Alright, let’s cut to the chase and talk about Foundation. Apple TV+’s ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s sprawling saga has definitely taken some liberties, but it’s been a wild ride. If you’re here, you know what you’re in for – we’re spoiling everything.
Season 1: The Seeds of Psychohistory and the Empire’s Rot
Season 1 sets up the core conflict: Hari Seldon, the brilliant mathematician, predicts the fall of the Galactic Empire, an event that will plunge humanity into 30,000 years of darkness. His solution? Psychohistory, a statistical science that can predict the future of large populations, and the creation of the Foundation on the remote planet Terminus, a repository of knowledge meant to shorten the dark age to a mere millennium.
The Empire, ruled by the genetic dynasty of Cleon clones (Brother Day, Brother Dusk, Brother Dawn), isn’t too keen on this prediction. They exile Seldon and his protege, Gaal Dornick, to Terminus. But of course, Seldon being Seldon, this is all part of his plan.
The season quickly establishes its non-linear timeline, jumping between events on Terminus and the Imperial capital of Trantor. On Terminus, we meet Salvor Hardin, the warden of the Foundation, who has a mysterious connection to the Vault – a strange artifact that houses a holographic version of Hari Seldon. Salvor is also plagued by visions and has a knack for getting herself into trouble, often finding herself at odds with the Anacreons and Thespins, two warring factions in the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Meanwhile, on Trantor, we see the cracks in the seemingly unshakeable Empire. Brother Day, the current iteration of Cleon, grapples with existential questions about his soul and the purity of his genetic lineage. We discover that the Cleon DNA has been subtly tampered with, meaning the clones are no longer perfect replicas of the original Cleon I. This is a massive blow to the very foundation of their power and identity. Demerzel, the ancient robot who serves the Cleons, is revealed to be far more than just a servant, hinting at a deeper, more manipulative role in the dynasty’s continuation.
The biggest twists come at the end: Salvor Hardin is revealed to be Gaal Dornick’s daughter, born through artificial means after Gaal was put into cryo-sleep. And Hari Seldon’s death at the hands of his adopted son, Raych, was also part of his plan, meant to mythologize him and ensure the Foundation’s focus. The season ends with Gaal waking up from cryo-sleep on her flooded home planet, Synnax, only to find Salvor in another cryo-pod. Mother and daughter are finally reunited, albeit stranded.
Season 2: The Second Crisis and the Rise of Mentalics
Season 2 picks up a century after the first, with the Foundation thriving, albeit under threat from the Empire. The second Seldon Crisis is upon them, and this time, it’s personal.
The Empire, now led by Cleon XVII (Brother Day), is more aggressive than ever, determined to crush the Foundation. Day even attempts to break the genetic dynasty by marrying Queen Sareth of the Cloud Dominion and having a natural-born heir, a move that deeply rattles Demerzel.
On the other side of the galaxy, Gaal and Salvor encounter a new group: the Mentalics, individuals with powerful psionic abilities. They find themselves on the planet Ignis, a hidden haven for these telepaths. Gaal, who has always had latent psychic abilities, begins to train with them, developing her powers. Hari Seldon, still existing as a digital consciousness within the Prime Radiant and later in a physical form (a “Hari clone,” if you will), guides them, though his methods are often morally ambiguous.
The conflict escalates. Brother Day launches a devastating attack on Terminus, seemingly destroying the Foundation. However, in a classic Seldon move, the core of the Foundation’s population is saved by being transported into the Vault.
The season’s climax sees a showdown on Ignis between Gaal, Salvor, and Hari against Tellem Bond, the powerful and manipulative leader of the Mentalics who initially seemed benevolent but proved to be a dangerous threat. Salvor, ever the protector, sacrifices herself to save Gaal from Tellem, a heartbreaking moment for both characters and the audience.
Meanwhile, on Trantor, Demerzel’s true power and agenda come to light. She is revealed to be the ultimate protector of the Cleonic dynasty, manipulating events and even the Cleons themselves to ensure its continuation, though she’s also bound by her programming. She decants new Cleon clones and obtains the Prime Radiant, seemingly putting herself in a position of even greater control.
The season ends with Hari and Gaal entering cryo-sleep once more, preparing for a future confrontation with a new, formidable threat: The Mule. We get a chilling glimpse of this powerful mentalic in the future, sensing Gaal’s presence and vowing to find her, setting up a truly epic conflict for future seasons.
In essence, Season 2 deepened the mysteries, introduced compelling new characters and threats, and sacrificed a beloved hero, all while pushing the narrative further into the unpredictable future predicted (and subtly manipulated) by Hari Seldon. The stage is set for a universe-altering clash, and the rules of psychohistory seem to be bending in unexpected ways.
