Warning: Spoilers ahead for Foundation season 3, episode 7, “Foundation’s End.”Foundation season 3, episode 7, “Foundation’s End”, consists of three solidly-written storylines that are each executed to perfection. Combined, the trilogy of arcs creates an installment that is difficult to fault, and it further supports the argument that Foundation season 3 is the show’s strongest outing yet. It was already one of Apple TV+’s best sci-fi shows; now it’s moving further up the rankings.
Just as the first half of Foundation season 3 has been brilliantly setting up the coming darkness, the second half has seen the characters barreling towards what seems like the unavoidable milestone. With such a key moment in the Foundation timeline so close, it’s impressive that the show has managed to keep everything else so interesting.
The show has always made great use of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation books, while also not being afraid to flesh out the sci-fi author’s iconic space opera. However, “Foundation’s End” focuses on the additions to the source material far more than any previous episode, making it especially difficult to work out what could happen next.
“Foundation’s End” Finally Makes The Mule A Properly Compelling Villain
At the heart of the first storyline in “Foundation’s End” is the Mule’s (Pilou Asbæk) brutal origin and the route he took to becoming the saga’s biggest villain yet. Seeing how he lived and suffered under Foundation rule is a shock when it comes to the matter of Hari Seldon’s (Jared Harris) followers being painted as the bad guys.
Seeing what happened to the Mule during his formative years also explains why he turned out the way he did. In short, he wants revenge on the Foundation, an organization he understandably blames for the incredibly dark choices he was forced to make to ensure his survival.
Before this flashback sequence, scenes from which are peppered throughout “Foundation’s End,” it was tricky to buy into the Mule as a well-written bad guy. Instead, his unsettling smiley demeanor and seemingly random acts of violence only conveyed a two-dimensional greed. Now that his motivation has been revealed, he’s a far better character.
What’s more, the Mule’s backstory is only loosely referenced in Asimov’s Foundation novels. So, the adaptation has made some incredibly tasteful and authentic additions to the villain’s lore. It all feels very respectful and suits the story incredibly well.
Brother Day’s Hallucination Sequence Is One Of The Best Things Foundation Has Done
The second storyline in “Foundation’s End” revolves around the aftermath of Brother Day (Lee Pace) having his heart broken. While trying to convince his former consort that she met a robot during her time at the Imperial Palace, Day is forced to imbibe some kind of liquid hallucinogen to ensure his honesty.
The sequence that follows is an absolute feast for the eyes. It’s filled with trippy visuals and enlightening lore reveals. My favorite part was when Lady Demerzel (Laura Birn) leans out of the tapestry and transitions into the vision’s live-action setting. It’s a moment that looks absolutely spectacular.
The last-minute addition of a new character, Sunmaster-18 (Blake Ritson), makes Day’s arc especially entertaining.
What makes Day’s mind-bending journey so impressive is that Foundation season 3 had its budget cut partway through production, with the cast being sent home during filming while Apple TV+ reevaluated certain costs. Thankfully, there was still an ample amount set aside for special effects like these.
“Foundation’s End” Finds Another Way To Deepen The Mystery Of The Genetic Dynasty’s Future
Foundation‘s Genetic Dynasty has already been teased to come to an end in season 3, but the direct path to the conclusion of the Cleonic Age has yet to be revealed. “Foundation’s End” is the most thorough view yet of how Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann) is being forced into ruling Empire alone in the absence of his two brothers.
With the clone storyline being original to the show, having just one Cleon rule over Empire feels like an artful nod to the Foundation books, and it’s a fascinating storyline. Dusk finding love with Ambassador Quent (Cherry Jones) just days before his planned Ascension ceremony is heartbreaking enough, but then his last-minute turn really raised my eyebrow.
After spending the entire episode coming across as an especially sweet, romantic, and professional iteration of Cleon, Dusk’s surprise decision to stomp an innocent ferret to death comes out of nowhere. I’m sure there will be an explanation for this twist, and I look forward to seeing what it is in Foundation season 3’s final episodes.
Foundation Season 3, Episode 7
9/10
- 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
- The Mule’s origin story finally gives him a proper motive
- Brother Day’s hallucination sequence was great
- Han Pritcher has still done almost nothing
