hari talking to the First Foundation about the danger of the Merchants, as the Mule's battleships descend upon Terminus. Will be fun to see how this plays in out in the adapted story on the screen.
Post a Comment