The third season of Foundation (2021) ends with an unprecedented bang. The third season of the science fiction series Foundation scores high marks, just like the previous two seasons. The time jumps in the story are generally well distributed over the three seasons. The long-announced buildup to the battle between Gaal (Lou Llobell) and The Mule (Pilou Asbæk) results in an exciting season. It's important to pay attention to the story. The flashbacks, different locations, and many characters mean that as a viewer, you can't afford to lose focus.
The core of the story is the prediction based on calculations by Hari Seldon (Jared Harris). This prediction is not promising for everyone. Moreover, Hari turns out to bring together multiple threads that are not visible or known to everyone. This season, it becomes clear that Hari has more up his sleeve than initially thought. Not only is the creation of a second Foundation important, but his partners in the calculation also turn out to be a surprise.
Visually, the series is of unparalleled beauty.
In a universe full of predictions, faith, power, and manipulation, the series manages to deliver a true spectacle. Even though you think you know how this season ends, the storylines on the way there are captivating. Each story has a (in)direct effect on the outcome. It makes the game between the different parties even more interesting. Especially when this is supplemented with an unexpected twist. Every detail seems to matter. That sense of urgency is one of the key features of Foundation (2021). Also in this third season.
Visually, the series is of unparalleled beauty. No expense or effort has been spared to bring everything to the screen in the best possible way. Even though planets disappear and there are impressive battles in space, it doesn't become overly bombastic. The visuals remain in service of the complex and interesting story. That can also be subtly and beautifully confusing. For example, the state of the empire is clearly visible in the mental well-being of its leaders. Their actions, like those of Demerzel (Laura Birn), also matter.
Actually, every word is one too many.
In fact, every word is one too many. It's better to experience this series yourself than for me to spoil too much by writing about it. The outcome is surprising for several reasons and is a direct setup for the next season. That can't come soon enough.
About the writer, Karzal
Mike (1995) has been a member of MySeries since 2016 and is mainly active on the English version of the site. Since 2018, he has been actively translating news articles, columns, reviews and basically everything that ends up on the Dutch site. The original articles, columns and reviews were actually written by others. During the week Mike can be found at IKEA, where he is a national systems specialist and occasionally also in the classroom to teach an English lesson. In addition, Mike logically enjoys watching series and has actually been spoon-fed this from an early age. The genre doesn't matter, there is a place for everything in the otherwise busy life.
Mr. (!) Gaal Dornick never met The Mule. Gaal was a minor character in only the first book. And The Mule appeared 150 years after him. Sadly, this is another example of how Isaac Asimov's original story has been distorted. Don't call it "Foundation" then...
Yes, but, yes, but... I have to call the series Foundation, because that's just what it's called ;) I deliberately stayed out of the discussion about whether or not it's a good fit for Isaac Asimov's books. I can imagine a different title would have helped in accepting that. The announcement could have said "freely inspired by Isaac Asimov's Foundation." Or something like that...
Oh, Ron. That comment wasn't aimed at you. Of course, you should call it Foundation. I'm talking about the creators. They're taking one of the most brilliant SF book series of all time and doing their own thing with it. That's my point. Not your otherwise perfectly good review of the series. My apologies if it came across that way.
Sadly, this is another example of how Isaac Asimov's original story has been distorted. Don't call it "Foundation" then...