Warning! Includes potential SPOILERS for Foundation season 3 based on the Foundation novels!
Foundation season 3 has already set up one of Isaac Asimov’s most astounding plot twists, but with notable changes. The Apple TV+ sci-fi series is based on Isaac Asimov’s Foundation book series, although it’s commonly been described as a more loose approach, taking numerous creative liberties with the timeline and characters.
Foundation season 3 has already included numerous book changes, but the most interesting of them are those surrounding the Mule. The Mule is one of Asimov’s most fascinating villains, as, though he has a profound effect on the story the moment he arrives, he remains a mystery throughout much of Foundation and Empire.
In Foundation season 3’s adaptation of this story, the Mule has been front and center. Game of Thrones actor Pilou Asbæk joined the series to star in the role, bringing a prominent actor to the table who’s known for playing over-the-top villains. This version of the character is flashy, and that’s for an important reason.
Magnifico Giganticus Is Pulling The Strings Behind The Mule
The Balladeer Is The Real Villain!
In Foundation season 3, episode 3, “When a Book Finds You,” audiences are introduced to a new character, the balladeer Magnifico Giganticus, played by Tómas Lemarquis. Magnifico quickly befriends Bayta and Toran Mallow, and they manage to escape the Mule’s party with their lives despite Captain Han Pritcher’s failure.
Bayta and Toran escape all too easily, and there’s a reason for that: they took the Mule with them.
Bayta and Toran escape all too easily, and there’s a reason for that: they took the Mule with them. In Isaac Asimov’s Foundation novels, Magnifico Giganticus is the Mule, and he uses his powers of manipulation to convince Bayta and Toran to “rescue” him, only to bring him behind enemy lines.
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This raises obvious questions, especially given how much emphasis the TV series has placed on Pilou Asbæk as the Mule, and that’s where my theorized changes come in. One thing feels certain, however, which is that Magnifico is still the primary antagonist audiences need to look out for in this season.
As we saw in the episode, when the protagonists arrive at the party, Han notes that the music (played by Magnifico) is putting the attendees in a trance. Aside from Magnifico escaping with Bayta and Toran as in the novel, Pilou Asbæk’s character also has that line about his life not being his own, sealing the deal.
The Mule uses music at concerts to brainwash his followers in the Foundation novels.
Foundation Season 3 Has Already Drastically Changed Magnifico’s Story
The Warlord Mule Never Appears In The Books
The scene shared between Pilou Asbæk’s Mule and Magnifico Giganticus was one of many character-oriented creative liberties taken in Foundation season 3. Not only do we never see these two personas interact in the novel, but the “warlord” version of the Mule also never appears in the book, creating complex and fascinating mysteries.
Pilou Asbæk’s character resembles the false descriptions of the character readers see before the Magnifico twist.
In the novel, the warlord Mule is a phantom threat. He exists off-screen, in the words and rumors offered by characters in the text. Magnifico is the only actual version of the character to appear on-screen. Pilou Asbæk’s character resembles the false descriptions of the character readers see before the Magnifico twist.
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With all that in mind, it raises questions about who Pilou Asbæk’s Mule really is. I can understand wanting a big-name actor who’s best known for playing villains to fill the role, but they also need to give him something to chew on. He might not want to play the character if he were just a decoy for the real antagonist.
Episode 3 seems to provide this additional material, with the Mule giving a rather somber soliloquy toward the end of the episode. “Do you ever feel like your life is not your own? Like it’s been overtaken by some horrible spirit.” This is a critical aspect of this character, suggesting they’ll both be equally integral to the story.
Foundation Season 3 Episode 3 Sets Up Both Versions Of The Mule
My Current Foundation Season 3 Theory
Foundation season 3 is using Isaac Asimov’s Mule twist, and Magnifico Giganticus is likely the one pulling the strings. However, the show appears to be taking a more zoomed-in look, where Pilou Asbæk’s version of the Mule is partially conscious of the fact that he’s being manipulated. This could lead to conflict between them.
In the Foundation novels, the Mule supposedly came from a planet called Gaia, where he was cast out from society for using his powers to manipulate others. If we’re to assume that’s Magnifico, this is a character who is willing to manipulate to get what he wants without remorse, even if it means losing his home.
Magnifico is highly dangerous, and he evidently has no care for anyone underneath him. If Pilou Asbæk’s Mule were able to break from his spell, he would likely seek years of vengeance on the man, or the horrible spirit, who stole his life from him. This is all to be seen later in the season.
In Screen Rant’s interview with Pilou Asbæk, the actor described his character as being childish and someone who never really got to grow up. This could be because Magnifico has been manipulating him for decades, and underneath that malicious warlord is a child with zero control over his actions.
Foundation
8/10
- Release Date
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September 23, 2021
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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David S. Goyer
- Directors
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Alex Graves, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Phang, Mark Tonderai, Andrew Bernstein
- Writers
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Jane Espenson, Leigh Dana Jackson, Liz Phang, Eric Carrasco, David Kob, Addie Manis, Marcus Gardley, Lauren Bello, Olivia Purnell
